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THE    FACE    OF    THE    DEEP. 


fftflfflm,  ( 

THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP 

A   DEVOTIONAL   COMMENTARY 

ON 

THE    APOCALYPSE. 


BY 

CHRISTINA    G.    ROSSETTI, 


AUTHOR  OF  "SEEK 


"Thy  judgments  are  a  great  deep." — PSALM  xxxvi.  6. 


SECOND  EDITION. 


PUBLISHED    UNDER   THE   DIRECTION   OF   THE   TRACT   COMMITTEE. 


LONDON: 
SOCIETY  FOR  PROMOTING  CHRISTIAN  KNOWLEDGE, 

NORTHUMBERLAND   AVENUE,   W.C.  ;    43,  QUEEN    VICTORIA   STREET,  E.G. 

BRIGHTON:   135,  NORTH  STREET. 

NEW  YORK:   E.    &   J.   B.   YOUNG   &   CO. 

1893. 


RICHARD  CLAY  &  SONS,  LIMITED, 
LONDON  &  BUNGAY. 


TO 


FOR    THE    FIRST    TIME 

TO    HER 
BELOVED,   REVERED,   CHERISHED    MEMORY. 


PREFATORY    NOTE. 

IF  thou  canst  dive,  bring  up  pearls.  If  thou  canst  not 
dive,  collect  amber.  Though  I  fail  to  identify  Paradisiacal 
"  bdellium,"  I  still  may  hope  to  search  out  beauties  of  the 
"  onyx  stone." 

A  dear  saint— I  speak  under  correction  of  the  Judgment  of 
the  Great  Day,  yet  think  not  then  to  have  my  word  corrected 
—this  dear  person  once  pointed  out  to  me  Patience  as  our 
lesson  in  the  Book  of  Revelations. 

Following  the  clue  thus  afforded  me,  I  seek  and  hope  to 
find  Patience  in  this  Book  of  awful  import.  Patience,  at  the 
least :  and  along  with  that  grace  whatever  treasures  beside 
God  may  vouchsafe  me.  Bearing  meanwhile  in  mind  how 
I*  to  him  that  knoweth  to  do  good,  and  doeth  it  not,  to  him 
it  is  sin." 

Now  if  any  deign  to  seek  Patience  in  my  company,  I  pray 
them  to  remember  that  One  high  above  me  in  the  Kingdom  of 
Heaven  heads  our  pilgrim  caravan. 

O,  ye  who  love  to-day, 

Turn  away 

From  Patience  with  her  silver  ray  : 

For  Patience  shows  a  twilight  f< 


lace. 


Like  a  half-lighted  moon 
When  daylight  dies  apace. 

But  ye  who  love  to-morrow, 
Beg  or  borrow 

To-day  some  bitterness  of  sorrow  : 
For  Patience  shows  a  lustrous  face 
In  depth  of  night  her  noon  ; 
Then  to  her  sun  gives  place. 


THE    APOCALYPSE. 


CHAPTER   I. 

1.  The  Revelation  of  Jesus  Christ,  which  God  gave  unto 

Him,  to  show  unto  His  servants  things  which  must 
shortly  come  to  pass ;  and  He  sent  and  signified  it  by 
His  angel  unto  His  servant  John : 

2.  Who  bare  record  of  the  word  of  God,  and  of  the  testimony 

of  Jesus  Christ,  and  of  all  things  that  he  saw. 

''Things  which  must  shortly  come  to  pass." — At  the  end 
of  1800  years  we  are  still  repeating  this  "  shortly,"  because  it 
is  the  word  of  God  and  the  testimony  of  Jesus  Christ :  thus 
starting  in  fellowship  of  patience  with  that  blessed  John  who 
owns  all  Christians  as  his  brethren  (see  ver.  9). 

More  marvellous  than  many  marvels  subsequently  revealed 
is  that  initiatory  marvel,  the  dignity  of  Him  Who  ministers  to 
His  own  servants.  For  God  Almighty  it  is  Who  gives  to  Jesus 
Christ  His  Co-Equal  Son  a  Revelation  for  man.  It  reaches  us 
through  Angel  and  Apostle,  but  these  are  the  channel,  not  the 
fountain-head,  as  St.  Paul  writes  to  his  Corinthian  converts  : 
"  What  hast  thou  that  thou  didst  not  receive  ?  now  if  thou  didst 
receive  it,  why  dost  thou  glory,  as  if  thou  hadst  not  received 
it?" 

Wherefore  are  we  God's  creatures?  To  the  end  that  He 
may  do  us  good.  Wherefore  are  we  Christ's  servants?  To 
the  end  that  He  may  save  us.  And  how  helped  He  His 
fallen  creatures  ?  By  taking  their  damage  upon  Himself. 
And  how  took  He  in  hand  to  save  His  servants  ?  By  sacri 
ficing  Himself  for  them.  Did  He  at  all  need  us  as  servants  ? 
Nay,  but  we  needed  Him. 

Thee  we  needed,  Thee  we  need,  O  Only  Almighty,  All- 
merciful  Redeemer.  As  Thou  for  us  who  needed  Thee,  so 


io  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

grant  that  we  may  spend  ourselves  for  any  who  need  us ;  nor 
desire  to  have  servants  or  dependents  or  inferiors  except  so  far 
as  we  may  do  them  good,  requiting  to  them  what  Thou  hast 
done  to  us. 

[Such  cannot  be  our  honest  theory,  unless  it  be  likewise  our 
honest  practice.] 

We  may  not  connect  so  human  a  virtue  as  patience  with  the 
blessed  Angels,  because  exemption  from  sin  seems  to  entail 
incapacity  for  certain  graces.  But  St.  John,  of  like  passions 
with  ourselves,  may  indeed  have  needed  patience  to  "  prophesy 
again  before  many  peoples,  and  nations,  and  tongues,  and 
kings  "  of  that  "  whole  world  "  whereof  he  himself  avers  that 
it  lieth  in  wickedness. 

"The  Revelation  of  Jesus  Christ,  which  God  gave  unto 
Him,  to  show  unto  His  servants  things  which  must  .  .  . 
come  to  pass." — Christ  reveals  to  us  these  things,  and  by 
virtue  of  His  Spirit  dwelling  in  us,  these  and  all  things  reveal 
to  us  Christ.  For  while  this  Book  abounds  in  the  terror  of  the 
Lord,  through  and  above  tumult  of  multitudes  and  their  voice 
as  of  voluminous  waters  or  of  mighty  thunderings  sounds  the 
dear  word,  "  It  is  I ;  be  not  afraid." 

Teach  us,  O  Lord,  to  fear  Thee  without  terror,  and  to  trust 
Thee  without  misgiving :  to  fear  Thee  in  love,  until  it  please 
Thee  that  we  shall  love  Thee  without  fear. 

"  To  show  unto  His  servants." — The  promise  is  to  "  His 
servants "  only,  in  accordance  with  our  Lord's  own  words  : 
"  If  any  man  will  do  His  Will,  he  shall  know  of  the  doctrine.  .  ."  : 
he,  not  another.  Obedience  is  the  key  of  knowledge,  not 
knowledge  of  obedience.  Yet  this  showing  is  not  the  same  as 
explaining :  truths  or  events  are  certified  to  us,  ar.d  in  conse 
quence  we  know  them  ;  but  it  by  no  means  follows  that  we 
can  account  for  them  or  foresee  the  time  or  the  manner  of 
their  coming  to  pass.  Even  St.  Paul  was  content  to  class 
himself  with  his  hearers  when  he  wrote,  "We  know  in  part." 
And  St.  Peter  attests  how  the  prophets  "  inquired  and  searched 
diligently  .  .  .  searching  what,  or  what  manner  of  time  the 
Spirit  of  Christ  which  was  in  them  did  signify  .  .  .  Unto 
whom  it  was  revealed,  that  not  unto  -themselves,  but  unto  us 
they  did  minister  .  .  ." 

Seems  it  a  small  thing  to  minister  rather  than  to  be  ministered 
unto  ?  Nay  :  for  thus  did  the  Lord  Jesus,  Who  likewise  said, 
"  It  is  more  blessed  to  give  than  to  receive." 

"  The  goodly  fellowship  of  the  Prophets  praise  Thee." 

Things  there  are  which  "the  angels  desire  to  look  into." 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  11 

Somewhat  of  the  manifold  Wisdom  of  God  was  not  known 
unto  the  principalities  and  powers  in  heavenly  places  until  the 
Church  brought  it  to  light. 

"  Therefore,  with  Angels  and  Archangels,  and  with  all  the 
company  of  heaven,  we  laud  and  magnify  Thy  Glorious  Name, 
evermore  praising  Thee." 

O  Gracious  Saviour,  Who  declaredst  unto  St.  Peter,  "  What 
I  do,  thou  knowest  not  now ;  but  thou  shalt  know  hereafter  "  ; 
give  us  grace  now  to  answer  Thee  with  his  final  submission, 
that  hereafter  we  may  adore  Thee  with  his  insight. 

O  Gracious  Saviour,  Who  bestowedst  upon  St.  John  a  great 
glory  of  humility  when  he  bare  record  how  Thou  saidst  not  of 
him,  "  He  shall  not  die,"  grant  unto  us  in  mortal  life  humility, 
and  in  life  immortal  glory. 

Heaven  is  not  far,  though  far  the  sky 

Overarching  earth  and  main. 
It  takes  not  long  to  live  and  die, 

Die,  revive,  and  rise  again. 

Not  long  :  how  long  ?     Oh  long  re-echoing  song  ! 
O  Lord,  how  long  ? 

"Who  bare  record  of  the  word  of  God,  and  of  the  testimony 
of  Jesus  Christ."  Elsewhere  St.  John  writes  :  "  If  we  receive 
the  witness  of  men,  the  witness  of  God  is  greater."  All  truth 
is  venerable,  let  who  will  propound  it ;  now  an  Apostle,  at 
another  time  Caiaphas.  Our  Lord  Himself  said :  "  Ye  sent 
unto  John,  and  he  bare  witness  unto  the  truth.  But  I  receive 
not  testimony  from  man."  Clearly  then  the  Truth  is  to  be 
believed  not  for  his  word's  sake  who  records  it,  but  for  His 
Verity's  sake  Who  reveals  it. 

O  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  art  Truth  and  Wisdom,  reveal 
Thyself  unto  us,  we  beseech  Thee.  Thou  art  not  far  from 
every  one  of  us.  Grant  us  good-will  to  draw  nigh  unto  Thee, 
Who  deignest  to  draw  nigh  unto  us. 

"  Who  bare  record  ...  of  all  things  that  he  saw."  Blessed 
he  who  once  and  again  saw  and  believed.  None  the  less 
Christ's  promise  stands  sure  to  ourselves  :  "  Blessed  are  they 
that  have  not  seen,  and  yet  have  believed." 

O  Saviour  of  men,  Who  sufferest  not  Thy  beloved  Disciple 
to  exclude  us,  even  us,  from  any  height  or  depth  of  beatitude, 
give  us  grace  to  be  of  those  blessed  who  not  seeing  believe. 

3.  Blessed  is  he  that  readeth,  and  they  that  hear  the 
words  of  this  prophecy,  and  keep  tbos^  things  which 
are  written  therein,  for  the  time  is  at  hand. 


12  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

"  Understandest  thou  what  thou  readest?  "  asked  Philip  the 
Deacon  of  the  Ethiopian  Eunuch.  And  he  said,  "  How  can  I, 
except  some  man  should  guide  me  ?  "  Whereupon  flowed  forth 
to  him  the  stream  of  light,  knowledge,  and  love.  Yet  not  then 
did  his  illumination  commence  :  it  already  was  his  in  a  mea 
sure  to  enjoy,  respond  to,  improve,  even  before  his  father  in 
God  preached  Christ  unto  him.  What  could  he  do  before 
that  moment  ?  He  could  study  and  pray,  he  could  cherish 
hope,  exercise  love,  feel  after  Him  Whom  as  yet  he  could  not 
intelligently  find. 

So  much  at  least  we  all  can  do  who  read,  or  who  hear,  this 
Book  of  Revelations  :  thus  claiming,  and  by  God's  bounty 
inheriting,  the  covenanted  blessing  of  such  readers  and  hearers. 
Any  who  pray  and  love  enjoy  already  no  stinted  blessing. 
Even  the  will  to  love  is  love. 

A  reader  and  hearers  stand  in  graduated  degrees  of  know 
ledge  or  of  ignorance,  as  the  case  may  be.  The  reader  study 
ing  at  first  hand  is  in  direct  contact  with  God's  Word  :  hearers 
seek  instruction  of  God  through  men.  The  reader  requires 
most  gifts  :  hearers  may  exercise  fully  as  much  grace.  Most 
of  us  are  hearers:  having  performed  conscientiously  the  duty 
of  hearers,  we  shall  be  the  less  prone  to  make  mistakes  if  ever 
providentially  promoted  to  be  readers.  Our  dearest  Lord, 
Who  deigned  to  become  the  pattern  of  every  grade  of  aspirant, 
as  a  Boy  showed  hearers  how  to  hear  (St.  Luke  ii.  46,  47) ;  and 
as  a  Man  showed  readers  how  to  read  (St.  Luke  iv.  16 — 27). 

Lord,  I  am  feeble  and  of  mean  account  ; 
Thou  Who  dost  condescend  as  well  as  mount, 

Stoop  Thou  Thyself  to  me 
And  grant  me  grace  to  hear  and  grace  to  see. 

Lord,  if  Thou  grant  me  grace  to  hear  and  see 
Thy  very  Self  Who  stoopest  thus  to  me, 

I  make  but  slight  account 
Of  aught  beside  wherein  to  sink  or  mount. 

It  suffices  not  to  read  or  to  hear  the  words  of  this  prophecy, 
except  we  also  "  keep  those  things  which  are  written  therein."' 
How  keep  them  ?  One  part  in  one  way,  another  part  in 
another  :  the  commandments  by  obedience,  the  mysteries  by 
thoughtful  reception  ;  as  blessed  Mary,  herself  a  marvel,  kept 
mysterious  intimations  vouchsafed  to  her,  and  pondered  them 
in  her  heart.  Yet  never  had  she  gone  on  in  pursuit  of  all 
mysteries  and  all  knowledge  if  she  had  not  first  answered  in 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  13 

simple  obedience  :  "Behold  the  handmaid  of  the  Lord;  be  it 
unto  me  according  to  thy  word." 

O  bountiful  Lord,  to  Whom  they  who  do  the  will  of  God  are 
as  brother  and  sister  and  mother,  number  us  in  that  blessed 
company,  that  here  we  may  obey  and  suffer  as  Thy  patient 
exiles,  and  hereafter  rule  and  rejoice  as  Thy  nearest  and 
dearest. 

"Blessed  are  they  ...  for  the  time  is  at  hand."  Even 
now,  eighteen  centuries  later,  we  know  not  when  that  cry  shall 
be  made,  "  Behold,  the  Bridegroom  cometh ;  go  ye  out  to 
meet  Him."  Nevertheless  the  time  was  then  at  hand,  for  so 
the  Bible  certifies  us,  and  still  must  it  be  at  hand.  What 
time?  Doubtless  the  time  of  fulfilment  after  fulfilment  until 
all  be  fulfilled.  Likewise  also  that  (so  to  say)  secondary  time 
when  each  one  of  us,  having  done  with  mortal  life  and  pro 
bation,  shall  await  judgment.  For  truly  the  end  of  all  flesh  is 
at  hand,  whether  or  not  we  possess  faith  to  realize  how  a 
thousand  years  and  one  day  are  comparable  in  the  Divine 
sight. 

"  A  thousand  years  in  Thy  sight  are  but  as  yesterday  when 
it  is  past,  and  as  a  watch  in  the  night." 

Blessed  are  the  wise  virgins  whose  lamps  burn  on  unto  the 
endless  end.  "  Blessed  are  those  servants,  whom  the  Lord 
when  He  cometh  shall  find  watching."  "  If  ye  know  these 
things,  happy  are  ye  if  ye  do  them." 

"The  time  is  at  hand,"  ever  at  hand  ;  yet  it  waits  long  for 
us  :  "  Who  knoweth  if  he  will  return  and  repent?  "  But  if  we 
will  not  return  or  repent,  "  iniquity  shall  be  to  you  as  a  breach 
ready  to  fall .  .  .  whose  breaking  cometh  suddenly  at  an  instant." 

O  Lord  God  of  time  and  eternity,  Who  makest  us  creatures 
of  time  to  the  end  that  when  time  is  over  we  may  attain  to 
Thy  blessed  eternity ;  with  time,  Thy  gift,  give  us  also  wisdom 
to  redeem  the  time,  lest  our  day  of  grace  be  lost.  For  our 
Lord  Jesus'  sake.  Amen. 

Astonished  Heaven  looked  on  when  man  was  made, 
When  fallen  man  reproved  seemed  half  forgiven  ; 

Surely  that  oracle  of  hope  first  said 
Astonished  Heaven. 

Even  so  while  one  by  one  lost  souls  are  shriven, 

A  mighty  multitude  of  quickened  dead  ; 
Christ's  love  outnumbering  ten  times  sevenfold  seven. 

Even  so  while  man  still  tosses  high  his  head, 

While  still  the  All-holy  Spirit's  strife  is  striven  ; — 

Till  one  lasftrump  shake  earth,  and  undismayed 
Astonished  Heaven. 


14  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

4.  John  to  the  seven  churches  which  are  in  Asia  :  Grace  be 

unto  you,  and  peace,  from  Him  which  is,  and  which 
was,  and  which  is  to  come  ;  and  from  the  seven  Spirits 
which  are  before  His  throne  ; 

5.  And  from  Jesus  Christ,  Who  is  the  faithful  Witness,  and 

the  first  begotten  of  the  dead,  and  the  Prince  of  the 
kings  of  the  earth.  Unto  Him  that  loved  us,  and  washed 
us  from  our  sins  in  His  own  blood, 

6.  And  hath  made  us  kings  and  priests  unto  God  and  His 

Father ;  to  Him  be  glory  and  dominion  for  ever  and 
ever.  Amen. 

"  John  to  the  seven  Churches." — Gracious  the  speaker, 
because  his  mouth  was  filled  with  a  grace  not  his  own.  Whoso 
speaketh  for  God  must  take  heed  to  speak  like  God.  If  St. 
Paul  made  himself  all  things  to  all  men,  that  he  might  by  all 
means  save  some,  how  much  more  Christ !  St.  John  saluteth, 
but  not  with  his  own  salutation  :  "  What  hast  thou  that  thou 
hast  not  received  ?  " 

Nothing  perhaps  ever  brought  more  vividly  home  to  me  the 
condescension,  not  of  the  servant,  but  of  the  Master,  than  once 
when  at  a  Communion  which  was  to  me  almost  a  sick  Com 
munion,  the  Celebrant  in  administering  moved  a  chair  slightly 
for  my  greater  convenience.  "  He  knoweth  whereof  we  are 
made  ;  He  remembereth  that  we  are  but  dust." 

"  Grace  be  unto  you,  and  peace." — Before  we  tremble,  God 
reassures  us.  "  Yea,  like  as  a  father  pitieth  his  own  children, 
even  so  is  the  Lord  merciful  unto  them  that  fear  Him." 

O  God  Almighty,  by  Whom  and  before  Whom  we  all  are 
brethren,  grant  us  so  truly  to  love  one  another,  that  evidently 
and  beyond  all  doubt  we  may  love  Thee.  Through  Jesus 
Christ  Thy  Son,  our  Lord  and  Brother.  Amen. 

"Grace  .  .  .  and  peace." — "Thou  shalt  keep  him  in 
perfect  peaca  whose  mind  is  stayed  on  Thee  :  because  he 
trusteth  in  Thee." 

"  From  Him  which  is,  and  which  was,  and  which  is  to 
come." — Not  "was— is — is  to  come."  "  Is"  abides  perpetual, 
unalterable,  dominant.  Antecedent  to  creatures,  antecedent 
to  time,  is  revealed  to  our  finite  conception  by  "  was  " :  out 
lasting  time,  by  "  is  to  come  "  :  whilst  parallel  with  creatures, 
with  time,  with  all  beginnings  and  all  ends,  abides  the  eternal 
"is."  We  creatures  of  time,  who  might  instinctively  have 
written  "  was — is — is  to  come,"  are  thus  helped,  not  indeed 
to  understand,  but  to  adore  the  inconceivable,  eternal, 


THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP.  15 

absolute  Unchangeableness  of  God.  We  run  a  course ;  not 
so  He. 

"  And  from  the  Seven  Spirits  which  are  before  His  throne." — 
These  words  appear  to  correspond  with  those  of  Isaiah  :  "  The 
Spirit  of  the  Lord  .  .  .  the  Spirit  of  wisdom  and  understand 
ing,  the  Spirit  of  counsel  and  might,  the  Spirit  of  knowledge 
and  of  the  fear  of  the  Lord."  Also  with  the  description  of  the 
golden  candlestick  in  the  Mosaic  Tabernacle:  "And  thou 
shall  make  a  candlestick  of  pure  gold  .  .  .  And  thou  shall 
make  the  seven  lamps  thereof :  and  they  shall  light  the  lamps 
thereof,  that  they  may  give  light  .  .  ." 

A  mystery  confronts  us.  We  read  of  Seven,  yet  we  dare  not 
think  except  as  of  One. 

"  O  God  the  Holy  Ghost,  proceeding  from  the  Father  and 
the  Son  :  have  mercy  upon  us,  miserable  sinners."  "Lighten 
our  darkness,  we  beseech  Thee,  O  Lord." 

Multitude  no  less  than  Unity  characterizes  various  types  of 
God  the  Holy  Spirit.  Water  indefinitely  divisible,  and  every 
portion  equivalent  in  completeness  to  the  whole.  Fire  kind 
ling  unlimited  flames,  each  in  like  manner  complete  in  itself. 
Dew  made  up  of  innumerable  drops :  so  also  rain,  and  if  we 
may  make  the  distinction,  showers.  A  cloud  as  a  cloud  is 
one,  while  as  raindrops  it  is  a  multitude.  And  as  in  division 
each  portion  is  a  complete  whole  devoid  of  parts,  so  equally  in 
reunion  all  portions  together  form  one  complete  whole  simi 
larly  devoid  of  parts  :  let  drops  or  let  flames  run  together,  and 
there  exists  no  distinction  of  parts  in  their  uniform  volume. 

"  Before  His  throne." — As  the  golden  candlestick  stood 
before  the  Holy  of  Holies. 

"And  from  Jesus  Christ,  Who  Is  the  Faithful  Witness." — 
Not  John,  but  Jesus  :  or  rather  Jesus  through  John,  and  John 
only  because  of  Jesus.  St.  John,  the  Apostle  of  love,  becomes 
here  the  mouthpiece  of  very  Love.  So  that  in  this  Apocalypse 
not  glories  only,  joys  unutterable,  perfection,  are  witnessed  to 
us  by  Love,  but  terrors  likewise,  doom,  the  Judgment,  the 
opened  Books,  the  lake  of  fire.  Love  reveals  to  us  these 
things,  threatens  now  that  it  may  spare  then,  shows  us  de 
struction  lest  we  destroy  ourselves. 

Let  us  not  in  all  our  tremblings  forget  or  doubt  that  it 
is  Faithful  Love  which  speaketh. 

My  God,  Thyself  being  Love  Thy  heart  is  love, 
And  love  Thy  Will  and  love  Thy  Word  to  us, 
Whether  Thou  show  us  depths  calamitous 
Or  heights  and  flights  of  rapturous  peace  above. 


16  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

O  Christ  the  Lamb,  O  Holy  Ghost  the  Dove, 

Reveal  the  Almighty  Father  unto  us  ; 

That  we  may  tread  Thy  courts  felicitous, 
Loving  Who  loves  us,  for  our  God  is  Love. 
Lo,  if  our  God  be  Love  through  heaven's  long  day, 

Love  is  He  through  our  mortal  pilgrimage, 

Love  was  He  through  all  aeons  that  are  told. 
We  change,  but  Thou  remainest ;  for  Thine  age 

Is,  Was,  and  Is  to  come,  nor  new  nor  old  ; 
We  change,  but  Thou  remainest :  yea,  and  yea ! 

"The  Faithful  Witness"  demands  faith  :  "the  First  Begotten 
of  the  dead  "  invites  hope :  "  the  Prince  of  the  kings  of  the 
earth  "  challenges  obedience.  Now  faith  may  be  dead,  hope 
presumptuous,  obedience  slavish.  But  "He  that  loved  us" 
thereby  wins  our  love :  and  forthwith  by  virtue  of  love  faith 
lives,  hope  is  justified,  obedience  is  enfranchised. 

Loveless  faith  is  dead,  being  alone.  Loveless  hope  leads  to 
shame.  Loveless  obedience  makes  fair  the  outside,  but  within 
is  rottenness.  Balaam  seems  to  exemplify  all  three. 

"Without  shedding  of  blood  is  no  remission,"  wherefore 
Christ  washed  us  from  our  sins  in  His  own  blood. 

But  God  Almighty  declared  of  old  :  "  Surely  your  blood  of 
your  lives  will  I  require."  Whence  it  follows  that  if  after  such 
cleansing  we  give  ourselves  over  to  pollution,  we  become  guilty 
of  the  Blood  of  the  Lord,  and  bring  upon  ourselves  destruction. 
Our  sins  crucified  Him  once,  and  He  forgave  and  cleansed 
us :  if  by  obstinate  sin  we  crucify  the  Son  of  God  afresh,  who 
shall  again  cleanse  or  forgive  us  ?  for  there  remaineth  no  more 
offering  for  sins. 

Lord,  by  Thy  Love  of  us,  that  great  Love  wherewith  Thou 
hast  loved  us,  let  not  our  latter  end  be  worse  than  our  beginning. 

"  Kings  and  Priests." — At  the  least  and  lowest,  each  of  us 
king  with  subject  self  to  rule ;  priest  with  leprous  self  to 
examine  and  judge.  At  one  step  higher  "the  King's  face  gives 
grace,"  and  we  edify  our  brethren.  "  Let  your  light  so  shine 
before  men,  that  they  may  see  your  good  works,  and  glorify 
your  Father  which  is  in  Heaven."  Another  step  upward,  and 
we  execute  our  priestly  function  of  intercession,  offering  up 
prayers  and  thanks  for  all  men  :  and  highest  of  all,  we  offer  up 
ourselves  to  God  in  will  and  in  deed  as  His  reasonable  and 
lively  sacrifice,  beseeching  Him  to  sanctify  and  accept  our  self- 
oblation. 

O  Good  Lord  God,  Who  uniting  us  with  Thine  everlasting 
King  and  Priest  Jesus  Christ,  makest  us  unworthy  in  Him  to 
be  Thy  kings  and  priests,  constitute  us  what  Thou  requirest, 


THE   FACE    OF   THE  DEEP.  17 

endow  us  with  what  Thou  desirest.  Give  us  royal  hearts  to 
give  back  ourselves  to  Thee  Who  bestowest  all,  and  priestly 
hearts  to  sacrifice  ourselves  to  Thee,  and  keep  back  nothing, 
through  the  grace  of  Thine  indwelling  Holy  Spirit,  by  Whom 
Christ  dwells  in  His  members.  We  ask  this  for  His  sake,  for 
\Vhose  sake  we  cannot  ask  too  much.  Amen. 

Long  and  dark  the  nights,  dim  and  short  the  days, 
Mounting  weary  heights  on  our  weary  ways, 

Thee  our  God  we  praise. 
Scaling  heavenly  heights  by  unearthly  ways, 
Thee  our  God  we  praise  all  our  nights  and  days, 

Thee  our  God  we  praise. 

"The  First  begotten  of  the  dead."  — "The  Firstborn  of 
every  creature." — ';  He  is  not  a  God  of  the  dead,  but  of  the 
living:  for  all  live  unto  Him." — "To  this  end  Christ  both 
died,  and  rose,  and  revived,  that  He  might  be  Lord  both  of 
the  dead  and  living."  Thus  tenderly  does  God  provide  for  all 
estates  of  men,  whether  dead  or  alive.  Though  His  elect  be 
dead,  He  accounts  and  keeps  them  alive  in  Christ,  and  blots 
not  their  names  out  of  the  book  of  His  remembrance,  and 
suffers  not  earth  so  to  cover  their  btood  that  they  should  be 
overlooked,  and  knows  whence  to  recover  their  dust,  and  holds 
their  souls  in  His  hand.  "  The  souls  of  the  righteous  are  in 
the  hand  of  God,  and  there  shall  no  torment  touch  them  .  .  . 
They  are  in  peace." 

St.  Paul  has  left  us  words  of  mutual  comfort :  "  I  would  not 
have  you  to  be  ignorant,  brethren,  concerning  them  which  are 
asleep,  that  ye  sorrow  not,  even  as  others  which  have  no  hope. 
For  if  we  believe  that  Jesus  died  and  rose  again,  even  so  them 
also  which  sleep  in  Jesus  will  God  bring  with  Him.  For  this 
we  say  unto  you  by  the  word  of  the  Lord,  that  we  which  are 
alive  and  remain  unto  the  coming  of  the  Lord,  shall  not  prevent 
them  which  are  asleep.  For  the  Lord  Himself  shall  descend 
from  heaven  with  a  shout,  with  the  voice  of  the  archangel,  and 
with  the  trump  of  God  :  and  the  dead  in  Christ  shall  rise  first : 
then  we  which  are  alive  and  remain  shall  be  caught  up  together 
with  them  in  the  clouds,  to  meet  the  Lord  in  the  air :  and  so 
shall  we  ever  be  with  the  Lord." 

And  years  before,  as  one  whom  his  mother  comforteth, 
saintly  Martha  had  been  comforted  by  Christ  Himself:  "I  am 
the  resurrection  and  the  life  :  he  that  believeth  in  Me,  though 
he  were  dead,  yet  shall  he  live :  and  whosoever  liveth  and 
believeth  in  Me  shall  never  die."  Amen,  Good  Lord. 

B 


1 8  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

[CKir  Church  Palms  are  budding  willow  twigs.] 

While  Christ  lay  dead  the  widowed  world 

Wore  willow  green  for  hope  undone  ; 
Till,  when  bright  Easter  dews  hnpearled 

The  chilly  burial  earth, 
All  north  and  south,  all  east  and  west, 

Flushed  rosy  in  the  arising  sun  ; 
Hope  laughed,  and  faith  resumed  her  rest, 

And  love  remembered  mirth. 

"The  seven  Churches  in  Asia"  on  whom  first  alighted  so 
great  a  benediction  ceased  centuries  ago  to  flourish  locally: 
nevertheless  the  Divine  salutation  has  not  returned  unto  God 
empty.  All  Christendom  being  the  abode  of  the  Son  of  peace, 
peace  rests  upon  it  and  will  rest  to  the  end,  although  without 
respect  of  particular  place  or  particular  person.  Those  Seven 
Churches  are  representative  of  the  entire  Church  Militant,  the 
number  seven  standing  for  completeness :  as  seven  tints  paint 
the  rainbow,  and  Wisdom  hews  out  her  seven  pillars,  and  after 
seven  weeks  of  years  dawned  the  new  year  of  the  Jewish 
Jubilee,  and  a  mystical  seventh  day  closes  the  great  week  of 
time. 

Yet  as  to  forgiveness,  seven  sums  not  up  our  debt : — 
"Peter  .  .  .  said,  Lord,  how  oft  shall  my  brother  sin  against 
me,  and  I  forgive  him  ?  till  seven  times  ?  Jesus  saith  unto 
him,  I  say  not  unto  thee,  Until  seven  times :  but,  Until  seventy 
times  seven." 

O  Christ  our  God,  Who  of  us  requirest  so  much,  suffer  us 
to  plead  with  Thyself  for  more  than  that  measure  which  from 
us  Thou  requirest.  For  Thine  own  love's  sake. 

"Shall  mortal  man  be  more  just  than  God  ?  shall  a  man  be 
more  pure  than  his  Maker  ?  " 

If  thou  be  dead,  forgive  and  thou  shalt  live  ; 

If  thou  hast  sinned,  forgive  and  be  forgiven; 
God  waiteth  to  be  gracious  and  forgive, 
And  open  heaven. 

Set  not  thy  will  to  die  and  not  to  live  ; 

.Set  not  thy  face  as  flint  refusing  heaven  ; 
Thou  fool,  set  not  thy  heart  on  hell  :  forgive 
And  be  forgiven. 

How  can  man  effectually  ascribe  to  Christ  "glory  and 
dominion  for  ever  and  ever"?  Not  merely  by  uttering  Amen, 
but  by  living  Amen.  To  use  the  grace  of  God's  most  bounti 
ful  salutation,  thereby  attaining  His  peace,  constitutes  us  His 
faithful  servants  and  patient  saints :  servants  who  shall  see  His 
face  and  serve  Him  in  perfection ;  saints  in  whom  He  shall  be- 


THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP.  19 

glorified  when  He  cometh  to  be   admired  in  all  them    that 
believe. 

"  Lord,  I  believe  ;  help  Thou  mine  unbelief." 
Lord  Jesus,  what  joy  was  that,  what  covetable  good,  for 
whose  sake  Thou  didst  endure  the  Cross,  despising  the  shame  ? 
Not  for  glory  and  dominion  for  ever  and  ever  simply  and  for 
their  own  sake.  Already  Thou  hadst  glory  with  the  Father 
before  the  world  was,  and  dominion  and  fear  were  with  Thee 
before  man  transgressed  Thy  commandment.  Nay,  rather,  it 
was  that  as  the  bridegroom  rejoiceth  over  the  bride,  so 
mightest  Thou  rejoice  over  us.  If  Thou  hadst  given  no  more 
than  all  the  substance  of  Thy  house  for  love,  it  might  have 
been  contemned  :  but  Thou  hast  given  Thyself.  What  shall 
we  give  Thee  in  return  ?  What  shall  we  not  give  Thee  ? 

7.  Behold,  He  cometh  with  clouds ;  and  every  eye  shall  see 
Him,  and  they  also  which  pierced  Him :  and  all 
kindreds  of  the  earth  shall  wail  because  of  Him. 
Even  so,  Amen. 

Once  to  Nicodemus  our  Lord  said  :  "  Verily,  verily,  I  say 
unto  thee,  We  speak  that  we  do  know,  and  testify  that  we  have 
seen  :  and  ye  receive  not  our  witness."  So  now  St.  John,  on 
the  threshold  of  his  revelation,  cries  to  us  :  "  Behold  " — being 
about  to  make  us  see  with  his  eyes  and  hear  with  his  ears,  if 
only  we  will  understand  with  hearts  akin  to  his  own. 

Dare  we  then  aspire  to  become  like  St.  John?  Wherefore 
not,  when  we  are  bidden  and  invited  to  become  like  Christ  ? 

Our  likeness  to  St.  John  (if  by  God's  grace  wre  assume  any 
vestige  of  such  glory)  must  include  faith  and  love,  but  need 
not  involve  more  than  an  elementary  degree  of  knowledge. 

Humility  and  prayer  will  guard  us  against  culpable  misunder 
standing,  but  may  not  for  the  present  confer  understanding. 
I  once  heard  a  teacher  instruct  his  class  that  Joshua  when  he 
bade  the  sun  stand  still,  himself  rightly  conceived  the  astro 
nomical  position,  whilst  he  spoke  according  to  the  opinion 
of  his  hearers.  Wherefore  suppose  this  ?  Faith  alone,  not 
knowledge,  seems  essential  to  the  miracle. 

Similarly  in  our  present  study  faith  is  required  of  us,  and 
faith  may  consist  with  either  ignorance  or  knowledge.  We 
are  bound  to  believe  and  obey:  we  may  live,  and  haply  we  may 
die,  before  being  called  upon  to  recognize  hidden  meanings, 

St.  John  himself,  illuminated  as  he  was  beyond  mortal  wont, 
becomes  our  pattern  of  a  gracious  partial  ignorance  when  he 
records  how  the  Lord  said  not  of  him,  "He  shall  not  die;  but, 


20  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

If  I  will  that  he  tarry  till  I  come,  what  is  that  to  thce  ? " 
Certain  disciples  thinking  to  understand,  misinterpreted :  he 
himself  abiding  by  the  simple  letter  of  God's  word,  awaited 
what  the  day  should  bring  forth. 

"Behold,  He  cometh  with  clouds."— "  Behold,  the  Bride 
groom  cometh  ;  go  ye  out  to  meet  Him."  Who  shall  go  out  ? 
Nay,  who  shall  tarry  within?  "The  virgins  love  Thee";  and 
the  wise  virgins  at  length  after  patient  watching  and  waiting  go 
out.  The  foolish  virgins  too  go  out ;  but  alas  !  they  are  not  of 
those  who  shall  go  in  to  the  marriage.  They  that  are  in  the 
graves  go  out,  some  to  everlasting  life,  some  to  shame  and 
everlasting  contempt.  The  sea  casts  up  her  dead.  North  and 
south,  east  and  west,  the  winds,  the  ends  of  heaven,  all  give 
back,  all  bring  back,  the  dead.  A  very  great  army. 

"And  every  eye  shall  see  Him." — All  impelled  in  one 
direction,  all  looking  in  one  direction.  Even  a  very  small 
crowd  doing  the  same  thing  at  the  same  instant  has  a  thrilling, 
awful  power;  as  once  when  I  saw  the  chorus  of  a  numerous 
orchestra  turn  over  their  music-sheets  at  the  same  moment,  it 
brought  before  me  the  Day  of  Judgment. 

"He  cometh  with  clouds." — "Clouds  and  darkness  are 
round  about  Him  ;  righteousness  and  judgment  are  the  habit 
ation  of  His  throne."  But  we  know  not  whether  at  that 
supreme  moment  any  one  will  even  notice  clouds,  or  angels, 
or  subordinate  terrors.  Now  is  our  time  to  notice  and  avail 
ourselves  of  them,  if  we  aim  at  living  by  every  word  that  pro- 
ceedeth  out  of  the  mouth  of  God. 

Each  common  cloud  in  this  our  cloudy  climate  may  serve 
to  remind  us  of  the  cloud  of  the  Ascension,  and  of  the  clouds 
of  the  second  Advent.  Also  of  that  great  cloud  of  witnesses 
who  already  compass  us  about,  who  one  day  will  hear  our 
doom  pronounced  ;  who  perhaps  will  then  for  the  moment 
become  as  nothing  to  us  when  we  stand  face  to  face  with 
Christ  our  Judge  :  "  At  the  brightness  of  His  presence  His 
clouds  removed." 

"  Truly  the  light  is  sweet,  and  a  pleasant  thing  it  is  for  the 
eyes  to  behold  the  sun."  Good  also  are  clouds  when  they 
recall  our  thoughts  to  Christ ;  yea,  good  is  a  horror  of  great 
darkness,  if  thereby  He  vouchsafe  us  a  revelation. 

O  all-sufficing  Lord  Jesus,  our  fear  and  our  hope,  nourish 
in  us  the  fear  Thou  requirest,  and  the  hope  'J  hou  acceptest ; 
that  by  fear  we  may  become  bold  in  obedience,  and  by  hope 
indomitable  in  perseverance,  lest  we  fall  and  perish  at  Thy 
presence. 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  21 

Ah,  Lord,  we  all  have  pierced  Thee  :  wilt  Thou  be 

Wroth  with  us  all  to  slay  us  all? 
Nay,  Lord,  be  this  thing  far  from  Thee  and  me : 

By  whom  should  we  arise,  for  we  are  small, 
By  whom  if  not  by  Thee  ? 

Lord,  if  of  us  who  pierced  Thee  Thou  spare  one, 

Spare  yet  one  more  to  love  Thy  face, 
And  yet  another  of  poor  souls  undone, 

Another,  and  another — God  of  grace, 
Let  mercy  overrun. 

We  all  have  pierced  Him,  and  wicked  Christians  far  more 
cruelly  than  did  those  who  of  old  knew  not  what  they  did. 
Yet  to  those  men  who  handled  the  nails  and  the  spear  (to  any 
of  them  who  repented  not)  seems  to  appertain  one  special  pang 
of  recognition,  their  pang  and  not  another's— a  pang  not 
awaiting  any  who  even  from  the  left  hand  can  answer,  Lord, 
when  saw  we  Thee  ? 

No  retributive  agony  for  offences  against  our  neighbour  may 
equal  the  sight  of  Christ  Himself  recognized  too  late.  Yet 
may  it  be  but  the  extreme  instance  of  what  we  incur  daily, 
hourly,  by  such  offences,  whether  of  commission,  omission, 
malign  influence.  What  will  it  be  to  meet  ngain  those  whom 
we  would  have  the  mountains  fall  upon,  and  the  hills  cover? 
souls  whose  blood  cries  out  against  us  ?  some  twofold  more 
child  of  hell  of  our  own  making?  What  will  it  be  to  depart 
with  our  victims  into  everlasting  fire  prepared  for  the  devil  and 
his  angels  ?  O  my  God,  what  would  it  be  by  some  miracle  of 
Thy  mercy  ourselves  to  stand  safe  while  we  behold  one  whom 
we  have  corrupted  depart  into  everlasting  punishment? 

David  when  he  beheld  his  own  misdeed  visited  upon  his 
people  "  spake  unto  the  Lord  .  .  .  and  said,  Lo,  I  have  sinned, 
and  I  have  done  wickedly;  but  these  sheep,  what  have  they 
done  ?  let  Thine  hand,  I  pray  Thee,  be  against  me  ... " — 
David,  a  man  after  God's  own  heart,  saintly  in  his  penitence. 
Long  before  him  Moses,  by  the  grace  of  God,  had  freely  identi 
fied  himself  for  love's  sake  with  his  self-destroyed  people : 
"  Moses  returned  unto  the  Lord,  and  said,  Oh,  this  people  have 
sinned  a  great  sin,  and  have  made  them  gods  of  gold.  Yet 
now,  if  Thou  wilt,  forgive  their  sin ;  and  if  not,  blot  me,  I  pray 
Thee,  out  of  Thy  book  which  Thou  hast  written."  And  once 
again,  centuries  afterwards,  St.  Paul,  rapt  out  of  himself  by  love, 
deliberately  put  on  record  :  "  I  could  wish  that  myself  were 
accursed  from  Christ  for  my  brethren."  For  the  spiritual  world 
also  has  had  its  giants,  mighty  men  that  were  of  old,  men  of 
renown. 


22  '/'///•:  FACE  01'    /'//A' 


Now  we  have  \x-n\  <  i<  ated  small,  and  not  threat,  and  further, 
ue  may  have  stunted  and  dwarfed  ourselves  by  sin  ;  and  if  so 
(at  lea  t  for  the  present)  it  may  both  seem  and  be  simply 
hopeless  for  us  to  aim  at  heights  or  at  depths.  Still,  however 
r.'iiommious  our  level,  the  person  we  have  wronged  has  a 
present,  nig-nt,  instant  claim  upon  us,  and  if  we  can  do  nothing 
else  by  way  of  reparation,  we  can  pray  for  him.  "Yes,  verily, 
and  by  (iod's  help  so  I  will." 

O  Lord  (Jod,  Almighty  and  All-merciful,  cleanse  those  whom 

I  have  defiled,  heal   those  whom  I   have  wounded,  strengthen 

whom  I    have  enfeebled,   set  right   those  whom  I  have 

1,   recall   to  Tl.yself  those  whom  I  have  alienated   from 

Thee.      I   piay  Thee,  save  these  sinners,  save  all  sinners,  and 

among  4  all   :,  mners  save  me  the  sinner.      For  Jesus'  sake,  the 

Friend  of  sinners.     Amen. 

"All  kindieds  of  the  earth  shall  wail  because  of  Him  "  —  or, 
as  in  the  Revised  Version  :  "  All  the  tribes  of  the  earth  shall 
mourn  OVCT  Him."  The  two  translations  suggest  different 
trains  of  thought. 

The  fust  seems  to  set  before  us  those  whose  resurrection 
bodies  being  still  of  the  earth  earthy,  their  resurrection  cannot 
but  be  the  resurrection  of  damnation.  "Kindieds  of  the 
earth,"  and  by  their  own  free  will  wedded  to  earth,  the  union 
abides  indissoluble  even  while  earth  and  all  that  is  therein 
an-  being  burnt  up  because  the  Day  of  the  Lord  is  come. 
"There  shall  be  wailing  and  gnashing  of  teeth."  They  whose 
whole  lives  have  clamoured  to  (iod  to  depart  from  them  must 
abide  by  the  awful  sentence,  "  Depart  from  Me." 

But  the  second  reading  has  a  different  sound,  rather  as  if 
all  souls  alike  should  go  forth  and  weep  bitterly,—  alike,  yet 
how  unlike.  Saints  mourning  because  they  have  never  mourned 
enough  over  the  sins  which  slew  their  Ileloved,  because  they  have- 
never  loved  enough  the  Heloved  of  their  souls.  "They  shall 
look  upon  Me  Whom  they  have  pierced,  and  they  shall  mourn 
for  II  -I"  aa  one  inoiinirih  for  his  only  son,  and  shall  be  in 
bitterness  for  I  Mm,  as  one  that  is  in  bitterness  for  his  firstborn." 

5fel  not  to  picture  saints  as  mourning  when  the  days  of 
mourning  are  ended,  I  set  aside  my  own  thought,  and  dwell 
upon  it  only  so  far  as  to  realize  vividly  the  tinworthiness  of 
even  the  most  worthy,  and  (if  such  grace  be  granted  me)  to 
nurse  tendeiness  and  contrition  in  my  own  hard  heart. 

l/nd,  now  give,  us  tears,  yea,  always  tears  so  long  as  they 
shall  be  to  Thy  glory  ;  tears  acceptable  to  Thee,  stored  in  Thy 
bottle;  tears  which  Thou  Thyself  wilt  wipe  away. 


.     THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEI\  23 

Tiiy  lovely  saints  do  bring  Thee  love, 

Incense  and  joy  and  gold  ; 
Fair  star  with  star,  fair  dove  with  dove, 

JSelovcd  by  Thee  of  old. 
I,  Master,  neither  star  nor  dove, 

Have  brought  Thee  sins  and  tears; 
Yet  I  too  bring  a  little  love 

Amid  my  flaws  and  fears. 
A  trembling  love  that  faints  and  fails 

Yet  still  is  love  of  Thee, 
A  wondering  love  that  hopes  and  hails 

Thy  boundless  love  of  me  ; 
Love  kindling  faith  and  pure  desire, 

Love  following  on  to  bliss, 
A  spark,  O  Jesus,  from  Thy  fire, 

A  diop  from  Thine  abyss. 

"  Even  so,  Amen." — "  Amen  "  alone  closed  the  doxology 
(ver.  6),  but  here  where  judgment  is  the  theme,  St.  John  doubles 
his  assent.  A  lesson  of  adhesion  to  the  revealed  Will  of  God, 
be  that  Will  what  it  may :  a  foreshowing  of  the  perfected  will 
and  mind  of  all  saints  at  the  separating  right  and  left  of  the 
final  division  :  an  example  of  the  conformity  we  must  now  pray 
and  strive  after  :  even  so,  Amen. 

8.  I  am  Alpha  and  Omega,  the  "beginning  and  the  ending1, 
saith  the  Lord,  which  is,  and  which  was,  and  which  is 
to  come,  the  Almighty. 

"  I  am  Alpha  and  Omega." — Thus  well-nigh  at  the  opening 
of  these  mysterious  Revelations,  we  find  in  this  title  an  instance 
of  symbolical  language  accommodated  to  human  apprehension  ; 
for  any  literal  acceptation  of  the  phrase  seems  obviously  and 
utterly  inadmissible.  God  condescends  to  teach  us  somewhat 
we  can  learn,  and  in  a  way  by  which  we  are  capable  of  learning 
it.  So,  doubtless,  either  literally  or  figuratively,  throughout 
the  entire  Book. 

Such  a  consideration  encourages  us,  I  think,  to  pursue  our 
study  of  the  Apocalypse,  ignorant  as  we  may  be.  Bring  we 
patience  and  prayer  to  our  quest,  and  assuredly  we  shall  not 
be  sent  empty  away.  The  lather  of  lights  may  still  withhold 
from  us  knowledge,  but  He  will  not  deny  us  wisdom. 

"  Open  Thou  mine  eyes,  that  I  may  behold  wondrous  things 
out  of  Thy  law." 

If  a  letter  of  the  alphabet  may  be  defined  as  a  unit  of 
language,  then  under  this  title  "Alpha  and  Omega"  we  may 
adore  God  as  the  sole  original  Existence,  the  Unit  of  Existence 


24  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.    . 

whence  are  derived  all  nations,  and  kindreds,  and  people,  and 
tongues ;  yea,  all  other  existences  whatsoever. 

This  title  derived  from  human  language  seems  to  call  espe 
cially  upon  "  men  confabulant "  for  grateful  homage.  As  said 
of  old  the  wise  son  of  Sirach  :  "  The  Lord  hath  given  me  a 
tongue  for  my  reward,  and  I  will  praise  Him  therewith."  Or 
as  the  sweet  Psalmist  of  Israel  declared  :  "  I  will  sing  and  give 
praise  with  the  best  member  that  I  have." 

Alas !  that  men  often  pervert  their  choicest  gifts  to  their 
soul's  dire  destruction.  For  St.  James  bears  witness  against 
the  tongue :  "  The  tongue  is  a  little  member,  and  boasteth 
great  things.  Behold,  how  great  a  matter  a  little  fire  kindleth  ! 
And  the  tongue  is  a  fire,  a  world  of  iniquity :  so  is  the  tongue 
among  our  members,  that  it  defileth  the  whole  body,  and 
setteth  on  fire  the  course  of  nature ;  and  it  is  set  on  fire  of 
hell  .  .  .  The  tongue  can  no  man  tame ;  it  is  an  unruly 
evil,  full  of  deadly  poison." 

O  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  Wisdom  and  Word  of  God,  dwell  in  our 
hearts,  I  beseech  Thee,  by  Thy  most  Holy  Spirit,  that  out  of 
the  abundance  of  our  hearts  our  mouths  may  speak  Thy  praise. 
Amen. 

"  The  beginning  and  the  ending." — "The  beginning  "  abso 
lutely  and  in  every  sense,  antecedent  to  all,  cause  of  all,  origin 
of  all. 

Not  so  "  the  ending  "  ;  for  by  God's  merciful  Will  whilst  all 
creatures  have  a  commencement,  many  abide  exempt  from  any 
end,  being  constituted  to  share  His  own  eternity.  Yet  in  a 
different  sense  God  is  "  the  Ending  "  of  all  creation,  inasmuch 
as  all  permanent  good  creatures  converge  to  His  Beatific 
Presence,  find  their  true  unalterable  level  at  His  right  hand, 
rejoice  in  His  joy,  and  rest  in  His  rest  for  ever  and  ever. 
In  Him  all,  out  of  Him  none,  attain  to  fulness  of  life  immortal. 
"  He  that  dwelleth  in  the  secret  place  of  the  Most  High,  shall 
abide  under  the  shadow  of  the  Almighty." 

Contrariwise,  obstinate  sinners  who  finally  and  of  set  purpose 
approach  not  unto  Him  by  attraction  of  love,  dash  themselves 
against  Him  in  endless  rebellion  of  hatred;  as  miry  waves 
upheaved  over  and  over  again  from  the  troubled  deep  might 
shatter  themselves  over  and  over  again  against  the  Rock  of  Ages. 

"Fear  ye  not  me?  saith  the  Lord:  will  ye  not  tremble  at 
My  presence,  which  have  placed  the  sand  for  the  bound  of  the 
sea  by  a  perpetual  decree,  that  it  cannot  pass  it :  and  though 
the  waves  thereof  toss  themselves,  yet  can  they  not  prevail ; 
though  they  roar,  yet  can  they  not  pass  over  it  ?  " 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 


"  If  I  ascend  up  into  heaven,  Thou  art  there :  if  I  make  my 
bed  in  hell,  behold,  Thou  art  there." 
"  The  Almighty."— 

O  Lord  Almighty,  Who  hast  formed  us  weak, 

With  us  whom  Thou  hast  formed  deal  fatherly ; 
Be  found  of  us  whom  Thou  hast  deigned  to  seek, 

Be  found  that  we  the  more  may  seek  for  Thee  ; 
Lord,  speak  and  grant  us  ears  to  hear  Thee  speak  ; 

Lord,  come  to  us  and  grant  us  eyes  to  see  ; 
Lord,  make  us  meek,  for  Thou  Thyself  art  meek; 

Lord,  Thou  art  Love,  fill  us  with  charity. 
O  Thou  the  Life  of  living  and  of  dead, 

Who  givest  more  the  more  Thyself  hast  given, 
Suffice  us  as  Thy  saints  Thou  hast  sufficed ; 

That  beautified,  replenished,  comforted, 
Still  gazing  off  from  earth  and  up  at  heaven, 

We  may  pursue  Thy  steps,  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

Christ  said  :  "  I  will  forewarn  you  whom  ye  shall  fear.  Fear 
Him,  which  after  He  hath  killed  hath  power  to  cast  into  hell ; 
yea,  I  say  unto  you,  Fear  Him  " — words  to  awaken  fear  :  may 
it  be  a  godly  fear. 

Meanwhile  in  these  words  of  dread  lies  a  great  encourage 
ment.  The  power  to  destroy  us  is  limited  to  the  Almighty, 
and  He  is  the  All-merciful. 

"  O  God,  Who  declarest  Thy  almighty  power  most  chiefly  in 
showing  mercy  and  pity ;  mercifully  grant  unto  us  such  a 
measure  of  Thy  grace,  that  we,  running  the  way  of  Thy 
commandments,  may  obtain  Thy  gracious  promises,  and  be 
made  partakers  of  Thy  heavenly  treasure  ;  through  Jesus  Christ 
our  Lord.  Amen." 

"The  Lord  appeared  to  Abram,  and  said  unto  him,  I  am 
the  Almighty  God  ;  walk  before  Me,  and  be  thou  perfect."— 
"When  the  Almighty  scattered  kings  for  their  sake  :  then  were 
they  as  white  as  snow  in  Salmon." 

Because  our  God  is  Almighty,  therefore  can  He  demand  of 
us  purity  and  perfection,  for  by  aid  of  His  preventing  grace  we 
can  respond  to  His  demand.  Thanks  be  to  Him,  through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Righteousness. 

How  light  a  heart  befits  one  whose  burden  the  Almighty  deigns 
to  carry  with  him.  "  Why  art  thou  so  heavy,  O  my  soul :  and 
why  art  thou  so  disquieted  within  me?  Oh,  put  thy  trust  in  God." 

9.  I  John,  who  also  am  your  brother,  and  companion  in 
tribulation,  and  in  the  kingdom  and  patience  of  Jesus 
Christ,  was  in  the  island  that  is  called  Patmos,  for  the 
word  of  (rod,  and  for  the  testimony  of  Jesus  Christ. 


26  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

"  Your  brother,  and  companion  ...  in  the  kingdom  .  .  . 
of  Jesus  Christ." — Thus  far  St.  John  addresses  all  baptized 
Christians  ;  but  not  necessarily  all,  as  concerns  "  tribulation  " 
and  "  patience."  The  first  and  obvious  privileges  are  ours  by 
Royal  gift ;  the  second  and  less  obvious  are  likewise  ours 
potentially  and  in  the  germ,  yet  neidier  effectually  nor  in 
maturity  unless  our  own  free  will  co-operale  with  God's  pre 
disposing  grace. 

Patience  is  a  great  grace  ;  but  is  it  at  all  a  privilege  ?  Yes, 
surely.  The  patient  soul,  lord  of  itself,  sits  imperturbable  amid 
the  jars  of  life  and  serene  under  its  frets.  "  Let  patience  have 
her  perfect  work,  that  ye  may  be  perfect  and  entire,  wanting 
nothing."  Hence  we  infer  that  where  patience  is  perfect, 
nought  else  will  remain  imperfect. 

Tribulation  cannot  but  be  a  privilege,  inasmuch  as  it  makes 
us  so  far  like  Christ. 

O  Tender  Lord  Jesus,  Who  layest  not  upon  us  more  than 
we  can  bear,  give  us  patience  in  tribulation  ;  a  courageous,  sweet 
patience  ;  a  patient,  indomitable  hope. 

"I  John  .  .  .  was  in  the  isle  that  is  called  Patmos,  for 
the  word  of  God,  and  for  the  testimony  of  Jesus  Christ." — All 
for  edification,  nothing  for  self-glorification  :  so  much  and  no 
more  does  St.  John  tell  us  of  his  confession  and  exile. 

Christians  should  resemble  fire-Hies,  not  glow-worms ;  their 
brightness  drawing  eyes  upward,  not  downward. 

10.  I  was  in  the  Spirit  on  the  Lord's  day,  and  heard  behind 

me  a  great  voice,  as  of  a  trumpet, 

11.  Saying,  I  am  Alpha  and  Omega,  the  First  and  the  Last : 

and,  What  thou  seest,  write  in  a  book,  and  send  it  unto 
the  seven  churches  which  are  in  Asia ;  unto  Ephesus, 
and  unto  Smyrna,  and  unto  Pergamos,  and  unto 
Thyatira,  and  unto  Sardis,  and  unto  Philadelphia,  and 
unto  Laodicea. 

"  I  was  in  the  Spirit  on  the  Lord's  day." — Rome  and  St. 
John  had  come  to  an  issue.  Rome  ha.d  power  of  life  and 
death,  chains  and  sentence  of  banishment  on  its  side  :  St.  John 
on  his  side  had  the  defence  of  the  Most  High  and  the  shadow 
of  the  Almighty.  "  Where  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  is,  there  is 
liberty,"  neither  was  the  Word  of  God  bound.  Immovable  as 
Patmos  the  rock  amid  buffeting  winds  and  waves,  St.  John 
stood  fast  in  the  liberty  wherewith  Christ  had  made  him 
free. 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  27 

Earth  cannot  bar  ilame  from  ascending, 
Hell  cannot  bind  light  from  descending, 
Death  cannot  finish  life  never  ending. 

Eagle  and  sun  gaze  at  each  other, 
Eagle  at  sun,  brother  at  Brother, 
Loving  in  peace  and  joy  one  another. 

O  St.  John,  with  chains  for  thy  wages, 
Strong  thy  rock  where  the  storm-blast  rages, 
Rock  of  refuge,  the  Rock  of  Ages. 

Rome  hath  passed  with  her  awful  voice, 
Earth  is  passing  with  all  her  joys, 
Heaven  shall  pass  away  with  a  noise. 

So  from  us  all  follies  that  please  us, 

So  from  us  all  falsehoods  that  ease  us, — 

Only  all  saints  abide  with  their  Jesus. 

Jesus,  in  love  looking  down  hither, 
Jesus,  by  love  draw  us  up  thither, 
That  we  in  Thee  may  abide  together. 

"A  great  voice,  as  of  a  trumpet,  saying  .  .  ." — Now  if  the 
trumpet  give  an  uncertain  sound,  who  shall  prepare  himself  to 
the  battle  ?  But  this  trumpet  voice  uttereth  no  uncertain 
sound,  but  a  great  alarum,  sounding  an  alarm  in  God's  holy 
mountain,  and  bidding  every  soul  make  ready  against  the 
sounding  of  that  other  trumpet-blast  which  will  compel  a 
response  from  living  and  dead,  one  and  all. 

If  we  entertain  any  uncertainty  as  to  this  voice,  the  un 
certainty  lurks  in  ourselves,  not  elsewhere.  So  when  long  ago 
sundry  men  appeared  "  as  trees,  walking,"  any  peculiarity 
observed  resided  in  the  vision  of  him  who  gazed,  not  in 
the  appearance  of  them  who  walked. 

Speak,  Lord,  for  Thy  servant  heareth.  Grant  us  ears  to 
hear,  eyes  to  see,  wills  to  obey,  hearts  to  love  :  then  declare 
what  Thou  wilt,  reveal  what  Thou  wilt,  command  what  Thou 
wilt,  demand  what  Thou  wilt.  Amen. 

The  clause,  "  I  am  Alpha  and  Omega,  the  First  and  the 
Last,"  is  here  omitted  by  the  Revised  Version.  Very  nearly 
the  same  words  have  already  occurred  (ver.  8)  and  will  recur 
(xxi.  6  ;  xxii.  13). 

"  What  thou  seest,  write  in  a  bock,  and  send  it  .  .  ." — 
"Write,"  and  forthwith  St.  John  wrote.  "Send  it,"  and  when 
the  moment  came,  means  of  transmission  would  be  forthcoming. 
Could  St.  John  forecast  those  means  ?  Very  probably  not ;  but 
like  another  blessed  saint  before  him,  he  did  what  he  could. 


28  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

Not  so  we.  We  make  sure  that  the  first  step  which  depends 
on  ourselves  can  be  taken,  but  we  indulge  misgivings  as  to  the 
second  step  which  depends  upon  God  alone.  Whereupon  we 
omit  that  first  step  divinely  put  within  our  own  power.  God 
condescends  to  trust  us,  and  we  will  not  trust  Him. 

Lord,  I  am  here.— But,  child,  I  look  for  thee 

Elsewhere  and  nearer  Me. — 
Lord,  that  way  moans  a  wide  insatiate  sea  ; 

How  can  I  come  to  Thee?  — 
Set  foot  upon  the  water,  test  and  see 

Ifthou  canst  come  to  Me. — 
Couldst  Thou  not  send  a  boat  to  carry  me, 

Or  dolphin  swimming  free  ? — 
Nay,  boat  nor  fish  if  thy  will  faileth  thee  : 

For  My  Will  too  is  free. — 

0  Lord,  I  am  afraid. — Take  hold  on  Me  : 
I  am  stronger  than  the  sea. — 

Save,  Lord,  I  perish. — I  have  hold  of  thee, 
I  made  and  rule  the  sea, 

1  bring  thee  to  the  haven  where  thou  wouldst  be. 

"To  the  seven  Churches  which  are  in  Asia." — What  St. 
John  saw  and  wrote  concerns  Christendom  of  to-day,  no  less 
directly  and  urgently  than  it  concerned  the  seven  Churches  of 
the  Apostolic  day.  The  great  voice  as  of  a  trumpet  adjures 
every  soul  within  hearing. 

As  a  matter  of  history,  those  seven  Churches  were  in  the 
main  swept  away  long  ago,  misbelief  ravaging  and  occupying 
their  territory.  Their  charge  has  been  transferred  to  us,  their 
burden  laid  upon  us  :  it  is  we  who  are  called  upon  to  overcome. 
Amen  ! 

12.  And  I  turned  to  see  the  voice  that  spake  with  me. 

And  being  turned,  I  saw  seven  golden  candlesticks ; 

13.  And  in  the  midst  of  the  seven  candlesticks  one  like  unto 

the  Son  of  man,  clothed  with  a  garment  down  to  the 
foot,  and  girt  about  the  paps  with  a  golden  girdle. 

14.  His  head  and  his  hairs  were  white  like  wool,  as  white 

as  snow  ;  and  His  eyes  were  as  a  flame  of  fire ; 

15.  And  His  feet  like  unto  fine  brass,  as  if  they  burned  in  a 

furnace  ;  and  His  voice  as  the  sound  of  many  waters. 

16.  And  He  had  in  His  right  hand  seven  stars  :  and  out  of 

His  mouth  went  a  sharp  two  edged  sword:  and  His 
countenance  was  as  the  sun  shineth  in  his  strength. 

"  When  Thou  saidst,  Seek  ye  My  face ;  my  heart  said  unto 
Thee,  Thy  face,  Lord,  will  I  seek." 


THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP.  29 

At  the  call  of  Jesus  the  saints  turn  as  doves  to  their  windows. 
Are  then  their  faces  ever  set  from  and  not  towards  their  Lord  ? 
Yes,  by  a  figure,  and  so  far  as  to  confirm  what  St.  John  himself 
elsewhere  avers:  "If  we  say  that  we  have  no  sin,  we  deceive 
ourselves."  Mortal  saints  at  the  best  are  such  as  St.  Paul 
describes  himself  as  being:  "Not  as  though  I  had  already 
attained,  either  were  already  perfect :  but  I  follow  after,  if  that 
I  may  apprehend  that  for  which  also  I  am  apprehended  of 
Christ  Jesus." 

Christ  is  our  fountain-head  and  our  abyss  ;  we  begin  from 
Him,  we  end  in  Him.  What  He  maketh  us  we  are  ;  what  He 
bestoweth  upon  us  we  possess.  We,  as  it  were,  pour  and 
empty  ourselves  and  our  treasures  into  Him,  yet  we  enrich 
Him  not :  what  have  we  that  we  have  not  received  ?  The 
gifts  He  giveth  us  are  and  remain  His  :  we  only  ourselves, 
unless  we  abide  in  Him,  retain  neither  life  nor  portion. 

"  All  the  rivers  run  into  the  sea ;  yet  the  sea  is  not  full ; 
unto  the  place  from  whence  the  rivers  come,  thither  they 
return  again  " — this  is  true  of  earth's  sea  and  of  all  which  it 
typifies  :  full  it  is,  yet  not  filled,  and  it  moans  as  with  a  craving 
unappeasable. 

Let  us  not  refuse  fulness  to  choose  emptiness.  "  Behold 
your  God !  .  .  .  Behold,  the  nations  are  as  a  drop  of  a 
bucket  .  .  .  And  Lebanon  is  not  sufficient  to  burn,  nor  the 
beasts  thereof  sufficient  for  a  burnt  offering." 

*'  I  sleep,  but  my  heart  waketh :  it  is  the  voice  of  my 
Beloved."  As  sleep  with  a  wakeful  heart  soon  to  be  fully 
awakened,  as  the  needle's  trembling  to  and  fro  to  find  its 
rest,  so  is  the  saint's  turning  from  and  turning  back  to  Christ. 
The  sanctified  heart  was  neither  slumbering  nor  estranged,  but 
the  face  had  as  it  were  perforce  been  turned  away  while  the 
feet  sped  on  some  Divine  errand.  "  Turn  again  then  unto  thy 
rest,  O  my  soul."  "  I  turned  myself  to  behold  Wisdom." 

"And  being  turned,  I  saw  seven  golden  candlesticks;  and 
in  the  midst  of  the  sc:ven  candlesticks  One  like  unto  the  Son 
of  man." — St.  John  first  saw,  or  at  least  he  first  mentions 
having  seen,  not  the  One  like  unto  the  Son  of  man,  but  the 
seven  surrounding  candlesticks.  Even  in  that  overwhelming 
Presence,  and  at  that  moment  of  visible  reunion,  those  likewise 
he  beheld  :  thus  vividly  bringing  home  to  us  the  precept  i 
"  That  he  who  loveth  God  love  his  brother  also." 

O  Gracious  Lord  Omniscient,  Who  hast  forewarned  us  that 
if  we  love  not  the  brother  we  see  neither  can  we  love  Thyself 
unseen ;  replenish  us  with  such  grace  that  we  may  love  our 


30  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

brethren  much  for  Thy  sake,  and  Thee  much  more  for  Thine 
own  sake.  And  if  any  love  us,  grant  us  our  heart's  desire 
that  from  love  of  us  they  may  ascend  to  the  supreme  love  of 
Thee.  Amen,  merciful  Lord  Jesus,  Amen. 

Moreover,  who  were  they  that  St.  John  saw  ? 

Not  (so  far  as  we  read)  St.  James  his  brother  and  fellow- 
heir,  not  St.  Peter  with  whom  he  had  walked  in  the  House  of 
God  as  a  friend,  not  one  by  one  any  of  those  elect  persons 
whom  he  loved  in  the  truth,  and  to  one  of  whom  he  wrote : 
"And  now  I  beseech  thee  .  .  .  that  we  love  one  another." 
He  beheld,  and  merely  in  a  figure,  congregations  of  Christians, 
the  majority  of  whom  he  may  never  have  seen  face  to  face  in 
the  flesh. 

Now  St.  John  wrote  by  inspiration  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 
"Saith  He  it  altogether  for  our  sakes?  For  our  sakes,  no 
doubt,  this  is  written." 

If  St.  John,  a  man  so  greatly  beloved  and  so  greatly  corre 
sponding  to  the  Divine  Love,  recovered  not  in  that  moment  of 
ecstasy  the  visible  presence  of  saints  personally  dear  to  him, 
much  more  may  we  believe  that  from  our  frail  selves  the 
prospect  of  such  reunions  is  kept  veiled  purposely  and  in 
mercy.  As  it  is  and  thus  relegated  to  the  background  of 
celestial  prevision,  the  hope  of  reunion  eclipses  all  earthly 
hopes  :  placed  in  the  foreground,  it  might  block  out  even  our 
hope  of  the  Beatific  Vision. 

O  Gracious  Lord  God,  Who  deignest  to  make  of  man  Thy 
mirror,  that  we  in  one  another  may  behold  Thine  Image  and 
love  Thyself;  unto  every  one  of  us  grant,  I  beseech  Thee, 
thus  to  love  and  thus  to  be  beloved.  For  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ's  sake,  Son  of  God  and  Son  of  man.  Amen. 

"  Seven  golden  candlesticks." — "The  King's  Daughter  is 
all  glorious  within:  her  clothing  is  of  wrought  gold."  "Is 
not  .  .  .  the  body  [more]  than  raiment?"  So  likewise  the 
light  of  the  candlestick  is  more  than  the  gold  thereof. 

Exterior  gifts  and  privileges  adorn  and  dignify  Christ's 
Bride,  interior  grace  makes  and  keeps  her  His.  True  alike  of 
church,  of  congregation,  of  two  or  three  gathered  together,  of 
each  solitary  soul. 

The  golden  candlestick  is  the  vessel  appointed  to  honour : 
the  light  freely  received  must  freely  be  given  forth.  The  gold 
is  personal,  yet  by  sympathy  becomes  common  to  all  :  if 
(^cne:  member  be  honoured,  all  the  members  rejoice  with  it." 
The  light  too  is  personal,  but  by  emission  is  shared  by  all  : 
set  on  its  candlestick  it  gives  light  to  all  that  are  in  the  house. 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  31 

"  Remember  the  words  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  how  He  said.  It  is 
more  blessed  to  give  than  to  receive." 

O  Lord,  on  Whom  we  gaze  and  dare  not  gaze, 

Increase  our  faith  that  gazing  we  may  see, 

And  seeing  love,  and  loving  worship  Thee 
Through  all  our  days,  our  long  and  lengthening  days. 
O  Lord,  accessible  to  prayer  and  praise, 

Kind  Lord,  companion  of  the  two  or  three, 

Good  Lord,  be  gracious  to  all  men  and  me, 
Lighten  our  darkness  and  amend  our  ways. 
Call  up  our  hearts  to  Thee,  that  where  Thou  art 

Our  treasure  and  our  heart  may  dwell  at  one  : 

Then  let  the  pallid  moon  pursue  her  sun, 
So  long  as  it  shall  please  Thee,  far  apart, — 

Yet  art  Thou  with  us,  Thou  to  Whom  we  run, 
We  hand  in  hand  with  Thee  and  heart  in  heart. 

"  Moses  hid  his  face  ;  for  he  was  afraid  to  look  upon  God." 

The  unutterable,  unapproachable  Majesty  of-  "  One  like  unto 
the  Son  of  man  "  bids  us  fall  prostrate.  "  Be  not  rash  with 
thy  mouth,  and  let  not  thine  heart  be  hasty  to  utter  anything 
before  God:  for  God  is  in  heaven,  and  thou  upon  earth: 
therefore  let  thy  words  be  few." 

I  believe  in  Jesus  Christ,  God's  only  Son,  our  Lord,  co- 
•eternal  and  co-equal  with  the  Father. 

Daniel  the  prophet  "beheld  .  .  .  and  the  Ancient  of  Days 
did  sit,  Whose  garment  was  white  as  snow,  and  the  hair  of  His 
head  like  the  pure  wool.  ...  A  fiery  stream  issued,  and 
came  forth  from  before  Him.  .  .  .  And,  behold,  One  like 
the  Son  of  man  came  with  the  clouds  of  heaven,  and  came  to 
the  Ancient  of  Days."  So  now  St.  John  beheld  "  One  like 
unto  the  Son  of  man,  clothed  with  a  garment  down  to  the 
foot,  and  girt  about  the  paps  with  a  golden  girdle.  His  head 
and  His  hairs  were  white  like  wool,  as  white  as  snow ;  and  His 
•eyes  were  as  a  flame  of  fire ;  and  His  feet  like  unto  fine  brass, 
as  if  they  burned  in  a  furnace." 

Daniel  beheld  a  garment  white  as  snow,  but  saith  not  that  it 
was  girded.  St.  John  beheld  a  girded  garment,  but  nameth  not 
its  colour.  God,  as  God,  is  not  girded:  "The  Father  In 
comprehensible,  the  Son  Incomprehensible,  and  the  Holy  Ghost 
Incomprehensible.  And  yet  they  are  not  three  Incomprehen- 
sibles,  but  One  Incomprehensible."  God,  as  Christ,  is  girded : 
"  He  took  on  Him  the  seed  of  Abraham."  Once  even  He 
deigned  to  say  :  "  How  am  I  straitened  .  .  .  !  "  God  in 
habited  eternity:  Christ  was  sent  forth  in  the  fulness  of  time, 
and  before  His  Passion  spake  saying.:  "  My  time  is  at  hand." 


32  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

The  white  garment  recalls  that  light  which  no  man  can 
approach  unto,  wherein  God  dwelleth.  But  Isaiah  in  vision 
beheld  Christ  red  in  His  apparel  when,  wearing  the  girded 
garment,  He  proclaimed  Himself  Mighty  to  save. 

Our  Lord's  own  gracious  words  express  to  us  the  mystery 
of  His  eternal  glory  with  the  Father,  and  of  His  somewhile 
self-restriction  to  the  limitations  and  poverty  of  time  :  "  I 
have  glorified  Thee  on  the  earth  :  1  have  finished  the  work 
which  Thou  gavest  Me  to  do.  And  now,  O  Father,  glorify 
Thou  Me  with  Thine  own  Self  with  the  glory  which  I  had 
with  Thee  before  the  world  was." 

"  Clothed  with  a  garment  down  to  the  foot." — Behold  our 
great  High  Priest ! 

Now  under  the  Mosaic  dispensation,  how  was  Aaron  the 
first  high  priest  clothed,  and  wherewith  were  his  sacred  vest 
ments  overclothed  ?  King  David  partially  informs  us : — 
"  Behold,  how  good  and  how  pleasant  it  is  for  brethren  to  dwell 
together  in  unity  !  It  is  like  the  precious  ointment  upon  the 
head,  that  ran  down  upon  the  beard,  even  Aaron's  beard  : 
that  went  down  to  the  skirts  of  his  garments;  as  the  dew 
of  Hermon,  and  as  the  dew  that  descended  upon  the  moun 
tains  of  Zion :  for  there  the  Lord  commanded  the  blessing, 
even  life  for  evermore." 

That  unction  symbolic  of  God  the  Holy  Spirit  overflowed 
not  Aaron's  person  only,  but  his  robe  also  :  in  like  manner 
Christ's  Divine  graces  overflowing  from  Himself  the  Head, 
pour  down  upon  His  members,  until  the  least  little  one  whose 
life  is  hid  with  Christ  may  sing  merrily:  "  I  will  greatly  rejoice 
in  the  Lord,  my  soul  shall  be  joyful  in  my  God ;  for  He  hath 
clothed  me  with  the  garments  of  salvation,  He  hath  covered 
me  with  the  robe  of  righteousness,  as  a  bridegroom  decketh 
himself  with  ornaments,  and  as  a  bride  adorneth  herself  with 
her  jewels."  For  if  brotherly  unity  be  like  that  precious 
ointment,  then  is  that  precious  ointment  under  some  one  of 
its  many  aspects  like  brotherly  unity  :  which  unity  with  one 
another,  yea,  with  Christ  Himself,  it  lies  within  our  own 
option  to  clench  and  perpetuate  according  to  His  benign 
announcement :  "  Whosoever  shall  do  the  will  of  God,  the 
same  is  My  brother,  and  My  sister,  and  mother." 

God's  commandment  is  exceeding  broad,  not  by  us  limitable. 
Amongst  its  incalculable  treasures  we  here  find  our  own  com 
manded  blessing,  even  life  for  evermore, — Christ,  Who  is  our 
life.  "The  King  .  .  .  asked  life  of  Thee,  and  Thou  gavest 
it  Him,  even  length  of  days  for  ever  and  ever." 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  33 

"And  girt  about  the  paps  with  a  golden  girdle."— This 
girdle  lying  next  the  Sacred  Heart,  as  it  were  binds  and 
constrains  it.  Now  gold  Christ  hath  in  common  with  the 
saints  who  all  together  make  up  the  Church's  golden  candle 
stick.  The  precious  sons  of  Zion,  comparable  to  fine  gold, 
flesh  of  His  flesh  and  bone  of  His  bone,  may  seem  memorialized 
in  this  golden  girdle  which,  not  for  malediction  but  for  bene 
diction,  Christ  weareth  for  a  girdle  wherewith  He  is  girded 
continually. 

O  Lord,  Who  so  hast  loved  us,  Who  so  lovest  us,  grant  us 
grace  so  to  love  Thee  that  we  may  never  fall  away  from  Thy 
love. 

"His  eyes  were  as  a  flame  of  fire." — "Who  among  us  shall 
dwell  with  the  devouring  fire  ?  who  among  us  shall  dwell  with 
everlasting  burnings?  He  that  walketh  righteously,  and 
speaketh  uprightly  .  .  .  Thine  eyes  shall  see  the  King  in 
His  beauty." 

God  is  Light :  Christ  is  Light  of  Light,  Very  God  of  Very 
God.  His  eyes  are  light,  all-seeing  :  "  Yea,  the  darkness  is  no 
darkness  with  Thee,  but  the  night  is  as  clear  as  the  day  :  the 
darkness  and  light  to  Thee  are  both  alike." 

O  Lord,  Who  beholding  Adam  and  Eve  in  their  mis:ry 
didst  find  comfort  for  them,  Who  beholding  David  in  his 
pollution  spakest  the  word  that  he  should  not  die ;  Thou, 
Lord,  Who  hast  beheld  all  sinners  from  the  first  sinner,  and 
wilt  behold  us  all  even  unto  the  last ;  turn  Thy  face  from  our 
sins,  but  turn  it  not  from  us. 

These  are  the  very  Eyes  which  I  myself  at  the  last  day  may 
look  upon,  and  which  will  look  upon  me. 

"In  the  Day  of  Judgment,  good  Lord,  deliver  us." 

O  Jesu,  gone  so  far  apart 

Only  my  heart  can  follow  Thee, 
That  look  which  pierced  St.  Peter's  heart 
Turn  now  on  me. 

Thou  Who  dost  search  me  thro'  and  thro' 

And  mark  the  crooked  ways  I  went, 
Look  on  me,  Lord,  and  make  me  too 
Thy  penitent. 

« His  feet  like  unto  fine  brass,  as  if  they  burned  in  a 
furnace." — "  I  will  make  the  place  of  My  feet  glorious." 

These  dazzling  Feet  before  which  the  sun  running  his  course 
as  a  giant  and  the  moon  walking  in  brightness  are  ashamed, 
whence  came  they  ?  Out  of  great  tribulation.  These  are  they 

c 


34  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

which  went  about  doing  good,  and  grew  weary  along  the  paths 
of  Palestine,  and  climbed  Calvary,  and  were  nailed  to  a  cross. 
These  are  they  which  a  penitent  sinner  and  an  accepted  saint 
washed  with  tears,  kissed,  anointed  with  precious  ointment, 
dried  with  tresses  of  hair.  These  are  they  which  in  infancy  a 
Virgin  Mother  swaddled,  and  which  after  the  Resurrection 
holy  women  were  permitted  to  touch. 

No  cross,  no  crown  :  no  humiliation,  no  glory.  Such  is  the 
rule  for  fallen  man.  And  Christ,  Who  took  upon  Himself  our 
nature  and  calls  us  brethren,  exempted  not  Himself  from  the 
common  lot. 

He  willed  thus  to  become  like  us.  We  by  following  Him 
shall  in  our  turn  put  on  a  measure  of  His  likeness.  To-day 
He  denies  not  to  His  beloved  crosses  and  humiliations  :  to 
morrow  what  will  He  deny  to  them  whom  He  invests  with 
crowns  and  glory  ?  "  What  shall  be  done  unto  the  man  whom 
the  king  delighteth  to  honour  ?  " 

I  have  read  of  a  holy  person  who  said  :  "  O  my  feet,  ye  shall 
tread  upon  the  stars."  Feet  that  would  climb  up  into  heaven 
must  wend  their  way  thither  by  treading  in  Christ's  footsteps. 
"  Feet  was  I  to  the  lame,"  said  righteous  Job,  whose  end  was 
better  than  his  beginning. 

Now  to  walk  in  Christ's  incomparable  footsteps  is  both  easy 
and  difficult  The  easiness  lies  in  our  surroundings,  the  diffi 
culty  in  ourselves.  Flesh  is  weak,  and  spirit  too  often  unwilling  ; 
otherwise  London  or  any  other  neighbourhood  might  become 
to  us  holy  as  Palestine.  There  waits  in  every  direction 
abundant  good  to  be  done,  if  only  we  have  the  will  patiently  to 
do  it,  fust  counting  the  cost.  For  though  no  literal  mountain 
obstruct  our  path,  mountainous  opposition  may  confront  us; 
and  if  it  please  not  God  to  remove  it,  then  in  His  strength, 
weary  and  heartsore  as  we  may  be,  we  must  surmount  it, 
"looking  unto  Jesus."  "  But  as  for  me,  my  feet  were  almost 
gone  ;  my  steps  had  well-nigh  slipped." 

"  No  man  can  come  to  Me,  except  the  Father  which  hath 
sent  Me  draw  him." 

"  D.-aw  me,  we  will  run  after  Thee." 

"  Feet  have  they,  but  they  walk  not,"  writes  the  Psalmist, 
in  his  description  of  idols  :  and  he  appends  thereto,  "They 
that  make  them  are  like  unto  them."  Thus  we  behold  the 
idolater  furnished  with  useless  feet ;  and  so  far  like  him 
appears  the  sluggard,  standing  here  all  the  day  idle  on  feet 
useless  because  unused. 

"  O  thou  that  art  named  the  house  of  Jacob,  is  the  Spirit  of 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  35 

the  Lord  straitened  ?  are  these  His  doings  ?  do  not  My  words 
do  good  to  him  that  walketh  uprightly?  .  .  .  Arise  ye,  and 
depart ;  for  this  is  not  your  rest." 

"  I  thought  on  my  ways,  and  turned  my  feet  unto  Thy 
testimonies." 

How  beautiful  upon  the  celestial  mountains  will  be  those 
feet  which,  ever  following  in  the  steps  of  Jesus,  at  length 
ascend  into  the  hill  of  the  Lord,  and  stand  in  His  holy  place  ! 
Surely  it  is  no  mean  privilege  here  to  wash  feet  which  shall  be 
dazzling  there.  It  is  good  to  wash  them,  it  is  better  to  follow 
them.  Worthily  to  wash  the  saints'  feet  we  need  ourselves  to 
be  saints.  It  is  a  blessed  communion  of  mutual  service  which 
our  tender  Lord  enjoins  upon  us  when  He  says  :  "  Ye  also 
ought  to  wash  one  another's  feet  " — having  first  by  His 
loveliest  example  commended  to  us  His  lovely  precept. 

"  What  shall  I  say  ?  He  hath  both  spoken  unto  me,  and 
Himself  hath  done  it." 

What  will  it  be,  O  my  soul,  what  will  it  be 
To  touch  the  long-raced-for  goal,  to  handle  and  see, 
To  rest  in  the  joy  of  joys,  in  the  joy  of  the  blest, 
To  rest  and  revive  and  rejoice,  to  rejoice  and  to  rest  ! 

"  His  voice  as  the  sound  of  many  waters." — Blessed  be  God 
Who  hath  vouchsafed  us  the  revelation  :  "Many  waters  cannot 
qiuuich  love,  neither  can  the  floods  drown  it."  Our  loving 
Lord  hath  declared  :  "  My  sheep  hear  My  voice,  and  I  know 
them,  and  they  follow  Me" — "  Every  one  that  is  of  the  truth 
heareth  My  voice." 

We  are  of  those  who  tremble  at  Thy  word  ; 

Who  faltering  walk  in  darkness  toward  our  close 
Of  mortal  life,  by  terrors  curbed  and  spurred  : 
We  are  of  those. 

We  journey  to  that  land  which  no  man  knows, 
Who  any  more  can  make  his  voice  be  heard 
Above  the  clamour  of  our  wants  and  woes. 

Not  ours  the  hearts  Thy  loftiest  love  hath  stirred, 

Not  such  as  we  Thy  lily  and  Thy  rose  :  — 
Yet,  Hope  of  those  who  hope  with  hope  deferred, 
We  are  of  those. 

Centuries  before  St.  John,  the  Prophet  Ezekiel  beheld  and 
heard  the  Divine  Glory  and  Voice  :  "  Behold,  the  Glory  of 
the  God  of  Israel  came  from  the  way  cf  the  east  :  and  His 
Voice  was  like  a  noise  of  many  waters :  and  the  earth  shined 
with  His  Glory." 


36  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

It  is  the  same  Voice  and  the  same  Glory.  4'I  am  the  Lord, 
I  change  not ;  therefore  ye  sons  of  Jacob  are  not  consumed." 

Still  waters  are  silent ;  flowing  waters  find  a  voice.  This 
"  voice  as  the  sound  of  many  waters  "  seems  to  address  man 
not  from  the  eternal  calm  of  Christ's  Godhead  ;  but  rather 
from  that  veritable  and  accessible  Humanity  which  He  assumed, 
which  can  be  touched  with  a  feeling  of  our  infirmities,  which 
was  symbolized  by  the  smitten  rock  whence  water  gushed  out, 
and  which  on  the  cross  yielded  water  as  well  as  blood  from  a 
pierced  side. 

Therefore,  though  it  be  a  Voice  to  shake  not  earth  only,  but 
also  heaven,  to  us  who  are  bone  of  His  bor.e  and  flesh  of  His 
flesh,  it  conveys  not  awe  alone,  but  therewith  courage  and 
comfort.  It  hath  "  a  sound  of  abundance  of  rain  "  when  it 
certifies  the  outpouring  of  God  the  Holy  Ghost  in  the  waters 
of  Baptism ;  and  a  tone  of  tender  reassurance  in  the  protest 
that  the  waters  of  Noah  shall  no  more  go  over  the  earth ;  and 
a  promise  to  saints  that  the  one  cup  of  cold  water  shall  by  no 
means  remain  unrequited  ;  and  a  hope  for  penitents  that  God 
keepeth  a  bottle  for  our  tears.  It  crieth  :  '•  Ho,  every  one 
that  thirsteth,  come  ye  to  the  waters  "  :  and  lo  !  these  are 
waters  of  comfort  beside  which  the  Lord  Himself  will  lead  us. 

The  Prayer-book  version  of  that  lovely  twenty-third  Psalm 
gives  "waters  of  comfort,"  whilst  its  Bible  equivalent  is  "still 
waters."  If  we  may  figuratively  connect  one  phrase  with  our 
Lord's  Godhead,  the  other  with  His  Manhood,  then  indeed 
are  we  reminded  of  God's  promise  to  make  His  elect 
"partakers  of  the  Divine  Nature." 

God  the  Son  clothed  Himself  with  our  nature  to  the  intent 
that  He  might  clothe  us  with  His  own. 

"There  was  no  more  spirit  in  her.  And  she  said  to  the 
King  .  .  .  The  half  was  not  told  me  .  .  .  Because  the  Lord 
loved  Israel  for  ever,  therefore  made  He  thee  King,  to  do 
judgment  and  justice." 

Lord,  Thou  art  fulness,  I  am  emptiness  : 
Yet  hear  my  heart  speak  in  its  speechlessness 
Extolling  Thine  unuttered  loveliness. 

"And  He  had  in  His  right  hand  seven  stars." — In  His  mortal 
day  our  Lord  had  said  :  "  My  sheep  hear  My  voice,  and  I  know 
them,  and  they  follow  Me  :  and  I  give  unto  them  eternal  life  ; 
and  they  shall  never  perish,  neither  shall  any  man  pluck  them 
out  of  My  hand.  My  Father,  which  gave  them  Me,  is  greater 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  37 

than  all ;  and  no  man  is  able  to  pluck  them  out  of  My  Father's 
hand.     I  and  My  Father  are  one." 

"  His  right  hand  doth  embrace  me,"  saith  peacefully  the 
Bride  of  the  Canticles. 

All  weareth,  all  wasteth, 

All  flitteth,  all  hasteth, 

All  of  flesh  and  time  : — • 

Sound,  sweet  heavenly  chime, 

Ring  in  the  unutterable,  eternal  prime. 

Man  hopeth,  man  feareth, 

Man  droopeth  : — Christ  cheereth, 

Compassing  release, 

Comforting  with  peace, 

Promising  rest  where  strife  and  anguish  cease. 

Saints  waking,  saints  sleeping, 

Rest  well  in  safe  keeping  ; 

Well  they  rest  to-day 

\Vhile  they  watch  and  pray, — 

But  their  to-morrow's  rest  what  tongue  shall  say  ? 

"  Out  of  His  mouth  went  a  sharp  two-edged  sword." — Thus 
in  the  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews  :  "The  word  of  God  is  quick, 
and  powerful,  and  sharper  than  any  two-edged  sword,  piercing 
even  to  the  dividing  asunder  of  soul  and  spirit,  and  of  the 
joints  and  marrow,  and  is  a  discerner  of  the  thoughts  and 
intents  of  the  heart." 

Four  points  I  note  :  life,  keenness,  in  the  weapon  ;  depth, 
subtilty,  in  the  wound.  That  which  probes  and  sunders  me 
will  never  of  its  own  proper  nature  slay  me  ;  for  life  it  is,  not 
death,  that  thus  cleaves  its  way  into  my  heart  of  hearts.  It  will 
do  its  work  exquisitely,  for  it  is  sharp  ;  and  thoroughly  by 
reason  of  the  might  and  skill  of  Him  Who  wields  it.  It  may 
not  spare  for  my  crying ;  nevertheless  not  a  hair  of  my 
head  need  perish,  and  dear  is  my  blocd  in  His  sight  Who 
smites  me. 

No  mere  surface  work  can  possibly  be  this  saving  work  of 
which  the  text  speaks  :  a  religion  without  depth  is  not  Christ's 
religion.  The  necessity  of  depth  is  set  forth  in  the  Parable  of 
the  Sower:  the  seed  enters  not  at  all  into  the  first  refuse  soil, 
and  barely  penetrates  into  the  second ;  in  the  third  it  perishes 
from  a  different  cause  ;  in  the  fourth  and  good  ground  alone 
does  it  take  root  downward  and  bear  fruit  upward. 

Are  we  afraid  of  a  dividing  asunder  of  our  very  selves  ?  Nay, 
and  if  we  be,  let  fear  nerve  us  to  endure  it ;  for  more  dreadful 
will  be  the  cutting  asunder  of  the  reprobate  servant. 


38  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

This  whole  passage  (vers.  13 — 16)  sets  our  adorable  Lord 
before  us  under  an  aspect  which  recalls  St.  Paul's  prophecy  con 
cerning  Him  as  the  destroyer  of  antichrist  :  "  Then  shall  that 
wicked  be  revealed,  whom  the  Lord  shall  consume  with  the 
Spirit  of  His  mouth,  and  shall  destroy  with  the  brightness  of  His 
coming," — and  more  remotely  that  Divine  announcement  con 
cerning  Leviathan  :  "  He  that  made  him  can  make  His  sword 
to  approach  unto  him."  Further  on  (xiii.  10)  we  shall 
read :  "  He  that  killeth  with  the  sword  must  be  killed  with  the 
sword,"  or  according  to  the  Revised  Version  :  "  If  any  man 
shall  kill  with  the  sword,  with  the  sword  must  he  be  killed  "  : 
whence  by  analogy  it  appears  that  he  who  must  be  slain  by  the 
sword  of  Christ's  mouth,  cannot  but  be  one  whose  own  tongue 
has  been  a  deadly  sharp  sword.  So  Daniel  saith  of  the  "  little 
horn,"  that  it  had  "a  mouth  speaking  great  things,"  and  again : 
"  a  mouth  that  spake  very  great  things." 

Now  without  aiming  at  matters  too  wonderful  for  me  which  I 
know  not,  and  amongst  them  must  obviously  be  included  those 
times  and  seasons  which  the  Father  hath  put  in  His  own 
power;  and  therefore  without  hazarding  conjectures  touching  the 
coming  of  the  last  antichrist,  I  turn  to  St.  John's  first  Epistle 
and  read  :  "  Little  children,  it  is  the  last  time  :  and  as  ye  have 
heard  that  antichrist  shall  come,  even  now  are  there  many 
antichrists ;  whereby  we  know  that  it  is  the  last  time  .  .  . 
Who  is  a  liar  but  he  that  denieth  that  Jesus  is  the  Christ? 
He  is  antichrist,  that  denieth  the  Father  and  the  Son  .  .  . 
Every  spirit  that  confesseth  not  that  Jesus  Christ  is  come  in 
the  flesh  is  not  of  God  :  and  this  is  that  spirit  of  antichrist, 
whereof  ye  have  heard  that  it  should  come ;  and  even  now 
already  is  it  in  the  world." 

Alas  then  for  much  which  at  this  day  is  said  and  written 
amongst  us  upon  whom  the  ends  of  the  world  are  come.  "  And 
if  one  look  unto  the  land,  behold  darkness  and  sorrow,  and  the 
light  is  darkened  in  the  heavens  thereof." 

It  is  wiser  to  remain  ignorant  than  to  learn  evil. 

Evil  knowledge  acquired  in  one  wilful  moment  of  curiosity 
may  harass  and  haunt  us  to  the  end  of  our  time.  And  how 
after  the  end  of  our  time  ? 

It  is  better  to  avoid  doubts  than  to  reject  them. 

To  study  a  difficulty  is  too  often  to  incur  one. 

"  Who  is  blind  as  he  that  is  perfect,  and  blind  as  the  Lord's 
servant?5'  They  especially  are  bound  to  such  reserve  who 
have  been  in  familiar  contact  with  any  living  example  of  holy 
intellectual  self-restraint :  and  amongst  these  am  I,  who  for 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  39 

years  enjoyed  intercourse  with  one  thus  truly  wise,  and  before 
me  in  many  gifts  and  graces. 

"And  His  countenance  was  as  the  sun  shineth  in  his 
strength," — u  The  sun,  which  is  as  a  bridegroom  coming  out  of 
his  chamber,  and  rejoiceth  as  a  strong  man  to  run  a  race.  His 
going  forth  is  from  the  end  of  the  heaven,  and  his  circuit  unto 
the  ends  of  it :  and  there  is  nothing  hid  from  the  heat 
thereof."  "That  was  the  true  Light,  which  lighteth  every  man 
that  cometh  into  the  world "  :  or  as  in  the  Revised  Text : 
"  There  was  the  true  light,  even  the  light  which  lighteth  every 
man,  coming  into  the  world." 

What,  every  man  ?  Yea,  for  the  truth  certifies  it.  Never 
theless,  "  that  the  righteous  should  be  as  the  wicked,  that  be 
far  from  Thee  :  shall  not  the  Judge  of  all  the  earth  do  right  ?  " 
This  Same  is  He  Who  having  long  made  His  sun  to  rise  on  the 
evil  and  on  the  good,  will  at  length  judge  every  man  according 
to  his  works. 

Job  bears  witness  against  sinners  :  "  They  are  of  those  that 
rebel  ag  linst  the  light ;  they  know  not  the  ways  thereof,  nor 
abide  in  the  paths  thereof."  Here  it  is  not  the  light  that  with 
draws  from  them,  but  they  that  withdraw  from  the  light. 
Whilst  in  the  Answer  from  the  Whirlwind  we  read  :  "  Hast  thou 
commanded  the  morning  since  thy  days ;  and  caused  the  day- 
spring  to  know  his  place  ;  that  it  might  take  hold  of  the  ends 
of  the  earth,  that  the  wicked  might  be  shaken  out  of  it  ?  .  .  . 
And  from  the  wicked  their  light  is  withholden."  Here  the  light 
seems  to  reveal  and  overwhelm,  yet  penally  to  be  kept  back. 

And  our  Lord  instructing  Nicodemus  declared:  "This  is 
the  condemnation,  that  light  is  come  into  the  world,  and  men 
loved  darkness  rather  than  light,  because  their  deeds  were  evil. 
For  every  one  that  doeth  evil  hateth  the  light,  neither  cometh 
to  the  light,  lest  his  deeds  should  be  reproved.  But  he  that 
doeth  truth  cometh  to  the  light,  that  his  deeds  may  be  made 
manifest,  that  they  are  wrought  in  God," — setting  forth  in 
harmony  Divine  free  grace  and  human  free  will.  And  else 
where  He  proclaims  :  "  I  am  the  Light  of  the  world ;  he  that 
followeth  Me  shall  not  walk  in  darkness,  but  shall  have  the 
light  of  life." 

Does  light  reveal  the  colours  of  coloured  objects,  or  does  it 
impart  colour  to  objects  in  themselves  all  alike  colourless? 
Colour  appears  to  be  simply  an  analysis  of  light ;  if  so,  the 
withdrawal  of  light  involves  no  mere  disappearance  of  colour, 
but  its  absolute  absence.  Thus  objects  shut  up  in  darkness 
would  needs  become  part  and  parcel  of  that  darkness,  not 


40  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

because  of  any  infliction  from  without,  but  because  of  what 
they  themselves  intrinsically  are. 

By  an  awful  parallel  this  suggests  how  "  he  that  hath  the 
Son  hath  life ;  and  he  that  hath  not  the  Son  of  God  hath 
not  life."  How  "  he  that  hath  not"  must  be  deprived  even  of 
that  which  he  seemeth  to  have.  How  amongst  the  lost  there 
may  not  be  found  any  mixed  characters,  any  redeeming  points 
such  as  used  to  endear  many  a  wilful  sinner  even  to  penitents 
and  saints.  For  "  every  good  gift  and  every  perfect  gift  is 
from  above,  and  cometh  down  from  the  Father  of  lights." 
Cut  off  from  the  dayspring  of  colour,  there  can  be  no  colour ; 
from  the  Source  of  goodness,  no  goodness ;  from  the  Fountain 
of  grace,  no  grace  ;  from  the  root  of  life,  no  life.  "  O  Israel, 
thou  hast  destroyed  thyself:  but  in  Me  is  thine  help."  "To 
day  if  ye  will  hear  His  voice,  harden  not  your  hearts." 

Lord  Jesus,  Who  lightest  every  man  that  cometh  into  the 
world,  suffer  us  not  for  any  snares  of  life  or  pains  of  death  to 
fall  from  Thee. 

But  not  only  are  we  warned  that  he  "that  hath  not" 
forfeits  what  seems  his,  elsewhere  we  see  the  one  talent 
transferred  from  the  slothful  to  the  diligent  servant.  What 
does  this  indicate?  Can  it  be  that  so  we  are  taught  how 
heaven  can  be  made  heaven  even  to  those  who  may  enter  it 
bereft  of  some  they  loved  on  earth  ? 

If  we  analyze  love,  what  is  it  we  love  in  our  beloved? 
Something  that  is  lovable,  not  any  hateful  residuum ; 
something  that  kindles  admiration,  attracts  fondness,  wins 
confidence,  nourishes  hope,  engrosses  affection.  If  love  arises 
from  a  mere  misreading  of  appearances,  then  deeper  insight 
may  suffice  to  annul  it.  But  if  it  arises  from  a  genuine, 
though  alas !  transitory  cause,  then  a  transference  of  the 
endearing  grace  to  another  might  seem  the  remedy.  On  earth 
the  hollow  semblance  or  the  temporary  endowment  is  believed 
in  and  preferred ;  in  heaven  the  perpetual  reality.  Crown  and 
love  together  are  transferred  from  Vashti  to  Esther ;  the 
satisfied  heart  accepts  Jacob  as  "  very  "  Esau. 

Not  that  flesh  and  blood  may  be  able  to  endure  the 
foresight.  But  as  man's  day  so  shall  his  strength  be,  and 
flesh  and  blood  are  not  called  to  inherit  the  kingdom  of  God. 

Lord  Jesus,  save  us  from  any  such  experience,  Thou  Who 
loving  Thine  own  lovest  them  unto  the  end.  Amen. 

Light  colourless  doth  colour  all  things  else: 
Where  light  dwells  pleasure  dwells 
And  peace  excels. 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  41 

Then  rise  and  shine, 

Thou  shadowed  soul  of  mine, 

And  let  a  cheerful  rainbow  make  thee  fine. 

Light  fountain  of  all  beauty  and  delight 

Leads  day  forth  from  the  night, 

Turns  blackness  white. 
Light  waits  for  thee 
Where  all  have  eyes  to  see  : 
Oh  well  is  thee  and  happy  shalt  thou  be  ! 

17.  And  when  I  saw  Him,  I  fell  at  His  feet  as  dead.     And 

He  laid  His  right  hand  upon  me,  saying  unto  me,  Fear 
not ;  I  am  the  First  and  the  Last : 

18.  I  am  He  that  liveth,  and  was  dead  ;  and,  behold,  I  am 

alive  for  evermore,  Amen ;  and  have  the  keys  of  hell 
and  of  death. 

"And  when  I  saw  Him,  I  fell  at  His  feet  as  dead." — "The 
righteous,  and  the  wise,  and  their  works,  are  in  the  hand  of 
God  :  no  man  knoweth  either  love  or  hatred  by  all  that  is 
before  them.  All  things  come  alike  to  all :  there  is  one  event 
to  the  righteous,  and  to  the  wicked  ;  to  the  good  and  to  the 
clean,  and  to  the  unclean.  .  .  .  There  is  one  event  unto 
all."  In  this  world  and  on  the  surface  so  it  is  :  God's  elect 
seem  to  die,  and  their  departure  is  taken  for  misery  and  their 
end  to  be  utter  destruction  ;  yet  are  they  in  peace.  Even  St. 
John  the  beloved  Apostle  when  he  beheld  the  glory  of  his 
ascended  Lord  fell  at  His  feet  as  dead  :  "  cast  down,  but  not 
destroyed." 

Another  there  is,  "  that  wicked,"  whom  the  Lord  shall 
destroy  with  the  brightness  of  His  coming.  God  putteth  a 
boundless  difference  between  clean  and  unclean  even  here, 
where  yet  there  is  one  event  unto  all.  « 

The  very  holy  are  of  all  saints  those  most  ready  to  fall  at 
Christ's  feet  as  dead.  Who  else  can  realize  so  vividly  His 
Purity  and  their  own  defilement,  His  Glory  and  their  own 
shame?  With  David  they  weep  for  love  till  they  exceed;  with 
Esther  they  faint  in  approaching  their  King  :  their  eye  seeth 
Him,  and  they  abhor  themselves  and  repent  in  dust  and 
ashes  ;  they  are  jealous  for  His  sake  with  a  godly  jealousy, 
and  jealousy  is  cruel  as  the  grave.  But  He  bringeth  down  to 
the  grave  and  bringeth  up.  And  though  the  spirit  fail  from 
before  Him  and  the  souls  which  He  hath  made,  yet  truly  these 
are  they  who  hearing  His  Voice  have  turned  to  see  Him  that 
speaketh  with  them,  who  know  His  Voice,  and  being  raised 
more  and  more  continually  to  newness  of  life  follow  Him. 


42  THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP. 

They  come  to  Christ  and  He  giveth  them  eternal  life,  as 
His  own  words  of  rebuke  promise  by  implication  :  "  Ye  will 
not  come  to  Me,  that  ye  might  have  life." 

He  to  whom  Christ  cometh  for  destruction  hath  not  come 
to  Christ. 

Let  us  encourage  ourselves  though  He  slay  us  yet  to  trust  in 
Him,  by  help  of  some  of  those  parables  of  nature  familiar  to 
us  all  which  speak  of  life  reborn  from  lifelessness,  or  from 
death  or  from  decay.  A  leafless  tree,  a  chrysalis,  a  buried 
seed,  an  egg. 

The  twig  sprouteth, 

The  moth  outeth, 

The  plant  springeth, 

The  bird  singeth  : 

Tho'  little  we  sing  to-day, 

Yet  are  we  better  than  they  ; 

Tho'  growing  with  scarce  a  showing, 

Yet,  please  God,  we  are  growing. 

The  twig  teacheth, 
The  moth  preacheth, 
The  plant  vaunteth, 
The  bird  chanteth, 
God's  mercy  overflowing 
Merciful  past  man's  knowing. 
Please  God  to  keep  us  growing 
Till  the  awful  day  of  mowing. 

St.  John  "heard"  and  endured  to  hear:  not  till  he  "saw" 
fell  he  as  dead.  Hearing  prepares  for  sight.  To-day  is  our 
day  for  hearing,  faith,  preparation.  Lord  Almighty,  so  make 
it  full  of  grace  to  each  of  us,  for  Jesu's  sake. 

Lord  Jesus,  how  dare  we  at  all  times  offer  our  petitions  in 
Thy  Name  and  for  Thy  sake?  What,  lovest  Thou  us  so 
inexhaustibly  that  not  one  praying  sinner  of  us  all  risks 
lighting  upon  the  moment  when  it  would  not  pleasure  Thee 
for  the  Father  to  show  us  mercy,  for  the  Holy  Spirit  to  succour 
us?  This,  Lord,  I  believe.  I  believe  that  when  I  ask 
salvation  in  Thy  Name,  Thou  Thyself  askest  it  for  me  :  yea, 
I  believe  that  many  times  Thou  intercedest  for  us  when  we 
ask  not  at  all  or  ask  amiss.  "  For  Thy  sake  "  investeth  us 
with  Thine  own  claims  :  what  is  done  for  us  Thou  accountest 
as  done  for  Thee.  "Thy  sake"  moveth  God  to  pity  us;  let 
Thy  blessed  sake  move  us  likewise  to  pity  each  other.  Give 
us  grace  to  comfort  ourselves  and  one  another  by  memorials 
•  of  Thy  love ;  much  more  comfort  Thou  us  by  assurance  of 
Thy  love. 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  43 

"  As  dying,  and  behold  we  live  !  " 

So  live  the  Saints  while  time  is  flying ; 
Make  all  they  make,  give  all  they  give, 
As  dying  ; 

Bear  all  they  bear  without  replying  ; 

They  grieve  as  tho'  they  did  not  grieve, 
Uplifting  praise  with  prayer  and  sighing. 

Patient  thro'  life's  long-drawn  reprieve, 

Aloof  from  strife,  at  peace  from  crying, 
The  morrow  to  its  day  they  leave, 
As  dying. 

"And  He  laid  His  right  hand  upon  me,  saying,  Fear  not." — 
That  same  Right  Hand  which  holdeth  the  seven  stars  and  hath 
the.  care  of  all  the  Churches  is  laid  on  one  saint  to  comfort  and 
reassure  him. 

Think  upon  us  all  for  good,  think  upon  us  each  for  good,  O 
good  Lord  Jesus  ! 

Christ  spake  from  the  troubled  sea:  "  Be  of  good  cheer; 
it  is  I ;  be  not  afraid."  He  saith  in  Heaven  :  "  Fear  not." 
"  Jesus  Christ  the  Same  yesterday,  and  to-day,  and  for  ever." 

""I  am  the  First  and  the  Last" — Christ's  Godhead:  "I 
am  He  that  liveth,  and  was  dead  :  and  behold,  I  am  alive  for 
evermore,  Amen" — Christ's  Manhood. 

There  is  no  grief  of  ours  which  Christ  cannot  and  will  not 
console.  St.  John  falls  as  dead  ;  and  his  tender  Master  and 
Friend  forthwith  brings  to  remembrance  how  He  Himself  had 
verily  been  dead  Who  now  was  alive  for  evermore.  In  all  our 
afflictions  He  was  afflicted.  We  have  not  an  High  Priest 
which  cannot  be  touched  with  the  feeling  of  our  infirmities. 

In  the  Revised  Version  we  read  :  "I  am  the  First  and  the 
Last,  and  the  Living  One;  and  I  was  dead  .  .  ."  This 
punctuation  by  removing  "  the  Living  One  "  from  the  second 
to  the  first  clause,  seems  to  remove  it  from  the  Manhood  to 
the  Godhead,  setting  forth  with  exceeding  vividness  Christ's 
Unity  of  Person. 

"Behold,"  He  saith.  Who  shall  behold?  Shall  St.  John 
and  shall  not  I  ?  I  also ;  because  for  me  no  less  than  for  St. 
John  He  lived  and  was  dead  and  is  alive  for  evermore. 
"Therefore  with  Angels  and  Archangels,  and  with  all  the 
company  of  heaven,  we  laud  and  magnify  Thy  glorious  Name; 
evermore  praising  Thee." 

"And  have  the  keys  of  hell  and  of  death."— Here  hell  is 
"Hades,"  the  land  of  the  shadow  of  death,  the  abode  of 
disembodied  souls  ;  it  is  not  Gehenna^  the  place  of  punishment 


44  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

Our  Lord  Jesus  hath  the  keys  of  death  and  of  Hades.  He 
it  is  Who  unlocked  the  gate  for  those  we  love  and  whose 
memory  is  blessed.  He  it  is  Who  will  once  again  unlock  that 
gate  for  them  in  the  day  of  the  restitution  of  all  things  :  He, 
not  another.  Surely  they  were  not  so  greatly  afraid  or  in  any 
wise  damaged  what  time  He  fixed  the  bounds  of  their 
habitation  aixi  brought  them  to  their  quiet  lodging  and  settled 
them  therein.  "  The  lines  are  fallen  unto  me  in  pleasant 
places  ;  yea,  I  have  a  goodly  heritage." 

But  I,  Lord,  am  sore  afraid.  I  am  afraid  of  Thee,  of  death, 
of  myself:  yea,  rather,  I  am  afraid  of  Thee  and  of  that 
because  I  fear  mine  own  self.  The  sting  of  death  is  sin. 
God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner. 

In  that  veiled  land  saints  abide.  Some  saints  who  loved 
us  on  earth  are  there,  saints  whom  we  loved  and  love.  If  we 
call  they  do  not  answer.  Surely  one  reason  why  they  neither 
appear  nor  audibly  respond  to  our  desolate  cry,  may  be  that 
if  it  is  hard  for  us  now  to  love  supremely  God  Whom  we  see 
not,  it  would  be  yet  harder  then  were  those  who  even  in  His 
eyes  are  lovely  and  desirable  to  woo  us  heavenward  with 
unforgotten  familiar  human  tenderness.  Any  of  us  who  have 
lost  our  nearest  and  dearest  may  realize  how  keen  would  be 
the  temptation  to  love — alas !  it  may  be  to  go  on  loving  the 
creature  more  than  the  Creator. 

This  separation  to  them  is  not  grievous,  and  for  us  it  is  safe. 

Disembodied  saints  are  there.  And  no  sinners  ?  On  the 
contrary,  who  beside  sinners  ?  For  these  are  the  fruits  of 
Christ's  Passion,  and  He  came  not  to  call  the  righteous  but 
sinners  to  repentance.  "  Lord,  remember  me  when  Thou 
comest  into  Thy  Kingdom." 

To  join  the  congregation  of  cleansed  sinners  we  too  may 
aspire  :  let  us  aspire. 

Little  Lamb,  who  lost  thee  ? — 

I  myself,  none  other. — 
Little  Lamb,  who  found  thee  ? — 

Jesus,  Shepherd,  Brother. 
Ah,  Lord,  what  I  cost  Thee  ! 

Canst  Thou  still  desire? — 
Still  Mine  arms  surround  thee, 

Still  I  lift  thee  higher, 

Draw  thee  nigher. 

"  The  keys  of  hell  and  of  death." — No  key  need  be  preserved 
to  the  end  were  the  door  not  at  last  to  be  re-opened.  Many 
times  opened  to  admit,  once  for  all  it  will  be  re-opened  to 
release.  "  There  is  hope  in  thine  end." 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP,  45 

19.  Write  the  things  which  thou  hast  seen,  and  the  things 

which  are,  and  the  things  which  shall  be  hereafter ; 

20.  The  mystery  of  the  seven  stars  which  thou  sawest  in 

My  right  hand,  and  the  seven  golden  candlesticks. 
The  seven  stars  are  the  angels  of  the  seven  churches ; 
and  the  seven  candlesticks  which  thou  sawest  are  the 
seven  churches. 

"  Write  " — not  any  ecstasy  of  thy  love  even  in  this  moment 
of  reunion.  "Write" — little  for  the  indulgence  of  thine  own 
heart,  unless  it  be  meat  and  drink  to  thee  to  do  the  Will  of 
Him  that  sendeth  thee,  and  to  finish  His  work.  "  Write " 
that  which  shall  glorify  God,  edify  the  Church,  bear  witness 
against  the  world.  John  the  beloved  and  the  true  lover  could 
endure  this  word  :  if  it  seems  cold  and  disappointing  to  us, 
it  seems  so  because  we  have  not  yet  the  mind  of  St.  John ; 
much  less  the  mind  of  Christ. 

These  who  met  after  separation  were  not  only  God  and 
man,  Creator  and  creature,  Lord  and  servant :  they  were  like 
wise  Friend  and  friend ;  each  to  the  other  (if  reverently  we 
may  say  it)  as  his  own  soul.  Yet  still  the  standard  is  :  If  thou 
love  Me  keep  My  commandments  ;  and  still  the  silence  of  the 
responsive  soul  makes  answer  :  "  Let  my  Lord  speak  ;  for  Thou 
hast  strengthened  me." 

Love,  to  be  love,  must  walk  Thy  way 

And  work  Thy  Will  ; 

Or  if  Thou  say,  "  Lie  still," 
Lie  still  and  pray. 

Love,  Thine  own  Bride,  with  all  her  might 

Will  follow  Thee, 

And  till  the  shadows  flee 
Keep  Thee  in  sight. 

Love  will  not  mar  her  peaceful  face 

With  cares  undue, 

Faithless  and  hopeless  too 
And  out  of  place. 

Love,  knowing  Thou  much  more  art  Love, 

Will  sun  her  grief, 

And  pluck  her  myrtle  leaf, 
And  be  Thy  dove. 

Love  here  hath  vast  beatitude  : 

What  shall  be  hers 

Where  there  is  no  more  curse, 
But  all  is  good? 


46  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

The  revelation  and  record  are  to  be  of  things  seen,  and 
which  are  and  which  shall  be  ;  not  of  opinions  or  of  fancies. 
A  world  'of  mere  opinions  and  mere  fancies,  of  day-dreams 
and  castles  in  the  air,  is  antagonistic  to  the  true  and  substantial 
world  of  revelation,  and  is  more  hollow  and  unavailing  than 
was  Jonah's  gourd.  "  Now  it  is  high  time  to  awake  out  of 
sleep." 

The  mystery  of  the  seven  stars  and  the  seven  candlesticks 
is  both  revealed  and  explained.  Thenceforward  mystery  after 
mystery  will  be  revealed,  but  not  necessarily  explained.  It  is 
nobler  to  believe  than  to  understand. 

O  only  Lord  God,  Father  of  lights  and  Maker  of  darkness, 
send  forth  Thy  light  and  Thy  truth  that  they  may  lead  us 
through  dimness  of  things  seen  to  clarity  of  things  unseen. 
For  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ's  sake,  the  Light  of  the  world. 
Amen. 

"  Behold  the  height  of  the  stars,  how  high  they  are  ! " 

The  star  floats  in  heaven,  and  has  no  contact  with  earth 
except  by  sending  thither  its  own  radiance.  It  bestows  light, 
and  grasps  at  nothing  in  return.  Earthborn  clouds  stop  short 
at  an  immeasurable  distance  below  its  altitude :  it  is  a  celestial 
creature,  a  recluse  by  day,  a  watcher  by  night ;  its  bands  regu 
late  it  within  its  assigned  orbit,  its  sweet  influences  stream 
forth  unbound  to  all  within  its  radius.  God  Almighty,  without 
Whom  was  not  anything  made  that  was  made,  made  the  stars 
also. 

The  candlestick  is  of  gold,  weighty,  firm,  and  it  cannot  stand 
without  a  foundation.  Its  luminosity  is  derived,  being  no 
feature  of  its  original  self;  effectually  kindled,  yet  ever  liable 
to  extinction.  Without  fuel  the  flame  expires,  without  air  it 
cannot  exist :  it  cannot  kindle  or  rekindle  itself,  or  feed  itself, 
or  maintain  itself.  "  What  hast  thou  that  thou  didst  not 
receive  ?  " 

A  Bishop  and  a  Church  should  be  congruous  each  with  its 
symbol. 

O  God,  our  God,  Who  makest  both  high  and  low,  grant 
unto  the  lofty  to  look  down  in  Christ-like  self-abasement,  and- 
unto  the  lowly  to  look  up  in  Christ-like  self- oblation.  Accept 
Thy  great  and  small,  I  beseech  Thee,  in  Jesus  Christ,  Who 
loveth  first  and  last.  Amen. 


CHAPTER   II. 

1.  Unto  the  angel  of  the  Church  of  Ephesus  write  ;  These 
things  saith  He  that  holdeth  the  seven  stars  in  His 
right  hand,  Who  walketh  in  the  midst  of  the  seven 
golden  candlesticks. 

"  He  telleth  the  number  of  the  stars ;  He  calleth  them  all 
by  their  names." 

Concerning  Himself  God  Almighty  proclaimed  of  old  :  "  I 
AM  THAT  I  AM,"  and  man's  inherent  feeling  of  personality 
seems  in  some  sort  to  attest  and  correspond  to  this  revelation : 
I  who  am  myself  cannot  but  be  myself.  I  am  what  God  has 
constituted  me  :  so  that  however  I  may  have  modified  myself, 
yet  do  I  remain  that  same  I ;  it  is  I  who  live,  it  is  I  who  must 
die,  it  is  I  who  must  rise  again  at  the  last  day.  I  rising  again 
out  of  my  grave  must  carry  on  that  very  life  which  was  mine 
before  I  died,  and  of  which  death  itself  could  not  altogether 
snap  the  thread.  Who  I  was  I  am,  who  I  am  I  am,  who  I  am 
I  must  b^  for  ever  and  ever. 

I  the  sinner  of  to-day  am  the  sinner  of  all  the  yesterdays  of 
my  life.  I  may  loathe  myself  or  be  amazed  at  myself,  but  I 
cannot  unself  myself  for  ever  and  ever. 

"O  Lord,  I  am  oppressed;  undertake  for  me." 

There  is  no  refuge,  no  hiding-place  in  multitude.  The 
associated  stars  and  candlesticks  conceal  not  nor  shelter  that 
one  star  and  one  candlestick  which  God  bringeth  into  judgment. 
Yet  whilst  no  man  may  deliver  his  brother,  there  is  dignity, 
joy,  comfort,  a  present  blessing  and  a  future  beatitude  in  the 
Communion  of  Saints. 

Lord,  make  me  one  with  Thine  own  faithful  ones, 
Thy  Saints  who  love  Thee  and  are  loved  by  Thee ; 
Till  the  day  break  and  till  the  shadows  flee 

At  one  with  them  in  alms  and  orisons  : 

At  one  with  him  who  toils  and  him  who  runs 


48  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

And  him  who  yearns  for  union  yet  to  be  ; 
At  one  with  all  who  throng  the  crystal  sea 
And  wait  the  setting  of  our  moons  and  suns. 
Ah,  my  beloved  ones  gone  on  before, 

Who  looked  not  back  with  hand  upon  the  plough  ! 

If  beautiful  to  me  while  still  in  sight, 
How  beautiful  must  be  your  aspects  now  ; 

Your  unknown,  well-known  aspects  in  that  light 
Which  clouds  shall  never  cloud  for  evermore. 

2.  I  know  thy  works,  and  thy  labour,  and  thy  patience, 

and  how  thou  canst  not  bear  them  which  are  evil : 
and  thou  hast  tried  them  which  say  they  are  apostles, 
and  are  not,  and  hast  found  them  liars  : 

3.  And  hast  borne,  and  hast  patience,  and  for  My  Name's 

sake  hast  laboured,  and  hast  not  fainted. 

Our  Lord  saith,  "  I  know,"  and  proceedeth  to  enumerate 
the  graces  of  His  Church,  as  the  bridegroom  sets  forth  the 
loveliness  of  the  bride.  "Behold,  thou  art  fair,  My  love; 
behold,  thou  art  fair."  He  will  not  blame  until  first  He  hath 
praised  :  He  lays  the  firm  foundation  of  His  approval  before 
He  upbraids  for  a  spreading  leprosy  in  her  superstructure. 
He  doth  not  change  His  affection  though  He  must  needs 
change  His  voice :  "  O,  My  dove,  thou  art  in  the  clefts  of 
the  rock,  in  the  secret  places  of  the  stairs,  let  Me  see  thy 
countenance,  let  Me  hear  thy  voice ;  for  sweet  is  thy  voice, 
and  thy  countenance  is  comely.  Take  us  the  foxes,  the  little 
foxes,  that  spoil  the  vines  :  for  our  vines  have  tender  grapes." 
He  Who  is  Himself  the  True  Vine,  He  best  knoweth  what 
shame  it  is,  what  loss,  what  ruin  to  any  branch  which  is 
spoiled.  Better  the  smart  of  to-day's  pruning  than  of  to-morrow's 
lopping. 

The  Church  of  Ephesus  seems  prepared  to  say :  "  All  these 
things  have  I  kept  from  my  youth  up  :  what  lack  I  yet  ?  " 
and  we  to  answer :  "  Surely  the  Lord's  anointed  is  before 
Him."  For  how  many  of  ourselves  perform  half  the  deeds 
which  yet  availed  not  to  clear  Ephesus  ? 

Here  are  genuine  works,  not  mere  eye-service;  labour 
through  the  burden  and  heat  of  the  day ;  patience  tried  and 
not  found  wanting;  abhorrence  of  what  is  abominable;  sifting 
and  upholding  of  truth  to  the  unmasking  of  Satan,  though  he 
simulate  an  angel  of  light ;  endurance  outliving  impulse  ;  and 
in  this  catalogue  of  virtues,  two  which  appear  at  the  beginning 
reappear  at  the  end ;  patience  whose  silver  cord  has  not 
broken  despite  the  long,  strong  strain  put  upon  it,  and  labour 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  49 

now  certified  as  done  for  Christ's  Name's  sake.  Moreover, 
the  doer  of  these  great  things  fainteth  not,  but  at  the  weakest 
moment  is  at  least  as  Gideon  with  his  three  hundred  of  old, 
faint  yet  pursuing. 

May  not  Ephesus  aver  :  "  Lo,  these  many  years  do  I  serve 
Thee,  neither  transgressed  I  at  any  time  Thy  commandment  "  ? 
Nay,  of  a  truth :  Ephesus  may  not  so  much  as  plead  trem 
bling  :  "  We  are  unprofitable  servants  :  we  have  done  that 
which  was  our  duty  to  do." 

4.  Nevertheless  I  have   somewhat  against  thee,  because 
thou  hast  left  thy  first  love. 

Behold  the  worm  in  the  gourd !  All  that  gracious  verdure 
and  flourishing  luxuriance  is  death-stricken.  "  The  voice 
said,  Cry.  And  he  said,  What  shall  I  cry  ?  All  flesh  is  grass, 
and  all  the  goodliness  thereof  is  as  the  flower  of  the  field  :  the 
grass  withereth,  the  flower  fadeth  :  because  the  Spirit  of  the 
Lord  bloweth  upon  it :  surely  the  people  is  grass.  The  grass 
withereth,  the  flower  fadeth  :  but  the  word  of  our  God  shall 
stand  for  ever." 

Love  shaken,  all  totters.  Love  expiring,  all  perishes.  For 
the  first  and  great  commandment  is  in  effect :  Thou  shalt  love 
the  Lord  thy  God  with  all  thy  being,  and  with  all  thy  powers. 
Whoso  transgresses  this  commandment  is  verily  guilty  of  the 
whole  law. 

Alas  for  each  spiritual  Ephesian  who  did  run  well,  and 
afterwards  loses  ground. 

It  is  not  that  such  an  one  offers  nothing,  but  he  has  volun 
tarily  come  down  to  offering  less.  He  is  as  an  ebbing,  who 
was  as  a  mounting  wave.  Many  a  leaf  still  green  hangs  long 
in  autumn,  but  only  the  green  leaves  of  spring  attain  to 
summer  perfection.  Ananias  and  Sapphira  offered  somewhat, 
for  aught  we  know  they  offered  much ;  but  they  possessed 
more  than  they  offered,  and  what  they  withheld  and  the  spirit 
in  which  they  withheld  it  invalidated  what  they  presented. 

The  Searcher  of  hearts  saith  not  that  Ephesus  had  renounced 
love,  but  that  Ephesus  had  left  its  first  love. 

Whereby  one  or  both  of  two  lapses  may  be  understood  :  a 
decline  from  a  standard  once  attained,  or  a  turning  aside  from 
a  former  centre  of  attraction.  Either  lapse  must  perhaps 
entail  the  other ;  the  second  inevitably  the  first. 

O,  my  God,  Fountain  of  Love,  we  know  not  but  Thou 
knowest  which  of  us  hath  fallen  from  first  love.  Have  patience 
with  us  and  we  will  pay  Thee  all,  Thou  Thyself  furnishing 

D 


50  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

the  love  we  owe.  If  Thou  furnish  it  not,  whence  shall  we 
fetch  it?  Have  pity,  have  mercy  upon  us  and  we  will  pay 
Thee  all,  hiding  ourselves  in  the  merits  of  Jesus  Christ. 
Amen. 

"  Somewhat  against  thee,"  saith  the  patience  and  meekness 
of  Christ,  Very  God  and  Very  Man.  He  rejects  not  a  scanty 
remnant ;  rather  He  stoops  to  gather  up  the  fragments  that 
remain,  that  nothing  be  lost.  In  the  former  days  having  feasted 
others  on  whole  barley  loaves  He  deigned  Himself,  as  I  suppose, 
to  eat  of  the  broken  victuals.  Now  by  a  more  amazing  con 
descension  He  stoops  to  crave  a  revival  of  love.  He  seeketh 
His  one  strayed  sheep,  although  not  alone  the  ninety  and 
nine  which  went  not  astray  are  His,  but  so  also  are  all  the 
beasts  of  the  forest  and  the  cattle  upon  a  thousand  hills. 

Long  ago  God  Almighty  had  said  :  "  If  I  were  hungry,  I 
would  not  tell  thee " ;  now,  on  the  contrary,  He  tells  us,  as 
though  to  sinners  might  be  applied  that  sacred  sentence : 
"  Who  knoweth  if  he  will  return  and  repent,  and  leave  a 
blessing  behind  him ;  even  a  meat  offering  and  a  drink  offering 
unto  the  Lord  your  God?" 

"Thou  hast  left." — My  fault,  my  own  fault,  my  own  most 
grievous  fault. 

0  Shepherd  with  the  bleeding  Feet, 
Good  Shepherd  with  the  pleading  Voice, 

What  seekest  Thou  from  hill  to  hill  ? 
Sweet  were  the  valley  pastures,  sweet 
The  sound  of  flocks  that  bleat  their  joys, 

And  eat  and  drink  at  will. 

Is  one  worth  seeking,  when  Thou  hast  of  Thine 
Ninety  and  nine  ? — 

IIo\v  should  I  stay  My  bleeding  Feet, 
How  should  I  hush  My  pleading  Voice  ? 

I  Who  chose  death  and  clomb  a  hill, 
Accounting  gall  and  wormwood  sweet, 
That  hundredfold  might  bud  My  joys 
For  love's  sake  and  good  will. 

1  seek  My  one,  for  all  there  bide  of  Mine 

Ninety  and  nine. 

O  Lord,  dost  Thou  seek  us,  and  will  not  we  seek  Thee? 
God  forbid. 

5.  Remember  therefore  from  whence  thou  art  fallen,  and 
repent,  and  do  the  first  works ;  or  else  I  will  come 
unto  th.ee  quickly,  and  will  remove  thy  candlestick  out 
of  his  place,  except  thou  repent. 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  51 

Ah,  Lord,  Who  biddest  us  remember  our  shameful  falls,  re 
member  Thou  Thy  long-suffering  and  bounties.  As  righteous 
Zacharias  attested  Thy  remembrance  of  Thy  holy  covenant,  as 
St.  Mary,  blessed  to  all  generations,  bore  witness  that  Thou 
hast  holpen  Israel  in  remembrance  of  Thy  mercy,  so  for  good 
remember  us. 

As  the  thief  on  his  cross  besought  Thee,  saying,  "  Lord,  re 
member  me  when  Thou  comest  into  Thy  kingdom,"  so  now 
and  ever  remember  us. 

By  all  that  Thou  alone  rememberest,  O  Thou,  Whose  is  the 
awful  Book  of  Remembrance,  for  good  and  not  for  evil  re 
member  us. 

"  Rejoice  not  against  me,  O  mine  enemy  :  when  I  fall,  I 
shall  arise ;  when  I  sit  in  darkness,  the  Lord  shall  be  a  light 
unto  me.  I  will  bear  the  indignation  of  the  Lord,  because  I 
have  sinned  against  Him,  until  He  plead  my  cause,  and  execute 
judgment  for  me:  He  will  bring  me  forth  to  the  light,  and  I 
shall  behold  His  righteousness." 

"  Repent,  and  do  the  first  works." 

What  wearied  me  once,  must  I  do  yet  again  ? 

"Yes." 

Is  there  no  alternative  ? 

"  None,  except  destruction,  a  certain  fearful  looking  for  of 
judgment  and  fiery  indignation." 

]s  there  no  help? 

"  Not  until  thou  begin  to  help  thyself." 

Is  there  any  hope  ? 

"  Yea,  assured  and  boundless  hope.  For  if  what  man  has 
done,  man  may  do,  much  more  what  a  man  has  once  done,  he, 
by  God's  help,  may  do  again ;  and  that  very  word,  '  do  the 
first  works,'  certifies  that  when  formerly  done  they  were 
acceptable.  Do  them  once  more,  cease  not  to  do  them,  do 
them  with  thy  first  love,  do  them  with  more  love  than  ever 
because  now  thou  more  needest  forgiveness,  and  at  the  eleventh 
hour  well  is  thee  and  happy  shalt  thou  be." 

It  often  happens  at  church  that  wandering  thoughts  are 
recalled  at  a  moment  when  no  prayer  specially  interesting  to 
ourselves  is  being  offered  ;  we  are  tempted  to  catch  up  one 
we  have  missed,  or  to  look  forward  to  one  still  to  come.  Yet 
here  at  this  very  point  lies  our  vantage-ground  ;  now  is  our  oppor 
tunity  for  self-discipline.  By  resolutely  checking  any  indulgence 
of  favourite  petitions  ;  by  instantly,  simply,  honestly  concen 
trating  attention  on  the  matter  in  hand,  there  seems  good  hope 
that  gradually  a  habit  of  attention  may  be  formed. 


52  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

Shrink  as  we  may  from  facing  the  consequences  of  our  faults, 
yet  lost  opportunities  are  and  must  remain  lost.  If  I  pray  not 
at  the  hour  of  prayer,  the  hour  passes,  and  I  have  not  prayed ; 
if  I  pray  not  the  appointed  prayer  at  the  appointed  moment, 
the  moment  passes  and  I  have  not  obeyed.  In  God's  strength 
let  us  face  the  consequences  of  our  sins.  Sins  are  worse  than 
their  consequences. 

To  improve  all  our  prayers  is  to  improve  our  favourite 
prayers  amongst  the  rest. — Is  not  this  appealing  to  a  secondary 
motive  ? — Yes ;  and  I  hope  innocent  secondary  motives  may 
be  called  in  to  reinforce  the  prime  motive ;  our  whole  strength 
thus  becomes  concentrated  in  one  effort  made  in  one  direction. 
The  spring-tide  is  strong,  the  neap-tide  comparatively  weak, 
because  the  first  obeys  sun  and  moon  attracting  in  unison,  the 
second  is  subject  to  their  forces  acting  at  cross  purposes. 

"  Or  else  I  will  come  unto  thee  quickly," — the  desire  and 
salvation  of  saints,  the  horror  and  overthrow  of  impenitent 
sinners.  He  Who  comes  is  the  same  ;  in  them  to  whom  He 
comes  lies  all  the  difference.  To  such  a  word  St.  John  will 
afterwards  reply  :  "  Even  so,  come,  Lord  Jesus."  Lord,  teach 
us  to  pray. 

"Quickly."— Guilty  fear  mutters,  "Art  Thou  come  hither 
to  torment  us  before  the  time?"  Innocence  and  sanctity  cry 
out,  "Why  tarry  the  wheels  of  His  chariots?"  Penitence  re 
joins  meekly:  "The  Lord  is  good  unto  them  that  wait  for 
Him.  to  the  soul  that  seeketh  Him.  It  is  good  that  a  man 
should  both  hope  and  quietly  wait  for  the  salvation  of  the  Lord." 

"Remove  thy  candlestick  out  of  his  place." — He  saith  not 
abolish  or  extinguish,  but  "  remove " ;  surely  there  lingers  a 
gleam  of  hope  for  them  whose  candlestick  is  as  yet  only 
removed.  Judah  carried  afar  into  captivity,  repented,  and  was 
brought  back  to  his  own  borders. 

Repentance  averts  judgment,  repentance  reverses  judgment, 
repentance  recovers  "  two  legs,  or  a  piece  of  an  ear "  out  of 
the  very  mouth  of  the  lion. 

To  repentance  all  is  promised.  But  alas  !  to  us  repentance 
itself  is  not  promised. 

Lord  Jesus,  the  Fountain  opened  for  sin  and  for  uncleanness, 
Who  promisest  forgiveness  to  penitence,  but  reservest  penitence 
to  Thyself  to  give  or  to  deny ;  deny  us  not  that  penitence 
which  Thou  acceptest,  and  which  Thou  alone  canst  give. 

6.  But  this  thou  hast,  that  thou  hatest  the  deeds  of  the 
Nicolaitanes,  which  I  also  hate. 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  53 

"Ye  that  love  the  Lord,  hate  evil;  He  preserveth  the  souls 
of  His  saints/' 

Good  it  is  to  hate  what  Christ  hateth  ;  better  still  to  love 
what  He  loveth,  and  what  He  is.  If  hatred  be  our  strongest 
feature  of  Christ-likeness,  well  may  we  betake  ourselves  to  dust 
and  ashes,  to  repentance  and  first  works  ;  for  without  love,  to 
hate  even  the  same  object  is  to  hate  it  out  of  a  far  different 
heart.  Pride  may  hate  much  that  is  contemptible,  fastidious 
ness  much  that  is  foul,  softness  much  that  is  cruel ;  but  what 
has  pride  or  fastidiousness  or  sensual  softness  in  common  with 
Christ?  If  all  human  virtues  are  to  be  mistrusted,  sifted, 
tested,  not  least  that  virtue  of  hatred  which  has  for  counterfeit 
a  deadly  sin. 

Nevertheless  Christ  clearly  commends  hatred,  and  what  He 
commends  we  are  bound  to  aim  at.  For  great  saints  there  may 
be  a  direct  royal  road  thither,  for  ordinary  sinners  a  circuitous 
path  may  possibly  prove  safer  if  not  shorter. 

Extremes  meet ;  therefore  let  us  work  our  way  round  to 
hatred  by  way  of  love.  A  long  round  perhaps,  but  an  abso 
lutely  safe  one.  Were  we  even  to  die  in  mid-pilgrimage  we 
might  hope  to  be  accepted  according  to  that  we  had,  if  not 
according  to  that  we  had  not. 

Moreover,  however  slowly,  yet  surely,  love  does  infallibly 
breed  a  hatred  akin  to  the  Divine  hatred.  Such  hatred  abso 
lute,  unqualified,  irreconcilable,  is  restricted  to  the  one  odious 
object.  To  love  involves  of  necessity  the  capacity  for  hatred  ; 
how  shall  we  not  hate  that  which  may  sever  ourselves  from  the 
supreme  desire  of  our  hearts,  or  may  destroy  others  whom  we 
love  as  ourselves  ? 

And  when  we  have  learned  so  much  of  the  science  of  love 
and  hatred,  we  shall  be  ready  to  add:  How  much  more  shall 
we  not  hate  that  which  doeth  despite  to  the  God  of  all  good 
ness  ?  Which  solitary  odious  thing  is  sin. 

The  difficulty  of  hating  aright  is  intensified  by  our  predis 
position  towards  hating  amiss. 

Lord  of  all  power  and  might,  bestow  upon  us,  I  beseech 
Thee,  both  love  and  hatred  ;  but  only  that  hatred  which  is  a 
form  and  fruit  of  love.  For  Jesus  Christ's  sake.  Amen. 

"The  deeds  of  the  Nicolaitanes." — Commentators  explain 
that  the  Nicolaitanes  (see  also  ver.  15)  were  misbelievers  of 
impure  life.  A  suggestion  which  brands  as  their  founder 
Nicolas  of  Antioch,  seventh  on  the  catalogue  of  the  first- 
ordained  seven  deacons  (Acts  vi.  5,  6),  is  not  to  my  knowledge 
supported  by  historical  proof. 


54  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

Whoever  was  their  founder,  their  deeds  and  doctrines  were 
hateful  to  Christ,  Who  is  both  righteousness  and  truth.  St. 
John  instructs  us  how  "he  that  doeth  righteousness  is  righteous" ; 
thus  doing,  we  shall  keep  free  from  the  guilt  of  the  Nicolaitanes  ; 
moreover  thus  doing  we  shall  escape  the  contamination  of  their 
doctrines,  in  right  of  our  Lord's  own  comforting  declaration  : 
"  If  any  man  will  do  His  will,  he  shall  know  of  the  doctrine, 
whether  it  be  of  God." 

To  avoid  the  contagion  of  their  example  is  the  essential 
point.  If  still  we  feel  curious  to  ascertain  what  the  Nicolaitanes 
actually  professed  and  did,  although  clearly  such  knowledge  is 
not  necessary  to  our  salvation,  let  us  rather  ponder  the  words 
of  St.  Paul  on  a  congruous  subject:  "It  is  a  shame  even  to 
speak  of  those  things  which  are  done  of  them  in  secret/' — lest 
we  should  degrade  ourselves  like  any  against  whom  elsewhere 
he  bears  witness  :  "  Unto  them  that  are  denied  and  unbelieving 
is  nothing  pure ;  but  even  their  mind  and  conscience  is  defiled.'' 

Ignorance  is  often  a  safeguard  and  a  privilege. 

Lord,  make  me  pure  : 
Only  the  pure  shall  see  Thee  as  Thou  art, 

And  shall  endure. 

Lord,  bring  me  low  ; 
For  Thou  wert  lowly  in  Thy  blessed  heart : 

Lord,  keep  me  so. 

7.  He  that  hath,  an  ear,  let  him  hear  what  the  Spirit  saith 
unto  the  churches ;  To  him  that  overcometh  will  I  give 
to  eat  of  the  tree  of  life,  which  is  in  the  midst  of  the 
paradise  of  God. 

Not  the  promise  only,  the  preamble  also  is  full  of  grace. 

By  it  we  are  instantly  reminded  of  that  reiterated  saying  of 
our  Lord's,  recorded  in  their  Gospels  by  SS.  Matthew,  Mark, 
Luke,  but  not  (I  believe)  by  St.  John :  "  He  that  hath  ears  to 
hear,  let  him  hear." 

If  I  may  venture  to  study  both  the  similarity  and  the  difference 
between  the  two  forms,  it  seems  to  me  that  our  Master's  in 
vitation  has  a  wider  and  (if  I  may  call  it  so)  a  more  elementary 
sound.  He  appeals  to  all  within  reach  of  His  blessed  Voice  : 
"  To  you  is  the  word  of  this  salvation  sent."  It  was  at  the 
outset  of  a  new  dispensation,  a  first  call  of  sinners  to  come 
out  of  the  world  and  become  saints.  It  was,  as  by  the  prophet 
of  old,  "  Ho,  every  one."  The  words  of  winning  mercy  issued 
from  the  lips  full  of  grace  ;  the  Aspect  of  unutterable  attraction, 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  55 

as  He  spake,  was  visible  to  all  who  would  behold.     In  that 
day  He  called  not  the  righteous,  but  sinners  to  repentance. 

The  message  of  the  Spirit  being  addressed  "  unto  the 
Churches,"  suggests  that  the  hearer  who  is  called  upon  to  hear 
it  is  in  heart  no  alien,  but  one  already  concerned  in  the  import 
of  the  message ;  one  who,  having  actually  started  on  his  course, 
now  needs  the  advanced  graces  of  perseverance  and  patience  ; 
or  at  the  very  least  one  who,  being  predisposed  with  open  face 
to  behold  as  in  a  glass  the  glory  of  the  Lord,  is  apt  to  be 
changed  into  the  same  image  from  glory  to  glory,  even  as  by 
the  Spirit  of  the  Lord.  The  mere  word'  "an  ear"  instead  of 
"  ears,"  reminding  us  of  that  single  eye  which  is  the  light  of 
the  body,  suggests  that  this  is  the  parallel  ear,  the  purged  ear 
which  hearing  the  Word  of  God  is  blessed,  inasmuch  as  he  that 
heareth  is  a  doer  and  not  a  hearer  only. 

But  there  is  a  quite  different  train  of  thought  unconnected 
perhaps  with  any  argument  to  be  founded  on  the  words  of  our 
text,  yet  to  which  these  may  lead  us  as  to  a  blameless,  pious 
contemplation  and  exercise  of  devout  gratitude.  "An  ear": 
how  does  God  accept  the  poorest  offering  if  it  be  all  a  man 
has  to  proffer.  Thus  elsewhere  we  are  certified  of  the  one- 
eyed,  one-footed,  one-handed  penitents  who  shall  enter  into 
the  kingdom  of  heaven.  The  lame  and  the  blind  might  be 
haled  of  David's  soul ;  to  the  Son  of  David  they  are  dear  as 
the  apple  of  the  eye. 

Of  old  Abraham  drew  near,  and  said,  Wilt  Thou  also 
destroy  the  righteous  with  the  wicked  ?  and  urging  his  in 
tercession  onward  and  downward,  at  length  obtained  a  promise 
of  safety  for  all  the  cities  of  the  plain,  could  ten  righteous 
be  found  in  Sodom.  He  fixed  ten  as  the  extreme  boundary 
of  what  he  dared  implore;  at  ten  he  became  dumb,  and 
opened  not  his  mouth,  for  it  was  God's  doing ;  could  ten 
not  be  found,  Abraham  acquiesced  in  the  threatened  de 
struction.  But  long  ages  afterwards,  what  saith  God  Al 
mighty  Himself  of  that  Jerusalem  which  by  the  mouth  of 
Isaiah  He  once  upbraided  under  the  name  of  Sodom  and 
Gomorrah?  Speaking  yet  again  by  the  Prophet  Jeremiah,  He 
saith :  "  Run  ye  to  and  fro  through  the  streets  of  Jerusalem, 
and  see  now,  and  know,  and  seek  in  the  broad  places  thereof, 
if  ye  can  find  a  man,  if  there  be  any  that  executeth  judgment, 
that  seeketh  the  truth  ;  and  I  will  pardon  it." 

Human  charity  laid  hand  on  mouth  at  ten.  Divine  charity 
sought  and  sifted,  and  would  have  pardoned  for  the  sake 
of  one. 


56  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

O  God,  all-Good,  Father  all-Merciful,  Who  didst  provide 
Thine  own  Lamb  for  Thy  Burnt  Offering,  even  the  One  Man 
for  Whom  Thou  soughtest ;  for  His  sake  Who  died  in  our 
stead  that  we  should  not  also  die,  pardon  and  save  us,  the 
very  sinners  for  whom  He  died. 

"  What  the  Spirit  saith." — Is  it  then  no  longer  Christ  that 
speaketh  ?  Surely  it  is  the  All-Holy  Christ  Who  speaketh  by 
His  Spirit ;  and  the  All-Holy  Spirit  Who  speaketh  being  One 
with  the  Father  and  the  Son.  Whatso  each  Divine  Person 
doeth,  the  Godhead  doeth. 

This  which  I  cannot  understand,  God  helping  me  I  will 
believe  and  hold  fast. 

With  the  ability  to  hear  stands  indissolubly  connected  the 
obligation  to  hear.  He  that  hath  an  ear  cannot  make  himself 
like  him  that  hath  none.  He  who  has  heard  cannot  make 
himself  like  him  who  has  never  heard.  By  shrinking  from 
hearing  more  the  sluggard  or  the  coward  bears  witness  against 
himself  to  having  already  heard  somewhat. 

"Unto  the  Churches." — Not  only  to  that  one  Church  primarily 
addressed,  but  to  all  Churches  throughout  all  generations.  To 
the  Church  of  England  now,  as  to  the  Church  of  Ephesus  then. 

A  message  to  my  neighbour  !  True ;  but  equally  a  message 
to  myself.  If  I  long  to  improve  my  neighbour,  the  first  step 
towards  so  doing  is  to  improve  myself:  "And  why  beholdest 
thou  the  mote  that  is  in  thy  brother's  eye,  but  considerest  not 
the  beam  that  is  in  thine  own  eye  ?  Or  how  wilt  thou  say  to 
thy  brother,  Let  me  pull  out  the  mote  out  of  thine  eye  ;  and, 
behold,  a  beam  is  in  thine  own  eye?  Thou  hypocrite,  first 
cast  out  the  beam  out  of  thine  own  eye ;  and  then  shalt  thou 
see  clearly  to  cast  out  the  mote  out  of  thy  brother's  eye." 

"  To  him  that  overcometh." — We  are  not  here  told  what  he 
overcometh  in  particular,  but  looking  back  it  becomes  clear 
that  in  this  instance  the  foe  to  be  overcome  is  the  defaulter's 
own  self;  his  accusation  concerning  neither  word  nor  deed, 
but  motive,  the  deep-seated  spring  of  conduct,  the  inner  man 
of  the  heart.  "  Ye  did  run  well ;  who  did  hinder  you  ?  " 

Ephesus  appears  like  Ephraim  of  old  :  "  Strangers  have  de 
voured  his  strength,  and  he  knoweth  it  not ;  yea,  gray  hairs  are 
here  and  there  upon  him,  yet  he  knoweth  it  not."  St.  Paul  writes : 
"As  dying,  and,  behold,  we  live";  concerning  Ephesus  the 
sentence  might  be  reversed :  As  living,  and,  behold,  they  die. 
If  in  fall  vitality  they  begin  to  die,  how  being  half  dead  shall 
they  retrieve  their  life?  "With  men  it  is  impossible,  but  not 
with  God;  for  with  God  all  things  are  possible."  "He  giveth 


THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP.  57 

mere  grace.     Wherefore  He  saith,  God  resisteth  the  proud,  but 
giveth  grace  unto  the  humble." 

O  Christ  the  Life,  look  on  me  where  I  lie 

Ready  to  die : 
O  Good  Samaritan,  nay,  pass  not  by. 

O  Christ  my  life,  pour  in  Thine  oil  and  wine 

To  keep  me  Thine  ; 
Me  ever  Thine,  and  Thee  for  ever  mine. 

Watch  by  Thy  saints  and  sinners,  watch  by  all 

Thy  great  and  small : 
Once  Thou  didst  call  us  all, — O  Lord,  recall. 

Think  how  Thy  saints  love  sinners,  how  they  pray 

And  hope  alway, 
And  thereby  grow  more  like  Thee  day  by  day. 

O  Saint  of  saints,  if  those  with  prayer  and  vow 

Succour  us  now  .  .  . 
It  was  not  they  died  for  us,  it  was  Thou. 

Even  he  "  that  overcometh  "  does  not  earn  :  it  still  is  God 
that  "  will  give." 

And  what  will  He  give  ?  "  To  eat  of  the  tree  of  life  which  is 
in  the  midst  of  the  Paradise  of  God,"  thereby  reversing  Adam's 
doom:  "The  Lord  God  said  .  .  .  Now,  lest  he  put  forth  his 
hand,  and  take  also  of  the  tree  of  life,  and  eat,  and  live  for 
ever  :  therefore  the  Lord  God  sent  him  forth  from  the  garden 
of  Eden  .  .  .  And  He  placed  at  the  east  of  the  garden  of 
Eden  cherubims,  and  a  naming  sword  which  turned  every  way, 
to  keep  the  way  of  the  tree  of  life." 

Thus  the  eastern  gate,  the  gate  of  light,  shut  out  man  into 
darkness ;  immortal  cherubim  barred  him  from  the  precincts 
of  life ;  flame  repelled  him  into  the  cold  of  death ;  until  the 
times  of  refreshing  should  come  from  theXord,  and  to  Christ's 
brethren  every  loss  should  be  made  up,  yea,  and  much  more 
also. 

Christ  is  our  Tree  of  Life,  whereof  even  now  we  eat  and  drink 
in  the  Sacrament  of  His  most  Blessed  Body  and  Blood  ;  even 
now  whilst,  please  God,  we  are  overcoming,  though  we  have 
not  yet  overcome.  "Blessed  are  ye  that  hunger  now  :  for  ye 
shall  be  filled."  He  "  the  Branch,"  foretold  by  prophets,  He 
"  the  True  Vine,"  revealed  by  His  own  lips,  He  now  is  man 
kind's  centre  to  which  turn  eyes  and  hearts.  Long  ago  the 
Tree  of  Life  so  stood  in  the  midst  of  Eden,  and  so  in  vision  St. 
John  beheld  it  stand  in  the  midst  of  the  street  of  Holy  New 
Jerusalem  (see  ch.  xxii.  2). 


58  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

If  we  could  forget  the  Vine's  sweetness,  can  we  forget  how  it 
left  its  sweetness  to  become  our  King  ?  If  we  could  forget  the 
Tree  of  Life,  can  we  forget  that  tree  of  death  whereon  Christ 
hung  that  so  He  might  be  indeed  our  life? 

O  our  Saviour,  grant  us  grace  to  love  Thee  in  and  above  all 
Thy  gifts,  and  to  love  Thy  gifts  because  of  Thee. 

"  The  Paradise  of  God  "  :— were  it  not  "of  God  "  it  would 
not  be  Paradise.  "  In  My  Father's  house  are  many  mansions : 
if  it  were  not  so,  I  would  have  told  you.  I  go  to  prepare  a 
place  for  you.  And  if  I  go  and  prepare  a  place  for  you,  I  will 
come  again,  and  receive  you  unto  Myself;  that  where  I  am, 
there  ye  may  be  also." 

Paradise  is  God's  by  right,  man's  by  grace.  In  its  midst 
Christ,  Very  God  and  Very^Ian,  stands  symbolized  by  the  Tree 
of  Life  ;  later  on  we  read  of  the  Lamb  "  in  the  midst"  of  the 
Throne.  In  an  awe-striking  mystery  we  seem  thus  to  behold 
Christ  not  centre  of  humankind  alone,  or  of  all  creation  alone  ; 
but  even  Christ  in  the  Bosom  of  the  Father,  the  Beloved  Son 
in  Whom  the  Father  Himself  is  well  pleased. 

That  Eden  of  earth's  sunrise  cannot  vie 
\Vith  Paradise  beyond  her  sunset  sky 
Hidden  on  high. 

Four  rivers  watered  Eden  in  her  bliss, 
But  Paradise  hath  One  which  perfect  is 
In  sweetnesses. 

Eden  had  gold,  but  Paradise  hath  gold 
Like  unto  glass  of  splendours  manifold 
Tongue  hath  not  told. 

Eden  had  sun  and  moon  to  make  her  bright ; 
But  Paiadise  hath  God  and  Lamb  for  light, 
And  hath  no  night. 

Unspotted  innocence  was  Eden's  best  ; 
Great  Paradise  shows  God's  fulfilled  behest, 
Triumph  and  rest. 

Hail,  Eve  and  Adam,  source  of  death  and  shame! 
]New  life  has  sprung  from  death,  and  Jesu's  Name 
Clothes  you  with  fame. 

Hail  Adam  and  hail  Eve  !  your  children  rise 
And  call  you  blessed,  in  their  glad  surmise 
Of  Paradise. 

8.  And  unto  the  angel  of  the  church  in  Smyrna  write; 
These  things  saith  the  First  and  the  Last,  which  was 
dead,  and  is  alive. 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 


59 


He  Who  was  made  like  unto  us  knoweth  whereof  we  are 
made ;  and  that  we  are  but  dust  well  may  He  remember  Who 
died  and  was  buried,  although  it  was  not  possible  that  He 
should  see  corruption  or  be  holden  of  death.  He  feels  with  us 
as  well  as  for  us  :  He  died,  as  we  all  must  die ;  He  lives  again, 
as  by  His  grace  we  all  may  rise  to  life  everlasting.  Thus  He 
maketh  Himself  all  things  to  all  men,  willing  by  all  means  to 
save  us.  His  death  and  His  life  as  it  were  salute  us:  O  ye 
dead,  believe  on  Me  and  ye  shall  live  ;  O  ye  living,  believe, 
and  ye  shall  never  die. 

9.  I  know  thy  works,  and  tribulation,  and  poverty,  (but 
thou  art  rich)  and  I  know  the  blasphemy  of  them 
which  say  they  are  Jews,  and  are  not,  but  are  the 
synagogue  of  Satan. 

The  Searcher  of  hearts  has  no  word  of  blame  for  Smyrna, 
only  encouragement,  approval,  benediction.  Her  oblation  is 
threefold  :  works,  tribulation,  poverty.  Yet  Ephesus  exhibited 
a  longer  list  of  offerings,  Ephesus  whose  heart  was  not  right 
with  God.  "  From  all  blindness  and  hardness  of  heart,  good 
Lord,  deliver  us." 

Of  those  three  acceptable  offerings,  one  alone  properly 
appertained  to  Smyrna  ;  her  works,  that  is ;  and  even  these 
were  wrought  only  by  aid  of  Divine  grace.  Tribulation,  whether 
we  regard  it  as  simply  equivalent  to  affliction,  or  tracing  it  to  its 
root  call  it  rather  sifting,  was  her  appointed  discipline  :  poverty 
(unless  voluntary)  was  her  assigned  condition. 

O  Gracious  and  Bounteous  Lord  God,  Who  furnishing  our 
offering  acceptest  it,  blessed  be  Thou  for  ever  and  ever,  through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.  Amen. 

Nothing  on  earth  is  a  substitute  for  performance  of  duty,  be 
that  duty  what  it  may.  Affliction  cannot  exempt  us,  nor  great 
searchings  of  heart,  nor  poverty  :  these  are  conditions  under 
which  to  work,  not  workers  in  our  stead.  "Is  any  among  you 
afflicted  ?  let  him  pray,"  prayer  being  practical  and  promotive 
of  practice. 

Yet  deeds  wrought  in  God  become  eminently  glorious  when 
wrought  under  stress  of  sorrow  with  patience  and  fear,  with 
faith,  hope,  and  charity.  Such  affliction  will  turn  to  gladness, 
such  sifting  and  testing  will  certify,  such  poverty  will  enrich. 

My  God,  openest  Thou  to  us  such  possibilities,  profferest 
Thou  such  vast  grace  and  glory,  and  shall  bapti/ed  Christians, 
being  harnessed,  turn  themselves  back  in  the  day  of  battle  ? 
Not  so,  Lord  Jesus,  for  Thine  own  sake. 


60  THE  FACE   OF    THE  DEEP. 

"If  thou  faint  in  the  day  of  adversity,  thy  strength  is 
small." 

"But  thou  art  rich." — Neither  is  all  wealth  poor,  nor  all 
poverty  rich.  That  widow  who  cast  two  mites  into  the  sacred 
treasury,  by  so  doing  became  rich,  but  had  she  kept  them  she 
had  remained  simply  "a  poor  widow."  God  then  sat  in  the 
congregation  of  princes  visibly  as  Judge  :  still  He  sits  invisibly  : 
yet  a  little  while  and  again  He  will  sit  visibly.  Now  He  sits 
as  a  refiner  and  purifier  of  silver :  then  He  will  acknowledge 
every  gift  He  has  purified  and  accepted.  God  will  be  no  man's 
debtor. 

Then  will  come  to  light  transfigured  every  offering  in 
righteousness.  The  gold,  frankincense,  myrrh  of  wise  men  ; 
the  boats  and  nets  of  fishermen  ;  the  money  of  the  exchanger; 
the  loaves  and  small  fishes  of  disciples ;  the  ointment  and 
alabaster  box  of  loving  women ;  houses,  lands ;  a  cup  of  cold 
water.  All  riches  which  have  spread  wings  and  flown  away  as 
eagles  "toward  heaven,  shall  then  reappear  as  treasures  in 
heaven,  where  neither  moth  nor  rust  doth  corrupt,  and  where 
thieves  do  not  break  through  nor  steal. 

Is  it  difficult  to  realize  the  transcendent  riches  of  poverty  ? 
To  me  it  should  not  be  impossible.  For  once  I  knew  a  holy 
woman,  who  having  given  up  one  possession  which  was  very 
dear  to  her,  foresaw  with  delight  the  regaining  it  imperishable. 
To  have  known  her  long  and  intimately  was  a  course  of 
spiritual  training  :  may  it  not  turn  to  my  condemnation. 

My  God,  wilt  Thou  accept,  and  will  not  we 

Give  aught  to  Thee? 
The  kept  we  lose,  the  offered  we  retain 
Or  find  again. 

Yet  if  our  gift  were  lost,  we  well  might  lose 

All  for  Thy  use  : 
Well  lost  for  Thee,  Whose  Love  is  all  for  us 

Gratuitous. 

"  The  synagogue  of  Satan." — Evil  neighbourhood  ranks 
amongst  the  trials  of  the  Church  of  Smyrna,  all  whose  trials 
however  were  privileges  and  potential  blessings.  Still,  when 
ever  evil  is  the  appointed  channel  of  grace,  there  is  obviously 
peril  involved :  as  St.  Paul  warned  his  Corinthian  flock,  "  evil 
communications  corrupt  good  manners."  Whilst  doubly  lovely 
by  contrast  appears  that  "lily  among  thorns,"  which  surmount 
ing  them  blossoms  in  their  despite,  elsewhere  we  read  of  good 
grain  choked  and  ruined  by  thorns  which  sprung  up  in  its 
company. 


THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP.  61 

"  Lead  us  not  into  temptation  "  is  one  enjoined  prayer.  Yet 
when  we  fall  into  divers  temptations  we  are  to  count  it  all  joy, 
because  the  trying  of  faith  worketh  patience.  "  Blessed  is  the 
man  that  endureth  temptation :  for  when  he  is  tried,  he  shall 
receive  the  crown  of  life,  which  the  Lord  hath  promised  to 
them  that  love  Him." 

"  I  know  the  blasphemy  of  them,"  saith  the  Judge ;  yet 
knowing  it,  He  permitted  His  outraged  Church  to  sojourn 
within  hearing  of  that  blasphemy.  A  comfort  to  all  Christians 
who  involuntarily  remain  exposed  to  so  keen  a  trial.  "Hallowed 
by  Thy  name.  Deliver  us  from  evil." 

"  The  synagogue  of  Satan." — As  then  certain  non-Jews  called 
themselves  Jews,  and  composed  in  fact  Satan's  Synagogue,  so 
now  presumably  there  may  be  non-Christians,  who  calling 
themselves  Christians,  are  the  Church  of  Satan.  Touching 
which  ghastly  possibility  it  is  well  to  pray  for  others  as  for 
ourselves,  but  to  mistrust  ourselves  rather  than  others.  My 
self  in  some  degree  I  am  bound  to  know  and  am  bound  to 
judge. 

My  permitted  wanderings  in  prayer  dishonour  God's  Holy 
Name.  My  indulged  rebellious  feelings  deny  His  love. 

O  Merciful  Lord  Jesus,  cast  me  not  out,  forget  not  me  as  I 
have  forgotten  Thee.  For  us  all,  Amen. 

10.  Fear  none  of  those  things  which  thou  shalt  suffer : 
behold,  the  devil  shall  cast  some  of  you  into  prison, 
that  ye  may  be  tried ;  and  ye  shall  have  tribulation 
ten  days  :  be  thou  faithful  unto  death,  and  I  will  give 
thee  a  crown  of  life. 

"  Fear  none  of  those  things  which  thou  shalt  suffer." — 
O  God  our  Father,  Who  callest  us  to  be  Thy  children,  give 
us  filial  fear  and  self-mistrustful  fear  ;  and  toward  all  beside 
courage   indomitable,   for  our  great  Champion's   sake,  Jesus 
Christ.     Amen. 

Cast  down  but  not  destroyed,  chastened  not  slain  :— 

Thy  Saints  have  lived  that  life,  but  how  can  I  ? 

I  who  thro'  dread  of  death  do  daily  die 
By  daily  foretaste  of  an  unfelt  pain. 
Lo,  I  depart  who  shall  not  come  again  ; 

Lo,  as  a  shadow  I  am  flitting  by  ; 

As  a  leaf  trembling,  as  a  wheel  I  fly, 
While  death  flies  faster  and  my  flight  is  vain. 
Chastened  not  slain,  cast  down  but  not  destroyed  :— 

If  thus  Thy  Saints  have  struggled  home  to  peace, 


62  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

Why  should  not  I  take  heart  to  be  as  they  ? 

They  too  pent  passions  in  a  house  of  clay, 
Fear  and  desire  and  pangs  and  ecstasies  ; 
Yea,  then  they  joyed  who  now  are  overjoyed, 

"  Behold,  the  devil  shall  cast  some  of  you  into  prison,  that 
ye  may  be  tried." — Though  it  be  the  devil's  doing,  yet  are  not 
those  saints  to  fear.  They  might  be  bound,  but  the  Word  of 
God  could  not  be  bound.  Moreover  their  bodies  might  be 
bound,  but  not  their  souls  ;  these  would  still  sit  in  heavenly 
places  with  Christ  Jesus.  Even  their  bodies,  because  temples 
of  the  Holy  Ghost,  would  remain  "  Christ's  freemen  "  while  in 
bonds  ;  for  where  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  is,  there  is  liberty. 

What  then  could  Satan  bind  ?  Flesh  and  blood  which  shall 
not  inherit  the  kingdom  of  God  :  the  outer  man  of  spiritual  per 
sons  who  used  to  spend  themselves  in  going  about  to  do  good, 
and  who  would  find  and  recover  their  strength  in  sitting  still. 
.  Thus  Satan  wrought  evil  in  will  but  good  in  effect. 
Alleluia  ! 

"  The  trying  of  your  faith  worketh  patience.  But  let  patience 
have  her  perfect  work,  that  ye  may  be  perfect  and  entire,  want 
ing  nothing.'* 

"And  ye  shall  have  tribulation  ten  days." — It  may  be  that 
even  the  excellent  souls  addressed  understood  not  what  period 
that  cipher  indicated.  At  any  rate  I  assuredly  understand  it 
not.  But  wisdom  transcends  understanding ;  and  doubtless 
this  word  is  capable  of  instructing  us,  God  helping  an  honest 
endeavour. 

There  is  comfort  in  the  certainty  that  though  the  limit  of  any 
trial  be  hidden  from  me,  by  God  that  limit  is  prefixed  and  is 
all  along  well  known  ;  the  end  is  planned  and  adjusted  from 
the  beginning.  As  the  hairs  of  our  head,  so  the  throbs  of  our 
agony  are  all  numbered.  Nor  do  "ten"  seem  so  very  many  : 
one  over,  but  nine  remain,  and  so  on  and  on  ;  till  one  by  one 
all  arrive,  pass  by,  are  finished. 

Let  us  recall  some  Bible  Tens,  and  fortify  hope  by  cheerful 
meditation. 

Ten  commandments  compose  a  complete  scheme  of  righteous 
ness.  Ten  days  even  of  tribulation  will  not  be  an  excessive 
period  wherein  to  practise  their  observance. 

David  had  his  instrument  of  ten  strings  whereon  to  worship 
God.  Our  ten  days  of  weeping  may  emit  as  sweet  a  harmony 
of  prayer  and  praise,  and  as  triumphant  a  note  of  victory. 

Ten  days  are  as  ten  talents  for  each  good  and  faithful  servant 
to  employ  profitably. 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  63 

Ten  days  of  darkness  may  shine  to  the  glory  of  God,  like  ten 
lighted  lamps  of  wise  virgins,  who  with  oil  in  their  vessels  go 
forth  to  meet  the  bridegroom. 

Ten  days  of  trial  should  be  treasured  more  than  ten  pieces 
of  silver  :  holy  souls  take  jealous  heed  lest  one  be  wasted  or 
lost. 

Our  ten  days  (alas  !)  at  their  best  will  by  taint  of  sinfulness 
show  more  or  less  like  ten  lepers.  At  least  let  us  secure  that 
on  each  of  them  God  be  thanked  and  worshipped. 

Ten  days  are  as  ten  servants  entrusted  with  ten  pounds 
capable  of  multiplication. 

Ten  days  of  discipline  may  become  as  Hezekiah's  ten 
degrees  on  the  sundial  certifying  recovery  :  only,  blessed  be 
God  !  they  go  forward  and  not  backward. 

O  God,  through  Whose  good  Providence  Daniel  and  his 
fellows  flourished  by  reason  of  ten  days'  cheerful  austerity ; 
grant  to  us,  I  beseech  Thee,  like  good  will  and  a  happy  issue 
out  of  all  our  afflictions.  For  our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ's  sake. 
Amen. 

Our  Lord  in  His  own  Person  was  "  faithful  unto  death," 
thereby  winning  the  "  Crown  of  Life  "  He  weareth.  Shall  we 
bemoan  ourselves  because  He  bids  us  do  as  He  once  did,  and 
be  made  like  Him  as  He  now  is  ? 

Faithful  unto  death.  We  often  think  of  it  as  if  it  must 
demand  a  long  as  well  as  an  unflinching  effort ;  and  so  indeed 
it  may  demand,  but  we  know  not  whether  it  will.  One 
moment  may  suffice,  for  aught  we  truly  know  to  the  contrary. 
One  moment's  effort :  the  weakest  might  undertake  so  much. 

Or  if  ever  so  long  a  strain  be  required,  God's  strength  is 
always  stronger  than  strong  enough. 

Let  us  not  despise  others  or  ourselves  for  a  mere  instinctive 
dread  of  death ;  while  we  observe  that  Christ  Who  by  ex 
perience  knew  the  bitterness  of  death,  here  sets  death  as  the 
test  of  man's  faithfulness  and  limit  of  his  endurance.  [If  such 
a  meaning  may  be  understood  as  included  in  the  charge  to  be 
faithful  unto  death.] 

If  we  fear  not,  let  us  thank  God  and  do  valiantly.  If  we 
fear,  let  us  thank  God  and  take  courage,  offering  up  our  fear  to 
Him  Who  Himself  was  heard  in  that  He  feared. 

Great  is  their  grace  who  instead  of  choosing  their  offering 
simply  offer  whatever  they  have ;  as  Jacob  of  old  in  extremity 
of  danger  took  of  that  which  came  to  his  hand  a  present. 

The  faithful  alone  appear  thoroughly  furnished  to  treat  of 
faithfulness.  Yet  since  many  truths  admit  of  being  vividly  set 


64  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

forth  by  help  of  negatives,  even  unfaithfulness  viewed  as  a  sort 
of  negation  need  not  altogether  strike  us  dumb,  so  long  as  we 
are  hoping  and  aiming  at  obedience  to  Christ's  injunction.  If 
we  cannot  acquire  faithfulness  at  once,  let  us  patiently,  humbly, 
anxiously,  unlearn  unfaithfulness.  Till  we  can  affirm  truth,  at 
least  let  us  deny  error. 

The  resolute  unlearning  of  unfaithfulness  is  in  fact  the 
practice  of  faithfulness.  "  Cease  to  do  evil ;  learn  to  do  well,' 
hang  together.  The  Ten  Commandments  are  mainly  conveyed 
by  negatives. 

Be  faithful  unto  death.     Christ  proffers  thee 
Crown  of  a  life  that  draws  immortal  breath  : 

To  thee  He  saith,  yea,  and  He  saith  to  me, 
"Be  faithful  unto  death." 

To  every  living  soul  that  same  He  safth, 
"  Be  faithful :  " — whatsoever  else  we  be, 
Let  us  be  faithful  challenging  His  faith. 

Tho'  trouble  storm  around  us  like  the  sea, 
Tho'  hell  surge  up  to  scare  us  and  to  scathe, 

Tho'  heaven  and  earth  betake  themselves  to  flee, 
"  Be  faithful  unto  death." 

"  I  will  give  thee." — "  Thou  wilt  not  have  earned,  but  I  will 
give  thee." 

O  Lord,  Thy  gift  is  better  than  any  earnings,  and  Thou 
Thyself  art  better  than  Thy  gift.  "  Thy  love  is  better  than 
wine." 

"A  crown  of  life." — Life  had  appeared  no  small  boon,  and 
must  always  have  been  beyond  fallen  man's  utmost  deserts. 
But  Christ's  promise  goes  far  beyond  bare  life,  and  mounts  up 
to  dignity,  beauty,  a  garment  of  praise.  "  For  the  Lord  God 
is  a  sun  and  shield :  the  Lord  will  give  grace  and  glory :  no 
good  thing  will  He  withhold  from  them  that  walk  uprightly." 

We  live  after  a  sort,  but  all  the  while  we  are  dying.  We 
who  dying  live  can  form  no  conception  of  what  the  true,  full, 
unstricken,  undying  life  will  be.  Life,  though  along  with  many 
pleasures  and  alleviations,  is  now  a  matter  of  pains  and  aches, 
hunger  and  thirst,  faintness  and  weariness :  this  is  the  life  we 
experience.  That  other  life  will  not  be  such ;  we  realize  not 
yet  what  it  will  be. 

Once  in  his  life  "Israel  said,  It  is  enough  ;  Joseph  my  son 
is  yet  alive  :  I  will  go  and  see  him  before  I  die."  For  the 
moment  love  and  joy  because  of  another's  life  cast  out  the 
sting  though  not  the  foresight  of  death. 


THE  FACE    OF   THE  DEEP.  65 

O  Lord  Jesus,  Who  being  yet  alive  art  alive  for  evermore, 
and  Who  to  every  faithful  soul  art  "  better  than  ten  sons,"  fill 
us  with  such  love  of  Thee,  and  such  joy  in  Thy  joy,  that  for 
us  also  death  in  foresight  may  lose  its  sting.  Amen  for  us 
all,  Amen. 

"A  crown  of  life." — Of  what  fashion  shall  such  a  crown  be? 
St.  Paul  speaks  of  an  amaranthine  crown,  contrasting  it  with 
earth's  fading  crowns  of  victory.     And  later  in  this  Book  of 
Revelations  we  read  of  crowns  of  gold. 

We  may  hope  to  discern  in  celestial  crowns  every  adornment 
of  all  possible  crowns.  Gracefulness  of  leaves,  loveliness  of 
flowers,  endearment  (if  I  may  call  it  so)  of  tendrils,  permanence 
of  gold,  lustre  and  tints  of  jewels.  Such  crowns  I  hope  to  see 
on  heads  I  have  venerated  and  loved  here. 

Meanwhile,  because  our  dear  Lord,  flower  of  humankind 
and  comparable  with  fine  gold  (though  fine  gold  sufnceth  not 
to  compare  with  Him),  was  contented  on  earth  to  be  crowned 
with  a  crown  of  thorns ;  let  us  be  patient,  contented,  thankful, 
to  wait  on  in  hopes  of  a  crown  of  life  and  glory. 

"  Go  forth,  O  ye  daughters  of  Zion,  and  behold  King  Solomon 

with  the  crown  wherewith  his  mother  crowned  him  in  the  day 

of  his  espousals,  and  in  the  day  of  the  gladness  of  his  heart." 

If  we  be  daughters  of  the  spiritual  Zion,  let  us  obey  this 

injunction  though  it  send  us  along  the  way  of  sorrows. 

Our  King  Whom  we  behold  is  not  only  the  wisest  of  Men 
but  is  Very  Wisdom  Incarnate.  He  summons  us  to  behold 
Him ;  He  waits  if  so  be  we  will  turn  and  behold  Him.  His 
Crown  is  a  Crown  of  Thorns  transcending  any  which  Solomon 
in  all  his  glory  put  on.  His  mother  crowned  Him  therewith, 
Eve  the  mother  of  us  all,  Eve  whose  wilfulness  brought  in 
death,  Eve  to  whom  the  victorious  Seed  was  promised.  And 
it  was  in  the  day  of  His  espousals,  when  He  betrothed  to 
Himself  His  bride  the  Church,  that  in  Will  and  purpose  He 
assumed  this  crown,  making  ready  to  "  leave  His  Father  "  and 
cleave  unto  His  wife.  Moreover  it  was  in  gladness  of  His 
heart  that  He  put  it  on,  in  the  eternal  unbroken  calm  of  Divine 
goodwill  and  good  pleasure.  Afterwards,  for  the  joy  that  was 
set  before  Him,  He  endured  the  Cross,  despising  the  shame ; 
and  doubtless  when  beforehand  He  counted  the  cost,  He 
anticipated  also  the  ensuing  joy.  His  Love  (as  it  were)  forgets 
the  anguish,  for  joy  of  our  new  birth  ;  only  never  may  our  love 
forget  it ;  forget  that  glorious  shame  for  our  sakes  against  which 
He  set  His  Face  as  a  flint,  that  sorrow  for  our  sakes  like  which 
there  is  no  second  sorrow. 


66  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

11.  He  that  hath   an  ear,  let  him  hear  what  the  Spirit 

saith  unto  the  churches;  He  that  overcometh  shall 
not  be  hurt  of  the  second  death. 

"  Then  shall  be  brought  to  pass  the  saying  that  is  written, 
Death  is  swallowed  up  in  victory." 

Parallels  cannot  converge.  If  Christ  the  Life  occupy  and 
pervade  us,  death  cannot  annex  us.  Death  may  run  alongside 
of  us  all  our  days,  and  hold  out  hands  of  invitation  to  seduce 
us,  or  clench  fists  and  raise  an  outcry  as  though  it  could  do  us 
a  mischief;  but  death  and  Christ's  members  tend  towards 
different  points  ;  and  there  is  nothing  it  can  really  effect  to 
harm  us  so  long  as  we  cleave  to  Christ  by  faith,  lean  on  Him 
by  hope,  hold  Him  fast  and  let  Him  not  go  by  love.  The 
first  death  (which  is  but  the  shadow  of  death)  is  indeed  ours 
by  birthright  under  a  curse  which  God  has  long  ago  turned  for 
the  elect  into  a  blessing ;  the  second  death,  which  alone  is 
absolute,  unmitigated  death,  has  no  fellowship  with  him  that 
overcometh. 

What  then  is  he,  are  we,  summoned  to  overcome  ?  With 
out,  fightings ;  within,  fears. 

Amen,  by  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  the  love 
of  God,  and  the  fellowship  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Amen. 

12.  And  to  the  angel  of  the  church  in  Pergamos  writs; 

These  things  saith  He  which  hath  the  sharp  sword 
with  two  edges; 

"The  word  of  God  is  quick,  and  powerful,  and  sharper 
than  any  two-edged  sword,  piercing  even  to  the  dividing 
asunder  of  soul  and  spirit,  and  of  the  joints  and  marrow,  and  is 
a  discerner  of  the  thoughts  and  intents  of  the  heart." 

If  the  powers  which  are  His  ordinance  bear  not  the  sword 
in  vain,  much  less  He  from  Whom  all  power  is  derived.  On 
the  other  hand,  if  they  are  a  terror  not  to  good  works  but  to 
evil,  so  and  much  more  He  also.  "  Wilt  thou  then  not  be 
afraid  of  the  power  ?  Do  that  which  is  good,  and  thou  shalt 
have  praise  of  the  same." 

"Sharp." — The  sharpness  guarantees  nicety  of  operation, 
exactness  to  a  hair's-breadth,  no  atom  too  much  or  too  little 
affected  by  the  stroke.  "Two-edged."' — None  can  evade  that 
sword  which  cuts  both  ways. 

But  who  is  He  that  hath  this  deadly  sword  ?  He  Who  was 
Himself  wounded  for  our  transgressions,  Who  died  in  our 
stead  that  we  should  not  also  die.  "  1  have  no  pleasure  in 


THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP.  67 

the  death  of  him  that  dieth,  saith  the  Lord  God  :  wherefore 
turn  yourselves,  and  live  ye." 

O  Lord  Jesus,  we  fear  Thee  ;  but  much  more,  Thou  enabling 
us,  we  will  trust  and  love  Thee. 

David,  the  man  after  God's  own  heart,  was  afraid  because  of 
the  sword  of  the  Angel  of  the  Lord.  Supreme  dominion  and 
supreme  fear  are  with  Him  with  Whom  we  have  to  do. 

We  may  perhaps  lawfully  think  thus  of  the  two  edges  as 
under  one  of  their  aspects.  One  cuts  asunder  the  evil  servant 
penally,  irremediably,  by  decree  of  the  Supreme  and  Just 
Judge.  The  other,  by  tenderness  of  the  Good  Physician, 
wounds  us  for  our  own  benefit  and  that  afterwards  He  may 
heal  us.  "  He  that  sinneth  before  his  Maker,  let  him  fall  into 
the  hand  of  the  physician." 

"  Into  Thy  hands  I  commend  my  spirit :  for  Thou  hast 
redeemed  me,  O  Lord,  Thou  God  of  truth." 

13.  I  know  thy  works,  and  where  thou  dwellest,  even  where 
Satan's  seat  is :  and  thou  holdest  fast  My  Name,  and 
hast  not  denied  My  faith,  even  in  those  days  wherein 
Antipas  was  My  faithful  martyr,  who  was  slain 
among  you,  where  Satan  dwelleth. 

In  the  Authorized  Version  all  the  Seven  Churches  alike  are 
addressed  in  these  same  words  :  "  I  know  thy  works  "  :  whilst 
in  the  Revised  Version  this  Church  of  Pergamos  alone  is  not 
so  addressed.  Because  the  clause  is  here  in  one  text  omitted, 
whilst  in  both  texts  repeated  throughout  the  corresponding 
passages,  I  here  venture  to  pass  it  over.  The  Revised  Version 
commences:  "I  know  where  thou  dwellest;  even  where 
Satan's  throne  is  " — thus  supplying  a  second  variation,  throne 
for  seat. 

"Satan's  seat,"  more  especially  when  designated  as  his 
throne,  recalls  that  phase  of  our  Master's  temptation  when 
"the  devil,  taking  Him  up  into  an  high  mountain,  showed 
unto  Him  all  the  kingdoms  of  the  world  in  a  moment  of 
time.  And  the  devil  said  unto  Him,  All  this  power  will 
I  give  Thee,  and  the  glory  of  them  :  for  that  is  delivered  unto 
me ;  and  to  whomsoever  I  will  I  give  it."  Elsewhere  we  read 
of  "  principalities,  powers,  rulers  of  the  darkness  of  this  world, 
spiritual  wickedness  in  high  places " ;  of  "  the  prince  of  the 
power  of  the  air  "  ;  of  "  the  god  of  this  world." 

A  common  deadly  inalienable  peril  thus  appears  to  en 
compass  the  whole  human  race.  Our  enemy,  further  described 
as  "  a  strong  man  armed/'  is  no  less  than  in  some  sort  a  prince. 


68  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

Of  his  resources  we  know  not  the  extent,  of  his  armies  we 
know  not  the  number ;  but  his  being  prince  of  the  power  of 
the  air  suggests  that  we  are  as  closely  beset  by  temptation  as 
though  this  formed  our  atmosphere,  as  though  at  each  breath 
we  drew  we  inhaled  it.  "  O  wretched  man  that  I  am  !  who 
shall  deliver  me  from  the  body  of  this  death  ?  " 

Nevertheless  our  fathers  in  the  flesh  have  resisted  unto 
blood,  striving  against  sin  :  why  should  not  we  ?  He  that  is 
on  our  side  is  greater  than  he  that  is  against  us  :  there  is  "  a 
Stronger  than  he."  "The  breath  of  our  nostrils"  is  "the 
Anointed  of  the  Lord." 

"  I  will  hope  continually,  and  will  yet  praise  Thee  more  and 
more.  My  mouth  shall  show  forth  Thy  righteousness  and 
Thy  salvation  all  the  day;  for  I  know  not  the  numbers 
thereof." 

"Thou  holdest  fast  My  Name,  and  hast  not  denied  My 
faith  " — the  hidden  allegiance  of  the  heart,  the  open  profession 
of  loyalty.  "  With  the  heart  man  believeth  unto  righteousness ; 
and  with  the  mouth  confession  is  made  unto  salvation." 

When  men  (and  women  and  children  too)  are  called  to 
martyrdom,  not  to  deny  amounts  to  plenary  confession.  But 
so  long  as  the  world  says,  Peace,  peace,  then  oftentimes  not  to 
confess  becomes  virtually  a  denial. 

O  Jesus  Christ,  Who  for  love's  sake  desirest  to  confess  and 
not  to  deny  us  before  Thy  Father ;  grant  us  such  love  of  Thee 
that  we  too  for  love's  sake  may  confess  and  never  deny  Thee 
before  men. 

"  In  those  days." — No  momentary  trial :  saintly  impulse  not 
enough,  saintly  endurance  equally  essential.  Here  then  once 
more  patience  is  in  requisition  :  patience  a  tedious,  indomitable 
grace. 

"  Whatsoever  things  were  written  aforetime  were  written  for 
our  learning,  that  we  through  patience  and  comfort  of  the 
Scriptures  might  have  hope.  Now  the  God  of  patience  and 
consolation  grant  you  to  be  like-minded  one  toward  another 
according  to  Christ  Jesus  :  that  ye  may  with  one  mind  and 
one  mouth  glorify  God,  even  the  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ." 

"Antipas  was  My  faithful  martyr." — Men  know  him  not 
now,  how  he  lived  or  how  he  died.  God  alone  knows  him. 
Enough  for  blessed  Antipas. 

Hidden  from  the  darkness  of  our  mortal  sight, 
Hidden  in  the  Paradise  of  lovely  light, 


THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP.  69 

Hidden  in  God's  Presence  worshipped  face  to  face, 
Hidden  in  the  sanctuary  of  Christ's  embrace. 
Up,  O  Wills  !  to  track  him  home  among  the  bless'cl ; 
Up,  O  Hearts  !  to  know  him  in  the  joy  of  rest  ; 
Where  no  darkness  more  shall  hide  him  from  our  sight, 
Where  we  shall  be  love  with  love  and  light  with  light, 
Worshipping  our  God  together  face  to  face, 
Wishless  in  the  sanctuary  of  Christ's  embrace. 

"  Slain  among  you." — The  blood  of  Martyrs  is  the  seed  of 
Saints  :  and  "  if  it  bear  fruit,  well."  If  it  bear  not  fruit,  the 
dust  of  martyrs  cannot  but  testify  against  those  among  whom 
they  were  slain.  Whoso  has  seen  cannot  revert  to  be  as  if 
he  had  not  seen  :  whoso  has  heard  cannot  revert  to  be  as  if  he 
had  not  heard.  This  latter  point  our  Lord  Himself  attests  in 
His  charge  to  the  Seventy  ;  "  Into  whatsoever  city  ye  enter, 
and  they  receive  you  not,  go  your  ways  out  into  the  streets  of 
the  same,  and  say,  Even  the  very  dust  of  your  city,  which 
cleaveth  on  us,  we  do  wipe  off  against  you  :  notwithstanding 
be  ye  sure  of  this,  that  the  kingdom  of  God  is  come  nigh  unto 
you." 

So  "where  Satan  dwelleth "  turns  out  to  have  been  in  a 
city  of  saints  from  whose  midst  flashed  forth  a  faithful  martyr. 

And  to-day  assuredly  in  our  o\vn  midst  he  dwelleth ;  making 
his  neighbourhood  known  by  hideous  temptations  to  foulness, 
cruelty,  self-ruin. 

Here  is  the  city  and  here  is  a  cityful.  But  where  are  the 
saints  ?  and  where,  in  will  if  not  in  deed,  is  the  martyr  ? 

I  trust  such  seemly  inmates  abide  in  my  neighbour's 
habitation.  Shall  not  one  such  abide  likewise  in  my  own  ? 
Amen,  God  helping  me. 

14.  But  I  have  a  few  things  against  thee,  because  thou  hast 
there  them  that  hold  the  doctrine  of  Balaam,  who 
taught  Balac   to   cast  a   stumbiingblock  before  the 
children  of  Israel,  to  eat  things  sacrificed  unto  idols, 
and  to  commit  fornication. 

"  A  few  things." — Thus  tenderly  does  our  Lord  speak,  not 
breaking  the  bruised  reed  or  quenching  the  smoking  flax. 
Submit  yourselves  therefore  to  God.  "  Resist  the  devil,  and 
he  will  flee  from  you.  Draw  nigh  to  God,  and  He  will  draw 
nigh  to  you." 

15.  So  hast  thou  also  them  that  hold  the  doctrine  of  the 

Nicolaitanes,  which  thing  I  hate. 


70  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

Our  Lord  rebukes  not  Pergamos  because  Satan  dwelt  there, 
but  because  Balaamites  and  Nicolaitanes  flourished  there.  The 
one  intruder  they  had  no  power  to  eject ;  the  others  they  could 
and  therefore  they  were  bound  to  discountenance. 

At  which  announcement  should  we  be  more  scared  :  that 
Satan  kept  his  court  amongst  us,  or  that  misbelievers  and 
misdoers  infested  our  neighbourhood  ?  Very  probably  at  the 
former ;  but  the  Mind  of  Christ  seems  otherwise. 

"  The  doctrine  of  Balaam." — Yet  studying  Balaam's  history 
(see  Num.  xxii.  23,  24;  xxxi.  i — 8,  16;  and  in  addition  Micah 
vi.  5 — 8,  according  to  one  view  of  the  passage),  his  doctrine 
might  to  some  of  us  have  seemed  his  one  strong  point.  He 
overflowed  with  knowledge,  nor  flinched  from  its  eloquent 
exposition.  Nevertheless  and  alas  !  he  showed  forth  his  faith 
by  his  works,  which  works  were  devilish.  "  The  devils  also 
believe."  "  Out  of  the  abundance  of  the  heart  the  mouth 
speaketh  "  ;  and  out  of  the  abundance  of  his  heart  proceeded 
that  counsel  which  put  a  stumblingblock  before  Israel. 

Knowledge  then  is  not  necessarily  faith,  neither  is  eloquence 
unction,  neither  is  resource  wisdom. 

0  my  God,  Who  callest  us   to  search  Thy  Scriptures    of 
truth,  furnish  us,  I  beseech  Thee,  with  faith,  unction,  wisdom ; 
with  willingness  to  shine  to  Thy  glory,  or  not  to  shine  at  all 
so    it   be   always   to   Thy   glory.     Grant    us   the   life   of  the 
righteous,  and  a  last  end  like  his.     For  His  sake  Who  alone  is 
righteous  and  is  our  righteousness,  Jesus  Christ  our  Saviour. 
Amen. 

Balaam  put  an  outrageous  stumblingblock  in  men's  way, 
barefaced  idolatry  with  gross  impurity  being  the  result. 

Are  there  no  Balaams  nowadays  ?  We  become  Balaams 
when  our  influence  lowers  the  tone  of  any  who  are  about  us. 

What  children  are  near  me  ?  What  servants  ?  What  less 
educated  persons?  What  individuals  whose  inclination  it  is 
rather  to  follow  than  to  lead  ?  I  myself  become  a  Balaam  if 
I  misuse  my  influence.  Good  Lord,  deliver  me. 

Balaam  has  still  to  face  at  the  Day  of  Judgment  the 
wretched  tools  who  adopted  his  policy,  the  wretched  victims 
of  his  accursed  counsel. 

1  myself  must  face  on  that  Day  and  at  that  Bar  all  whom  I 
have  ever  affected  on  earth,  all  who  directly  or  remotely  have 
responded  to  my  influence  for  good  or  for  evil.     Good  Lord, 
deliver  us. 

Lord,  make  us  all  love  all :  that  when  \ve  meet 
Even  myriads  of  earth's  myriads  at  Thy  Bar, 


THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP.  71 

We  may  be  glad  as  all  true  lovers  arc 
"Who  having  parted  count  reunion  sweet. 
Safe  gathered  home  around  Thy  blessed  Feet, 

Come  home  by  different  roads  from  near  or  far, 

Whether  by  whirlwind  or  by  flaming  car, 
From  pangs  or  sleep,  safe  folded  round  Thy  seat. 
Oh.  if  our  brother's  blood  cry  out  at  us, 

How  shall  we  meet  Thee  Who  hast  loved  us  all, 

Thee  Whom  we  never  loved,  not  loving  him? 
The  unloving  cannot  chant  with  Seraphim, 
Bear  harp  of  gold  or  palm  victorious, 

Or  face  the  vision  Beatifical. 

16.  Repent ;  or  else  I  will  come  unto  thee  quickly,  and  will 
fight  against  them  with  the  sword  of  My  mouth. 

Lord,  shall  we  repent,  lest  Thou  come  quickly  unto  us? 
Thy  saints  are  praying  :  Even  so,  come,  Lord  Jesus. 

Lord,  if  better  may  not  as  yet  be,  grant  us  the  repentance 
which  stayeth  Thy  coming  ;  and  lead  us  up  to  that  loving 
penitence  which  longeth  after  Thee  and  inviteth  Thee,  and  to 
which  Thou  wilt  not  say  nay. 

"With  the  sword  cf  My  mouth." — This -Mouth  which 
threatens  to  fight  against  obstinate  sinners  is  the  very  Mouth 
which  heretofore  loved  to  say,  Come  unto  Me, — Follow  Me. 
To  Christians  thus  it  still  speaketh.  Under  the  elder  Dis 
pensation  it  spake  not  thus  :  not  thus  to  Balaam  with  the 
living  Voice  of  a.  Man  our  Brother,  although  by  a  miracle  a 
rebuke  was  vouchsafed  him.  Wherefore  if  we  Christians 
make  ourselves  like  him,  we  make  ourselves  twofold  more  the 
child  of  hell.  Our  grace  is  fuller  than  was  his  grace,  our 
knowledge  clearer  than  his  knowledge  :  he  did  despite  to  a 
Love  that  had  still  to  be  revealed ;  we  do  despite  to  a  Love 
that  now  and  for  eighteen  centuries  past  can  call  heaven  and 
earth  to  witness,  saying,  What  could  I  have  done  more  that  I 
have  not  done  ? 

Lord,  let  not  Thy  life,  Thy  death,  Thy  resurrection  for  our 
sakes,  Thy  proffered  grace,  Thy  longsuffering  to  usward,  rise 
up  in  the  Judgment  with  us  to  condemn  us. 

17.  He  that  hath  an  ear,  let  him  hear  what  the  Spirit  saith 
unto  the  churches ;  To  him  that  overcometh  will  I 
give  to  eat  of  the  hidden  manna,  and  will  give  him 
a  white  stone,  and  in  the  stone  a  new  name  written, 
which  no  man  knoweth  saving  he  that  receiveth  it. 

Already  we  eat  of  "  the  true  bread  from  heaven "  in  the 
Blessed  Sacrament  of  Christ's  Body  and  Blood.  Eating 


72  THE   FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

thereof  we  receive  strength  to  overcome ;  and  truly  it  is 
"  hidden  Manna  "  of  virtue  indiscernible  by  fleshly  eyes  and 
carnal  hearts.  Blessed  are  they  who  thus  eat  Bread  in  the 
Militant  Kingdom  of  God.  Afterwards,  having  overcome, 
God's  faithful  soldier  and  servant  will  once  more  eat  of  the 
hidden  Manna  in  the  peace  of  God's  Triumphant  Kingdom  ; 
no  longer  to  sustain  a  life  that  may  die,  but  to  satisfy  a  life 
that  will  live  for  ever. 

The  subtlest  and  profoundest  of  men  cannot  explain 
mysteries  ;  the  simplest  person  can  appropriate  and  exult  in 
them.  On  the  very  surface  of  this  great  promise  it  transpires 
that  as  Christ  is  life  to  the  faithful  soul  now,  so  He  will  be  life 
to  the  indefectible  soul  then.  This  for  the  present  suffices ; 
if  I  am  fain  to  know  more,  by  overcoming  I  shall  one  day 
attain  to  full  knowledge. 

Lord,  Thou  Thyself  art  here  our  Heavenly  Food  and 
sustenance,  and  it  passeth  all  understanding  what  there  Thou 
wilt  be.  Already  Thou  art  to  us  Strength  and  Sweetness,  Life  and 
Joy,  Safety  and  Sanctification.  What  wilt  Thou  be  to  us  then  ? 
Yea,  Thou  Thyself  wilt  not  be  changed  :  we  shall  be  changed. 
We  shall  see  and  flow  together  and  wonder.  Amen  !  Amen  ! 

"  Hidden  manna." — We  often  hide  what  is  deepest  and 
dearest  in  us,  yet  one  friend  has  cognizance  of  it.  Is  it  thus, 
Lord,  that  Thou  too  hidest  Thyself,  and  while  thus  hiding 
revealest  Thyself  to  Thy  chosen  ones  ? 

"A  white  stone,  and  in  the  stone  a  new  name  written." — 
Here  (if  it  be  lawful)  I  read  a  promise  of  the  everlasting 
renewed  innocence  of  the  redeemed.  For  their  name  shall 
be  inscribed  on  stone,  which  amongst  earthly  substances 
excels  in  durability  ;  and  that  stone  shall  be  white,  as  lambs, 
doves,  light,  are  white.  And  as  whiteness  is  not  a  colour,  but 
rather  an  absence  of  tints ;  so  innocence  is  not  a  virtue,  but 
rather  an  absence  of  guilt. 

Each  soul  that  overcometh  will  have  its  new  name  written 
on  whiteness  ;  and  new  indeed  will  it  be  when  our  name  (God 
grant  it !)  endorses  innocence  and  not  guilt.  For  noiv  "  if  we 
say  that  we  have  no  sin,  we  deceive  ourselves,  and  the  truth 
is  not  in  us." 

The  names  of  the  twelve  Apostles  appear  on  foundation 
stones  ;  the  names  of  all  faithful  soldiers  and  servants  on 
white  stones  ;  all  alike  imperishable  in  the  Presence  of  God 
Almighty. 

Nevertheless  as  whiteness  may  again  be  defined  not  as 
absence  but  rather  as  invisibility  of  colour,  so  these  white  stones 


THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP.  73 

may  be  contemplated  as  white  because  of  their  proper  stain- 
lessness,  yet  equally  as  coloured  in  response  to  that  Divine 
Light  which  bathes  them  :  even  as  the  hueless  diamond  blazes 
with  rainbow  tints  in  answer  to  the  sun's  glory. 

"In  the  stone  a  new  name  written,  which  no  man  knoweth 
saving  he  that  receiveth  it." — The  reverse  of  our  present  ex 
perience  ;  for  now  the  saints  are  they  who  know  not  their  own 
names,  however  unhesitatingly  they  name  each  other.  Thus 
Patience  will  not  discern  herself,  but  will  identify  a  neighbour 
as  Charity,  who  in  turn  will  recognize  not  herself,  but  mild 
Patience  ;  and  they  both  shall  know  some  fellow-Christian,  as 
Hope  or  Prudence  or  Faith ;  and  every  one  of  these  shall  be 
sure  of  the  others,  only  not  of  herself. 

But  in  the  beatified  life  it  shall  be  otherwise.  When  Christ 
shall  call  each  happy,  heavenly  soul  by  name,  as  once  He 
called  "Mary  "in  an  earthly  garden,  then  each  will  perceive 
herself  to  be  that  which  He  calls  her ;  and  will  no  more 
question  her  own  designation  than  did  those  primitive  creatures 
whom  the  first  Adam  named  in  the  inferior  Paradise. 

"  Which  no  man  knoweth  saving  he  that  receiveth  it." — "Thou 
shalt  be  called  by  a  new  name,  which  the  mouth  of  the  Lord 
shall  name."  Close,  intimate,  flawless  as  will  be  the  com 
munion  of  beatified  saints  with  each  other ;  still  closer,  more 
intimate,  perfect  will  be  the  communion  between  Christ  and 
each  saved  soul.  This  is  the  supreme  Fellowship  which 
includes  and  entails  the  other,  this  is  the  supreme  Union 
which  the  other  is  like  unto.  And  so  far  as  it  is  lawful  to 
flesh  and  blood  to  meditate  on  matters  not  revealed  (taking 
with  us  words,  and  turning  to  the  Lord,  and  saying  unto  Him,, 
Take  away  all  iniquity,  and  receive  us  graciously),  may  we  not 
even  reverently  ponder  whether,  after  some  transcendent, 
supersensual  fashion,  Christ  and  His  own  beloved  one  by  one 
may  not  reciprocally  have  a  love-name  known  to  both  and 
endeared  to  each,  as  it  were  a  name  (I  mean)  expressive  of 
what  He  was  and  is  to  that  one  soul,  and  what  that  one  soul 
to  Him.  and  which  as  regards  all  others  will  pass  man's  or 
angel's  understanding  ?  "  He  that  hath  the  bride  is  the 
Bridegroom,"  however  the  friend  of  the  Bridegroom  may  stand 
and  hear  Him  and  rejoice  greatly  because  of  the  Bridegroom's 
voice. 

"  That  it  may  please  Thee  to  give  us  true  repentance ;  to 
forgive  us  all  our  ignorances  ;  and  to  endue  us  with  the  grace 
of  Thy  Holy  Spirit  to  amend  our  lives  according  to  Thy  holy 
Word ;  We  beseech  Thee  to  hear  us,  good  Lord." 


74  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

Lord,  shall  there  ever  be  a  secret  between  Thee  and  me  ? — 

Soul,  is  there  not  now  already  a  secret  between  Me  and 
thee  ?  I  know  thy  name  now,  whether  thou  be  Impenitent 
Sinner  or  Sinful  Penitent.  I  know  it  now  ;  but  none  other 
knoweth  it  fully,  neither  dost  thou  thyself  fully  know  it.  Now 
in  part  thou  knowest  it :  hereafter  if  thou  be  of  those  who 
overcome,  thou  shalt  know  even  as  thou  art  known. — 

Lord,  I  pray  Thee  make  me  now  what  it  will  please  Thee 
to  call  me  then. — 

Soul,  canst  thou  drink  of  the  cup  that  I  drank  of? — 

Yea,  Lord,  Thou  enabling  me.     Amen. 

18.  And  unto  the  angel  of  the  church  in  Thyatira  write ; 
These  things  saith  the  Son  of  God,  Who  hath  His 
eyes  like  unto  a  flame  of  fire,  and  His  feet  are  like 
fine  brass. 

"The  Father  judgeth  no  man,  but  hath  committed  all  judg 
ment  unto  the  Son."  "  My  defence  is  of  God,  which  saveth 
the  upright  in  heart.  God  judgeth  the  righteous,  and  God  is 
angry  with  the  wicked  every  day."  "  Remember  not,  Lord, 
our  offences,  nor  the  offences  of  our  forefathers ;  neither  take 
Thou  vengeance  of  qur  sins  :  spare  us,  good  Lord,  spare  Thy 
people,  whom  Thou  hast  redeemed  with  Thy  most  precious 
Blood,  and  be  not  angry  with  us  for  ever.  Spare  us,  good 
Lord." 

"  Eyes  like  unto  a  flame  of  fire." — Omniscience  from  which 
nothing  is  concealed ;  unto  which  nothing  is  veiled,  disguised, 
obscure.  "  Feet  like  fine  brass." — Almighty  Strength  and 
Stability,  before  which  all  other  strength  and  steadfastness 
become  impotence. 

This  Who  cannot  err  will  be  our  Judge  :  This  Whom  none 
can  gainsay  will  decree  our  sentence  :  as  of  old  by  Amos  the 
Prophet  He  declared  to  revolted  Israel :  "  Therefore  thus  will 
I  do  unto  thee,  O  Israel  :  and  because  I  will  do  this  unto  thee, 
prepare  to  meet  thy  God,  O  Israel.  For,  lo,  He  that  formeth 
the  mountains,  and  createth  the  wind,  and  declareth  unto  man 
what  is  his  thought,  that  maketh  the  morning  darkness,  and 
treadeth  upon  the  high  places  of  the  earth,  The  Lord,  The 
God  of  hosts,  is  His  Name." 

19.  I  know  thy  works,  and  charity,  and  service,  and  faith, 
and  thy  patience,  and  thy  works  ;  and  the  last  to  be 
more  than  the  first. 

Good  works  to  begin  with,  and  abundant  good  works  as 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  75 

time  progresses ;  and  meanwhile  charity  which  covers  the 
multitude  of  sins,  and  service  which  cannot  go  unrewarded, 
and  faith  whereby  it  becomes  possible  to  please  God  (see  Heb. 
ii.  6),  and  patience  by  which  saints  put  on  the  likeness  of 
holy  Job  and  of  Job's  most  holy  Redeemer ;— charity  which 
never  faileth,  service  which  beginning  on  earth  ends  not  in 
heaven,  faith  which  can  remove  mountains,  patience  which  is 
of  hope  in  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  and  which  fainteth  not  utterly 
waiting  for  the  Goodness  of  the  Lord  in  the  land  of  the  living. 
Thus  even  on  earth  are  the  elect  arrayed  in  loveliness  and 
adorned  with  graces.  Not  here  are  they  crowned  :  persever 
ance  entitles  to  a  crown,  final  perseverance  attains  to  one.  It 
needs  profound  patience,  patience  born  of  love  and  sustained 
by  love,  to  achieve  final  perseverance. 

What  is  the  beginning?     Love.     What  the  course?     Love  siill. 
What  the  goal  ?     The  goal  is  Love  on  the  happy  hill. 
Is  there  nothing  then  but  Love,  search  \ve  sky  or  earth? 
There  is  nothing  out  of  Love  hath  perpetual  worth  : 
All  things  flag  but  only  Love,  all  things  fail  or  flee  ; 
There  is  nothing  left  but  Love  worthy  you  and  me. 

"  Thy  works." — As  we  read  that  the  last  were  more  than  the 
first,  they  were  surely  works  of  charity  towards  men  and  service 
towards  God,  wrought  in  faith  and  completed  in  patience. 
Such  is  that  path  of  the  just  which  shineth  more  and  more  unto 
the  perfect  day. 

O  God  of  all  Goodness,  Who  on  others  hast  bestowed  such 
grace  that  their  last  works  excelled  their  first  and  their  end  was 
exalted  above  their  beginning ;  grant  us  like  grace,  that  by  as 
fair  a  path  we  may  attain  to  as  goodly  a  goal.  For  the  sake  of 
our  Redeemer  Jesus  Christ.  Amen. 

20.  Notwithstanding  I  have  a  few  things  against  thee, 
because  thou  sufferest  that  woman  Jezebel,  which 
calleth  herself  a  prophetess,  to  teach  and  to  seduce  My 
servants  to  commit  fornication,  and  to  eat  things 
sacrificed  unto  idols. 

Pergamos  and  Thyatira  have  this  in  common ;  both  have 
praise  of  God,  whilst  against  both  He  bringeth  forward  "  a  few 
things." 

Man's  estimate  might  incline  in  both  cases  to  reverse  the 
proportion  of  virtues  and  vices ;  but  God  is  greater  than  our 
heart,  and  knoweth  all  things. 

"  I  am  in  a  great  strait :  let  me  fall  now  into  the  hand  of 


76  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

the  Lord ;  for  very  great  are  His  mercies  :  but  let  me  not  fall 
into  the  hand  of  man." 

"  Because  thou  sufferest." — To  put  up  willingly  with 
abominable  sin  in  our  midst,  even  while  holding  aloof  from 
any  such  malpractice,  is  so  far  to  cast  in  our  lot  with  sinners. 
To  endure  it  unwillingly  is  what  Christ  Himself  chose  as  a 
mortal  Man  to  do,  and  is  what  He  is  pleased  to  exact  from  all 
successive  generations  of  His  disciples.  Evil  knowledge  need 
not  harm  us  whilst  involuntary ;  but  to  court  it  without  justi 
fying  cause  is  to  court  death,  as  Eve  courted  death  by  bye-path 
•of  knowledge.  "  Unto  the  pure  all  things  are  pure  :  but  unto 
them  that  are  defiled  and  unbelieving  is  nothing  pure ;  but 
•even  their  mind  and  conscience  is  defiled." 

It  becomes  a  matter  of  conscience  what  poems  and  novels 
to  read,  and  how  much  of  the  current  news  of  the  day. 

A  second  point  also  Pergamos  and  Thyatira  have  in  common  : 
false  teachers.  Yet  I  observe  some  difference  between  the 
quality  of  these ;  Balaam  representing  the  pest  of  Pergamos, 
Jezebel  that  of  Thyatira. 

Jezebel  (see  her  history  in  the  First  and  Second  Book  of 
Kings),  if  we  may  take  Jehu's  word  for  her  character,  was  an 
abandoned  woman  and  a  witch,  besides  being,  as  the  Inspired 
Record  shows,  a  nursing  mother  of  idolatry.  But  whatever 
witch  she  may  have  been,  there  appears  about  her  no  trace  of 
the  genuine  prophetess  ;  any  more  than  we  infer  that  there  was 
about  that  Thyatiran  Jezebel,  of  whom  it  is  expressly  mentioned 
that  she  "calleth  herself"  a  prophetess.  Queen  Jezebel  there 
fore  may  have  rivalled  or  surpassed  Balaam  in  guilt,  but  seems 
not  to  have  been  his  equal  in  gifts. 

Whence  a  double  consideration  arises,  if  from  these  particular 
instances  I  am  justified  in  generalizing.  As  Balaam  in  com 
parison  with  Jezebel,  so  men  in  comparison  with  women  may 
•usually  be  expected  to  exhibit  keener,  tougher,  more  work- 
worthy  gifts.  Therefore  if  Jezebel  the  woman,  going  about  to 
•establish  her  equality  with  Balaam  the  man,  poses  as  prophetess 
to  h\s  prophet,  nothing  is  more  likely  than  that  she  will  have  to 
eke  out  and  puff  up  her  pretensions  by  a  whiff  of  imposture, 
•conscious  or  unconscious  imposture.  [History  repeats  itself.] 

21.  And  I  gave  her  space  to  repent  of  her  fornication ;  and 
she  repented  not. 

Empty  space,  neutral  space,  is  impossible ;  it  must  be  occu 
pied  by  accumulating  guilt  or  by  repentance  unto  progressive 
amendment. 


THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP.  77 

Space  is  mine  to-day  by  God's  gift.  Grant  unto  us  all,  I 
beseech  Thee,  O  Lord,  space  to  repent,  and  repentance  while 
it  is  called  to-day,  repentance  not  to  be  repented  of,  repentance 
unto  salvation.  For  Jesu's  sake.  Amen. 

22.  Behold,  I  will  cast  her  into  a  bed,  and  them  that  commit 

adultery  with  her  into  great  tribulation,  except  they* 
repent  of  their  deeds. 

Any  to  whom  space  for  repentance  is  still  accorded,  are  still 
they  whom  God  desireth  to  bring  less  into  than  out  of  great 
tribulation. 

"  Turn  Thou  us,  O  good  Lord,  and  so  shall  we  be  turned. 
Thou  sparest  when  we  deserve  punishment,  and  in  Thy  wrath 
thinkest  upon  mercy." 

O  Lord,  seek  us,  O  Lord,  find  us 

In  Thy  patient  care  ; 
Be  Thy  Love  before,  behind  us, 

Round  us,  everywhere : 
Lest  the  god  of  tins  world  blind  us, 

Lest  he  speak  us  fair, 
Lest  he  forge  a.  chain  to  bind  us, 

Lest  he  bait  a  snare. 
Turn  not  from  us,  call  to  mind  us, 

Find,  embrace  us,  bear  ; 
Be  Thy  Love  before,  behind  us, 

Round  us,  everywhere. 

23.  And  I  will  kill  her  children  with  death ;  and  all  the- 

churches  shall  know  that  I  am  He  which  searcheth 
the  reins  and  hearts  :  and  I  will  give  unto  every  one 
of  you  according  to  your  works. 

"And  I  will  kill  her  children  with  death." — Doubtless 
"  children  that  are  corrupters,"  for  by  his  prophet  Ezekiel 
Almighty  God  protested  aforetime  :  "  The  soul  that  sinneth, 
it  shall  die.  The  son  shall  not  bear  the  iniquity  of  the  father, 
neither  shall  the  father  bear  the  iniquity  of  the  son  :  the 
righteousness  of  the  righteous  shall  be  upon  him,  and  the 
wickedness  of  the  wicked  shall  be  upon  him." 

Yet  as  we  read  in  Wisdom  of  "  parents  that  killed  with  their 
own  hands,  souls  destitute  of  help,"  so  did  this  Jezebel  make  her 
self  a  murderess  whether  the  children  here  denounced  were  hers 
according  to  the  flesh,  or  hers  only  by  an  execrable  discipleship. 

"  Let  us  also  fear."  All  influence,  my  own  influence,  tends 
and  cannot  but  tend  either  to  preserve  or  to  destroy. 

"  I  the  Lord  thy  God  am  a  jealous  God,  visiting  the  iniquity 
of  the  fathers  upon  the  children  unto  the  third  and  fourth 


;8  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 


generation  of  them  that  hate  Me." — "  The  wages  of  sin  is 
death." 

()  my  God,  if  for  our  own  souls'  sake  we  forbear  not,  yet 
grant  us  grace  for  the  sake  of  those  we  love  to  cease  from  sin, 
lest  we  bring  upon  them  a  curse  and  not  a  blessing.  At  the 
•least  and  lowest  for  their  sakes,  until  by  the  same  grace  we 
attain  to  do  all  for  the  sake  of  Jesus  Christ,  Whose  all-availing 
sake  I  now  plead  with  Thee. 

"  And  all  the  Churches  shall  know  that  I  am  He  which  search 
eth  the  reins  and  hearts." — "When  Thy  judgments  are  in  the 
earth,  the  inhabitants  of  the  world  will  learn  righteousness." 
Kven  the  whole  Church  Militant  herself  is  an  inhabitant  of  the 
world,  as  our  Blessed  Lord  in  His  unfathomable  love  for  souls 
provided :  "  I  pray  not  that  Thou  shouldest  take  them  out 
of  the  world,  but  that  Thou  shouldest  keep  them  from  the  evil." 

"  I  am  He  which  searcheth  the  reins  and  hearts." — An  awful 
promise  even  to  the  righteous ;  an  awful  threat  to  the  im 
penitent  wicked. 

First  Christ  searcheth  all  the  earth  to  find  and  reclaim  souls. 
Next  He  searcheth  each  individual  soul  to  prove  and  see  what 
manner  of  soul  it  is.  He  sifts,  as  it  were,  our  dust  to  detect 
the  least  germ  of  latent  life.  He  examines  the  will,  which  is 
our  strength  (reins) ;  the  affections,  which  engross  our  heart. 
The  will  to  love  Him  He  accepts  and  quickens  into  love  :  the 
faintest  emotion  of  love  towards  Him  He  acknowledges  and 
is  ready  to  confirm  and  develop. 

He  craves  for  our  sake  that  we  should  love  Him,  but  also 
He  craves  it  for  His  own.  He  is  not  too  lofty  to  ask  our  love, 
to  seek  for  it,  to  desire  it.  He  searches  while  there  is  hope : 
like  the  husbandman  "  who  hath  long  patience  "  He  waits. 

But  what  if  He  whose  hands  most  of  all  are  mighty  find  nothing? 

0  Lord,  what  canst  Thou  find,  except  Thou  first  furnish  it? 
All  is  of  Thy  bounty,  and  but  for  Thine  own  gifts  we  can  have 
no  gift  for  Thee.    I  beseech  Thee  give  us  each  some  good  gift, 
and  receive  it  back  as  our  gift  to  Thee. 

"  And  I  will  give  unto  every  one  of  you  according  to  your 
works." — 

1  tremble   at   this   word  :  but  what   word   then   would   re 
assure  me  ?     This  is  the   Voice  of  the  Just  Judge ;  would  I 
desire  rather  to  hear  the  voice  of  an  unjust  judge?     If  justice 
be  my  destruction,  could  injustice  be  my  salvation?    Nay. 

How  should  injustice  deliver  me,  if  I  be  such  as  justice 
cannot  deliver?  From  what  do  I  need  deliverance  :  from 
punishment?  Yes,  and  from  very  much  besides  punishment. 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  79 

If  I  were  saved  from  the  punishment  outside  me,  how  save  me 
from  the  punishment  within  ;  from  the  fire,  but  how  from  the 
worm  ?  Rescued  from  all  else,  how  rescue  me  from  myself  ? 

O  Jesus,  All  Holy,  All  Just,  All  Merciful,  deliver  us  from 
our  perverse  selves,  and  no  other  enemy  can  ruin  us.  For 
Thine  own  sake.  Amen. 

Again.  What  other  standard  would  I  crave  than  this  of 
work  ?  for  work  is  voluntary,  within  my  own  option  to  do  or 
leave  undone. 

Otherwise  St.  Paul  could  not  thus  write  to  his  beloved 
Roman  converts  concerning  the  powers  that  be :  "  Rulers  are 
not  a  terror  to  good  works,  but  to  the  evil.  Wilt  thou  then 
not  be  afraid  of  the  power  ?  do  that  which  is  good,  and  thou 
shalt  have  praise  of  the  same :  for  he  is  the  minister  of  God  to 
thee  for  good." 

What  I  do,  I  will  to  do  :  what  I  leave  undone,  I  will  to 
leave  undone.  Who  then  is  it  that  betrayeth  me :  Lord,  is  it 
I  ?— It  is  I. 

Lord,  carry  me. — Nay,  but  I  grant  thee  strength 
To  walk  and  work  thy  way  to  Heaven  at  length. — 

Lord,  why  then  am  I  weak  ? — Because  I  give 
Povrer  to  the  weak,  and  bid  the  dying  live. — 

Lord,  I  am  tired. — He  hath  not  much  desired 
The  goal,  who  at  the  starting-point  is  tired. — 

Lord,  dost  Thou  know  ? — I  know  what  is  in  man  ; 
What  the  flesh  can,  and  what  the  spirit  can. — 
Lord,  dost  Thou  care  ? — Yea,  for  thy  gain  or  loss 
So  much  I  cared,  it  brought  Me  to  the  Cross. — 
Lord,  I  believe  ;  help  Thou  mine  unbelief. — 
Good  is  the  word  ;  but  rise,  for  life  is  brief. 
The  follower  is  not  greater  than  the  Chief: 
Follow  thou  Me  along  My  way  of  grief. 

21  But  unto  you  I  say.  and  unto  the  rest  in  Thyatira,  as 
many  as  have  not  this  doctrine,  and  which  have  not 
known  the  depths  of  Satan,  as  they  speak  ;  I  will  put 
upon  you  none  other  burden. 

A  variation  appears  in  the  Revised  Version  : — "  But  to  you 
I  say,  to  the  rest  that  are  in  Thyatira/' — The  retrenchment  of 
the  word  "  and  "  (if  correct)  seems  to  convey  the  sense  more 
clearly,  by  making  the  second  clause  of  the  sentence  define  the 
first  instead  of  adding  to  it. 

Blessed  simplicity,  not  to  hold  false  doctrine.  Blessed 
inexperience,  which  knows  not  depths  of  Satan. 


80  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

From  corrupt  doctrine,  foul  knowledge,  abominable  experi 
ence,  good  Lord,  keep  us ;  good  Lord,  deliver  us.  Keep 
rather  than  deliver,  for  deliverance  brings  not  back  innocence. 
Yet  at  the  worst  deliver  us,  that  we  may  be  Thy  penitents, 
miracles  of  Thy  pity.  Amen. 

"  Depths  of  Satan." — Why  dive  into  such  depths,  when 
deeper  depths  open  before  us  ? 

"O  the  depth  of  the  riches  both  of  the  wisdom  and  know 
ledge  of  God  !  how  unsearchable  are  His  judgments,  and  His 
ways  past  finding  out!  .  .  .  For  of  Him,  and  through  Him, 
and  to  Him  are  all  things :  to  Whom  be  glory  for  ever. 
Amen." 

We,  no  less  than  St.  Paul's  Ephesian  converts,  if  "  rooted 
and  grounded  in  love,  may  be  able  to  comprehend  with  all 
saints  what  is  the  breadth,  and  length,  and  depth,  and  height ; 
and  to  know  the  love  of  Christ,  which  passeth  knowledge." 

"  As  they  speak." — "  Let  the  wicked  be  ashamed,  and  let 
them  be  silent  in  the  grave.  Let  the  lying  lips  be  put  to  silence." 

"  I  will  put  upon  you  none  other  burden." — None  other  than 
the  burden  Christ  Himself  has  laid  upon  us,  and  which  He 
elsewhere  assures  us  is  light. 

A  great  writer  has  told  us  that  Love  carries  a  burden  which 
is  no  burden. 

"  Why  art  thou  so  full  of  heaviness,  O  my  soul  ?  .  .  .  WThy 
go- 1  thus  heavily,  while  the  enemy  oppresseth  me  ?  .  .  . 
Why  art  thou  so  heavy,  O  my  soul :  and  why  art  thou  so 
disquieted  within  me?  O  put  thy  trust  in  God." 

Christ's  burden  weighs  heavily,  not  because  of  the  burden's 
weight,  but  of  the  bearer's  weakness.  Blessed  is  he  who 
embracing  bears  it.  Not  upon  such  a  one  laden  with  blessing, 
but  upon  another,  his  opposite,  is  woe  pronounced  :  "  Woe  to 
him  that  increaseth  that  which  is  not  his !  how  long  ?  and  to 
him  that  ladeth  himself  with  thick  clay  !  "  **  For  what  shall  it 
profit  a  man,  if  he  shall  gain  the  whole  world,  and  lose  his  own 
soul?" 

Lord  Jesus,  I  pray  Thee  bestow  upon  us  that  grace  of 
strength  whereby  Thou  didst  uplift  and  comfort  Daniel  Thy 
saint : — 

"  O  my  Lord  .  .  *  my  sorrows  are  turned  upon  me,  and  I 
have  retained  no  strength.  .  .  O  man  greatly  beloved,  fear 
not :  peace  be  unto  thee  :  be  strong,  yea,  be  strong." 

25.  But  that  which  ye  have  already  hold  fast  till  I  come. 
Truly    here    are    the    patience,    obedience,   faith,    of   the 


THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP.  8 1 

saints  !  Latter  works  must  go  on  being  more  than  former 
works,  thus  making  last  works  most  of  all.  Charity  must 
never  fail,  but  must  abide.  Service  must  to  the  end  fulfil  what 
ever  it  is  our  duty  to  do.  Faith,  though  feeling  compamonless 
in  a  faithless  generation  because  unwitting  of  God's  seven 
thousand  like-minded  ones,  must  endure. 

The  Cross  we  have  shouldered  we  must  not  lay  down.  The 
burnt  sacrifice  we  have  become  we  must  continue  to  be  though 
offered  on  a  slow  fire.  Nor  dare  we  say,  It  is  finished,  until 
Christ  Himself  say  concerning  us,  It  is  finished  ;  for  He  has 
pronounced  :  "  No  man,  having  put  his  hand  to  the  plough,  and 
looking  back,  is  fit  for  the  kingdom  of  God." 

Such  is  our  lot.  Without  our  own  will  we  were  born  to 
inherit  it,  without  our  own  will  we  (most  of  us)  were  baptized 
into  it  :  no  will  of  ours  can  undo  what  is  done. 

All  this,  first  and  last,  has  befallen  us  by  the  Will  of  God. 

And  because  by  His  Will,  therefore  it  becomes  possible  for 
us  to  endure  it,  to  profit  by  it,  even  by  wonder-working  grace  to 
rejoice  and  be  glad  in  it.  Once  let  our  will  be  conformed  unto 
the  Divine  Will,  and  powers  and  pleasures  shall  be  added  unto  us. 

Even  so.  Lord  God,  conform  our  will  to  Thy  Will,  for  our 
blessed  self-sacrificing  Saviour's  sake.  Amen. 

Moreover  we  must  not  so  dwell  on  our  sore  need  of  patience 
as  to  overlook  faith,  or  worse  still  to  overlook  love.  "Till  I 
come,"  saith  the  Word,  the  Truth,  in  whom  all  Divine  promises 
are  Yea  and  Amen. 

"Till  I  come."  How  long  is  that  till?  We  cannot  compute 
its  days,  weeks,  months,  years.  But  this  we  know  :  the  re 
mainder  of  time  is  the  extent  of  that  ////:  all  eternity  is  the 
fullness  of  the  ensuing  thereafter. 

Is  time  long  ?  It  may  seem  so,  until  it  ends.  Is  eternity 
long  ?  It  is  so,  for  it  ends  not. 

Beloved,  yield  thy  time  to  God,  for  He 

Will  make  eternity  thy  recompense  ; 
Give  all  thy  substance  for  His  Love,  and  be 

Beatified  past  earth's  experience. 
Serve  Him  in  bonds,  until  He  set  thee  free  ; 

Serve  Him  in  dust,  until  He  lift  thee  thence  ; 
Till  death  be  swallowed  up  in  victory, 

When  the  great  trumpet  sounds  to  bid  thee  hence. 
Shall  setting  day  win  day  that  will  not  set  ? 

Poor  price  wert  thou  to  spend  thyself  for  Christ, 

Had  not  His  wealth  thy  poverty  sufficed  : 

Yet  since  He  makes  His  garden  of  thy  clod, 
Water  thy  lily,  rose,  or  violet, 

And  offer  up  thy  sweetness  unto  God. 


82  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

Must  we  then  call  our  burden  no  burden?  Not  so,  for 
Christ  Himself  by  implication  admits  that  a  burden  it  is. 

He,  the  Truth,  requires  of  us  the  truth,  the  whole  truth,  and 
nothing  but  the  truth.  We  are  no  more  allowed  to  put  sweet 
for  bitter  than  bitter  for  sweet. 

"  Hold  fast."— As  one  Greek  whose  grasping  hands  were 
hewn  off,  held  fast  the  Persian  vessel  with  his  teeth ;  as  the 
pilot  of  one  burning  ship  held  fast  the  helm  while  the  flames 
consumed  him  ;  so,  if  we  be  called  to  any  such  supreme  act, 
even  so  must  each  one  of  us  hold  fast  our  burden  and  birth 
right  till  Christ  come. 

And  if  we  be  of  those  who  oftentimes  in  the  Blessed 
Sacrament  of  His  Body  and  Blood  show  forth  His  Death  till 
He  come,  we  amongst  all  Christians  are  bound  and  are  fortified 
thus  to  lose  life  and  save  it. 

O  Lord,  Who  assuredly  wilt  come  ;  in  that  tremendous  Day 
suffer  not  our  own  privileges  and  our  own  words  to  rise  up  with 
us  in  the  Judgment  and  condemn  us. 

We  dwell  upon  terrors  of  Judgment :  let  us  also  dwell  on  its 
hopes.  It  will  have  a  great  sound  of  a  trumpet,  and  the 
trumpet-blast  is  music.  It  will  be  with  clouds,  and  God 
A1  mighty  of  old  set  His  bow  in  the  cloud.  It  will  bring  to 
sight  angels.  It  will  bring  back  saints ;  the  particular  saints 
we  having  loved  and  lost,  long  for. 

Yet,  after  all,  these  are  but  its  minor  hopes. 

It  will  bring  back  Christ ;  our  supreme  Hope,  or  else  our 
F-upreTie  Fear.  But  the  hope  is  in  Him,  the  fear  is  in 
oui  selves. 

From  ourselves  and  from  our  fear,  good  Lord,  deliver  us. 

26.  And  he  that  overcometh,  and  keepeth  My  works  unto 

the  end,  to  him  will  I  give  power  over  the  nations : 

27.  And  he  shall  rule  them  with  a  rod  of  iron ;  as  the  vessels 

of  a  potter  shall  they  be  broken  to  shivers ;  even  as  I 
received  of  My  Father. 

Tl.e  words  to  keep  Christ's  works  unto  the  aid  suggest  two 
branches  of  duty. 

We  are  constantly  to  imitate,  and  by  His  strength  made 
perfect  in  our  weakness  are  as  it  were  over  and  over  again  to 
reproduce,  His  blessed  works.  Because  He  prayed,  we  must 
pray.  Because  He  went  about  doing  good,  we  must  do  good. 
Because  His  meat  was  to  do  the  will  of  Him  that  sent  Him, 
so  must  ours  be.  Such  are  His  works  by  us  and  through  us. 


THE   FACE  OF   THE  DEEP.  83 

And  thus  must  we  persevere  to  the  end,  lest  we  be  not 
numbered  amongst  those  who  overcome. 

We  must  also  hold  fast  His  works  in  us.  The  purifying 
grace  of  Baptism,  the  maturing  grace  of  Confirmation,  the 
sustaining  grace  of  Holy  Communion,  we  must  hold  fast.  We 
holding  fast  what  He  bestows,  He  will  continually  bestow  more 
and  more.  There  is  no  limit  to  His  bounties,  nor  can  we 
assign  a  limit  to  our  own  capacity. 

King  Joash  smote  thrice  and  stayed,  whilst  he  might  have 
stricken  five  or  six  valid  strokes.  The  miraculous  flow  of  oil 
stayed  only  when  the  widow's  receptacles  were  exhausted. 

O  foolish  Soul !  to  make  thy  count 

For  languid  falls  and  much  forgiven, 
When  like  a  flame  thou  mightest  mount 

To  storm  and  carry  heaven. 

A  life  so  faint, — is  this  to  live? 

A  goal  so  mean, — is  this  a  goal  ? 
Christ  love  thee,  remedy,  forgive, 

Save  thee,  O  foolish  Soul. 

He  who  in  overcoming  himself  and  all  things  has  first 
exercised  power,  he  it  is  on  whom  will  be  conferred  power 
over  the  nations. 

Unlike  most  of  the  rewards  held  out  to  our  hope,  this  power 
appears  to  be  punitive,  destructive.  Thank  God,  it  is  not  ours 
at  present ;  nor  at  present  could  aught  like  it  by  any  possibility 
befit  us  common  sort  of  Christians.  He  whom  God  may  call 
to  such  an  office,  God  by  His  Almighty  Spirit  will  adapt  to 
the  call,  and  will  keep  safe  in  responding  to  it.  Into  His 
hands  Fatherly,  merciful,  perfect,  let  us  meanwhile  commend 
and  commit  all  men. 

Nevertheless  it  cannot  be  without  practical  purpose  that  this 
prospect,  "  terrible  as  an  army  with  banners,"  is  opened  to  us. 
It  brings  home  to  our  conviction  that  a  day  approaches,  when, 
cost  what  it  may,  all  the  elect  will  be  of  one  mind  with  God. 
Whatever  He  decrees  they  will  uphold ;  whatever  He  inflicts 
they  will  approve.  Even  to  the  tenderest  mother,  the  Divine 
good  pleasure  will  then  be  altogether  better  than  seven  sons  or 
than  ten  sons.  Whom  God  pities  not,  neither  will  His  saints 
pity :  whom  He  saves  not,  neither  will  His  saints  yearn  to 
save.  They  who  are  exalted  to  see  Him  as  He  is,  will  be  likj 
Him. 

The  punishment  is  greater  than  we  can  bear.  God  keep  us 
from  ever  looking  upon  our  beloved  ones  with  changed  eyes, 
or  from  being  looked  upon  with  changed  eyes  by  them. 


84  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

O  my  God,  Who  hast  no  pleasure  in  the  death  of  him  that 
dieth,  preserve  Thou  them  that  are  appointed  to  die  ;  and  when 
this  dying  life  is  fulfilled,  bring  us  of  Thy  mercy  to  the  life 
everlasting.  Through  Jesus  Christ  our  Life.  Amen. 

"  Even  as  I  received  of  My  Father." — The  extreme  instance 
vouching  for  all  subordinate  instances.  Christ,  Who  so  long 
hath  invited  all  men,  saying,  "Come  unto  Me,"  will  at  last 
say  to  those  on  His  left  hand,  "  Depart  from  Me." 

O  Lamb  of  God,  from  the  Wrath  of  the  Lamb,  deliver  us. 

28.  And  I  will  give  Mm  the  morning  star. 

29.  He  that  hath  an  ear,  let  him  hear  what  the  Spirit  saith 

unto  the  churches. 

Elsewhere  our  Lord  declares  :  "  I  am  ...  the  Bright  and 
Morning  Star."  Thus  (if  the  inference  be  allowable)  here  at  the 
outset  He  promises  to  give  Himself  to  him  that  overcometh. 

To  whom  does  a  man  give  himself?  To  one  whom  he  loves 
as  himself.  Such  is  the  standard  of  human  self-gift ;  and 
Christ,  Very  Man  no  less  than  Very  God,  will  not  fall  short  of 
it.  To  "  the  friend  that  is  as  His  own  soul "  will  He  give 
Himself;  giving  Himself,  He  will  withhold  nothing. 

We  know  not  a  millionth  part  of  what  Christ  is  to  us,  but 
perhaps  we  even  less  know  what  we  are  to  Him. 

0  Lord,  I  cannot  plead  my  love  of  Thee  : 

1  plead  Thy  love  of  me  ;  — 

The  shallow  conduit  hails  the  unfathomed  sea. 


CHAPTER   III. 

1.  And  unto  the  angel  of  the  church  in  Sardis  write ;  These 
things  saith  He  that  hath  the  seven  Spirits  of  God,  and 
the  seven  stars ;  I  know  thy  works,  that  thou  hast  a 
name  that  thou  livest,  and  art  dead. 

If  it  be  lawful  to  regard  these  "  Seven  Spirits  of  God "  as 
that  "  One  and  the  self-same  Spirit,"  Who  divideth  to  every 
man  severally  as  He  will,  our  Lord's  preamble  to  the  Church 
in  Sardis  corresponds  with  Isaiah's  prophetic  description  of 
the  Messiah:  "The  Spirit  of  the  Lord  shall  rest  upon  Him, 
the  Spirit  of  Wisdom  and  Understanding,  the  Spirit  of  Counsel 
and  Might,  the  Spirit  of  Knowledge  and  of  the  Fear  of  the  Lord  ; 
and  shall  make  Him  of  quick  understanding  in  the  fear  of  the 
Lord  :  and  He  shall  not  judge  after  the  sight  of  His  eyes, 
neither  reprove  after  the  hearing  of  His  ears." 

Thus  He  Who  telleth  the  number  of  the  stars  and  calleth 
them  all  by  their  names,  before  He  pronounces  judgment  on 
even  one  star,  deigns  to  proclaim  and  certify  His  own  infallible 
insight. 

"  I  know  thy  works  " — the  works  of  Sardis,  of  all  Christen 
dom,  of  the  whole  world.  Yea,  and  my  works  indeed,  O  Lord, 
Thou  knowest:  it  is  I  myself  who  know  them  not  fully. 
"  Search  me,  O  God,  and  know  my  heart  :  try  me,  and  know 
my  thoughts :  and  see  if  there  be  any  wicked  way  in  me,  and 
lead  me  in  the  way  everlasting." 

"  Thou  hast  a  name  that  thou  livest,  and  art  dead." — Sardis 
with  her  name  to  live  worked  after  a  fashion,  although  dead. 
Centuries  before  the  Psalmist  had  placed  on  record  :  "  Men 
will  praise  thee,  when  thou  doest  well  to  thyself."  And  in  our 
Lord's  Sermon  in  the  Plain  we  read  :  "  Woe  unto  you,  when 
all  men  shall  speak  well  of  you  ! " 

Sardis  doubtless  in  some  sense  did  well  unto  herself,  how 
ever  cruel  in  truth  were  her  tender  self-mercies;  and  thus 


86  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

earned  the  condemnation  of  God  with  the  praise  of  men,  inas 
much  as  that  which  is  highly  esteemed  among  men  is  abomina 
tion  in  the  sight  of  God.  The  particular  works  of  Sardis  are 
not  enumerated,  but  of  this  we  may  rest  assured  :  so  far  as  she 
was  a  dead  Church  her  works  were  infallibly  dead  works. 
Yet  works  they  were,  and  of  such  a  semblance  that  men  said 
she  lived  :  God  and  God  only  knew  and  testified  that  she  was 
dead. 

And  what  avails  man's  word  against  God's  word  ? 

Her  fair  name  and  fame,  her  self-complacency,  her  lustre, 
have  passed  away  :  yea,  like  as  a  dream  when  one  awake th,  so 
hath  He  made  her  image  to  vanish  out  of  the  city.  A  temporal 
doom  has  long  ago  overtaken  her :  may  it  not  be  that  an 
eternal  doom  overhangs  her ! 

Our  Lord  rebuked  Sardis  in  the  day  of  grace,  lest  at  last  He 
should  condemn  her  in  the  day  of  justice. 

As  once  to  her,  so  now  if  need  is  He  speaks  to  us,  to  me. 
In  love  He  forewarns  us  all :  "  Many  will  say  to  Me  in  that 
day,  Lord,  Lord,  have  we  not  prophesied  in  Thy  Name  ?  and 
in  Thy  Name  have  cast  out  devils?  and  in  Thy  Name  done 
many  wonderful  works?  And  then  will  I  profess  unto  them, 
I  never  knew  you  :  depart  from  Me,  ye  that  work  iniquity." 

Shall  the  dead  rise  up  again  and  praise  God  ?  Yea,  the 
dead  also,  if  they  will  respond  to  the  call  of  His  grace.  As 
avers  the  Father  in  the  parable  :  "  This  my  son  was  dead,  and 
is  alive  again  ;  he  was  lost,  and  is  found." 

"  Comfort  ye,  comfort  ye  My  people,  saith  your  God." 

2.  Be  watchful,  and  strengthen  the  things  which  remain, 
that  are  ready  to  die :  for  I  have  not  found  thy  works 
perfect  before  God. 

"  What  I  say  unto  you  I  say  unto  all,  Watch."  The  watch 
ful  must  watch  on,  the  unwatchful  must  learn  and  practise 
watchfulness.  Every  one  of  us  is  either  watchful  or  unwatchful. 
"  Teach  me,  O  Lord,  the  way  of  Thy  statutes ;  and  I  shall 
keep  it  unto  the  end." 

Watchfulness  is  no  easy  duty.  When  Elijah  answered, 
"Thou  hast  asked  a  hard  thing,"  he  made  its  coming  to  pass 
depend  on  Elisha's  own  watchfulness  :  whence  we  may  infer 
that  the  boon  being  difficult  of  access,  that  on  which  it  de 
pended  was  not  lightly  to  be  achieved.  St.  Peter,  St.  John, 
St.  James,  for  all  their  love,  failed  in  watchfulness,  while  their 
Saviour  watched  alone  and  agonized  alone. 

My  God,  if  watchfulness  taxes  the  strength  of  Thy  saints 


THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP.  87 

who  live  unto  Thee,  how  shall  the  dead  in  trespasses  and  sins 
renew  their  vigil  to  praise  Thee  with  songs  in  the  night  ? — Nay, 
hath  He  spoken,  and  shall  He  not  make  it  good  ?  "  O  put 
thy  trust  in  God  :  for  I  will  yet  lhank  Him,  which  is  the  help 
of  my  countenance,  and  my  God." 

"Strengthen  the  things  which  remain,  that  are  ready  to  die." 
— God,  Whose  good  pleasure  hath  chosen  "things  which  are 
not,"  equally  of  His  grace  calls  upon  the  dead  to  strengthen 
what  remains  and  is  ready  to  die.  What  He  commands  He 
renders  possible.  "  He  giveth  power  to  the  faint ;  and  to 
them  that  have  no  might  He  increaseth  strength."  When 
Isaac  asked,  "Where  is  the  lamb?"  while  as  yet  there  appeared 
no  lamb  ;  not  Abraham  himself  can  have  understood  the 
fullness  of  his  own  answer  :  "  God  will  provide  Himself  a 
lamb." 

Praise  be  to  Thee,  O  God,  Who  both  didst  provide  a  lamb 
for  Thyself,  and  Thyself  becamest  that  Lamb  which  Thou 
providedst.  Praise  be  to  Thee,  forasmuch  as  the  ram  offered 
in  Isaac's  stead  was  caught  in  a  thicket  by  his  horns;  not 
weakness,  but  the  sign  of  his  strength  holding  him  fast.  Even 
SD,  not  through  weakness,  but  by  Thine  own  Will,  Strength, 
Glory,  didst  Thou  stoop  to  become  fast  bound  in  the  thicket 
of  our  troubles  :  nor  wouldst  Thou  by  any  means  pass  out 
thence  except  as  a  Lamb  for  a  burnt  offering ;  even  the 
Lamb  of  God,  which  taketh  away  the  sin  of  the  world. 
Alleluia  ! 

"  Though  He  slay  me,  yet  will  I  trust  in  Him." — This  is  one 
sort  of  dead  man  who  shall  live ;  together  with  Christ's  once- 
dead  Body  shall  he  arise.  Perhaps  for  us  the  main  point  of 
that  text  roots  itself  in  the  word  will.  None  predicates  of 
him  he  can  nor  yet  he  ought:  he  alone  says,  and  says  only,  / 
will.  He  says  not,  I  do  ;  for  far  from  him  be  lying  lips  and 
a  deceitful  tongue.  He  says,  I  will :  and  the  man  who  has 
the  will  to  say,  I  will,  has  latent  within  him  the  power  to  bring 
to  pass  by  God's  assisting  grace  the  purpose  of  that  good  will. 
His  dew  is  as  the  dew  of  herbs,  his  earth  shall  cast  out  her 
dead. 

When  God  demanded :  "  Son  of  man,  can  these  bones 
live  ?  "  even  E;  ekiel  could  answer  no  more  than,  "  O  Lord 
God,  Thou  knowest."  God  alone,  then  as  ever,  knew  what 
He  would  do. 

We,  every  one  of  us,  must  at  this  moment  be  either  dead  or 
alive.  Let  us  put  it  at  the  worst,  and  postulate  that  we  are 
dead  :  what  shall  we  do  that  we  may  come  again  to  our  border. 


88  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

and  return  into  the  land  of  the  living?  Sardis  was  bidden 
"  strengthen  those  things  which  remain,  that  are  ready  to  die"  : 
whence  it  follows  :  This  do,  and  thou  shalt  live.  And  what  if 
gazing  within  we  discern  nothing  remaining ;  nothing  even  so 
far  alive  as  to  be  ready  to  die  ?  We  still  can  lift  up  our  eyes 
and  look  without,  in  obedience  to  St.  Paul's  precept  :  "  Look 
not  every  man  on  his  own  things,  but  every  man  also  on 
the  things  of  others."  Our  neighbour  languishes,  is  weak, 
wavers,  is  ready  to  perish  :  whoso  strives  by  prayer,  or  by  any 
other  conceivable  agency  to  uphold  him,  shall  himself  be  up 
held  ;  even  as  Job,  praying  for  his  friends,  received  in  his  own 
person  a  blessing.  "  He  that  watereth  shall  be  watered  also 
himself." 

If  the  light  that  is  in  us  be  as  darkness  that  may  be  felt,  let 
us  work  and  walk  by  the  light  that  is  without  us ;  until  the 
day  dawn,  and  the  day-star  arise  in  our  hearts. 

O  Christ,  the  Resurrection  and  the  Life ;  O  Christ,  Light  of 
the  world  and  of  every  man  that  cometh  into  the  world,  call 
Thy  dead  out  of  darkness  of  death  into  light  of  life.  Say  once 
again,  yea,  say  again  and  again,  Let  there  be  light :  and  there 
shall  be  light. 

As  froth  on  the  face  of  the  deep, 

As  foam  on  the  crest  of  the  sea, 
As  dreams  at  the  waking  of  sleep, 

As  gourd  of  a  day  and  a  night, 
As  harvest  that  no  man  shall  reap, 

As  vintage  that  never  shall  be, 

Is  hope  if  it  cling  not  aright, 
O  my  God,  unto  Thee. 

"I  have  rot  found  thy  works  perfect  before  God" — or 
according  to  the  Revised  Version  :  "  I  have  found  no  works 
of  thine  fulfilled  before  My  God." — The  former  reading  recalls 
our  Lord's  words  in  His  Sermon  on  the  Mount :  "  Be  ye  there 
fore  perfect,  even  as  your  Father  which  is  in  heaven  is  perfect ; " 
a  precept  so  lofty  that  mortal  man  can  appropriate  it  only  in 
aim  and  intention,  except  so  far  as  his  being  Christ's  member 
clothes  him  with  Christ's  righteousness.  The  latter  reading 
suggests  works  left  incomplete  even  according  to  the  standard 
of  human  completeness;  beginnings  broken  off  short,  starts 
without  careers,  wishes  instead  of  resolves,  repentances  still  to 
be  repented  of.  We  are  reminded  of  Lot's  wife,  the  fig-tree 
leafy  but  fruitless,  the  son  in  the  Parable  who  answered,  I  go, 
sir,  and  went  not. 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 


We  look  out  of  ourselves  at  these  and  such  as  these.  God 
help  us  to  look  into  ourselves,  lest  all  the  while  we  be  such  as 
they  and  know  it  not. 

The  way  to  hell  is  paved  with  good  intentions. 

3.  Remember  therefore  how  thou  hast  received  and  heard, 
and  hold  fast,  and  repent.  If  therefore  thou  shalt  not 
watch,  I  will  come  on  thee  as  a  thief,  and  thou  shalt 
not  know  what  hour  I  will  come  upon  thee. 

Well  may  He  Who  beyond  all  others  loves  us,  for  that  very 
love's  sake  bid  us  "  Remember,"  lest  all  too  late  we  should 
remember.  For  it  has  been  said  of  old  that  there  is  no  bitterer 
pang  than  in  misery  to  remember  past  happiness.  There  shall 
be  weeping  and  gnashing  of  teeth  when  the  children  of  the 
kingdom  being  thrust  out  behold  their  birthright  blessedness 
given  to  others  that  are  better  than  they.  "  Son,  remember," 
spake  Abraham  to  Dives. 

To-day  it  may  be  that  if  we  choose  we  can  forget;  another 
day  we  shall  not  be  able  to  choose,  but  must  perforce  remember 
what  we  have  received  and  heard.  Not  through  time  and 
never  through  eternity  can  we  make  ourselves  as  though  we 
had  not  received  and  heard. 

We  have  heard  the  Word  of  God,  the  witness  of  saints,  the 
voice  of  conscience  whereby  God  the  Holy  Spirit  speaks 
within  us  ;  these  we  must  sooner  or  later  remember. 

We  have  received  the  Life  of  Baptism,  the  Strength  of  Con 
firmation,  the  Sustenance  of  Christ's  most  precious  Body  and 
Blood  ;  these  we  must  sooner  or  later  remember. 

Our  stortings  aside  have  been  from  all  these,  our  falls  from 
a'.l  these.  These  we  have  held  fast ;  or  have  let  go. 

And  if  we  have  let  them  go,  can  we  ever  again  hope  to  hold 
them  fast  ?  Yea,  saith  our  Judge  :  "  Hold  fast,  repent." 

Let  us  go  forth  in  the  strength  of  the  Lord  God,  and  make 
mention  of  His  righteousness  only. 

O  God  Whose  hand  is  not  shortened  that  it  cannot  save,  Who 
to  him  that  hath  no  might  increaseth  strength,  Who  didst  up 
hold  St.  Peter  on  the  waters,  convert  him  in  the  high  priest's 
palace,  restore  him  by  the  Sea  of  Tiberias,  O  our  God,  Who 
hast  done  all  for  us,  now  do  all  in  us.  Hold  us  fast,  that  we 
may  hold  Thee  fast.  Remember  now  our  sins,  that  Thou 
mayest  move  us  to  repentance  ;  and  washing  them  away  in 
Thy  blood  mayest  remember  them  no  more.  Amen  for  Thine 
own  sake,  Lord  Jesus,  Amen. 


9o 


THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 


Contempt  and  pangs  and  haunting  fears — 
Too  late  for  hope,  too  late  for  ease, 
Too  late  for  rising  from  the  dead  ; 
Too  late,  too  late  to  bend  my  knees, 

Or  bow  my  head, 
Or  weep,  or  ask  for  tears. 

Hark  !  .   .  .   One  I  hear  Who  calls  to  me  : 
"Give  Me  thy  thorn  and  grief  and  scorn, 

Give  Me  thy  ruin  and  regret. 
Press  on  thro'  darkness  toward  the  morn  : 

One  loves  thee  yet : 
Have  I  forgotten  thee  ?  " 

Lord,  Who  art  Thou  ?     Lord,  is  it  Thou 
My  Lord  and  God,  Lord  Jesus  Christ  ? 

How  said  I  that  I  sat  alone 
And  desolate  and  unsufficed  ? 

Surely  a  stone 
Would  raise  Thy  praises  now  ! 

Once  more  the  word  is,  Watch.  In  whatever  mood,  in  de 
pression  if  need  be,  let  us  watch.  As  sings  the  Psalmist : 
"  I  have  watched,  and  am  even  as  it  were  a  sparrow,  that  sitteth 
alone  upon  the  house-top.  Mine  enemies  revile  me  all  the 
day  long ;  and  they  that  are  mad  upon  me  are  sworn  together 
against  me.  For  I  have  eaten  ashes  as  it  were  bread  ;  and 
mingled  my  drink  with  weeping;  and  that  because  of  Thine 
indignation  and  wrath  :  for  Thou  hast  taken  me  up,  and  cast 
rne  down.  My  days  are  gone  like  a  shadow ;  and  I  am  withered 
like  grass."  For  this  woeful  complaint  is  still  a  song  :  even 
while  he  lies  under  the  Divine  indignation  and  wrath  the 
penitent  sings  and  makes  melody  in  his  heart  to  the  Lord. 
By  Whose  gracious  help  we  all  may  do  likewise.  Repentance 
pleases  God ;  and  that  whereby  we  please  God  cannot  be  to 
ourselves  mere  unmitigated  grief. 

Nor  is  it  any  trivial  matter  which  depends  upon  our  watch 
fulness.  According  as  we  watch,  or  watch  not,  Christ  will 
come  to  save  or  to  punish. 

"  Watch  therefore :  for  ye  know  not  what  hour  your  Lord 
doth  come.  But  know  this,  that  if  the  good  man  of  the  house 
had  known  in  what  watch  the  thief  would  come,  he  would  have 
watched,  and  would  not  have  suffered  his  house  to  be  broken 
up.  Therefore  be  ye  also  ready :  for  in  such  an  hour  as  ye 
think  not  the  Son  of  Man  cometh." 

Shall  He  come  to  us  "  as  a  thief,"  Who  would  fain  come  to 
us  as  a  Bridegroom  ? 

-  Yea.  in  the  way  of  Thy  judgments,  O  Lord,  have  we  waited 


THE  FACE    OF  THE  DEEP.  91 

for  Thee ;  the  desire  of  our  soul  is  to  Thy  name,  and  to  the 
remembrance  of  Thee.     With  my  soul  have  I  desired  Thee  in 
the  night ;  yea,  with  my  spirit  within  me  will  I  seek  Thee  early." 
"  I  am  my  Beloved's,  and  His  desire  is  toward  me." 

4.  Thou  Ixast  a  few  names  even  in  Sardis  which  have  not 
defiled  their  garments ;  and  they  shall  walk  with  Me 
in  white  :  for  they  are  worthy. 

Primitive  man  arrayed  in  innocence  needed  no  other  robe. 
Fallen  man  God  Himself  deigned  to  clothe }  and  the  garment 
of  fallen  man  may  (I  think)  be  regarded  as  representing  such 
sort  and  degree  of  holiness  as  being  possible  to  a  sinner  is 
therefore  required  of  him.  For  God  Almighty  is  never  that 
ruler  who  demands  brick  in  a  territory  of  no  straw. 

Absolute  innocence  on  this  side  of  the  grave  no  soul  can 
win  back,  yet  holiness  transcends  innocence.  A  law,  "  Thou 
shalt  not,"  hedged  in  innocence  in  the  Garden  of  Eden ;  but 
St.  Paul  declares  that  "  the  fruit  of  the  Spirit  is  love,  joy,  peace, 
longsuffering,  gentleness,  goodness,  faith,  meekness,  temper 
ance  :  against  such  there  is  no  law." 

"A  few  names  even  in  Sardis." — Ten  righteous  would  have  ^ 
preserved  Sodom  ;  one  would  have  sufficed  to  save  Jerusalem. 
Thus  we  discern  that  Abraham's  persistence  of  intercession 
yet  stopped  short  of  the  bounty  of  God's  unsolicited  Goodwill. 
Human  tenderness  pleaded  ten,  Divine  yearning  craved  for 
one.  Both  however  bore  immediate  reference  to  temporal 
punishment,  not  apparently  to  eternal  judgment. 

The  "  few  "  in  Sardis  safe  themselves  could  not  deliver  their 
fellows.  Their  case  corresponded  with  that  set  forth  in 
Ezekiel's  prophecy :  "  When  the  land  sinneth  against  Me  by 
trespassing  grievously,  then  will  I  stretch  out  Mine  hand  upon 
it  ...  Though  these  three  men,  Noah,  Daniel,  and  Job, 
were  in  it,  they  should  deliver  but  their  own  souls  by  their  \S 
righteousness,  saith  the  Lord  God."  Psalm  xlix.  (Prayer-Book 
version)  throws  light  on  the  subject  :  "  No  man  may  deliver 
his  brother,  nor  make  agreement  unto  God  for  him  ;  for  it  cost 
more  to  redeem  their  souls :  so  that  he  must  let  that  alone  for 
ever ;  yea,  though  he  live  long,  and  see  not  the  grave."  Truly 
did  it  cost  more  to  redeem  our  souls,  for  it  cost  the  life  of  that 
Man  Who  is  the  Lord's  Fellow ;  had  He  lived  long  and  not 
seen  the  grave,  even  He  (so  far  as  the  Divine  counsels  have 
been  revealed  to  us)  must  have  let  that  alone  for  ever.  Thus 
by  a  sort  of  harmony  of  contraries  the  Psalmist  provides  a 


92  THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP. 

clue  to  the  coming  mystery  of  Redemption.  We  recognize  a 
revelation  of  Divine  Might  where  at  first  seemed  but  a  state 
ment  of  human  impotence.  A  veiled  mystery  flashes  through 
this  verse ;  which  verse  of  the  Holy  Bible  may  not  veil  a 
mystery  ? 

Lord,  grant  us  eyes  to  see  and  ears  to  hear 
And  souls  to  love  and  minds  to  understand, 
And  steadfast  faces  toward  the  Holy  Land, 

And  confidence  of  hope,  and  filial  fear, 

And  citizenship  where  Thy  saints  appear 

Before  Thee  heart  in  heart  and  hand  in  hand, 
And  Alleluias  where  their  chanting  band 

As  waters  and  as  thunders  fill  the  sphere. 

Lord,  grant  us  what  Thou  wilt,  and  what  Thou  wilt 
Deny,  and  fold  us  in  Thy  peaceful  fold  : 
Not  as  the  world  gives,  give  to  us  Thine  own : 

Inbuild  us  where  Jerusalem  is  built 

With  walls  of  jasper  and  with  streets  of  gold, 

And  Thou  Thyself,  Lord  Christ,  for  Corner  Stone. 

"  A  few  names  even  in  Sardis." — A  few  in  a  whole  city,  a 
few  out  of  an  entire  population.  Shall  London  cast  the  first 
stone  at  Sardis  ? 

O  God,  merciful  and  pitiful,  Who  hast  created  us  all,  and 
knowest  us  all,  if  we  be  children  teach  us  to  honour  Thee,  and 
if  servants  to  fear  Thee :  yea,  if  we  be  stones  teach  us  to 
celebrate  Thy  praise.  For  Jesus  Christ's  sake.  Amen. 

"A  few  .  .  .  which  have  not  defiled  their  garments." 
Who  are  these?  Baptized  infants,  and  sweet  souls  of  any  age 
unexperienced  in  mortal  sin. 

None  beside  these  ?  Thank  God,  the  text  says  not  so.  By 
His  grace  it  may  (surely)  include  along  with  all  who  have  never 
defiled  their  garments  those  likewise  who  have  not  permanently 
defiled  them. 

He  Who  has  been  pleased  to  promise  that  the  elect  human 
family  shall  be  made  equal  to  the  elect  angels,  can  if  He  pleases 
make  the  choir  of  penitents  equal  to  that  kindred  choir  which 
by  comparison  need  no  repentance.  Once  He  vouchsafed  to 
say  touching  one  sinful  woman:  "Her  sins,  which  are  many, 
are  forgiven  ;  for  she  loved  much :  but  to  whom  little  is  forgiven, 
the  same  loveth  little." 

"Judge  nothing  before  the  time,  until  the  Lord  come,  Who 
both  will  bring  to  light  the  hidden  things  of  darkness,  and  will 
make  manifest  the  counsels  of  the  hearts."  Only  whilst  we 
have  time  let  us  love  much. 

"And  they  shall  walk  with  Me  in  white." — The  precarious 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  93 

purity  of  mortal  life  shall  become  the  indefectible  purity  of 
life  immortal.  As  the  bud  becomes  the  lily,  as  the  dawn  the 
day,  so  white  robes  of  earth  shall  reappear,  transfigured  as 
robes  of  heaven,  white  as  no  fuller  on  earth  can  white  them. 
Such  whiteness  as  we  now  are  used  to  can  scarcely  abide  un 
sullied  unless  it  also  abide  intact ;  thus  trodden  snow  turns  to 
mud;  whilst  snow  on  mountain  summits  endures  alone,  in 
accessible,  stainless.  Even  so  chaste  virgins  choose  solitude 
fora  bower;  and  recluses  dwell  apart  and  unknown,  like  un- 
found  pearls ;  and  great  saints  betaking  themselves  to  heavenly 
places  in  Christ  Jesus,  move  aloft  like  white  sunny  clouds  of 
the  sky. 

Nevertheless,  however  good  for  the  present  distress,  yet  from 
the  beginning  God  Himself  declared  that  it  is  not  good  for 
man  to  be  alone.  No  trace  of  solitude  reappears  in  the  next 
life,  the  life  that  lives  for  ever.  Whatever  we  know,  or  know 
not,  about  Heaven,  this  beyond  possibility  of  doubt  is  certified 
to  us ;  it  will  contain  a  great  multitude  that  no  man  can 
number,  and  these  congregated  into  one  body,  one  community 
of  saints.  Nothing  will  ever  any  more  separate  them ;  not 
night,  for  there  is  no  night  there  ;  not  the  sea,  for  they  stand 
together  upon  that  unearthly  sea. 

Yet  all  this  accumulation  of  beatitude  taken  by  itself  could 
not  satisfy  us ;  it  would  still  be  no  more  than  a  turning  aside 
by  the  flocks  of  the  companions.  Christ's  promise  exceeds 
this.  "They  shall  walk  with  Me."  Herein  is  beatific  love. 

It  is  stated  in  our  text  (ver.  4)  that  those  whose  earthly 
garments  have  been  undefiled,  are  the  same  who  will  be 
invested  with  a  heavenly  white  garment.  A  second  point, 
though  unstated,  may  (I  think)  be  inferred :  those  who  like 
Enoch  have  "walked  with  God"  on  earth,  are  the  same  who 
shall  walk  with  Him  in  Heaven. 

Little  as  we  know  of  blessed  Enoch's  personal  history,  yet 
the  phrase  "walked  with  God"  tells  us  much.  "Can  two 
walk  together,  except  they  be  agreed  ?  "  asks  the  Lord  by  the 
mouth  of  His  Prophet  Amos.  Enoch's  will  must  then  have 
been  conformed  to  the  Divine  Will.  Moreover,  exalted  as  it 
is  to  "sit  together  in  heavenly  places  in  Christ  Jesus,"  blessed 
as  it  is  to  "  sleep  in  Jesus " ;  yet  of  Enoch  we  are  told  not 
that  he  sat,  still  less  if  possible  that  he  slept,  but  that  he 
walked.  He  exerted  himself,  he  made  progress,  he  persevered, 
until  "  God  took  him." 

Amen,  for  us  all. 

"For  they  are  worthy." — How  "worthy"?  when  the  same 


94  THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP. 

Truth  and  Wisdom  hath  said  :  "  None  is  good,  save  One,  that 
is,  God." 

As  Isaac  received  Rebekah  into  the  tent,  and  himself  was 
comforted ;  as  Boaz  extended  his  protection  to  Ruth,  and 
while  loving  and  ennobling  her  rejoiced  in  her  affection  ;  so 
our  dear  Lord  enriches  our  poverty  with  His  own  wealth, 
covers  our  unworthiness  with  His  own  worthiness,  sees  in  us 
of  the  travail  of  His  Soul,  and  is  satisfied.  He,  Bridegroom  of 
souls,  saith  to  His  beloved :  "  With  all  My  goods  I  thee 
endow":  His  Blessedness  is  as  of  the  sun  which  gives,  and 
ours  is  as  of  the  moon  which  receives.  "  It  is  more  blessed 
to  give  than  to  receive." 

"  I  am  not  worthy  of  the  least  of  all  the  mercies,  and  of  all 
the  truth,  which  Thou  hast  showed  unto  Thy  servant." 

5.  He  that  overcometh,  the  same  shall  be  clothed  in  white 

raiment,  and  I  will  not  blot  out  his  name  out  of  the 
Book  of  Life,  but  I  will  confess  his  name  before  My 
Father,  and  before  His  angels. 

6.  He  that  hath  an  ear,  let  him  hear  what  the  Spirit  saith 

unto  the  churches. 

Once  again  "  he  that  overcometh  "  is  the  only  person  to 
•win  a  prize.  Not  even  Christ's  work  for  us  can  be  substituted 
for  the  Holy  Spirit's  work  in  us.  By  aid  of  Whose  indwelling 
Might  may  every  one  of  us  watch,  strengthen  what  languishes, 
remember,  hold  fast,  repent,  flee  defilement. 

Not  that  thesa  are  ever  easy  duties,  but  by  help  of  grace 
they  become  possible :  were  they  easy,  we  need  not  be  incited 
to  overcome.  And  if  possible  to  any,  then  are  they  possible 
to  all,  even  to  the  most  backward :  for  it  is  the  same  Almighty 
Spirit  Who  dwells  and  works  in  great  and  small,  and  Who 
many  times  has  vouchsafed  the  race  to  the  not-swift,  and  the 
battle  to  the  not-strong.  One  by  one  let  us  consider  these 
particular  points  of  duty. 

Watch.  As  failure  may  betide  swift  and  strong,  so  imy 
it  betide  watchers  also :  "  Except  the  Lord  keep  the  city,  the 
watchman  waketh  but  in  vain."  Still,  if  watchfulness  may, 
unwatchfulness  must  be  rife  with  peri!.  "  The  earth  is  weak, 
and  all  the  inhabiters  thereof:  I  bear  up  the  pillars  of  it," 
came  evidently  to  pass  on  that  searching  night  of  the  Passion 
when  our  Lord  watched  alone,  because  the  three  whom  He 
had  bidden  watch  with  Him  slept.  On  the  other  hand,  under 
the  elder  and  less  helpful  dispensation,  Nehemiah  with  his 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  95 

faithful  adherents  having  prayed,  set  a  watch  day  and  night 
against  their  foes  and  prospered ;  and  Habakkuk  in  the  midst 
of  his  prophecy  protests  :  "  I  will  stand  upon  my  watch,  and 
set  me  upon  the  tower,  and  will  watch  to  see  what  He  will 
say  unto  me,  and  what  I  shall  answer  when  I  am  reproved." 
Psalm  cxxiii.  furnishes  us  with  the  very  words  we  need  : 
"  Unto  Thee  lift  I  up  mine  eyes,  O  Thou  that  dwellest  in 
the  heavens.  Behold,  as  the  eyes  of  servants  look  unto  the 
hand  of  their  masters,  and  as  the  eyes  of  a  maiden  unto  the 
hand  of  her  mistress ;  so  our  eyes  wait  upon  the  Lord  our 
God,  until  that  He  have  mercy  upon  us." 

Strengthen  what  languishes.  What  desperate  ruin  it  is  by 
letting  slip  the  last  opportunity  and  extinguishing  the  last 
glimmer  of  light  to  do  despite  to  Him  Who  breaks  not  the 
bruised  reed  nor  quenches  the  smoking  flax,  Christ's  own 
words  and  tears  have  revealed :  "  He  beheld  the  city,  and 
wept  over  it,  saying,  If  thou  hadst  known,  even  thou,  at  least 
in  this  thy  day,  the  things  which  belong  unto  thy  peace  !  but 
now  they  are  hid  from  thine  eyes."  For  examples  of  self- 
retrieval  we  turn  to  Joseph  of  Arimathsea,  who  being  a  disciple 
of  Jesus,  but  secretly  for  fear  of  the  Jews,  at  length  went  in 
boldly  unto  Pilate,  and  craved  the  Body  of  Jesus, — to  Nico- 
demus,  who  first  resorted  to  Jesus  by  night,  later  on  spoke 
however  feebly  in  His  defence,  and  at  last  shared  with  several 
saints  (women  as  well  as  men)  the  devotion  and  anguish  of 
His  sepulture, — to  St.  Mark,  who  once  hung  back,  but  after 
wards  repented  and  went.  "Hear  my  prayer,  O  Lord,  and 
with  Thine  ears  consider  my  calling  :  hold  not  Thy  peace  at 
my  tears.  For  I  am  a  stranger  with  Thee  :  and  a  sojourner, 
as  all  my  fathers  were.  O  spare  me  a  little,  that  I  may  recover 
my  strength :  before  I  go  hence,  and  be  no  more  seen." 

Remember.  God  Who  bids  us  remember,  Himself  re 
members  :  woe  were  it  to  mankind  if  He  remembered  not. 
"Yea,  many  a  time  turned  He  His  anger  away,  and  did  not 
stir  up  all  His  wrath.  For  He  remembered  that  they  were 
but  flesh  ;  a  wind  that  passeth  away,  and  cometh  not  again." 
Since  He  spake  against  His  rebellious  children,  He  doth 
earnestly  remember  them  still.  To  renegade  Israel  He  even 
saith  :  "  I  remember  thee,  the  kindness  of  thy  youth,  the  love 
of  thine  espousals  ...  I  will  yet  plead  with  you."  God 
hath  indeed  not  forgotten  to  be  gracious,  and  graciously  He 
enjoins  upon  us  the  duty  of  ourselves  remembering.  Let  us 
call  to  mind  a  few  points  which  we  have  received  and  heard  : 
— "  Remember  the  Sabbath-day,  to  keep  it  holy."  "  Behold, 


96  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

God  exalteth  by  His  power.  .  .  .  Remember  that  thou  magnify 
His  work,  which  men  behold.  Every  man  may  see  it ;  man 
may  behold  it  afar  off."  "  If  a  man  live  many  years,  and 
rejoice  in  them  all ;  yet  let  him  remember  the  days  of  dark 
ness ;  for  they  shall  be  many."  "Remember  now  thy  Creator 
in  the  days  of  thy  youth."  St.  Paul  charges  us  "  to  remember 
the  words  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  how  He  said,  It  is  more  blessed 
to  give  than  to  receive."  St.  Jude  exhorts  us:  "Remember 
ye  the  words  which  were  spoken  before  of  the  Apostles  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ ;  how  that  they  told  you  there  should  be 
mockers  in  the  last  time,  who  should  walk  after  their  own 
ungodly  lusts."  And  infinitely  above  even  the  Apostles,  our 
Master  bade  them  and  through  them  bids  us :  "  Remember 
the  word  that  I  said  unto  you,  The  servant  is  not  greater  than 
his  lord." — O  Lord,  the  Better  David,  remember  all  Thine 
own  trouble ;  and  for  good  remember  us,  remember  me,  when 
Thou  comest  into  Thy  Kingdom. 

Holdfast.  Shall  we  fill  our  hands  with  possessions  which 
are  not  worth  holding  fast  ?  "  There  is  a  sore  evil  which  I 
have  seen  under  the  sun,  namely,  riches  kept  for  the  owners 
thereof  to  their  hurt.  But  those  riches  perish  by  evil  travail : 
and  he  begetteth  a  son,  and  there  is  nothing  in  his  hand."  We 
can  carry  nothing  away  when  we  die,  neither  the  hurtful  riches 
denounced  by  the  Preacher,  nor  the  thick  clay  denounced  by 
the  Prophet  (see  Hab.  ii.  6).  Hands  preoccupied  by  such  as 
these  cannot  grasp  veritable  wealth  :  "  How  hardly  shall  they 
that  have  riches  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God  ! "  Hands 
emptied  by  showing  mercy  to  the  poor,  are  set  free  to  hold  fast 
what  God  will  require  of  us  ;  hearts  emptied  of  self  are  prepared 
to  receive  and  retain  all  He  will  demand  ;  such  blessed  store  as 
righteousness,  with  Job  who  would  not  let  it  go ;  that  which  is 
good,  with  the  Thessalonian  converts ;  the  apostolic  form  of 
sound  words,  with  Timothy  ;  our  profession,  and  confidence, 
and  rejoicing  of  hope  firm  unto  the  end,  with  all  faithful 
Christians.  Thus  Jacob  said  :  "  I  will  not  let  Thee  go,  except 
Thou  bless  me.  .  .  .  And  He  blessed  him  there."  Yet  because 
God  Himself  is  to  us  more  than  all  His  blessings,  let  us  rather 
protest  with  the  Bride :  "I  found  Him  Whom  my  soul  loveth  : 
I  held  Him,  and  would  not  let  Him  go." 

Repent.  There  is  no  Divine  promise  which  penitence  may 
not  claim ;  no  height,  no  depth  of  Divine  Love  secluded  from 
penitence.  All  is  promised  to  the  penitent,  but  repentance 
itself  is  not  promised  to  the  sinner.  Yet,  O  my  God,  how 
otherwise  should  sinners  be  half  so  hopeful  of  repentance,  as 


THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP.  97 

now  that  it  depends  solely  on  Thy  Goodwill?  Thou  Who 
biddest  us  repent,  fulfil  in  us  Thine  own  bidding.  Thou  Who 
hast  declared  concerning  Israel  :  "  I  will  heal  their  backsliding, 
I  will  love  them  freely,"  make  us  such  as  Thou  canst  heal  and 
love.  Thou  Who  art  long-suffering  to  usvvard,  not  willing  that 
any  should  perish,  but  that  all  should  come  to  repentance  ; 
bring  us  to  repentance,  for  none  else  in  heaven  or  in  earth  can 
bring  us.  Thou  Who  holdest  out  to  us  hope,  let  us  not  be 
disappointed  of  our  hope.  If  we  be  lost,  Christ  thereby  loseth 
the  price  of  His  most  precious  Blood  :  suffer  us  to  plead  Christ 
with  Thee,  and  to  say  :  Who  shall  countervail  the  King's 
damage  ?  Repentance  is  not  promised  to  the  impenitent,  but 
to  those  who  serve  God  all  that  they  ask  aright  is  promised  ; 
Christians  know  this,  say  this,  build  and  rest  on  this :  thus 
prevailingly  they  implore  for  themselves  fuller,  deeper,  ever 
renewed  repentance;  thus  availingly  they  might  implore  it  for 
those  who  for  themselves  implore  it  not.  O  God  of  all  Mercy 
and  all  Comfort,  God  the  Father  Who  lovest  us,  God  the  Son 
Who  lovest  us,  God  the  Holy  Spirit  Who  lovest  us,  give  us 
for  whom  Christ  died  grace  to  love  our  neighbour  as  ourself, 
and  to  pray  for  him  as  for  ourself.  Am  I  my  brother's  keeper  ? 
Yes. 

Flee  defilement.  St.  Mark  records  how  when  our  Lord  "had 
called  all  the  people  unto  Him,  He  said  unto  them,  Hearken 
unto  Me  every  one  of  you,  and  understand  :  there  is  nothing 
from  without  a  man,  that  entering  into  him  can  defile  him  : 
but  the  things  which  come  out  of  him,  those  are  they  that 
defile  the  man.  If  any  man  have  ears  to  hear,  let  him  hear." 
So  emphatically  are  all  the  people,  every  one  of  them,  instructed 
that  the  spiritual  garment  contracts  defilement  not  from  with 
out  but  from  within.  Purity  follows  a  contrary  rule  to  many 
other  virtues.  Many  are  promoted  by  dwelling  on  the  an 
tagonistic  vices ;  by  coming,  so  to  say,  to  close  quarters  with 
these,  by  waging  war  with  them  face  to  face,  war  to  the  death. 
Look  hard  at  ill-temper,  for  instance ;  and  when  you  attain  to 
appreciate  its  contemptible  aspect,  you  may  advance  to  discern 
and  fall  in  love  with  the  majesty  of  meekness.  Not  so  with 
impurity  :  cover  and  turn  away  the  eye  lest  it  should  behold 
it,  stop  the  ear  lest  it  should  admit  it ;  for  the  blessed  pure  in 
heart  who  shall  see  God,  copy  their  Lord  the  Holy  One  Who 
is  of  purer  eyes  than  to  behold  evil,  and  Who  cannot  look  on 
iniquity.  Nor  does  this  imperative  duty  of  shunning  contami 
nation  from  without,  at  all  clash  with  our  Master's  warning  that 
defilement  has  its  sole  root  within  :  the  knowledge  of  foulness 

G 


98  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

welcomed,  entertained,  gloated  over,  breeds  in  us  foulness 
like  itself;  it  acts  like  blood  poison  which  infused  from  with 
out  turns  the  man  himself,  or  the  woman  herself,  to  a  death- 
struck  mass  of  corruption.  Holy  courage  often  befits  us  :  in 
this  single  instance  holy  cowardice  becomes  man's  only  available 
courage ;  as  Joseph  fled,  abandoning  and  risking  all  rather 
than  do  a  great  wickedness,  and  sin  against  God.  Akin  to 
our  duty  towards  ourselves  in  this  matter,  is  our  duty  towards 
others,  especially  towards  the  young :  in  their  regard  we  may 
pray  to  be  made  perfect  as  our  Father  in  heaven  is  perfect ; 
Who  vouchsafed  to  shield  the  innocent  ignorance  of  young 
Samuel,  even  while  denouncing  by  his  mouth  abominable  and 
crying  sin.  "  Finally,  brethren,  whatsover  things  are  true,  what 
soever  things  are  honest,  whatsoever  things  are  just,  whatsoever 
things  are  pure,  whatsoever  things  are  lovely,  whatsoever  things 
are  of  good  report ;  if  there  be  any  virtue,  and  if  there  be  any 
praise,  think  on  these  things." 

"  The  same  shall  be  clothed  in  white  raiment." — "  Not  unto 
us,  O  Lord,  not  unto  us,  but  unto  Thy  Name  give  the  praise." 
God  will  clothe  us  who  cannot  clothe  ourselves.  Wherefore 
we  need  not  inquire  either  for  earth  or  for  heaven,  "  where 
withal  shall  we  be  clothed  ?  "  for  our  Heavenly  Father  knoweth 
that  we  have  need  of  many  such  things,  and  will  without  fail 
add  them  unto  us  if  meanwhile  we  seek  first  His  kingdom  and 
righteousness.  Whereof  we  enjoy  already  encouraging  signs. 
As  when  He  covered  Adam  and  Eve  after  their  shameful  fall. 
Or  as  when  under  a  similitude  His  love  for  Jerusalem  is  set 
forth:  "I  clothed  thee  also  with  broidered  work,  and  shod 
thee  with  badgers'  skin,  and  I  girded  thee  about  with  fine  linen, 
and  I  covered  thee  with  silk.  I  decked  thee  also  with  orna 
ments,  and  I  put  bracelets  upon  thy  hands,  and  a  chain  on  thy 
neck.  And  I  put  a  jewel  on  thy  forehead,  and  earrings  in 
thine  ears,  and  a  beautiful  crown  upon  thine  head.  Thus  wast 
thou  decked  with  gold  and  silver ;  and  thy  raiment  was  of  fine 
linen,  and  silk,  and  broidered  work  .  .  .  and  thou  wast  ex 
ceeding  beautiful.  .  .  .  And  thy  renown  went  forth  among 
the  heathen  for  thy  beauty  :  for  it  was  perfect  through  My 
comeliness,  which  I  had  put  upon  thee,  saith  the  Lord  God." 
Or  as  when  the  Father  in  the  Parable  arrays  his  prodigal  son  : 
*'  Bring  forth  the  best  robe,  and  put  it  on  him ;  and  put  a  ring 
on  his  hand,  and  shoes  on  his  feet."  And  how  beautiful  is 
whiteness  for  a  garment  we  see  illustrated  on  all  sides  :  the 
dove  "  is  covered  with  silver  wings " ;  lambs  wear  a  white 
fleece;  lilies  and  snowdrops  are  white,  and  there  is  a  white 


THE   FACE   OF   THE  DEEP.  99 

rose  ;  the  swan  floats  in  whiteness  on  blue  waters,  and  over 
head  white  clouds  float  across  the  blue  sky.  Snow  is  white, 
.and  so  is  a  pearl ;  and  diamonds  and  light  are  colourless. 

Nevertheless  whiteness  is  not  an  absence  but  rather  a  com 
pendium  of  colour.  All  tints  when  united  in  a  perfectly 
balanced  harmony  resolve  themselves  into  whiteness,  and 
consequently  all  tints  are  capable  of  being  re-developed  from 
whiteness.  Thus  colourless  light  paints  the  rainbow.  And 
thus  celestial  whiteness  will  not  restrict  but  may  rather  gratify 
the  taste  of  all  who  wear  it. 

At  the  first  moment  whiteness  does  not  suggest  colour:  yet 
.all  colour  being  latent  in  it,  we  finally  discern  in  its  train  every 
lovely  hue  and  gradation  of  hues.  If  thus  it  is  with  one  word 
characteristic  of  Heaven,  how  know  we  that  it  is  not  so  with 
every  word  ? 

To-day  we  hear  by  the  hearing  of  the  ear.  So  it  was  in  her 
day  with  the  Queen  of  Sheba,  who  allured  by  what  she  heard 
betook  herself  to  the  Holy  Land  ;  and  when  she  saw  King 
Solomon  in  his  royalty,  and  saw  those  who  served  him, 
"Behold,"  said  she,  "the  half  was  not  told  me'." 

O  Christ,  our  King  and  our  Wisdom,  bring  us,  I  beseech 
Thee,  to  Thy  Holy  Land  which  is  very  far  off,  that  there  our 
eyes  may  see  Thee  in  Thy  Beauty. 

'"King  Solomon  gave  unto  the  Queen  of  Sheba  all  her 
-desire,  whatsoever  she  asked,  beside  that  which  Solomon  gave 
her  of  his  royal  bounty." 

All  that  we  see  rejoices  in  the  sunshine, 

All  that  we  hear  makes  merry  in  the  Spring  : 

God  grant  us  such  a  mind  to  be  glad  after  our  kind, 
And  to  sing 
His  praises  evermore  for  everything. 

Much  that  we  see  must  vanish  with  the  sunshine,  _ 
Sweet  Spring  must  fail  and  fail  the  choir  of  Spring : 

But  Wisdom  shall  burn  on  when  the  lesser  lights  are  gone, 
And  shall  sing 
God's  praises  evermore  for  everything. 

"  I  will  not  blot  out  his  name  out  of  the  Book  of  Life." — 
Human  life  is  in  two  sections,  life  terminable  and  life  inter 
minable  :  and  if  I  may  so  express  it,  the  Book  of  Life  appears 
to  be  correspondingly  in  two  volumes  ;  the  Register  of  Baptism 
for  this  world,  and  the  Register  of  Final  Perseverance  for  the 
next.  I  say  of  Baptism  because  to  us  Christians  the  word  of 
this  salvation  is  sent,  and  according  to  it  we  must  judge  our 
selves,  and  abide  the  final  Judgment.:  whereas  as  St.  Paul 


ioo  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

"instructs  us,  "  What  have  I  to  do  to  judge  them  also  that  are 
without  ?  do  not  ye  judge  them  that  are  within  ?  But  them 
that  are  without  God  judgeth."  To  Whose  mercy  in  that  day 
let  us  commend  ourselves  and  every  living  soul. 

That  first  volume  is  constituted  our  Book  of  Life  to  the 
extent  of  promise,  privilege,  possibility  :  it  depends  on  ourselves 
to  realize  the  possibility,  perpetuate  the  privilege,  claim  fulfil 
ment  of  the  promise.  It  is  also  our  patent  of  nobility  :  the 
Name  that  is  above  every  name  heads  the  "  glorious,  goodly, 
noble  "  list  of  those  who  please  God ;  for  He  is  not  ashamed 
to  call  us  brethren,  He  of  Whom  it  is  recorded,  "  Then  said  I, 
Lo,  I  come  (in  the  volume  of  the  book  it  is  written  of  Me),  to 
do  Thy  Will,  O  God." 

Thy  Name,  O  Christ,  as  ointment  is  poured  forth 
Sweetening  our  names  before  God's  Holy  Face  ; 

Luring  us  from  the  south  and  from  the  north 
Unto  the  sacred  place. 

In  Thee  God's  promise  is  Amen  and  Yea, 
What  art  Thou  to  us  ?     Prize  of  every  lot, 

Shepherd  and  Door,  our  Life  and  Truth  and  Way  : — 
Kay,  Lord,  what  art  Thou  not? 

It  is  out  of  that  first  volume  that  names  may  be  blotted  : 
once  entered  in  the  second  they  become  (thank  God  !)  in 
delible.  Change  and  vicissitude  are  confined  to  this  life  and 
this  world :  once  safe  in  the  next  world  the  saved  are  safe  for 
ever  and  ever.  So  our  Lord  deigned  in  effect  to  teach  us  all, 
when  answering  certain  Sadducees,  He  said  :  "  The  children  of 
this  world  marry,  and  are  given  in  marriage  :  but  they  which 
shall  be  accounted  worthy  to  obtain  that  world,  and  the 
resurrection  from  the  dead,  neither  marry,  nor  are  given  in 
marriage  :  neither  can  they  die  any  more  :  for  they  are  equal 
unto  the  angels;  and  are  the  children  of  God,  being  the 
children  of  the  resurrection."  And  further  we  gather  hence 
by  implication  that  not  all  shall  "  obtain  .  .  .  the  resurrection 
from  the  dead  "  :  all  must  rise ;  but  some  will  rise  alive  unto 
life,  and  some  will  rise  dead  unto  damnation ;  in  accordance 
with  Christ's  explicit  statement  elsewhere :  "  The  hour  is 
coming,  in  the  which  all  that  are  in  the  graves  shall  hear  His 
voice,  and  shall  come  forth  ;  they  that  have  done  good,  unto 
the  resurrection  of  life ;  and  they  that  have  done  evil,  unto  the 
resurrection  of  damnation." 

Let  us  lay  to  heart  each  allusion  to  God's  most  awful  Book. 
David  mentions  it  where  he  prophesies  against  our  Saviour's 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  101 

adversaries  on  Calvary  ;  whose  children,  crucifying  the  Son 
of  God  afresh,  and  putting  Him  to  an  open  shame,  are  the 
apostate  Christians  of  successive  generations  :  "  Let  them  be 
blotted  out  of  the  Book  of  the  living,  and  not  be  written  with 
the  righteous." 

We  meet  with  such  a  Book  in  the  prophetic  record  of  Daniel : 
"There  shall  be  a  time  of  trouble,  such  as  never  was  since 
there  was  a  nation  even  to  that  same  time  :  and  at  that  time 
thy  people  shall  be  delivered,  every  one  that  shall  be  found 
written  in  the  Book.  And  many  of  them  that  sleep  in  the 
dust  of  the  earth  shall  awake,  some  to  everlasting  life,  and 
some  to  shame  and  everlasting  contempt." 

Malachi  speaking  of  such  a  Book  encourages  the  faithful : 
"Then  they  that  feared  the  Lord  spake  often  one  to  another  : 
and  the  Lord  hearkened,  and  heard  it,  and  a  Book  of  remem 
brance  was  written  before  Him  for  them  that  feared  the  Lord, 
and  that  thought  upon  His  Name.  And  they  shall  be  Mine, 
saith  the  Lord  of  hosts,  in  that  day  when  I  make  up  My  jewels  ; 
and  I  will  spare  them,  as  a  man  spareth  his  own  son  that 
serveth  him." 

St.  Paul  too  alludes  confidently  to  the  Book  in  question 
when  he  writes  concerning  certain  saints  :  "  Clement  also,  and 
.  .  .  other  my  fellow-labourers,  whose  names  are  in  the  Book 
of  Life."  After  which  words  no  wonder  that  he  goes  on  to 
say  :  "  Rejoice  in  the  Lord  alway  :  and  again  I  say,  Rejoice." 

Nor  are  we  left  in  any  shadow  of  doubt  as  to  the  standard 
according  to  which  names  will  or  will  not  abide  in  that  Book. 
Long  before  any  of  the  texts  hitherto  cited,  we  read  concern 
ing  idolatrous  Israel  :  "The  Lord  said  unto  Moses,  Whosoever 
hath  sinned  against  Me,  him  will  I  blot  out  of  My  Book." 

"  I  will  confess  his  name." — What  is  it  that  men  confess  ? 
Something  that  they  are,  that  they  have  done,  that  they  admit ; 
something  personal,  intimate  :  not  things  indifferent  or  alien. 

Even  so  Christ  in  promising  to  confess  the  name  of  him  that 
overcometh,  promises  to  confess  the  name  of  one  who  is  His 
member,  bone  of  His  bone,  and  flesh  of  His  flesh,  one  Body 
and  one  Blood  with  Him ;  in  whom  He  Himself  has  wrought 
the  work  of  salvation,  and  by  His  Spirit  has  overcome. 

Of  which  condescending  Divine  goodwill,  St.  Paul's  declara 
tion  is  the  aspiring  human  correlative  :  "  I  am  crucified  with 
Christ  :  nevertheless  I  live  ;  yet  not  I,  but  Christ  liveth  in 
me  :  and  the  life  which  I  now  live  in  the  flesh,  I  live  by  the 
faith  of  the  Son  of  God,  Who  loved  me,  and  gave  Himself  for 
me  " ;  from  which  exalted  grace  no  Christian  is  excluded  : 


102  THE   FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

"  Whatsoever  ye  do  in  word  or  deed,  do  all  in  the  Name  of  the 
Lord  Jesus." 

\Ve  baptized  Christians  who  bear  the  Name  of  Christ,  and 
whom  His  Spirit  indwells,  are  already  one  with  Him.  This 
union  awaits  not  the  future  :  it  took  place  so  many  days, 
months,  years  ago ;  it  now  is,  except  we  be  reprobate  ;  it  will 
ever  abide,  except  we  fall  away.  Immeasurable  heights  of 
hope,  unmeasured  depths  of  fear,  open  to  us  at  the  word  : 
beyond  either,  the  height  and  depth  of  Christ's  Love.  "  He 
that  hath  ears  to  hear"  hears  His  Voice  pleading  with  the  most 
lost,  the  most  rebellious :  "  How  shall  I  give  thee  up  .  .  .  ? 
how  shall  I  deliver  thee  .  .  .  ?  how  shall  I  make  thee  as 
Admah?  how  shall  I  set  thee  as  Zeboim?  Mine  heart  is 
turned  within  Me,  My  repentings  are  kindled  together/' 

O  Lord,  wilt  Thou  be  less  to  us  than  Adam  was  to  his  Eve  ? 
for  he  prophesied  :  "  Therefore  shall  a  man  .  .  .  cleave  unto 
his  wife." 

O  Lord;  cleave  Thou  to  us,  or  we  cannot  cleave  to  Thee. 
O  Lord,  wilt  Thou  require  of  us  guilty  more  than  Adam  re 
quired  of  his  innocent  Eve  ?  when  he  bade  not  her  weakness 
cleave  to  his  strength,  but  promised  that  his  strength  should 
cleave  to  her  weakness. 

O  Lord,  cleave  Thou  to  us,  or  we  cannot  cleave  to  Thee. 
If  our  Lord  had  willed  to  keep  secret  the  mutual  love  of 
each  elect  soul  and  Himself;  and  so  had  ascended  alone  with 
it  into  Heaven,  or  gone  down  alone  with  it  into  Hades,  or  dwelt 
alone  with  it  in  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  sea,  great  and 
marvellous  had  been  the  condescension.  How  far  greater,  how 
transcendently  marvellous,  when  He  promises  to  confess  the 
names  of  His  faithful  followers  before  His  Father  and  before 
His  angels.  Before  His  Father,  Whose  equal  He  is  as  touch 
ing  His  Godhead,  and  Whose  inferior  He  willed  to  become  as 
touching  His  Manhood  :  before  His  own  most  noble  creatures 
the  angels,  than  whom  He  willed  once  to  be  made  a  little 
lower  for  us  men  and  for  our  salvation. 

In  Him  we  hope,  in  ourselves  we  fear.  Christ's  words  are 
clear  as  to  our  personal  power  to  decide  our  own  doom  : 
"  Whosoever  therefore  shall  confess  Me  before  men,  him  will 
I  confess  also  before  My  Father  which  is  in  heaven.  But 
whosoever  shall  deny  Me  before  men,  him  will  I  also  deny 
before  My  Father  which  is  in  heaven."  "  Whosoever  shall 
confess  Me  before  men,  him  shall  the  Son  of  Man  also  confess 
before  the  angels  of  God  :  but  «he  that  denieth  Me  before  men, 
shall  be  denied  before  the  angels  of  God." 


THE  FACE   OF   Till-:  DEEr.  103 

Is  it  wors-j  shame  and  ruin  to  be  denied  before  God,  or 
before  angels?  Surely  and  beyond  comparison,  before  God. 
Yet  Christ  forewarns  us  of  both  contingent  horrors  :  from  both 
then  there  is  some  hely  to  be  derived  against  that  deadliest  of 
all  our  enemies,  self. 

Perhaps  the  utter  inherent  disproportion  between  the  Infinite 
Creator  and  the  finite  creature  might  seem  to  some  perverse 
minds  to  blunt  the  sting  of  rejection  before  God.  But  that  our 
elect  fellow-creatures  should  behold  us  weighed  and  found 
wanting,  exhibits  no  colour  of  propriety  :  they  stood,  we  might 
have  stood  ;  they  overcame,  we  might  have  overcome.  Their 
steadfastness  confronts  our  falling  away,  and  condemns  us. 

7.  And  to  the  angel  of  the  church  in  Philadelphia  write ; 
These  things  saith  He  that  is  holy,  He  that  is  true, 
He  that  hath  the  key  of  David,  He  that  openeth,  and 
no  man  shutteth  ;  and  shutteth,  and  no  man  openeth. 

The  name  of  Philadelphia  sets  before  us  brotherly  love  and 
the  bliss  of  those  who  love  as  brethren.  It  invites  us  to  pause 
and  refresh  ourselves  with  an  appropriate  Psalm  of  David  : 

"  Behold,  how  good  and  how  pleasant  it  is  for  brethren  to 
dwell  together  in  unity  !  It  is  like  the  precious  ointment  .upon 
the  head,  that  ran  down  upon  the  beard,  even  Aaron's  beard  : 
that  went  down  to  the  skirts  of  his  garments;  as  the  dew  of 
Hermon,  and  as  the  dew  that  descended  upon  the  mountains 
of  Zion  :  for  there  the  Lord  commanded  the  blessing,  even  life 
for  evermore." 

"The  key  of  David"  has  doubtless  mysteries  and  hidden 
meanings  to  unlock.  Here,  meanwhile,  it  seems  to  fit  the 
words  (or  wards,  to  carry  on  the  figure)  both  of  this  Apocalyptic 
text  and  of  this  Psalm  of  Degrees  ;  opening  to  our  contemplation 
the  grace  and  the  corresponding  blessing  of  unanimity,  faith 
fulness,  stability. 

Graces,  before  they  can  become  human  graces,  are  primarily 
and  transcendently  Divine  Virtues  or  Attributes.  Man's  graces 
are  fruits  of  the  Spirit :  and  in  the  human  heart  the  Holy  Spirit 
bears  His  own  proper  fruits,  not  alien  or  arbitrary  fruits.  The 
stability,  faithfulness,  unanimity,  required  of  us,  are  first  of  all 
exemplified  in  Christ ;  Who  being  God  became  also  Man,  and 
as  Man  received  not  the  Spirit  by  measure. 

"  He  that  is  Holy."  To  His  Holiness  Hannah  bore  exultant 
witness  :  "  There  is  none  holy  as  the  Lord  :  for  there  is  none 
beside  Thee  :  neither  is  there  any  Rock  like  our  God,"— thus 


104  THE  FACE    OF   THE  DEEP. 

extolling  also  His  Immutability.  Which  likewise  are  combined 
by  the  Psalmist:  "He  hath  commanded  His  covenant  for 
ever  :  holy  and  reverend  is  His  Name," — and  by  Isaiah  :  "  To 
whom  then  will  ye  liken  Me,  or  shal)  I  be  equal  ?  saith  the 
Holy  One  .  .  .  Hast  thou  not  known  ?  hast  thou  not  heard, 
that  the  Everlasting  God,  the  Lord,  the  Creator  of  the  ends  of 
the  earth,  fairiteth  not,  neither  is  weary  ?  "  Habakkuk  cele 
brates  with  His  Holiness  His  Eternity :  "  Art  Thou  not  from 
everlasting,  O  Lord  my  God,  mine  Holy  One  ?  "  And  centuries 
later,  after  that  the  kindness  and  love  of  God  our  Saviour  to 
ward  man  appeared,  the  apostolic  company  (see  Acts  iv.  23,  &c.) 
praised  God  on  this  wise  :  "  Of  a  truth  against  Thy  Holy  Child 
Jesus,  Whom  Thou  hast  anointed,  both  Herod,  and  Pontius 
Pilate  with  the  Gentiles,  and  the  people  of  Israel,  were  gathered 
together,  for  to  do  whatsoever  Thy  hand  and  Thy  counsel  de 
termined  before  to  be  done  "—because  heaven  and  earth  may 
pass  away,  but  not  God's  Word. 

And  Chiefest  among  ten  thousand,  our  Great  High  Priest 
interceding  for  His  own,  whom  having  loved,  He  loved  unto 
the  end,  vouchsafed  to  pray  for  their  perpetual  safeguard  and 
indissoluble  union  even  after  the  likeness  of  God's  own  Per 
fection  :  "Holy  Father,  keep  through  Thine  own  Name  those 
whom  Thou  hast  given  Me,  that  they  may  be  one,  as  We  are." 

Heaven  and  the  elements,  earth  and  her  main  features,  may 
seem  to  us  enduring  in  perpetuity ;  but  they  are  not  so.  God's 
Will  alone  is  established  for  ever,  and  His  promise  it  is  which 
can  never  fail.  Whence  St.  Peter  deduces  a  lesson  of  personal 
holiness  :  "  The  Lord  is  not  slack  concerning  His  promise  .  .  . 
The  day  of  the  Lord  will  come  as  a  thief  in  the  night  ;  in  the 
which  the  heavens  shall  pass  away  with  a  great  noise,  and  the 
elements  shall  melt  with  fervent  heat,  the  earth  also  and  the 
works  that  are  therein  shall  be  burned  up.  Seeing  then  that 
all  these  things  shall  be  dissolved,  what  manner  of  persons 
ought  ye  to  be  in  all  holy  conversation  and  godliness,  looking 
for  and  hasting  unto  the  coming  of  the  day  of  God,  wherein 
the  heavens  being  on  fire  shall  be  dissolved,  and  the  elements 
shall  melt  with  fervent  heat  ?  Nevertheless  we,  according  to 
His  promise,  look  for  new  heavens  and  a  new  earth,  wherein 
dwelleth  righteousness.  Wherefore,  beloved,  seeing  that  ye 
look  for  such  thing?,  be  diligent  that  ye  may  be  found  of  Him 
in  peace,  without  spot,  and  blameless.'3 

"Who  is  like  unto  Thee,  O  Lord,  among  the  gods?  who 
is  like  Thee,  glorious  in  holiness,  fearful  in  praises,  doing 
wonders  ?  " 


THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 


105 


"  He  that  is  True."— On  earth,  and  during  His  mortal  life, 
the  Only  Begotten  of  the  Father  had  been  full  of  grace  and 
truth  toward  all  men.  Once,  speaking  to  certain  Jews,  He 
designated  Himself  as  "a  Man  that  hath  told  you  the  truth"  : 
while  to  Pontius  Pilate  He  proclaimed  :  "  To  this  end  was  I 
born,  and  for  this  cause  came  I  into  the  world,  that  I  should 
bear  witness  unto  the  truth.  Every  one  that  is  of  the  truth, 
heareth  My  voice."  All  those  were  open  sinners.  To  His 
saints  He  said  :  "  I  am  the  Way,  the  Truth,  and  the  Life  . 
I  tell  you  the  truth  ;  it  is  expedient  for  you  that  I  go  away : 
for  if  I  go  not  away,  the  Comforter  will  not  come  unto  you  ; 
but  if  I  depart,  I  will  send  Him  unto  you  .  .  .  When  He, 
the  Spirit  of  Truth,  is  come,  He  will  guide  you  into  all  truth." 
And  praying  for  the  same  beloved  disciples,  and  for  all  who 
should  believe  on  Him  through  their  word.  He  said  :  "  Sanctify 
them  through  Thy  truth  :  Thy  word  is  truth  .  .  .  And  for 
their  sakes  I  sanctify  Myself,  that  they  also  might  be  sanctified 
through  the  truth." 

Thus  "grace  and  truth  came  by  Jesus  Christ."  Glory  be  to 
Thee,  O  God,  in  His  most  Holy  Name.  Amen. 

Beholding  our  Master,  we  behold  Man  in  incomparably 
transcendent  perfection  :  yet  we  ourselves,  according  to  the 
Will  and  purpose  of  God,  are  designed  in  some  sort  and  in 
miniature  to  become  like  Him.  Beholding  how  in  this  life  and 
in  the  next  He  is  equally  and  unchangeably  "the  Truth"  and 
"  True,"  we  become  certified  that  this  present  life  is  the  first 
stage  of  that  future,  ever-during  life  :  strength,  beauty,  dignity, 
loveliness,  delight,  may  be  added  ;  but  added  only  to  what  we 
are,  never  to  what  we  are  not.  What  we  essentially  are  in  this 
world,  that  we  shall  be  in  the  other  :  what  here  we  absolutely 
are  not,  we  shall  not  be  there. 

If  there  is  no  truth  in  us  now,  either  through  wilful  lack  of 
faith  or  of  sincerity,  neither  will  there  be  any  then. 

"  Purify  your  hearts,  ye  double-minded.  Be  afflicted,  and 
mourn,  and  weep :  let  your  laughter  be  turned  to  mourning, 
and  your  joy  to  heaviness.  Humble  yourselves  in  the  sight  of 
the  Lord,  and  He  shall  lift  you  up." 

O  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  have  mercy,  have  mercy  upon  us. 
Amen. 

Ah  me,  that  I  should  be 

Exposed  and  open  evermore  to  Thee  ! — 

"Nay,  shrink  not  from  My  light, 

And  I  will  make  thee  glorious  in  My  sight 

With  the  overcoming  Shulamite." — 

Yea,  Lord,  Thou  moulding  me. 


io6  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

— "Without  a  hiding-place 

To  hide  me  from  the  terrors  of  Thy  Face. — 

"Thy  hiding-place  is  here 

In  Mine  own  heart,  wherefore  the  Roman  spear 

For  thy  sake  I  accounted  dear." — 

My  Jesus  !  King  of  Grace. 

— "Without  a  veil,  to  give 

Whiteness  before  Thy  Face  that  I  might  live. — 

"  Am  I  too  poor  to  dress 

Thee  in  My  royal  robe  of  righteousness  ? 

Challenge  and  prove  My  love's  excess."— 

Give,  Lord,  I  will  receive. 

— Without  a  pool  wherein 

To  wash  my  piteous  self  and  make  me  clean. — 

"My  Blood  hath  washed  away 

Thy  guilt,  and  still  I  wash  thee  clay  by  clay  : 

Only  take  heed  to  trust  and  pray." — 

Lord,  help  me  to  begin. 

It  was  once  pointed  out  to  me  by  one  whose  was  indeed  a 
loving  heart,  that  David  had  "a  passion"  for  God.  Such  a 
dominant,  absorbing  passion,  cries  out  in  the  familiar  words  : 
"  Like  as  the  hart  desireth  the  water-brooks  :  so  longeth  my 
soul  after  Thee,  O  God.  My  soul  is  athirst  for  God,  yea,  even 
for  the  Living  God  :  when  shall  I  come  to  appear  before  the 
presence  of  God  ?  "  Little  as  we  "  can  understand  his  errors," 
still  less  perhaps  can  most  of  us  hope  to  understand  his 
sanctity  :  his  errors  we  cannot  but  understand,  so  far  as 
kindred  errors  of  our  own  may  serve  to  enlighten  us  ;  but 
where  in  too  many  is  the  kindred  sanctity  to  furnish  a  clue  to 
his  sanctity  ? 

Adam  and  Eve  illustrate  how  impossible  it  is  for  man  to 
know  that  which  is  utterly  alien  :  they  knew  not  and  could  not 
know  evil  until  they  had  involved  themselves  in  it.  If  we 
would  fathom  how  it  was  that  despite  his  sins  David  was  yet  a 
man  after  God's  own  heart,  let  us  pray  to  love  in  some  measure 
as  he  loved ;  for  without  love  we  shall  never  understand  either 
God  or  His  saints. 

And  because  David  thus  devotedly  loved  God,  knowing 
none  upon  earth  to  desire  in  comparison  of  Him  ;  therefore  (be 
other  reasons  what  they  may),  doubtless  does  our  Lord  honour 
his  name  and  memory  by  repeated  and  permanent  association 
with  His  own  Person  ;  permitting  Himself  to  be  designated 
and  saluted  as  Son  of  David,  in  this  world  ;  and  in  the  other 
world  laying  claim  to  "  the  key  of  David,"  and  afterwards 
announcing  Himself  as  the  Root  and  Offspring  of  David. 


THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 


107 


"The  key  of  David"  may  haply  give  access  to  the  treasure 
of  David.  Prophecy,  vision,  noble  natural  endowments,  a. 
very  lovely  song  of  one  that  hath  a  pleasant  voice  and  can  play 
well  on  an  instrument,  these  were  his  and  may  never  be  ours  ; 
but  pervading  and  excelling  all  these  was  that  love  without 
which  even  David  would  have  been  but  as  sounding  brass  or 
a  tinkling  cymbal.  Which  best  gift  is  attainable  by  us  all. 

Safer  than  in  David's  hand,  the  master-key  is  in  our  own 
Saviour's  hand.  With  it  He  can  unlock  what  He  pleases  to 
whomsoever  He  will. 

What  is  there,  is  there  anything,  from  which  Christ  would 
exclude  us?  He  so  identifies  His  own  with  Himself  that  we 
must  stand  or  fall  according  to  this  word  :  "  Inasmuch  as  ye 
have  clone  it  unto  one  of  the  least  of  these  My  brethren,  ye 
have  done  it  unto  Me.  .  .  .  Inasmuch  as  ye  did  it  not  to  one 
of  the  least  of  these,  ye  did  it  not  to  Me."  He  shares  with  us 
His  Name,  He  makes  us  partakers  of  the  Divine  Nature. 

Even  the  key  of  David  and  its  powers  are  promised  by 
prophecy  to  "Eliakim  the  son  of  Hilkiah,"  and  in  words 
analogous  to  those  of  the  Apocalyptic  text :  "  The  key  of  the 
house  of  David  will  I  lay  upon  his  shoulder ;  so  he  shall  open,, 
and  none  shall  shut;  and  he  shall  shut,  and  none  shall  open." 

But  is  not  Eliakim  a  typical  personage  ?  I  suppose  so  :  still, 
to  become  typical,  one  must  first  be  real. 

^  O  Gracious  Lord,  Who  hast  said  :  The  disciple  is  not  above 
his  master;  but  every  one  that  is  perfect  shall  be  as  his  master;. 
Thee  we  adore,  making  answer  :  It  is  enough  for  the  disciple 
that  he  be  as  his  Master. 

"And  it  was  so,  when  the  king  saw  Esther  the  queen  stand 
ing  in  the  court,  that  she  obtained  favour  in  his  sight :  and  the 
king  held  out  to  Esther  the  golden  sceptre  that  was  in  his 
hand.  So  Esther  drew  near,  and  touched  the  top  of  the 
sceptre.  Then  said  the  king  unto  her:  What  wilt  thou,. 
queen  Esther  ?  and  what  is  thy  request  ?  it  shall  be  even  given 
thee  to  the  half  of  the  kingdom." 

O  Tender  Lord,  Who  unto  two  disciples,  one  unnamed  and 
both  sad,  didst  once  unlock  in  all  the  Scriptures  things  concern 
ing  Thyself  unlock  to  us,  I  beseech  Thee,  treasures  of  Thy 
word  and  wisdom.  Thou,  Who  lovest  and  forgavest  David, 
love  us,  forgive  us,  who  in  Thee  are  made  akin  to  him.  O  Thou 
the  more  excellent  David,  Champion,  Prophet,  Shepherd,  King, 
whether  or  not  we  be  of  a  fair  countenance  amongst  men, 
make  us  comely  unto  Thee.  Whether  or  not  we  be  sweet 
singers  in  Thy  houses  made  with  hands,  grant  us  grace  to- 


io3  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

make  melody  in  our  hearts  to  Thee  ;  and  say  Thou  to  each  of 
us,  Sweet  is  thy  voice.  Show  to  us  great  mercy,  bestow  on  us 
sure  mercies  ;  incorruption  for  this  corruptible,  immortality  for 
this  mortal.  Be  each  of  us  Thy  Jonathan,  beloved  and  loving. 
O  Lord  the  Righteous  Branch,  make  us  also  to  bud,  taking  root 
downward  and  bearing  fruit  upward.  O  Lord  the  Rod  of  Jesse, 
reject  not  our  names  from  before  Thy  Mercy  Seat,  but  make 
the  feeblest  amongst  us  to  be  as  David.  Thou  Son  of  David, 
have  mercy  on  us.  Hosanna  to  the  Son  of  David.  Amen. 

Nevertheless,  community  of  flesh  and  blood,  confidence  of 
prayer,  union  of  will,  fervour  of  love,  while  they  make  us  near 
and  dear  to  Christ  with  an  unutterable  nearness  and  dearness, 
•cannot  in  relative  proportion  add  one  cubit  to  the  stature  of 
the  creature  worshipping  the  Creator,  of  man  adoring  God. 
The  Son  of  Mary,  Son  of  God,  is  God  the  Son,  \7ery  God  of 
Very  God.  "  To  everything  there  is  a  season,  and  a  time  to 
every  purpose  under  the  heaven  ...  a  time  to  keep  silence, 
and  a  time  to  speak.  ...  Be  not  rash  with  Thy  mouth,  and 
let  not  thine  heart  be  hasty  to  utter  any  thing  before  God  :  for 
God  is  in  heaven,  and  thou  upon  earth  :  therefore  let  thy  words 
be  few."  Before  we  study  the  opening  and  shutting  with  which 
we  now  have  to  do,  let  us  reverently  contemplate  that  Eastern 
Gate  which  Ezekiel  beheld  in  vision,  and  from  which  mankind 
is  excluded  :  "  He  brought  me  to  the  gate,  even  the  gate  that 
looketh  toward  the  east  :  and,  behold,  the  Glory  of  the  God  of 
Israel  came  from  the  way  of  the  east:  His  voice  was  like  a  noise 
of  many  waters  :  and  the  earth  shined  with  His  glory.  .  .  . 
Then  he  brought  me  back  the  way  of  the  gate  of  the  outward 
sanctuary  which  looketh  toward  the  east ;  and  it  was  shut. 
Then  said  the  Lord  unto  me ;  This  gate  shall  be  shut,  it  shall 
not  be  opened,  and  no  man  shall  enter  in  by  it ;  because  the 
Lord,  the  God  of  Israel,  hath  entered  in  by  it,  therefore  it  shall 
be  shut.  It  is  for  the  Prince." 

Without  adverting  to  the  mystical  interpretation  of  this 
venerable  Eastern  Gate,  it  bids  us  bring  awe,  homage,  adoration, 
self-abasement,  self-oblation,  when  we  lift  up  hands  and  eyes 
toward  Him  Whom  our  souls  desire  to  love. 

Trembling  before  Thee  we  fall  down  to  adore  Thee, 

Shamefaced  and  trembling  we  lift  our  eyes  to  Thee : 
O  First  and  with  the  last  !  annul  our  ruined  past, 

Rebuild  us  to  Thy  glory,  set  us  free 

From  sin  and  from  sorrow  to  fall  down  and  worship  Thee. 
Full  of  pity  view  us,  stretch  Thy  sceptre  to  us, 

Bid  us  live  that  we  may  give  ourselves  to  Thee  : 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  109 

O  Faithful  Lord  and  true !  stand  up  for  us  and  do, 

Make  us  lovely,  make  us  new,  set  us  free, 
Heart  and  soul  and  spirit  to  bring  all  and  worship  Thee. 

"  He  that  openeth,  and  no  man  shutteth ;  and  shutteth,  and 
no  man  openeth." — "  When  Thou  hadst  overcome  the  sharp 
ness  of  death  :  Thou  didst  open  the  kingdom  of  heaven  to  all 
believers." 

So  mighty  an  opening  has  time  already  witnessed.  A  second 
correspondingly  mighty  it  has  still  to  behold,  according  to  that 
prophecy  of  Ezekiel,  where  the  great  type  sets  before  our  eyes 
the  yet  greater  anti-type  :  "  Thus  saith  the  Lord  God;  Behold, 
O  My  people,  I  will  open  your  graves,  and  cause  you  to  come 
out  of  your  graves,  and  bring  you  into  the  land  of  Israel.  And 
ye  shall  know  that  I  am  the  Lord,  when  I  have  opened  your 
graves,  O  My  people,  and  brought  you  up  out  of  your  graves." 

Truly  "  no  man  shutteth."  They  who  kill  the  body,  and 
after  that  have  no  more  that  they  can  do,  cannot  debar  from 
rising  again  those  blessed  bodies  \\hich  once  they  slew,  sawed 
asunder,  burned  to  ashes,  scattered  to  the  four  winds  of  heaven. 
Man  proposeth,  God  disposeth.  Man's  extremity  is  God's 
opportunity. 

Bone  to  his  bone,  grain  to  his  grain  of  dust  : 

A  numberless  reunion  shall  make  whole 

Each  blessed  body  for  its  blessed  soul, 
Refashioning  the  aspects  of  the  just. 
Each  saint  who  died  must  live  afresh,  and  must 

Ascend  resplendent  in  the  aureole 

Of  his  own  proper  glory  to  his  goal ; 
As  seeds  their  proper  bodies  all  upthrust. 
Each  with  his  own  not  with  another's  grace, 

Each  with  his  own  not  with  another's  heart, 
Each  with  his  own  not  with  another's  face, 
Each  dovelike  soul  mounts  to  his  proper  place  : — 

O  faces  unforgotten  !  if  to  part 
Wrung  sore,  what  will  it  be  to  re-embrace  ? 

O  God,  the  only  Creator  of  all  things,  uplift  our  spirits,  I 
pray  Thee,  on  the  wings  of  Thy  divine  Dove ;  that  like  birds 
of  Thy  first  Paradise,  they  may  fly  above  the  earth  in  the  open 
firmament  of  heaven.  Cover  us  with  silver  wings  of  renewed 
innocence,  with  feathers  like  gold  in  the  sunshine  of  Thy  grace  : 
that  the  waters  of  this  troublesome  world  may  bring  forth 
abundantly  to  Thee  the  moving  creature  that  hath  life,  and 
hath  a  tongue  to  sing  Thy  praises.  For  our  Lord  Jesu's  sake. 
Amen. 

"  Doth  the  ploughman  plough  all  day  to  sow?  doth  he  open 


no  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

and  break  the  clods  of  his  ground?"  O  our  God,  Who  so 
teachest  him,  forget  not  thine  own  Acre,  and  the  holy  seed 
sown  therein.  For  Christ's  sake,  the  Firstfruits.  Amen. 

Let  us  take  courage,  contemplating  some  of  the  doors  set 
open,  or  ready  to  be  set  wide  open,  before  every  one  of  us. 
And  if  all  we  observe  be  not  doors,  let  us  be  thankful  that  they 
all  are  openings  for  our  benefit : — 

"  If  thou  shalt  hearken  diligently  unto  the  voice  of  the  Lord 
thy  God,  to  observe  and  to  do  all  His  commandments  .  .  . 
The  Lord  shall  open  unto  thee  His  good  treasure." — "  The  eyes 
of  the  Lord  are  upon  the  righteous,  and  His  ears  are  open 
unto  their  cry." — "  Open  to  me  the  gates  of  righteousness :  I 
will  go  into  them,  and  I  will  praise  the  Lord :  this  gate  of  the 
Lord,  into  which  the  righteous  shall  enter."— "  Thou  openest 
Thine  hand,  and  satisfies!  the  desire  of  every  living  thing."— 
"We  have  a  strong  city;  salvation  will  God  appoint  for  walls 
and  bulwarks.  Open  ye  the  gates,  that  the  righteous  nation 
which  keepeth  the  truth,  may  enter  in."— "In  that  day  there 
shall  be  a  fountain  opened  to  the  house  of  David  and  to  the 
inhabitants  of  Jerusalem  for  sin  and  for  uncleanness." — "  Bring 
ye  all  the  tithes  into  the  storehouse,  that  there  may  be  meat 
in  Mine  house,  and  prove  Me  now  herewith,  saith  the  Lcrd 
of  Hosts,  if  I  will  not  open  you  the  windows  of-  heaven,  and 
pour  you  out  a  blessing,  that  there  shall  not  be  room  enough 
to  receive  it." — "  Knock,  and  it  shall  be  opened  unto  you."- 
"  Hereafter  ye  shall  see  heaven  open,  and  the  angels  of  God 
ascending  and  descending  upon  the  Son  of  Man." 

Opening  is  suggestive  of  mercy  ;  of  Christ's  arms  spread  wide 
to  draw  all  men  unto  Him,  of  His  Heart  pierced  to  shelter  us. 
Shutting  suggests  (though  not  always  does  it  imply)  durance 
or  exclusion,  in  accordance  with  which  Job  bears  witness, 
*'  He  shutteth  up  a  man,  and  there  can  be  no  opening," — David 
implores,  "  Let  not  the  pit  shut  her  mouth  upon  me," — Jeremiah 
laments,  "  When  I  cry  and  shout,  He  shutteth  out  my  prayer." 
It  is  a  fearful  thing  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  Him  Who 
shutteth  and  no  man  openeth.  "  When  once  the  Master  of 
the  house  is  risen  up,  and  hath  shut  to  the  door,  and  ye  begin 
to  stand  without,  and  to  knock  at  the  door,  saying,  Lord,  Lord, 
open  unto  us;  ...  He  shall  answer  and  say  unto  you,  I 
know  you  not  whence  ye  are."— "The  Bridegroom  came,  and 
they  that  were  ready  went  in  with  Him  to  the  marriage ;  and 
the  door  was  shut.  Afterward  came  also  the  other  virgins, 
saying,  Lord,  Lord,  open  to  us.  But  He  answered  and  said, 
Verily  I  say  unto  you,  I  know  you  not." 


THE-  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 


in 


Yet  so  long  as  the  period  of  probation  extends,  even  durance 
and  exclusion  may  be  blessed  to  man's  safety ;  as  befell  Noah 
in  the  ark,  when  the  Lord  shut  him  in  ;  Miriam  also,  when  she 
was  shut  out  of  the  camp  as  a  step  towards  her  restoration. 
These  become  to  us  spiritual  symbols. 

Our  inexhaustible  hope  :— Jesus  said,  (( I  am  the  door  of  the 
sheep  ...  I  am  the  door;  by  Me  if  any  man  enter  in,  he 
shall  be  saved." 

8.  I  know  thy  works  :  behold,  I  have  set  before  thee  an 
open  door,  and  no  man  can  shut  it :  for  thou  hast  a 
little  strength,  and  hast  kept  My  word,  and  hast  not 
denied  My  name. 

The  Revised  Version  reads  :  "  I  know  thy  works  (behold, 
I  have  set  before  thee  a  door  opened,  which  none  can  shut), 
that  thou  hast  a  little  power,  and  didst  keep  My  word,  and 
didst  not  deny  My  Name." 

According  to  the  first  rendering,  the  "  open  door  "  seems  to 
be  a  reward  of  the  works  summed  up  afterwards.  The  second 
rendering,  by  making  the  "  door  opened  "  parenthetical  and  so 
connecting  the  works  directly  with  their  ensuing  summary, 
appears  to  announce  that  opened  door  as  a  bounty  and  safe 
guard  rather  than  as  a  reward.  While  as  to  the  good  works 
themselves,  the  first  version  leads  our  thoughts  to  a  habit  of 
faith  and  courage  :  the  second,  to  a  distinct  crisis  of  temptation 
overcome  by  those  virtues. 

The  two  translations  combined  kindle  hope,  gratitude,  con 
fidence,  excite  emulation.  (A  remark  glib  and  impersonal, 
valuable  only  when  personal  and  practical.  The  slothful 
servant  has  to  be  condemned  out  of  his  own  mouth.) 

The  Church  Triumphant  dwells  at  large  in  the  land  that  is 
very  far  off,  "that  goodly  mountain."  The  Church  Militant 
sojourns  in  "this  world,"  whereof  Christ  declared:  "The 
prince  of  this  world  cometh,  and  hath  nothing  in  Me."  Thus 
abides  she  within  the  enemy's  camp,  finding  there  no  rest  for 
the  sole  of  her  foot.  Howbeit,  in  accordance  with  that  great 
prophetic  promise  which  our  Lord  vouchsafed  to  St.  Peter,  she 
is  set  upon  a  rock  where  the  gates  of  hell  shall  not  prevail 
.against  her.  She  stands  as  a  city  that  is  set  on  an  hill,  as  a 
besieged  city,  compassed  together  on  every  side,  hostile  hosts 
swarming  about  her  like  bees.  Their  camp  is  "  walled  up  to 
heaven,"  but  its  gates  stand  open,  and  the  concentrated  strength 
of  hell  cannot  prevail  to  shut  them  upon  her.  For  the  true 


ii2  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

Samson  has  passed  through  them  once  for  all,  and  wrecked 
those  gates ;  and  Greater  is  He  that  is  with  her,  than  he  that 
is  against  her. 

"  Let  My  people  go,  that  they  may  serve  Me."  Each  faith 
ful  soul  is  as  the  Church,  for  the  Church  is  the  congregation 
of  all  generations  of  faithful  souls.  "  Ye  are  the  children  of 
the  prophets." 

"Thou  hast  a  little  strength." — Why  not  much  strength? 
God  knoweth. — Were  it  not  better  to  have  more?  No,  while 
God  assigns  no  more. — With  much,  much  could  be  done. 
With  little,  all  can  be  done. — Give  much,  and  I  will  glorify 
the  Giver.  Given  much  while  disdaining  little,  and  thou 
wouldst  glorify  thyself  or  Satan. — O  wretched  man  that  I  am  ! 
Pray  God  to  mend  thee,  and  He  will  mend  all  else  for  thee.— 
If  it  be  so,  why  am  I  thus?  For  the  glory  of  God. — Yet  fain 
would  I  like  an  angel  excel  in  strength.  Safer  for  thee  like  St. 
Paul,  in  weakness  to  be  strong. 

Can  I  know  it  ? — Nay. — 
Shall  I  know  it  ?— Yea, 
When  all  mists  have  cleared  away 
For  ever  and  aye. — • 

Why  not  then  to-day  ? — • 
Who  hath  said  thee  nay? 
Lift  a  hopeful  heart  and  pray 
In  a  humble  way. — 

Other  hearts  are  gay. — 
Ask  not  joy  to-day  : 
Toil  to-day  along  thy  way 
Keeping  grudge  at  bay. — 

On  a  past  May  day 
Flowers  pranked  all  the  way  ; 
Nightingales  sang  out  their  say 
On  a  night  of  May. — 

Dost  thou  covet  May 
On  an  Autumn  day  ? 
P'oolish  memory  saith  its  say 
Of  sweets  past  away. — 

Gone  the  bloom  of  May, 

Autumn  beareth  bay  : 

Flowerless  wreath  for  head  grown  grey 

Seemly  were  to-day. — 

Dost  thou  covet  bay  ? 

Ask  it  not  to-day  : 

Rather  for  a  palm-branch  pray ; 

None  will  say  thee  nay. — 


THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP.  ir3 

"  Hast  kept  My  word,  and  hast  not  denied  My  name." — 
They  who  keep  Christ's  Word,  and  deny  not  His  Name,  keep 
their  own  life  from  going  down  to  the  pit.  And  this  God 
reckons  to  them  for  righteousness,  and  recompenses  with  an 
inconceivable  reward. 

O  Lord,  Whose  Word  is  a  lantern  unto  our  feet,  and  a  light 
unto  our  paths,  I  pray  Thee  make  the  law  of  Thy  mouth 
dearer  unto  us  than  thousands  of  gold  and  silver.  O  Lord, 
Whose  Name  is  a  strong  tower  to  the  righteous,  I  pray  Thee 
give  us  wisdom  to  run  into  it  and  be  safe. 

To  keep  every  word  that  proceedeth  out  of  the  mouth  of 
God,  strains  strength ;  or  the  young  ruler,  who  had  kept  many 
Divine  precepts,  had  not  at  the  last  word  gone  away  grieved. 
Not  to  deny  His  Name,  strains  strength ;  or  St.  Peter  had  not 
denied  it.  (Can  I  by  possibility  be  called  to  wax  stronger  than 
that  young  ruler  whom  Christ  beholding  loved  ;  stronger  than 
St.  Peter,  whose  love  dared  challenge  his  Lord's  own  witness  ? 
"  The  things  which  are  impossible  with  men,  are  possible  with 
God."  Thank  God,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Saviour.) 

9.  Behold,  I  will  make  them  of  the  synagogue  of  Satan, 
which  say  they  are  Jews,  and  are  not,  but  do  lie  ;  be 
hold,  I  will  make  them  to  come  and  worship  before 
thy  feet,  and  to  know  that  I  have  loved  thee. 

Thus  translated,  the  promise  reads  as  if  the  whole  "  synagogue 
of  Satan  "  should  "come  and  worship."  The  Revised  Version 
seems  rather  to  speak  of  some  individuals  so  doing,  not  of  all : 
"  Behold,  I  give  of  the  synagogue  of  Satan,  of  them  which  say 
they  are  Jews,  and  they  are  not,  but  do  lie;  behold,  I  will 
make  them  to  come  and  worship  .  .  .  ."  I  can  but  quote 
both  texts. 

"  Known  unto  God  are  all  His  works,  from  the  beginning 
of  the  world."  He  knoweth  them,  and  He  alone  exhaustively. 
To  bear  this  in  mind  everywhere  and  always  would  go  far  to 
curb  rash  judgment,  and  to  still  strife  of  tongues.  I  deem  not 
that  you  know,  and  you  feel  certain  that  I  know  not ;  He  only 
Who  knoweth  us  both,  knoweth  all. 

At  the  first  flush  we  discern  in  this  promise  (ver.  9),  glory  to 
Philadelphia,  humiliation  to  that  unseemly  synagogue.  And 
humiliation  indeed  there  may  be,  and  in  humiliations  generally 
we  feel  with  instantaneous  keenness  the  shame  and  sting. 

Yet  is  there  a  gratuitous  grace  and  unearned  honour  to  that 
offender,  who  being  converted  from  the  error  of  his  ways, 

H 


I T4  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

retraces   his    steps   even    through   the  valley   of  humiliation. 
*'  There  is  a  shame  which  is  glory  and  grace." 

Por  Satan's  synagogue  to  bow  down  before  Christ's  saints, 
for  those  who  lied  even  in  calling  themselves  Jews,  to  know 
anything  of  the  love  wherewith  Christ  loves  His  own,  may,  in 
comparison  with  their  former  position,  be  at  the  least  an 
approach  "not  far  from  the  kingdom  of  God." 

There  dwells  in  this  wide  world  no  man  or  woman  or  child 
but  either  is,  or  is  not,  of  the  number  of  God's  saints.  We  in 
Christendom,  if  we  belong  not  to  that  illustrious  company,  yet 
abide  within  sight  of  it.  God  grant  that  the  shining  lights 
may  shine,  glow,  radiate,  more  and  more,  and  that  the  lookers- 
on  glorifying  the  Father  of  all,  may  catch  fire. 

The  self-assertion  of  Jews  who  were  not  genuine  Jews, 
illustrates  how  "  the  fashion  of  this  world  passeth  away."  I 
know  not  whether  at  this  day  any  one  feels  the  pressure  of  that 
particular  temptation. 

There  is  one  advantage  in  ignorance  writing  for  ignorance  ; 
the  writer  sets  before  the  reader  resources  common  to  both. 
Only  we  must  all  beware  of  becoming  as  blind  who  lead  the 
blind. 

Yet,  after  all,  neither  knowledge  nor  ignorance  is  of  first 
importance  to  Bible  students  :  grace  is  our  paramount  need  ; 
Divine  grace,  rather  than  any  human  gift.  Acquirements  and 
deficiencies  sink  to  one  dead  level  when  lacking  grace  : — "Stay 
yourselves,  and  wonder ;  cry  ye  out,  and  cry  :  they  are  drunken, 
but  not  with  wine;  they  stagger,  but  not  with  strong  drink. 
For  the  Lord  hath  poured  out  upon  you  the  spirit  of  deep 
sleep,  and  hath  closed  your  eyes :  the  prophets  and  your  rulers, 
the  seers  hath  He  covered.  And  the  vision  of  all  is  become 
unto  you  as  the  words  of  a  book  that  is  sealed,  which  men 
deliver  to  one  that  is  learned,  saying,  Read  this,  I  pray  thee : 
and  he  saith,  I  cannot ;  for  it  is  sealed  :  and  the  book  is  de 
livered  to  him  that  is  not  learned,  saying,  Read  this,  I  pray 
thee  :  and  he  saith,  I  am  not  learned." 

Such  considerations  befit  my  own  ignorance  concerning  the 
particular  misbelievers  branded  as  "  the  synagogue  of  Satan, 
which  say  they  are  Jews,  and  are  not,  but  do  lie."  Still, 
something  I  gather  from  those  words  :  an  evil  and  not  a  good 
spirit  swayed  them  ;  they  asserted  what  was  in  their  own  in 
tention  a  claim  to  superiority ;  in  so  doing  they  lied.  Thus 
with  threefold  voice  they  warn  all  men  to  try  the  spirits  whether 
they  be  of  God  ;  to  sit  down  in  the  lowest  room ;  to  speak 
the  truth  without  respect  of  persons. 


THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP,  115 

0  God,   only  Good,  think  upon  Thy  congregation  whom 
Thou  hast  purchased  and  redeemed  of  old.     Rule  all  hearts 
by  Thy  Most  Holy  Spirit ;  that  humbly  we  may  worship  Thee, 
and   truthfully  confess    Thee,    owning   ourselves    unprofitable 
servants,  and  in  honour  preferring  one  another.     To  the  praise 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,     Amen. 

u  I  will  make  them  ....  to  know  that  I  have  loved  thee." 
—Yea,  gracious  Lord,  even  while  Thou  waitest  to  call-  her  also 
beloved  who  was  not  beloved.  Thy  waiting  to  love,  is  love. 
Thy  forsaking  for  a  small  moment  becomes,  if  we  will,  a  step 
towards  gathering  with  great  mercies.  Thy  hiding  Thy  face  in 
a  little  wrath  for  a  moment,  hinders  not  Thine  everlasting 
kindness  and  overflow  of  mercy  if  we  repent  Thy  beloved 
ones,  whom  beholding  we  admire,  are  persons  of  like  passions 
as  we  are  :  Thou  lovest  them,  Thou  waitest  to  love  us ;  yea, 
already  Thou  lovest  us,  except  we  be  reprobate. 

Even  so,  God  loved  the  world  before  it  was  reconciled  to 
Him  by  the  gift  and  sacrifice  of  His  Only  Begotten  Son  (see 
St.  John  iii.  16,  17).  Even  so,  the  father  in  the  Parable  loved 
his  prodigal  before  ever  he  came  in  sight. 

Now  Thou  lovest  us  ;  when,  O  Lord,  didst  Thou  not  love  us  ? 

1  pray  Thee,  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  make  those  whom  Thou 
lovest,  and  who  return  Thy  love,  mirrors  of  Thee  unto  their 
unloving  brethren ;    that  these  too    becoming  enamoured  of 
Thine  image  may  reproduce  it,  light  reflecting  light,  and  ardour 
kindling  ardour,  until  God  be  all  and  in  all.     Amen. 

UI  have  loved  thee." — "Thy  love  is  better  than  wine."  We 
know  not  all  the  features  of  lovableness  which  adorned  these 
Philadelphian  saints ;  but  we  are  sure  that  lovable  they  were, 
inasmuch  as  Christ  loved  them.  (A  safe  standard  by  which 
to  estimate  my  neighbour.  If  I  cannot  love  him,  which  is  alien 
to  love  ?  he  or  I  ?) 

10.  Because  thou  hast  kept  the  word  of  My  patience,  I  also 
will  keep  thee  from  the  hour  of  temptation,  which 
shall  come  upon  all  the  world,  to  try  them  that  dwell 
upon  the  earth. 

So  far  as  I  am  aware  the  word  patience  is  exclusively  a  New 
Testament  word,  although  patient  and  patiently  occur  in  both 
Testaments.  Not  that  the  virtue  so  named  waited  for  these  last 
days  for  illustration :  on  the  contrary,  St.  James  cites  the 
Prophets  and  Job  as  examples  of  patience.  Yet  because 
patience  in  perfection  was  not  found  on  earth  until  Christ  trod 
our  weary  ways,  it  wakes  a  harmonious  chord  in  our  hearts  to 


ii6  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

observe  that  till  His  blessed  human  lips  spake  the  word,  that 
word  was  not  (unless  I  mistake)  recorded  in  the  Scriptures  of 
Truth. 

Once  in  the  days  of  His  mortality  He  had  said  to  His 
disciples,  "  In  your  patience  possess  ye  your  souls  ; "  but  now 
in  His  glorious  immortality  He  so  far  unites  His  suffering 
Church  with  Himself  as  to  tay,  "  Because  thou  hast  kept  the 
word  of  My  patience." 

O  kind  Lord,  Who  so  identifiest  Thy  Church  with  Thyself 
that  what  Thou  art  she  is  accounted,  and  what  she  is  Thou 
takest  upon  Thyself,  grant  that  as  Thy  Desire  is  unto  her,  so 
her  whole  desire  and  longing  may  be  unto  Thee  purely  and 
without  distraction,  for  ever  and  ever. 

Patience  goes  with  sorrow,  not  with  joy.  And  by  a  natural 
instinct  sorrow  ranges  itself  with  darkness,  joy  with  light.  But 
eyes  that  have  been  supernaturalized  recognize,  not  literally  only, 
but  likewise  in  a  figure,  how  darkness  reveals  more  luminaries 
than  does  the  day  :  to  the  day  appertains  a  single  sun ;  to  the 
night  innumerable,  incalculable,  by  man's  perception  inex 
haustible  stars. 

This  is  one  of  nature's  revelations,  attested  by  experience. 
God  grant  us  to  receive  the  parallel  revelation  of  grace :  then 
whatever  tribulation  befalls  us  will  by  His  blessing  work  in  us 
patience,  and  our  patience  will  work  experience,  and  our  ex 
perience  hope;  "and  hope  maketh  not  ashamed;  because  the 
love  of  God  is  shed  abroad  in  our  hearts  by  the  Holy  Ghost 
which  is  given  unto  us." 

What  those  saints  kept  was  not  patience  merely,  but  "  the 
word  "  of  Christ's  patience.  At  His  word  they  kept  patience ; 
they  kept  it  because  of  His  will  toward  themselves,  and  subject 
to  each  jot  and  tittle  of  His  revered  law.  He  was  their  pattern 
and  text-book  of  patience ;  because  He  bore  contradiction  of 
sinners,  so  did  they  ;  because  He,  when  He  was  reviled,  reviled 
not  again,  neither  did  they;  because  He  prayed  for  His 
enemies,  they  likewise  prayed  for  theirs. 

Of  these  unknown,  unrecorded  Philadelphians  do  we  then 
really  and  truly  know  such  great  things?  Yea,  such  things  as 
these,  inasmuch  as  we  are  certified  that  they  kept  the  Word  of 
Christ's  patience. 

"  As  unknown,  and  yet  well  known." 

Patience  must  dwell  with  Love,  for  Love  and  Sorrow 

Have  pitched  their  tent  together  here  : 
Love  all  alone  will  build  a  house  to-morrow, 

And  sorrow  not  be  near. 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  117 

To-day  for  Love's  sake  hope,  still  hope,  in  sorrow, 

Rest  in  her  shade  and  hold  her  dear  : 
To-day  she  nurses  thee  ;  and  lo  !  to-morrow 

Love  only  will  be  near. 

Patience  is  its  own  reward.  It  preoccupies  the  soul  with  a 
sort  of  satisfaction  which  suppresses  insatiable  craving,  vain 
endeavour,  rebellious  desire.  It  keeps  the  will  steadfast,  the 
mind  disengaged,  the  heart  quiet.  Patience  having  little  or 
having  nothing  yet  possesses  all  things ;  for  through  faith  and 
patience  the  elect  inherit  the  promises.  Here,  in  our  text, 
follows  a  momentous  promise  : — 

"  Because  thou  hast  kept  the  word  of  My  patience,  I  also  will 
keep  thee  from  the  hour  of  temptation,  which  shall  come  .  .  ." 

Even  so  David's  voice  vibrates  to  us  from  a  far-off  century : 
"  Oh  how  plentiful  is  Thy  goodness,  which  Thou  hast  laid  up 
for  them  that  fear  Thee:  and  that  Thou  hast  prepared  for 
them  that  put  their  trust  in  Thee,  even  before  the  sons  of 
men !  Thou  shalt  hide  them  privily  by  Thine  own  Presence 
from  the  provoking  of  all  men  :  Thou  shalt  keep  them  secretly 
in  Thy  tabernacle  from  the  strife  of  tongues."  And  so  of 
old  Isaiah  bore  witness:  "A  Man  shall  be  as  an  hiding-place 
from  the  wind,  and  a  covert  from  the  tempest ;  as  rivers  of 
water  in  a  dry  place,  as  the  shadow  of  a  great  rock  in  a  weary 
land." 

The  Philadelphia!!  saints  by  patience  obtained  the  special 
promise  we  are  considering.  We  ourselves  a  thousand  and  a 
thousand  times  by  impatience  have  forfeited  our  claim  to  it. 
They  thus  were  guaranteed  exemption  from  an  awful  impending 
trial ;  while  we  ...  !  Yet  "  hast  Thou  not  reserved  a  bless 
ing  for  me?  Hast  Thou  but  one  blessing,  my  Father?  bless 
me,  even  me  also,  O  my  Father." 

St.  James,  who  by  inspiration  sets  forth  the  praise  of  patience, 
equally  by  inspiration  blesses  those  who  instead  of  being 
sheltered  from  temptation  are  sustained  under  it:  "Blessed 
is  the  man  that  endureth  temptation :  for  when  he  is  tried,  he 
shall  receive  the  crown  of  life,  which  the  Lord  hath  promised 
to  them  that  love  Him." 

"Watch  ye  and  pray,  lest  ye  enter  into  temptation." 

"  Lead  us  not  into  temptation,  but  deliver  us  from  evil." 

"There  hath  no  temptation  taken  you  but  such  as  is 
common  to  man." 

Draw  freely,  generously,  hopefully  upon  patience;  for  the 
more  we  draw  upon  it,  so  much  is  the  strain  upon  it  lessened. 
On  one  memorable  occasion  had  King  Saul's  patience  held 


ii8  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

out  for  perhaps  a  single  hour  longer,  the  Lord  would  have 
established  his  kingdom  upon  Israel  "for  ever/' 

God  reserves  many  ways  within  His  limitless  resources 
whereby  either  from  or  under  temptation  to  rescue  as  He 
pleases  any  soul  He  pleases.  Death  is  one  of  His  blessed 
ways:  "The  righteous  perisheth,  and  no  man  layeth  it  to 
heart :  and  merciful  men  are  taken  away,  none  considering 
that  the  righteous  is  taken  away  from  the  evil  to  come.  He 
shall  enter  into  peace  :  they  shall  rest  in  their  beds,  each  one 
walking  in  his  uprightness."  (Let  us  not  then  mourn  inconsol- 
ably  for  our  own  "not  lost,  but  gone  before.")  Or  He  can  with 
a  stroke  fortify  that  weak  point  which  would  facilitate  a  given 
temptation,  as  blindness  or  deafness  seals  up  eye  or  ear  against 
pollution.  Or  He  can  deaden  our  faculty  of  enjoyment,  and 
therewith  our  inclination  to  parley.  Or  He  can  replace  an 
expelled  vice  by  its  antagonistic  virtue,  so  that  seven  or  seven 
times  seven  wicked  spirits  moaning  and  gibbering  around  our 
swept  and  garnished  house  should  find  no  entrance  there. 

Nor  can  we  while  wheat  and  tares  grow  together  foresee 
which  ears  quickly  ripened  and  spared  the  brunt  of  wind  and 
rain,  will  be  garnered  betimes  as  firstfruits  of  a  multitudinous 
harvest.  Not  even  their  mother  presenting  her  petition  for 
the  sons  of  Zebedee  can  have  calculated  that  St.  James  would 
head  the  noble  army  of  martyred  Apostles,  whilst  St.  John,  the 
last  survivor  of  their  glorious  company,  would  come  to  his 
grave  in  a  full  age,  like  as  a  shock  of  corn  cometh  in,  in  his 
season. 

"The  hour  of  temptation,  which  shall  come  upon  all  the 
world,  to  try  them  that  dwell  upon-  the  earth." — The  surface 
of  the  universe,  or  to  bring  my  remark  within  a  less  unmanage 
able  area,  the  surface  of  familiar  nature  and  of  society,  presents 
incalculable  if  not  infinite  variety.  Light  stands  out  against 
darkness,  growth  against  decay ;  the  contrast  of  wedding  and 
funeral  stares  us  in  the  face.  Divergences  are  the  order  of  our 
day  ;  insomuch  that  it  even  has  been  alleged  that  no  two  leaves 
can  be  found  alike ;  and  I  for  one  am  ready  to  believe  it. 

Yet  the  more  we  think  over  these  diversities  and  such  as 
these,  the  more  (I  suppose)  we  may  discern  something  common 
underlying  all  that  is  individual.  To  take  an  instance  :  at  one 
moment  a  wedding  appears  all  life,  a  funeral  all  death  ;  at 
another,  both  are  perceived  to  b^  equally  and  at  once  an  end 
and  a  beginning. 

A  step  further,  and  I  recognize  that  during  this  probational 
period  not  some  influences  only,  but  all  influences  as  they 


THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP.  119 

touch  us  become  our  trials,  tests,  temptations  ;  assayed  by  which 
we  stand  or  fall,  we  are  found  wanting  or  not  wanting,  as 
genuinely  as  will  be  the  case  with  us  in  the  last  tremendous 
Day  of  account. 

Therefore  while  fear  is  quickened  because  of  constant  peril, 
any  sort  of  unreasoning  horror  is  abated,  inasmuch  as  even  the 
great  last  Judgment  though  supreme  and  final  will  not  stand 
unprecedented  and  alone  :  over  and  over  again  we  have  been 
judged  and  condemned,  or  else  acquitted ;  over  and  over  again 
have  fallen  or  stood  to  our  own  Master. 

O  my  God,  grant  us  the  uprightness  of  saints,  or  at  the  least 
only  such  falls  as  they  arise  from.  For  Jesus  Christ's  merits' 
sake.  Amen. 

This  "  hour  of  temptation  "  was  ordained  to  overtake  all  the 
world.  Is  it  already  past,  is  it  passing,  or  is  it  still  to  come? 
To  ourselves  it  may  be  present,  or  it  may  be  future  :  it  were 
rash  to  reckon  any  temptation  assuredly  past,  whilst  the  liability 
to  all  temptation  remains.  The  "old  man"  dies  slowly,  tediously, 
painfully  :  death-stricken  by  our  Mighty  Avenger  of  Blood,  his 
life  is  indeed  but  death  and  corruption,  yet  "while  there  is  life 
there  is  fear." 

"To  try  them  that  dwell  upon  the  earth." — All  alike  must 
be  tried :  not  all  alike  will  meet  and  pass  through  the  trial. 
The  qualification  for  trial  is  dwelling  upon  the  earth  :  they^who 
are  least  of  the  earth  earthy  will  presumably  fare  best ;  inas 
much  as  this  trial  is  not  in  order  to  confirm  man  upon  the 
earth  that  now  is,  but  to  fit  him  for  translation  to  that  new 
heaven  and*new  earth  wherein  shall  dwell  righteousness. 

Foothold  we  must  needs  have,  at  least  until  we  be  made 
equal  unto  the  angels;  but  let  us  pray  against  roothold.  A 
foot  may  spurn  the  ground  it  cannot  choose  but  tread ;  a  root 
grasps  and  holds  fast  the  soil  whence  it  sucks  subsistence,  and 
whence  it  oftentimes  cannot  be  wrenched  except  to  die. 

Sparrows  and  swallows  are  alike  safe  when  once  they  have 
become  denizens  of  the  amiable  tabernacles.  But  on  earth, 
which  is  at  best  heaven's  ante-chamber,  it  is  wiser  to  construct 
a  one-season's  nest  than  a  house  for  prolonged  residence  :  the 
swallow  of  this  generation  is  wiser  than  the  sparrow. 

Wisest  of  sparrows  that  sparrow  which  sitteth  alone 

Perched  on  the  housetop,  its  own  upper  chamber,  for  nest ; 
Wisest  of  swallows  that  swallow  which  timely  has  flown 
Over  the  turbulent  sea  to  the  land  of  its  rest  : 

Wisest  of  sparrows  and  swallows,  if  I  were  as  wise  ! 


120  THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP. 

Wisest  of  spirits  that  spirit  which  dwelleth  apart 
Hid  in  the  Presence  of  God  for  a  chapel  and  nest, 

Sending  a  wish  and  a  will  and  a  passionate  heart 
Over  the  eddy  of  life  to  that  Presence  in  rest : 
Seated  alone  and  in  peace  till  God  bids  it  arise. 

Will  the  trial  last  for  ever  ? — No,  for  some  period  which  an 
hour  represents.  "  Couldest  not  thou  watch  one  hour  ?  " 

Will  it  overwhelm  us? — No,  for  the  promise  is  unto  us  and 
to  our  children  :  <;  God  is  faithful,  Who  will  not  suffer  you  to 
be  tempted  above  that  ye  are  able  ;  but  will  with  the  temptation 
also  make  a  way  to  escape,  that  ye  may  be  able  to  bear  it." 

When  will  it  befall  us  ? — "  Of  that  day  and  hour  knoweth 
no  man  .  .  .  Watch  therefore." 

We  fear.  "  He  that  feareth  God  shall  come  forth  of  them 
all." 

We  hope.  "It  is  good  that  a  man  should  both  hope  and 
quietly  wait  for  the  salvation  of  the  Lord." 

"And  who  is  he  that  will  harm  you,  if  ye  be  followers  of 
that  which  is  good  ?  But  and  if  ye  suffer  for  righteousness' 
sake,  happy  are  ye :  and  be  not  afraid  of  their  terror,  neither 
be  troubled ;  but  sanctify  the  Lord  God  in  your  hearts  :  and 
be  ready  always  to  give  an  answer  to  every  man  that  asketh 
you  a  reason  of  the  hope  that  is  in  you  with  meekness  and 
fear :  having  a  good  conscience." 

11.  Behold,  I  come  quickly:  hold  that  fast  which  thou 
hast,  that  no  man  take  thy  crown. 

"  Behold,  I  come  quickly." — But  some  man  would  answer  : 
Lord,  sayest  Thou  that  Thou  comest  quickly  Who  all  these 
eighteen  hundred  years  hast  not  come?  Well  may  we  pray 
that  we  may  interpret. 

Christ's  blessed  words  are  truth,  sending  forth  wisdom  by 
unnumbered  channels.  For  He  uses  many  seasons  and  modes 
of  coming,  besides  and  before  that  final  coming  when  every 
eye  shall  see  Him.  To  some  exalted  souls  He  has  come  ere 
now  in  vision  and  special  revelation.  To  all  His  brethren 
down  to  the  poorest  and  hungriest  He  comes,  or  is  ready  to 
come,  in  the  Blessed  Sacrament  of  His  Body  and  Blood.  To 
every  man  who  loves  Him  and  keeps  His  words  He  comes 
beyond  the  world's  comprehension  and  makes  His  abode  with 
him  (see  St.  John  xiv.  22,  23).  To  His  beloved  He  comes  in 
their  death  whereby  they  go  to  Him.  In  any  or  in  all  of  these 
ways  we  believe  and  are  sure  that  He  kept  faith  with  His 
faithful  Philadelphians. 


THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP.  121 

On  the  other  hand,  not  the  creature  of  time  but  only  the 
Lord  of  time  and  eternity  can  pronounce  on  what  is  or  is  not 
quickly  brought  to  pass.  At  eighteen  we  think  a  year  long,  at 
eighty  we  think  it  short :  what  terminable  duration  would  seem 
long  to  us,  what  such  duration  would  not  seem  short,  if  we 
had  already  passed  out  of  time  into  eternity?  Wherefore  He 
alone  Who  saith  "quickly"  can  define  quickly. 

O  Gracious  Lord  Christ,  Who  lovest  Thine  elect  with  an 
everlasting  love,  keep  us,  I  pray  Thee,  peaceful  and  trustful  in 
our  due  ignorance  until  the  day  break  and  the  shadows  flee 
away. 

Oh  knell  of  a  passing  time, 
Will  it  never  cease  to  chime  ? 
Oh  stir  of  the  tedious  sea, 
Will  it  never  cease  to  be  ? 
Yea,  when  night  and  when  day, 
Moon  and  sun  pass  away. 

Surely  the  sun  burns  low, 
The  moon  makes  ready  to  go, 
Broad  ocean  ripples  to  waste, 
Time  is  running  in  haste, 
Night  is  numbered,  and  day 
Numbered  to  pass  away. 

"Hold  that  fast  which  thou  hast."— Hold  fast  for  one  thing 
the  word  of  Christ's  patience.  To  let  go  patience  would  entail 
forfeit  of  both  praise  and  promise. 

With  our  little  strength  let  us  hold  fast  patience  and  what 
ever  else  has  been  entrusted  to  our  keeping.  Be  we  of  no 
reputation  and  ever  so  small,  God's  blessing  on  our  little 
strength  will  make  it  adequate,  and  will  brace  it  to  keep  His 
commandments. 

I,  Lord,  Thy  foolish  sinner  low  and  small, 

Lack  all. 

His  heart  too  high  was  set 

Who  asked,  What  lack  I  yet  ? 

Woe's  me  at  my  most  woeful  pass  ! 

I,  Lord,  who  scarcely  dare  adore, 

Weep  sore : 

Steeped  in  this  rotten  world  I  fear  to  rot. 

Alas  !   what  lack  I  not  ? 

Alas  !   alas  for  me  !  alas  ! 

More  and  yet  more. — 

Nay,  stand  up  on  thy  feet,  betaking  thee 

To  Me. 

Bring  fear  ;  but  much  more  bring 

Hope  to  thy  patient  King  : 

What,  is  My  pleasure  in  thy  death? 


122  THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP. 

I  loved  that  youth  who  little  knew 

The  true 

Width  of  his  want,  yet  worshipped  with  goodwill : 

So  love  I  thee,  and  still 

Prolong  thy  day  of  grace  and  breath. 

Rise  up  and  do. — 

Lord,  let  me  know  mine  end,  and  certify 

When  I 

Shall  die  and  have  to  stand 

Helpless  on  Either  Hand, 

Cut  off,  cut  oft",  my  day  of  grace. — 

Not  so  :  for  what  is  that  to  thee  ? 

I  see 

The  measure  and  the  number  of  thy  day  : 

Keep  patience,  tho'  I  slay  ; 

Keep  patience  till  thou  see  My  Face. 

Follow  thou  Me. 

That  which  as  yet  «'  thou  hast "  is  not  thy  crown,  but  on  it 
depends  thy  crown.  As  safety  depended  on  the  steadfastness  of 
the  Alexandrian  manners  (see  Acts  xxvii.  6,  30 — 32),  so  on  our 
steadfastness  here  depends  our  coronation  hereafter.  And  as 
then  a  delusive  appearance  of  safety,  or  even  perhaps  a  partial 
safety,  had  to  be  sacrificed  to  the  general  security,  so  our  Lord 
has  forewarned  us,  "  He  that  findeth  his  life  shall  lose  it :  and 
he  that  loseth  his  life  for  My  sake  shall  find  it." 

O  Lord  Whose  symbol  is  the  unchanging  sun,  enlighten  us 
to  be  Thy  faithful  sequent  moons ;  waxing  to  Thee,  waning  to 
ourselves,  walking  in  brightness,  reflecting  and  spreading  abroad 
Thy  glory.  Lighten  our  darkness,  I  beseech  Thee,  O  Lord. 
Amen. 

Can  I  hold  fast  my  crown  on  purpose  "that  no  man  take" 
it ;  and  yet  love  my  neighbour  as  myself?  Yes,  verily,  and  by 
God's  help  so  I  will. 

For  the  Divine  Treasury  is  never  so  scantily  furnished  that 
one  man's  enrichment  depends  on  the  impoverishment  of 
another.  Indeed  the  very  contrary  may  be  looked  for,  as  is 
illustrated  by  a  parallel  case  :  "  Whether  one  member  suffer,  all 
the  members  suffer  with  it ;  or  one  member  be  honoured,  all 
the  members  rejoice  with  it." 

All  is  as  God  wills,  and  what  He  pleaseth  to  do  He  doeth. 
On  the  one  hand  the  fall  of  Judas  left  an  apostolic  throne 
vacant  for  St.  Matthias :  on  the  other  hand  St.  Paul  out  of 
due  time  became  an  Apostle  in  excess  of  the  original  Twelve. 
The  Bounty  of  God  never  ceases,  as  it  were,  to  appeal  to  man  : 
"  Prove  Me  now  ...  if  I  will  not — ."  "  And  yet  there  is 
room." 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  123 

If  I  ruin  myself  the  loss  is  mine,  but  my  squandered  blessing 
is  net  lost  to  the  Church.  The  forfeited  bishopric  another 
takes.  The  forfeited  mansion  another  will  inhabit.  God's 
House  must  needs  be  filled,  though  the  door  be  shut  in  the 
face  of  ten  thousand  invited  guests.  The  cast-out  childrens' 
places  will  be  occupied  by  elect  children  from  east  and  west, 
and  north  and  south. 

Worst  of  all  is  it  when  self-ruin  involves  the  ruin  of  others. 
There  is  a  giving  and  taking  which  is  mere  absolute  loss  to 
both  giver  and  receiver :  "  My  son,  if  sinners  entice  thee, 
consent  thou  not.  If  they  say,  Come  with  us,  ...  cast  in 
thy  lot  among  us ;  let  us  all  have  one  purse :  my  son,  walk  not 
thou  in  the  way  with  them ;  refrain  thy  foot  from  their  path: 
for  their  feet  run  to  evil  .  .  .  And  they  lay  wait  for  their  own 
blood;  they  lurk  privily  for  their  own  lives."  "The  strange 
woman,  .  .  .  the  stranger  which  flattereth  with  her  words ; 
which  forsaketh  the  guide  of  her  youth,  and  forgetteth  the 
covenant  of  her  God.  For  her  house  inclineth  unto  death, 
and  her  paths  unto  the  dead.  None  that  go  unto  her  return 
again,  neither  take  they  hold  of  the  paths  of  life." 

<;Thy  crown." — What  am  I,  to  foresee  a  crown  for  myself? 
For  my  neighbour  I  will  think  out  a  crown. 

Earthly  maidens  and  brides  wear  garlands  of  blossoms  which 
must  wither :  the  heavenly  Virgins  and  Brides  shall  wear 
amaranthine  wreaths.  So  (please  God)  some  whom  I  have 
known  will  be  crowned.  Far  from  crowned  have  I  heretofore 
beheld  them,  meek,  lowly,  patient,  obscure,  perhaps  unsightly, 
perhaps  uncouth ;  but  if  I  see  them  again  "  in  all  their  glory," 
I  shall  see  such  persons  as  in  his  mortal  day  Solomon  the 
magnificent  could  not  vie  with. 

Crowns  of  righteousness  await  all  the  righteous  ;  but  not,  it 
may  be,  crowns  all  alike,  any  more  than  stars  beam  all  alike  in 
their  glory.  If  by  way  of  figure  and  illustration  earthly 
treasures  correspond  at  all  with  heavenly  treasures,  pearls  seem 
fit  for  purity,  and  most  fine  gold  for  sanctity,  changeable  opals 
with  one  abiding  fire-spark  for  penitence,  the  perennial  green 
ness  of  emeralds  for  hope  that  maketh  not  ashamed,  diamonds 
sun-reproducing  for  faith,  and  for  love  carbuncles  like  coals  of 
fire  that  hath  a  most  vehement  flame.  Or  rather,  one  and  all 
for  love  :  love  being  guard  of  purity,  root  of  sanctity,  spring 
of  penitence,  sustenance  of  hope,  life  of  faith. 

Is  love  then  the  only  crowned  virtue?  Yes,  only  love  :  in 
asmuch  as  the  others,  divorced  from  love,  would  not  be  virtues. 

Lord,  I  desire   my  crown. — Child,  I  also  desired  mine. — 


124  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

Lord,  what  like  will  my  crown  be  ? — Call  it  not  thine  before 
thou  hast  striven  for  it. — Lord,  will  it  not  be  of  glory? — Mine 
once  was  of  thorns. — Can  a  crown  of  thorns  be  in  truth  my 
desire  ? — With  desire  I  desired  Mine. — Thorns,  if  so  it  must 
be,  to-day  :  but  what  to-morrow? — This  day  is  called  to-day  : 
to-morrow  will  take  thought  for  the  things  of  itself. 

"  My  Beloved  is  mine,  and  I  am  His,"  saith  the  Bride  of  the 
Canticles,  and  makes  no  mention  of  her  own  inferiority  in  the 
gracious  communion  and  so-far  equality  of  love.  Indeed,  if 
there  be  a  difference,  I  think  the  Bridegroom  may  rejoice  over 
the  Bride  with  a  more  absolute  complacency  of  affection  than 
that  wherewith  she  on  her  side  worships  Him  :  for  He  calls 
her  "  My  love,"  she  Him  "  my  Beloved"  ;  "  My  love,"  as  if  she 
were  very  love  itself,  "my  Beloved,"  as  if  her  love  graced 
Him. 

Than  this  we  need  seek  no  sweeter  marvel.  To  be  classed 
with  it  are  two  prophecies  of  Isaiah  when  set  side  by  side  : 
"  In  that  day  shall  the  Lord  of  hosts  be  for  a  crown  of  glory, 
and  for  a  diadem  of  beauty,  unto  the  residue  of  His  people  "  : 
• — "  Thou  shalt  also  be  a  crown  of  glory  in  the  hand  of  the 
Lord,  and  a  royal  diadem  in  the  hand  of  thy  God." 

12.  Him  that  overcometh  will  I  make  a  pillar  in  the  temple 

of  My  God,  and  he  shall  go  no  more  out :  and  I  will 
write  upon  him  the  Name  of  My  God,  and  the  name 
of  the  city  of  My  God,  which  is  new  Jerusalem,  which 
cometh  down  out  of  Heaven  from  My  God :  and  I 
will  write  upon  him  My  new  Name. 

13.  He  that  hath  an  ear,  let  him  hear  what  the  Spirit  saith 

unto  the  churches. 

"  A  pillar  " — great  strength,  the  fruit  and  guerdon  of  a  little 
strength  ;  absolute  immovable  stability,  the  outcome  of  the 
effort  to  hold  fast.  Behold  the  choice  work  wrought  out  of 
the  costly  material ;  wrought  out  by  dint  of  blows,  of  cutting, 
of  shattering  in  a  measure  ;  but  (thank  God  !)  wrought  out  at 
last.  White  and  ruddy  as  alabaster ;  not  all  white  lest  it  seem 
cold,  nor  all  ruddy  lest  it  seem  blood-stained ;  lilies,  knops, 
pomegranates ; — nay,  we  know  not  what  colours  and  devices 
shall  make  it  comely ;  but  this  we  know,  that  it  will  be  the 
finished  work  of  Him  all  Whose  works  were  good  in  the 
beginning ;  how  much  more,  in  the  end  and  consummation  of 
all  things  ! 

Nor  merely  a  pillar,  but  "a  pillar  in  the  Temple  of  My 
God."  A  pillar  adorns,  dignifies,  upholds  the  structure  to 


THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP.  125 

which  it  belongs.  Even  thus  may  it  be  with  celestial  pillars, 
yet  never  otherwise  than  where  a  Psalm  speaks  with  the  Voice 
of  Christ  :  "  I  bear  up  the  pillars  of  it."  He  Who  was 
Strength  to  the  weak  on  earth,  will  be  Strength  to  the  strong 
in  Heaven  :  that  which  was  founded  on  Rock  here,  will  not 
be  founded  on  sand  there. 

Can  man  uphold  the  glory  of  God  ?  Yea,  God  so  gracing 
him.  Similarly  we  read  of  mortal  men  helping, — or  rather, 
alas  !  of  their  not  helping  the  victorious  Lord  of  all  :  "  They 
came  not  to  the  help  of  the  Lord,  to  the  help  of  the  Lord 
against  the  mighty."  Not  that  He  needs  our  help  :  but  whoso 
helps  Him  shares  His  Triumph ;  whoso  upholds  His  glory 
becomes  invested  with  His  Glory. 

Good  Lord,  make  me,  me  also  of  Thy  votaries.  Neither 
pray  I  for  myself  alone,  but  for  all. 

"And  he  shall  go  no  more  out." — • 

Once  within,  within  for  evermore  : 

There  the  long  beatitudes  begin  • 
Overflows  the  still  unvvasting  store, 

Once  within. 

Left  without  are  death  and  doubt  and  sin ; 

All  man  wrestled  with  and  all  he  bore, 
Man  who  saved  his  life  skin  after  skin. 

Blow  the  trumpet-blast  unheard  before, 

Shout  the  unheard-of  shout  for  these  who  win, 

These,  who  cast  their  crowns  on  Heaven's  high  floor 
Once  within. 

"  I  will  write  upon  him  the  Name  of  My  God,  and  the  name 
of  the  city  of  My  God,  which  is  new  Jerusalem,  .  .  .  and  I 
will  write  upon  him  My  new  Name." 

Children  bear  their  father's  name,  a  wife  her  husband's. 
Thus  the  Divine  Father  bestows  His  own  Name  on  His 
adopted  children,  and  thus  the  Divine  Bridegroom  on  His 
purchased  bride  ;  and  this  to  all  eternity,  as  we  see  in  the 
text. 

But  Christian  Baptism  is  Baptism  in  the  Name  of  the  Most 
Holy  Trinity,  of  Father,  of  Son,  and  of  Holy  Ghost.  All 
through  mortal  life  regenerate  man  bears  that  Sacred  Name  in 
Its  fulness  :  God  forbid  that  he  who  finally  perseveres  unto 
salvation,  should  then  cease  to  bear  It  in  unabated  fulness  of 
Perfection.  [I  write  under  correction  :  I  repudiate  my  own 
thoughts  if  erroneous.] 

Wherefore  I  humbly  ponder  whether  "  the  name  of  the  City 
of  God,  which  is  new  Jerusalem,"  may  hide  at  once  and  reveal 


126  THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP. 

the  Supreme  Name  of  that  Divine  Most  Holy  Spirit  Who 
deigns  to  inhabit  her.  "  In  His  temple  doth  every  one  speak 
of  His  glory  "  ;  and  she  is  that  Temple  built  of  living  stones ; 
which  stones  are  men,  of  whom  each  one  severally  is  con 
stituted  a  Temple  of  the  Holy  Ghost  consecrated  to  worship 
God  in  spirit  and  in  truth. 

If  such  a  train  of  thought  be  lawful,  it  seems  to  illustrate 
the  Inscrutability  ot  the  Third  Person  of  the  Ever  Blessed 
Trinity  :  a  sacred  Inscrutability  of  Mystery  in  the  revelation 
to  man  of  God  the  Holy  Spirit,  beyond  what  invests  the 
corresponding  revelation  of  God  the  Father  or  of  God  the 
Son.  Even  natural  instinct  attests  as  true  the  revelation  of 
One  Divine,  universal  Father:  the  heart's  desire  of  all  nations 
heretofore  thirsted  for,  and  now  in  some  measure  acknowledges, 
the  revelation  of  God  the  Son.  But  Christ  Himself  said  in 
reference  to  an  operation  of  God  the  Holy  Spirit,  **  The  wind 
bloweth  where  it  listeth,  and  thou  hearest  the  sound  thereof, 
but  canst  not  tell  whence  it  cometh,  and  whither  it  goeth  " ; 
and  we  are  ready  to  answer  :  "  Lo,  He  goeth  by  me,  and  I  see 
Him  not :  He  passeth  on  also,  but  I  perceive  Him  not." 

I  think  that  a  devout  contemplation  of  our  most  approach 
able  Master  may  help  us  to  perceive  and  adore  our  "Other 
Comforter."  During  His  earthly  life  Jesus  engaged  few 
followers  ;  and  these  in  varying  degrees  of  knowledge  or  of 
ignorance  apprehended  or  apprehended  not  His  Divinity ;  but 
after  His  Resurrection,  and  again  in  greater  splendour  after 
His  Ascension,  light  sprang  up.  Thus  so  long  as  eyes  could 
see  and  ears  hear  and  hands  handle  the  Word  of  Life,  Christ 
abode  for  the  most  part  unseen,  unheard,  untouched ;  but 
when  a  cloud  had  received  Him  out  of  sight,  then  it  became 
possible  for  mankind  at  all  times  and  in  all  places  to  behold 
Him  with  the  eye  of  faith,  listen  to  Him  with  the  ear  of  hope, 
hold  Him  fast  and  not  let  Him  go  with  the  clasped  hands 
of  adoring  love.  So  long  as  His  Tabernacle  was  mortal  it 
obscured  the  indwelling  Deity  :  when  His  mortal  put  on  immor 
tality  it  revealed  what  till  then  it  had  veiled. 

For  more  than  these  eighteen  hundred  years  past  it  has 
pleased  the  Holy  Spirit  by  choosing  mortal  men  as  His 
temples  to  dwell  in  houses  made  of  dust  and  which  must 
return  to  dust.  The  evidence  He  vouchsafes  of  His  Presence 
consists  in  the  supernatural  endowments  of  His  saints.  Holy 
men,  holy  women,  holy  children,  act  like  prisms  to  exhibit  His 
Light :  they  are  not  that  Light,  but  bear  witness  of  that  Light. 
Their  love,  joy,  peace,  longsuffering,  gentleness,  goodness, 


THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP.  127 

faith,  meekness,  temperance,  bear  witness  to  Him  :  these  are 
His  fruits,  and  the  fruits  declare  the  tree. 

Now  if  Christ's  mighty  works,  perfection  of  grace,  un 
measured  plenitude  of  the  Spirit,  did  not  to  the  universal 
apprehension  announce  His  Godhead  so  long  as  this  was 
enshrined  in  a  mortal  though  ever-immaculate  Body, — no 
wonder  is  it  that  the  Presence  of  God  the  Holy  Ghost,  in 
shrines  so  narrow,  frail,  flawed,  polluted  as  are  ordinary  human 
hearts  which  have  still  to  die,  is  often  overlooked  or  denied  : 
no  wonder  that  His  very  Being  should  be  denied  by  some  who 
look  for  judgment,  but  behold  oppression ;  for  righteousness, 
but  behold  a  cry. 

An  awful  responsibility  devolves  on  each  Christian  soul. 
You,  I,  are  summoned  and  constituted  to  bear  witness  to  the 
Person  and  Work  of  Almighty  God  the  Holy  Spirit;  to  be  in 
some  degree  His  evidence,  His  illustration,  His  proof.  "  O 
God,  Thou  knovvest  my  foolishness ;  and  my  sins  are  not  hid 
from  Thee  .  .  .  Let  not  those  that  seek  Thee  be  con 
founded  for  my  sake,  O  God  of  Israel." 

The  saints  are  God's  epistle  known  and  read  of  all  men  : 
"tables  of  testimony  .  .  .  written  with  the  finger  of  God." 

"New  Jerusalem,  which  cometh  down  out  of  heaven  from 
My  God." — Wherefore  cometh  she  down  ?  and  whither  cometh 
she  down  ? 

It  seems  to  be  the  reverse  of  what  our  Redeemer  spake 
concerning  Himself:  "  No  man  hath  ascended  up  to  heaven, 
but  He  that  came  down  from  heaven,  even  the  Son  of  Man 
which  is  in  heaven." 

He  first  descended,  then  ascended.  His  followers  cne  by 
one  slowly,  painfully,  precariously  toil  up  from  earth  to  the 
better  country.  And  then  after  all  we  read  that  the  New 
Jerusalem  will  come  down  ! 

Now  if  for  the  present  this  scarcely  sounds  to  us  like  any 
phase  of  beatitude,  it  may  prove  to  us  none  the  less  profitable : 
by  setting  us  on  our  guard  against  fancying  we  know  and 
comprehend  what  we  neither  know  nor  comprehend ;  by 
inviting  us  to  trust  God  implicitly,  and  not  to  lean  to  our  own 
understanding;  by  bringing  home  to  us  that  God's  perfect 
Will  and  not  our  own  desire  or  imagination  is  the  standard  of 
beatitude. 

O  our  God,  teach  us  so  to  trust  Thee  that  knowledge  and 
ignorance  may  be  alike  welcome  to  us  when  of  Thine  ap 
pointing.  What  we  know  we  know  only  in  part ;  what  we 
know  not  Thou  knowest  altogether.  The  darkness  and  light 


128  THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP. 

to  Thee  are  both  alike  :  therefore  under  the  shadow  of  Thy 
wings  will  we  rejoice.  Through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 
Amen. 

"  My  New  Name." — O  Lord  Whom  we  have  loved  as  God, 
as  Man,  as  Son  of  God,  Son  of  Man,  Son  of  David,  Son  of 
Mary,  as  Christ,  as  Jesus,  what  is  that  New  Name,  under 
which  Thine  own  shall  one  day  love  Thee?  I  ask  not  to 
know  it  while  It  is  secret.  I  ask  that  with  all  my  brethren 
and  all  my  sisters  in  Thee  I  may  know,  adore,  love  Thee 
under  that  New  Name  and  under  every  Name  through  all 
eternity :  for  ever  following  on  to  know  Thee  ;  ever  learning, 
and  coming  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth,  and  learning  still 
for  ever. 

O  Lord,  I  am  ashamed  to  seek  Thy  Face 

As  tho'  I  loved  Thee  as  Thy  saints  love  Thee  \ 
Yet  turn  from  those  Thy  lovers,  look  on  me, 

Disgrace  me  not  with  uttermost  disgrace  ; 

But  pour  on  me  ungracious,  pour  Thy  grace 
To  purge  my  heart  and  bid  my  will  go  free, 
Till  I  too  taste  Thy  hidden  Sweetness,  see 

Thy  hidden  Beauty  in  the  holy  place. 

O  Thou  Who  callest  sinners  to  repent, 

Call  me  Thy  sinner  unto  penitence, 

For  many  sins  grant  me  the  greater  love : 
Set  me  above  the  waterfloods,  above 

Devil  and  shifting  world  and  fleshly  sense, 

Thy  Mercy's  all-amazing  monument. 

14.  And  unto  the  angel  of  the  church  of  the  Laodiceans 
write  ;  These  things  saith  the  Amen,  the  faithful  and 
true  Witness,  the  beginning  of  the  creation  of  God. 

An  "  Angel "  still  though  arraigned  at  the  supreme  bar.  A 
"  Church "  still,  though  being  weighed  and  found  wanting. 
"  Behold  therefore  the  goodness  and  severity  of  God  :  on 
them  which  fell,  severity ;  but  toward  thee,  goodness,  if  thou 
continue  in  His  goodness  :  otherwise  thou  also  shalt  be  cut  off." 

"  The  Amen." — Elsewhere  the  Voice  of  Inspiration  affirms  : 
"  The  Son  of  God,  Jesus  Christ  .  .  was  not  yea  and  nay, 
but  in  Him  was  yea.  For  all  the  promises  of  God  in  Him 
are  yea,  and  in  Him  Amen,  unto  the  glory  of  God  .  .  ."  [Or 
according  to  the  Revised  Version  :  " .  .  .  but  in  Him  is  yea. 
For  how  many  soever  be  the  promises  of  God,  in  Him  is  the 
yea  :  wherefore  also  through  Him  is  the  Amen,  unto  the  glory 
of  God  ... "] 

To  Balaam  of  old  was  revealed  the  immutability  of  God 
and  of  His  Word  :  "God  is  not  a  man  that  He  should  lie; 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  129 

neither  the  son  of  man,  that  He  should  repent  :  hath  HJ  siid 
and  shall  He  not  do  it?  or  hath  He  spoken,  and  shall  He  not 
make  it  good?"  In  which  utterance,  as  in  a  glass  darkly,  we 
haply  trace  an  allusion  to  the  Mystery  of  our  Lord's  Incar 
nation  :  Who  verily  became  a  Man  and  the  Son  of  Man  neither 
that  He  should  lie  nor  repent,  but  to  make  good  His  plighted 
word  by  bruising  the  serpent's  head.  He  Who  is  the  Truth 
from  all  eternity,  remains  the  Truth  to  all  eternity.  His  faith 
fulness  and  truth  are  our  shield  and  buckler. 

In  Him  the  promises  are  yea,  wherefore  the  threatening! 
likewise  cannot  but  be  yea.  Indeed  the  several  accomplish 
ments  of  promises  and  of  threatenings,  even  if  not  interde 
pendent,  seem  to  be  closely  allied.  As  where  we  read : 
"  The  righteous  shall  rejoice  when  he  seeth  the  vengeance  :  he 
shall  wash  his  feet  in  tho  blood  of  the  wicked.  So  that  a  man 
shall  say,  Veiily  there  is  a  reward  for  the  righteous  " — "The 
day  of  vengeance  is  in  Mine  heart,  and  the  year  of  My 
redeemed  is  come" — "Behold,  My  servants  shall  eat,  but  yj 
shall  be  hungry  :  behold,  My  servants  shall  drink,  but  ye  shall 
be  thirsty  :  behold,  My  servants  shall  rejoice,  but  ye  shall  be 
ashamed  :  behold,  My  servants  shall  sing  for  joy  of  heart,  but 
ye  shall  cry  for  sorrow  of  heart,  and  shall  howl  for  vexation  of 
spirit.  And  ye  shall  leave  your  name  for  a  curse  unto  My 
chosen  " — "Judas  .  .  .  went  immediately  out :  and  it  was  night. 
Therefore,  when  he  was  gone  out,  Jesus  said,  Now  is  the  Son 
of  Man  glorified,  and  God  is  glorified  in  Him  " — "Then  shall 
the  King  say  unto  them  on  His  Right  Hand,  Come,  ye  blessed 
of  My  Father,  inherit  the  kingdom  prepared  for  you  from  the 
foundation  of  the  world.  .  .  .  Then  shall  He  say  also  unto 
them  on  the  Left  Hand,  Depart  from  Me,  ye  cursed,  into 
everlasting  fire,  prepared  for  the  devil  and  his  angels.  .  .  . 
And  these  shall  go  away  into  everlasting  punishment :  but  the 
righteous  into  life  eternal." 

"  The  Faithful  and  True  Witness." — Our  Lord  instructed 
Nicodemus,  saying  :  "  We  speak  that  we  do  know,  and  testify 
that  we  have  seen." 

Lord,  what  is  it  which  Thou  hast  seen  in  me  ?  What  now 
seest  Thou  ?  What  wilt  Thou  see  at  the  awful  day  of  my 
death?  What  in  the  most  awful  Day  of  Thy  Judgment? 
Thou  Who  beholdest  sin,  kindle  and  behold  in  me  repentance  ; 
that  so  at  last  even  I  may  see  the  felicity  of  Thy  chosen,  may 
see  Thee  in  Thy  beauty,  may  see  Thee  as  Thou  art.  Amen. 

There  are  some  touching  whom  Christ  forewarns  us  :  "  Then 
will  I  profess  unto  them,  I  never  knew  you  :  depart  from  Me, 

I 


I3o  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

ye  that  work  iniquity."  "  Search  me,  O  God,  and  know  my 
heart :  try  me,  and  know  my  thoughts  :  and  see  if  there^be  any 
wicked  way  in  me,  and  lead  me  in  the  way  everlasting." 

"  The  beginning  of  the  creation  of  God." — "  Without  Him 
was  not  any  thing  made  that  was  made."  Thus  is  He  the 
Source,  Spring,  Origin  of  creation. 

Elsewhere  we  read  :  "  A  Body  hast  Thou  prepared  Me.'7 
This  obviously  and  primarily  refers  to  Christ's  sacred  Human 
Body.  But  as  the  Church  is  His  Mystical  Body  no  less  truly 
than  the  other  is  His  literal  Body,  we  may  (I  think)  attach  a 
second  signification  to  the  same  text,  and  adore  Him  as  the 
Beginning  especially  of  our  own  creation,  inasmuch  as  we  are 
made  expressly  and  paramountly  to  bear  so  glorious  a  relation 
to  Him  :  even  before  redeeming  and  quickening  His  members, 
He  became  Head  of  the  race  in  order  to  redeem  and  quicken 
them.  That  human  kind  existed  centuries  before  the  Incar 
nation,  alters  not  the  order  of  beginning  and  sequence : 
creation  dates  not  from  commencement  but  rather  from 
consummation.  Thus  we  call  not  Adam  as  yet  created  whilst 
he  remained  no  more  than  a  lifeless  body  of  clay ;  but  only 
after  God  had  breathed  into  his  nostrils  the  breath  of  life. 
Christ  the  Source  whence  creation  proceeds,  stands  as  the 
Centre  whence  it  radiates. 

«  Is  anything  too  hard  for  the  Lord?"  He  who  can  commu 
nicate  life  to  the  lifeless  can  even  renew  life  in  the  dead. 

O  Jesus  Christ  All- Holy,  Who  beheldest  in  Thy  beloved 
Mary  Magdalene  first  seven  devils,  then  Thine  own  image;, in 
Thy  beloved  James  and  John  first  the  fiery  natural  man,  next 
the  enkindled  spiritual  man  ;  in  Thy  beloved  Peter  first  three 
lapses,  then  three  aspirations  of  love  ;  in  Thy  beloved  Thomas 
first,  doubt,  then  faith ;  in  Thy  beloved  Paul  first  Thy  persecu 
tor,  next  Thy  chosen  vessel ;  in  Thy  beloved  Mark,  first  one 
who  answered,  I  will  not,  afterwards  one  who  repented  and 
went  :  us  too  behold,  us  too  transform,  us  too  accept ;  for  which 
of  us  hast  Thou  not  loved,  O  our  All-Loving  Lord  ?  ^ 

Not  that  we  should  restrict  meditation  to  mankind  exclu 
sively,  when  we  wo: ship  Christ  as  the  Beginning  and  Head  cf 
creation;  God  "  having  made  known  unto  us  the  mystery  of 
His  Will,  according  to  His  good  pleasure  which  He  hath 
purposed  in  Himself:  that  in  the  dispensation  of  the  fullness 
of  times  He  might  gather  together  in  one  all  things  in  Christ, 
both  which  are  in  heaven,  and  which  are  on  earth  ;  even  in 
Him  :  in  Whom  also  we  have  obtained  an  inheritance."  To 
widen  thanksgiving  is  or  ought  to  be  to  widen  enjoyment. 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  131 

"  O  all  ye  works  of  the  Lord,  bless  ye  the  Lord  :  praise  Him, 
and  magnify  Him  for  ever." 

15.  I  know  thy  works,  that  thou  art  neither  cold  nor  hot :  I 

would  thou  wert  cold  or  hot. 

16.  So  then  because  thou  art  lukewarm,  and  neither  cold 

nor  hot,  I  will  spue  thee  out  of  My  mouth. 

I  suppose  the  particular  form  of  this  tremendous  anathema 
may  take  its  rise  from  the  nauseating  tendency  of  tepid  water. 
The  cold  or  the  hot  may  cause  pleasure  or  exquisite  pain  :  the 
lukewarm  simply  invites  expulsion. 

Degradation  it  were  and  ruin  to  become  an  abhorring  unto 
all  flesh  :  unspeakable  degradation,  ruin  unutterable,  to  become 
Christ's  abhorrence.  We  must  recollect  what  did  not  suffice  to 
make  men  so,  before  we  can  in  the  least  estimate  what  con 
summate  loathsomeness  it  is  which  will  suffice.  To  be  dead 
sufficed  not,  for  all  whom  He  hath  quickened  were  dead  in 
trespasses  and  sins.  To  lie  in  wickedness  sufficed  not,  for  the 
whole  world  lieth  in  wickedness,  and  He  came  not  to  condemn 
the  world  but  to  save  the  world.  To  be  His  enemies  sufficed 
not,  for  we  were  enemies  when  He  reconciled  us  to  God  by  His 
death.  To  crucify  Him  sufficed  not,  for  He  interceded  for 
His  crucifiers.  To  persecute  Him  sufficed  not,  for  He  brake 
not  in  pieces  like  a  potter's  vessel  Saul  of  Tarsus.  To  look 
back  from  the  plough  sufficed  not,  for  He  reclaimed  Mark 
sister's  son  to  Barnabas. 

Christ  in  His  mercy  preserve  us  from  ever  sounding  that 
surpassing  depth  of  Satan.  Amen. 

"  I  know  thy  works." — Every  variety  of  perversity  is  possible 
to  free  will.  Some  sinners  work,  and  their  work  is  their  sin  : 
others  work  not,  and  their  sin  consists  in  their  not  working. 
Yet  not  to  work  is  in  some  sort  to  work  amiss.  "  He  that 
gathereth  not  with  Me  scattereth." 

"  I  know  thy  works,  that  thou  art  neither  cold  nor  hot  :  I 
would  thou  wert  cold  or  hot." — Instinct  and  reason  agree  in 
classing  cold  with  death,  heat  with  life:  lukewarmness" stands 
midway  between  the  twain,  akin  to  both  while  stopping  short 
of  either. 

Like  Israel  under  Ahab  and  Jezebel,  the  lukewarm  Christian 
halts  between  two  opinions,  and  appears  after  a  fashion  to  act 
out  the  startling  letter  of  two  inspired  sentences:  "Be  not 
righteous  over  much.  ...  Be  not  over  much  wicked."  If  he 
be  a  guest,  he  wears  a  very  decent  cloak  over  his  sins;  but 


132  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

alas  !  he  has  not  on  a  wedding  garment.  He  is  as  a  fountain 
which  gives  out  water  neither  quite  sweet  nor  quite  bitter ;  as  a 
sheep  that  is  neither  black  nor  white. 

As  lukewarmness  stands  between  cold  and  heat,  so  indiffer 
ence  stands  between  love  and  hatred.  If  under  the  surface  as 
well  as  upon  the  surface  the  two  series  correspond,  at  once 
light  breaks  in  upon  our  subject.  For  indifference,  so  far  as 
Holy  Scripture  instructs  us,  has  no  part  whatsoever  in  the 
Divine  Being.  God  Almighty  we  know  is  Love  ;  and  it  is 
revealed  that  He  can  hate  :  but  love  and  hatred  alike  preclude 
indifference.  Thus  indifference  appears  to  involve  absolute 
alienation  from  His  Image  and  Likeness. 

Yet,  Lord  Jesus,  Thou  breakest  not  the  bruised  reed,  nor 
quenchestthe  smoking  flax,  and  Thou  praisest  the  little  strength 
of  Philadelphia.  Wilt  Thou  not  compassionate  the  little  heat 
which  is  lukewarmness,  and  the  languishing  life  which  still  is 
not  death  ? 

O  Saviour,  show  compassion  ! 
Because  if  Thou  reject  us,  who  shall  receive  us  ? 

O  Saviour,  show  compassion. 
Because  we  are  half  dead,  yet  not  wholly  dead, 

O  Saviour,  show  compassion. 

Because  Thou  art  the  Good  Samaritan,  the  Good  Physician  ;  bind  up 
our  wounds  pouring  in  Thine  oil  and  Thy  wine,  take  care  of  us,  provide 
for  us,  set  us  forward  on  our  way,  bring  us  home.  And  because  Thou 
lovest  us,  even  for  Thine  own  sake, 

O  Saviour,  show  compassion. 

Without  fully  understanding  wherefore  so  heinous,  we  yet 
cannot,  but  understand  from  our  text  the  precipitant-deathward 
tendency  of  lukewarmness.  To  face  and  investigate  may 
Jielp  us  to  flee  the  danger. 

And  especially  so  because  to  face,  investigate,  and  so  far  to 
grapple  with  the  demon  of  lukewarmness,  does  then  and  there 
tend  to  rout  him.  Those  are  energetic  acts ;  and  energy 
infallibly  clashes  with  a  fault  which  is  fostered  by  sloth,  and  in 
its  turn  fosters  a  low-born  comfort. 

A  comfortable  but  insidious  spiritual  drowsiness  seems  one 
ailment  symptomatic  of  lukewarmness.  We  know  how  physi 
cal  heat  and  cold,  however  opposite  to  each  other,  so  far  agree 
that  an  excess  of  either  disturbs  rest :  medium  warmth,  hike- 
ivarmness,  woos  and  wins  sound  sleep. 

Is  this  the  time,  is  this  the  world,  are  we  the  persons  safely 
to  woo  and  win  sound  sleep  ?  "  Awake,  thou  that  sleepest,  and 
arise  from  the  dead,  and  Christ  shall  give  thee  light." 


THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 


"  I  would  thou  wert  cold  or  hot."  —  We  seem  to  hear  again 
the  awful  charge  to  Judas  :  "  That  thou  doest,  do  quickly." 

I  ponder,  Lord,  the  mystery  of  Thy  words.  For  it  never 
can  be  that  Thou  desirest  my  reprobation  ;  Thou  Who  didst 
undergo  the  chill  of  death,  lest  I  should  undergo  the  second 
death.  Though  I  cannot  fully  comprehend  it,  I  pray  Thee 
prosper  this  word  which  Thou  sendest  me  to  the  end  where  - 
unto  Thou  sendest  it. 

I  hear  another  word  of  rebuke,  yet  of  hope  :  "  Now  put  off 
thy  ornaments  from  thee,  that  I  may  know  what  to  do  unto 
thee."  —  Lord,  grant  me  grace  to  strip  myself  of  any  subterfuges 
which  hide  me  from  myself  but  never  from  Thee  ;  of  any 
whitening  which  overlays  my  foulness  ;  of  any  self-righteousness 
whereby  I  say  Peace,  peace,  while  there  is  no  peace.  For 
Thou  hast  declared  that  publicans  and  harlots  go  into  the 
Kingdom  of  Heaven  before  Pharisees. 

One  broad  difference  I  remark  between  lukewarmness  and 
coldness  :  the  difference  between  dying  and  death. 

The  cold  soul  is  a  soul  dead  in  trespasses  and  sins.  A  dead 
soul  cannot  requicken  itself;  if  it  is  to  be  quickened,  it  can 
be  so  only  by  an  act  external  to  itself  infusing  ne\v  life.  The 
lukewarm  soul  is  a  dying  soul  :  wherefore  because  a  vestige  of 
life  remains  to  it,  and  so  a  vestige  of  power,  it  must  co-operate 
with  external  aid  in  the  task  of  arresting  decay  and  reinforcing 
vitality. 

Is  it  for  such  a  reason  as  this,  most  gracious  Master,  that 
Thou  wouldst  some  were  cold  rather  than  lukewarm  ?  For  being 
cold  we  fall  into  Thy  hand  (and  very  great  are  Thy  mercies), 
and  not  into  the  hand  of  man:  But  being  lukewarm  we  partly 
fall  into  our  own  hands  ;  whilst  because  we  are  lukewarm  we 
seem  of  all  men  least  likely  to  stir  up  the  gift  that  is  in  us, 
redeem  the  time,  rend  hearts  and  not  garments,  or  take  the 
Kingdom  of  Heaven  by  force. 

Still  I  attain  not  to  grasp  Thy  saying.  Yet  thus  much  I 
know  :  out  of  the  abundance  of  the  heart  the  mouth  speaketh, 
and  Thou  art  Love. 

17.  Because  thou  sayest,  I  am  rich,  and  increased  with 

goods,  and  have  need  of  nothing  ;  and  knowest  not 
that  thou  art  wretched,  and  miserable,  and  poor,  and 
blind,  and  naked  : 

18.  I  counsel  thee  to  buy  of  Me  gold  tried  in  the  fire,  that 

thou  mayest  be  rich  ;  and  white  raiment,  that  thou 
mayest  be  clothed,  and  that  the  shame  of  thy  naked- 


134  THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP. 

ness  do  not  appear ;  and  anoint  thine  eyes  with  eye- 
salve  that  thou  mayest  see. 

The  Revised  Version  of  this  passage  brings  out  with  startling 
emphasis  the  self-complacency,  arrogance,  and  destitution  at 
once  absolute  and  culpable  of  the  offender:  "Because  thou 
sayest,  I  am  rich,  and  have  gotten  riches,  and  have  need  of 
nothing  ;  and  knowcst  not  that  thou  art  the  wretched  one,  and 
miserable,  and  poor,  and  blind,  and  naked  :  I  counsel  thee  to 
buy  of  Me  gold  refined  by  fire,  that  thou  mayest  become  rich ; 
and  white  garments,  that  thou  mayest  clothe  thyself,  and  that 
the  shame  of  thy  nakedness  be  not  made  manifest ;  and  eye- 
salve  to  anoint  thine  eyes,  that  thou  mayest  see." 

"  Because  thou  sayest  .  .  .  " — Presumedly  not  aloud  in  so 
many  words,  but  rather  like  that  fellow  "  fool "  who  saith  in  his 
heart,  There  is  no  God.  Akin  to  both  speakers  is  the  rich  fool 
of  the  Parable  :  "  The  ground  of  a  certain  rich  man  brought 
forth  plentifully  :  and  he  thought  within  himself,  saying,  What 
shall  1  do,  because  I  have  no  room  where  to  bestow  my  fruits  ? 
And  he  said,  This  will  I  do  :  I  will  pull  down  my  barns,  and 
build  greater ;  and  there  will  I  bestow  all  my  fruits  and  my 
goods.  And  I  will  say  to  my  soul,  Soul,  thou  hast  much 
goods  laid  up  for  many  years  ;  take  thine  ease,  eat,  drink,  and 
be  merry.  But  God  said  unto  him,  Thou  fool,  this  night  thy 
soul  shall  be  required  of  thee  :  then  whose  shall  those  things  be, 
which  thou  hast  p'rovided  ?  So  is  he  that  layeth  up  treasure  for 
himself,  and  is  not  rich  toward  God." 

Thus  the  covetous  man  and  the  lukewarm  man  have  this  in 
common  :  in  their  own  eyes  they  do  good  unto  themselves. 
Take  we  heed  that  we  speak  not  well  of  them. 

O  All-seeing  Lord,  that  which  I  know  not  and  which  Thou 
wouldest  have  me  to  know,  teach  Thou  me.  Expel  my 
covetousness,  even  if  by  Thy  good  gift  of  poverty  :  enkindle 
my  lukewarmness,  even  if  in  the  furnace  of  affliction. 

"  I  am  rich,  and  increased  with  goods,  and  have  need  of 
nothing."— Of  nothing  ?  Alas  !  as  it  would  seem,  not  even  of 
beatification.  For  the  poor  in  spirit,  and  the  hungry  and 
athirst  after  righteousness,  say  not,  "I  am  rich";  neither  the 
mourners,  "  I  have  need  of  nothing."  Nor  are  the  meek  or 
the  merciful  engrossed  by  their  own  prosperity.  Nor  do  the 
pure  in  heart  set  great  store  by  aught  short  of  God.  Nor  the 
peacemakers  hug  themselves  because  of  that  which  may  breed 
envy  :  though  if  persecution  arise  for  the  word  or  for  righteous 
ness'  sake,  such  as  they  are  not  offended. 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  135 

If  a  merry  heart  is  a  continual  feast,  a  lukewarm  heart  is  a 
continual  lack.  Worse  still,  it  is  a  centre  of  spiritual  creeping 
paralysis  :  a  hairbreadth  less  of  live  man  to-day,  a  hairbreadth 
less  to-morrow ;  until  unless  the  strong  hand  of  Divine  Grace 
should  arrest  decay,  the  dying  man  of  so  many  days  becomes 
the  corpse  of  the  ultimate  morrow. 

O  Lord,  Who  extendedst  mercy  to  him  who  believing  craved 
help  in  his  unbelief,  extend  mercy  to  all  who  half  alive  crave 
help  in  their  half  deadnes?.  And  for  any  who  pray  not  for 
themselves  vouchsafe  to  hear  this  prayer.  Amen. 

As  dying, — and  behold,  we  live  ! 
If  Thou  but  give  the  word. 

Give,  Lord,  the  word  :  that  we  may  give 
Thanks  for  a  word  unheard 
Till  now,  of  pity  not  denied  albeit  deferred. 

We  lift  to  Thee  our  failing  eyes, 

Our  failing  wills  to  Thee  : 
O  Great  Lord  God  of  Battles,  rise, 

Till  foes  and  shadows  flee, 

And  death  being  swallowed  up  of  life  shall  cease  to  be. 

"  And  knowest  not  that  thou  art  wretched,  and  miserable, 
and  poor,  and  blind,  and  naked." — For  the  lukewarm  person 
is  as  one  drunken  but  not  with  wine.  "  Yea,  thou  shalt  be  as 
he  that  lieth  down  in  the  midst  of  the  sea,  or  as  he  that  lieth 
upon  the  top  of  a  mast.'"' 

What  damps  hope  in  such  a  case  is  not  the  wretchedness, 
misery,  poverty,  blindness,  nakedness ;  but  the  self-ignorance. 
This  ties  our  own  feet  from  resorting  to  Christ,  although  it  ties 
not  His  bounteous  Hands  ;  as  He  saith  :  "  How  often  would  I 
.  ,  .  and  ye  would,  not  !  " — or  as  we  read  elsewhere  :  "  He  did 
not  many  mighty  works  there  because  of  their  unbelief  ": — "He 
could  there  do  no  mighty  work.  .  .  And  He  marvelled  because 
of  their  unbelief." 

Glory  be  to  God  Who  concedes  not  one  only  channel  of 
grace,  but  many  channels  ;  not  one  only  point  of  access,  but 
many  points.  Intercessory  prayer  is  truly  our  Gate  Beautiful : 
outside  it  sits  the  halting  multitude  of  our  brethren  and  sisters  : 
we,  by  God's  blessing  on  our  weak  walk  and  endeavour,  can 
enter  the  Temple  through  that  gate ;  and  not  we  ourselves 
alone,  but  so  bringing  others  with  us.  Blessed  are  they  who 
frequenting  that  Gate  enter  by  it  into  the  Presence  of  God ; 
they  are  making  ready  for  a  future  day  whereon  to  enter  into 
His  Presence  through  a  Gate  of  Pearl. 


136  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

If  we  loved  all  mankind  we  should  pray  for  them.  If  we 
prayed  for  all  mankind  we  should  love  them.  "  Stir  up,  O 
Lord,  the  wills  of  Thy  faithful  people." 

"  I  counsel  thee." — "  His  Name  shall  be  called  .  .  . 
Counsellor."  Most  gracious  Counsellor,  He  Who  after  guiding 
with  counsel  afterward  receives  to  glory.  Lord,  suffer  us  not 
to  be  of  those  who  forget  Thy  works  and  wait  not  for  Thy 
counsel. 

"  With  Him  is  wisdom  and  strength,  He  hath  counsel  and 
understanding.  .  .  He  discovereth  deep  things  out  of  darkness, 
and  bringeth  out  to  light  the  shadow  of  death."  "  When  we 
are  judged,  we  are  chastened  of  the  Lord,  that  we  should  not 
be  condemned  with  the  world."  O  Lord,  Who  searchest  us 
out  and  knowest  us  and  understandest  our  thoughts  long 
before  ;  grant  us  grace  in  Thy  sight. 

41  Doth  not  wisdom  cry?  .  .  .  Counsel  is  mine,  and  sound 
wisdom  :  I  am  understanding  ;  I  have  strength."  O  Thou  Who 
art  a  strength  to  the  needy  in  his  distress,  strengthen  us. 

"  Ointment  and  perfume  rejoice  the  heart :  so  doth  the 
sweetness  of  a  man's  friend  by  hearty  counsel."  Lord  Jesus, 
Thine  is  the  Name  which  is  as  ointment  poured  forth,  and  Thou 
hast  called  us  friends.  Give  us  grace  to  be  sure  that  salutary 
is  any  bitterness  of  Thy  sending,  faithful  are  any  wounds  of 
Thine  inflicting  ;  and  that  while  Thou  art  our  loving  Father  to 
correct  us,  Thou  art  still  as  our  mother  to  comfort  us. 

"  There  is  no  wisdom  nor  understanding  nor  counsel  against 
the  Lord." 

<;  I  counsel  thee  to  buy  of  Me  gold  tried  in  the  fire,  that  thou 
mayest  be  rich." — But  wherewith  shall  I  come  before  the  Lord, 
and  bow  myself  before  the  High  God  ?  Lo,  there  is  nothing  in 
my  hand.  Except  Thou  give  me  treasure  in  my  sack's  mouth 
I  cannot  traffick  in  Thy  land. 

"  Ho,  every  one  .  .  and  he  that  hath  no  money;  come 
ye,  buy  .  .  .  without  money  and  without  price." 

Lord,  I  have  nothing,  and  this  Thou  knowest.  Turn  not 
Thy  Face  away.  I  would  fain  borrow  of  Thee ;  so  in  the  Great 
Day  Thou  shalt  receive  Thine  own  with  usury.  For  I  perceive 
that  whilst  first  and  last  all  is  Thy  gratuity,  there  must  still  be 
between  us  a  sort  of  barter.  As  spake  King  David  in  the  joy 
cf  his  heart:  "All  things  come  of  Thee,  and  of  Thine  own 
have  we  given  Thee." 

Wherefore,  Thou  helping  me,  I  will  break  oft"  my  sins  by 
showing  mercy  to  the  poor.  Give  Thou  wings  to  my  riches, 
and  bid  them  fly  as  eagles  towards  heaven.  By  Thy  grace  I 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  137 

will  lay  up  not  corruptible  treasures  upon  earth,  but  incorruptible 
in  heaven.  For  he  that,  hath  pity  upon  the  poor  lendeth  unto 
Thee,  and'  I  look  that  what  I  lay  out  it  shall  be  paid  me  again. 
For  earthly  gold,  which  though  it  be  tried  seven  times  in  the 
fire,  perisheth,  give  me  such  imperishable  gold  as  Thou  usest 
for  New  Jerusalem  and  crowns  of  Thy  saints  triumphant. 
The  gold  of  that  land  is  good.  The  gold  which  I  offer  Thee 
must  be  purified  in  the  fire  ;  fire  of  self-denial,  of  self-sacrifice, 
of  love ;  and  if  thus  I  that  was  lukewarm  labour  in  the  very 
fire,  yet  shall  I  not  weary  myself  for  very  vanity. 

Fire  must  one  day  try  every  man's  work,  of  what  sort  it  is. 

"  If  therefore  ye  have  not  been  faithful  in  the  unrighteous 
mammon,  who  will  commit  to  your  trust  the  true  riches  ?  " 

I  long  for  joy,  O  Lord,  I  long  for  gold, 

I  long  for  all  Thou  profferest  to  me, 
I  long  for  the  unimagined  manifold 

Abundance  laid  up  in  Thy  treasury. 

I  long  for  pearls,  but  not  from  mundane  sea. ; 
I  long  for  palms,  but  net  from  earthly  mould ; 

Yet  in  all  else  I  long  for,  long  for  Thee, 
Thyself  to  hear  and  worship  and  behold. 
For  Thee,  beyond  the  splendour  of  that  day 

Where  all  is  day  and  is  not  any  night ; 
For  Thee,  beyond  refreshment  of  that  rest 

To  which  tired  saints  press  on  for  its  delight  : — 
Or  if  not  thus  for  Thee,  yet  Thee  I  pray 

To  make  me  long  so  till  Thou  make  me  blest. 

"And  white  raiment,  that  thou  mayest  be  clothed,  and  that 
the  shame  of  thy  nakedness  do  not  appear." — All  our  righteous 
nesses  are  as  filthy  rags  :  clothe  Thou  us  with  Thine  own  perfect 
righteousness,  O  Lamb  of  God  without  blemish  and  without 
spot.  In  which  single  prayer  I  petition  for  two  things  :  that 
Thy  righteousness  IDC  imputed  to  us  unworthy,  and  that  by 
operation  of  the  Holy  Spirit  the  Sanctifier,  an  image  of  Thy 
righteousness  be  wrought  in  us.  We  will  not  ask  little  when 
Thou  offerest  much,  or  keep  lips  half  closed  when  Thou  wilt 
fill  a  wide  open  mouth.  Clothe  us  with  the  garments  of 
salvation,  cover  us  with  the  robe  of  righteousness,  as  a  bride 
groom  decketh  himself  with  ornaments,  and  as  a  bride  adorneth 
herself  with  her  jewels. 

I  ponder,  gracious  Saviour,  this  word  :  Clothe  us, — cover  us: 
as  a  bridegroom  decketh  himself,  and  as  a  bride  adorneth 
herself  (see  Isa.  Ixi.  10).  As  because  Thou  lovest  us  Thou 
accountest  that  what  we  do  to  each  other  we  do  to  Thee ;  can 
it  even  be  that  because  of  that  same  love,  what  Thou  Thyself 


I38  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

doest  unto  us  Thou  accountest  as  doing  it  unto  Thine  own 
Self,  in  some  transcendent  height  and  depth  of  love  by  human 
tongue  unutterable  ? 

I  know  not :  Thou  knowest.  Yet  this  I  know  :  if  the  love 
I  imagine  be  not  in  that  text,  then  is  a  better  love  latent  there  ; 
for  the  misconception  of  my  heart  attaineth  not  to  the  Truth 
of  Thine. 

Whoso  clothes  the  poor,  weaves  for  himself  (still  more 
obviously  weaves  for  herself]  a  white  garment.  Whoso  visits 
the  fatherless  and  widows  in  their  affliction,  and  shuns  the 
world,  keeps  that  garment  unspotted.  Cf  such  was  Dorcas ; 
of  such  also  was  St.  Peter  comforting  the  weeping  widows  who 
displayed  her  handiwork. 

"  White  raiment."— The  spirit  if  not  the  letter  of  these  words 
seems  by  a  secondary  suggestion  to  go  counter  many  a  fashion 
in  dress.  White,  the  symbol  of  innocence  and  purity  ;  the  aim, 
simple,  decorous,  dignified  decency.  And  this  comely  sober 
array,  the  same  for  all ;  no  single  wearer  ambitious  of  an  ex 
ceptional  effect,  but  all  alike  virgins  that  be  fellows.  For  who 
soever  love  God  become  as  chaste  virgins  espoused  to  Christ, 
be  they  married  or  single. 

Of  course  in  such  a  train  of  thought  white  need  no  more 
be  all  literal  white  than  fellow  virgins  need  all  be  unmarried. 
One  may  be  a  saint  in  a  coat  of  many  colours,  whilst  another 
may  be  a  sinner  in  silver  tissue  (for  so  the  "royal  apparel"  of 
King  Herod,  see  Acts  xii.  21,  has  been  described). 

From  shame  that  is  neither  glory  nor  grace, 

Lord,  defend  us.- 
From  shame  which  it  were  a  shame  to  face  even  in  thought, 

Lord,  defend  us. 
From  shame  that  worketh  not  repentance, 

Lord,  defend  us. 
From  shame  that  accompanieth  perdition, 

Lord,  defend  us. 
From  shame  irremediable,  intolerable,  everlasting, 

Lord,  defend  us. 

From  shame  before  pitiless  devils  and  sinners, 
Before  unpitying  Saints  and  Angels, 
Before  Thy  Face  not  pitiful,  Lord,  defend  us. 

Thou  Who  borest  shame  for  our  sake  and  in  our  stead, 

Defend  us. 
Thou  Who  didst  set  Thy  Face  as  a  flint  and  unashamed  bear  our  shame, 

Defend  us. 
Thou  Who  enduredst  the  Cross  despising  the  shame, 

Defend  us. 

From  shame  of  Thee  before  men,  and  from  that  shame  of  us  whereby  Thou 
wilt  requite  it  before  Thy  Father  and  before  the  holy  Angels  in  the 
Dreadful  Day,  Lord,  defend  us. 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  139 

"And  anoint  thine  eyes  with  eye-salve,  that  thou  mayest 
see."—"  Unto  Thee  lift  I  up  mine  eyes,  O  Thou  that  dwellest 
in  the  heavens.  Behold,  as  the  eyes  of  servants  look  unto 
the  hand  of  their  masters,  and  as  the  eyes  of  a  maiden  unto 
the  hand  of  her  mistress;  so  our  eyes  wait  upon  the  Lord  our 
God,  until  that  He  have  mercy  upon  us.  Have  mercy  upon 
us,  O  Lord,  have  mercy  upon  us." 

What  is  this  eye-salve  ?  It  imports  us  vitally  to  know,  yet 
is  it  not  here  defined.  "  That  which  I  see  not,  teach  Thou  me." 

O  Lord  God  Almighty,  the  most  Holy  Spirit,  Who  earnest 
down  in  the  likeness  of  Fire ;  bestow  upon  us,  I  beseech  Thee, 
light  and  goodwill.  Amen. 

St.  John  in  his  First  Epistle  writes  to  his  "  Little  children  .  .  . 
Ye  have  an  Unction  from  the  Holy  One,  and  ye  know  all 
things."  _  I  think  if  we  study  that  same  Epistle,  full  as  it  is  of 
illumination,  we  shall  find  that  in  it  life,  light,  love,  are  in- 
dissolubly  interconnected.  If  so,  we  shall  surely  not  go  far 
astray  by  concluding  that,  for  our  own  enlightenment,  love  un 
flinchingly  brought  into  practice  will  prove  a  safe,  efficient,  and 
most  healing  eye-salve.  "  He  that  saith  he  is  in  the  light,  and 
hateth  his  brother,  is  in  darkness  even  until  now.  He  that 
loveth  his  brother  abideth  in  the  light,  and  there  is  none  occa 
sion  of  stumbling  in  him.  But  he  that  hateth  his  brother  is 
in  darkness,  and  walketh  in  darkness,  and  knoweth  not  whither 
he  goeth,  because  that  darkness  hath  blinded  his  eyes  : " — here 
love  lets  in  light.  Further  on,  it  takes  the  place  of  sight  in  a 
case  ^where  sight  is  impossible  :  "  No  man  hath  seen  God  at 
any  time.  If  we  love  one  another,  God  dwelleth  in  us,  and  His 
love  is  perfected  in  us."  Whilst  yet  again  sight  without  love 
seems  to  be  a  sort  of  blindness  :  "  If  a  man  say,  I  love  God, 
and  hateth  his  brother,  he  is  a  liar  :  for  he  that  loveth  not  his 
brother  whom  he  hath  seen,  how  can  he  love  God  Whom  he  hath 
not  seen  ?  "  Nor  would  the  following  promise  prove  attractive 
to  one  who  scanned  his  brother  with  a  loveless  eye  :  "If  any 
man  see  his  brother  sin  a  sin  which  is  not  unto  death,  he  shall 
ask,  and  He  shall  give  him  life  for  them  that  sin  not  unto  death." 

But  here  we  must  sift  our  love,  lest  under  pretext  of  lynx- 
eyed  goodwill  towards  our  brother  we  exhibit  rather  the 
blindness  of  arrogant  self-ignorance.  For  He  Who  alone  is 
Life,  Light,  Wisdom,  Love,  has  left  us  this  solemn  warning  : 
"  Why  beholdest  thou  the  mote  that  is  in  thy  brother's  eye,  but 
considerest  not  the  beam  that  is  in  thine  own  eye  ?  Or  how 
wilt  thou  say  to  thy  brother,  Let  me  pull  out  the  mote  out  of 
thine  eye ;  and,  behold,  a  beam  is  in  thine  own  eye  ?  Thou 


1 40  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

hypocrite,  first  cast  out  the  beam  out  of  thine  own  eye  ;  and 
then  shalt  thou  see  clearly  to  cast  out  the  mote  out  of  thy 
brother's  eye." 

Generalities  we  may  at  the  same  moment  assent  ^to  and  elude, 
as  a  duck's  back  receives,  while  remaining  impervious  to,  drops 
of  water.  Our  defects,  even  if  they  swell  to  the  enormous 
scale  of  generalities,  are  yet  all  made  up  of  particulars;  and  if 
we  are  to  repent  and  reform  it  must  be  by  particulars,  since  it 
cannot  be  done  by  generalities.  Whoso  breaks  the  law  in  one 
point  is  guilty  of  all ;  but  none  the  less,  whoso  breaks  the 
whole  law  still  breaks  it  point  by  point  in  separate  breaches.  ^ 

Defective  love  is  defective  all  over,  yet  very  probably  it  is 
particularly  defective  at  some  one  point :  if  so,  that  is  an 
obvious  point  to  take  in  hand  first.  For  practical  purposes  (if 
we  mean  to  be  practical)  efforts  should  be  concentrated  rather 
than  diffused  :  and  commence  reformation  somewhere  we  must, 
on  pain  of  otherwise  achieving  it  nowhere.  Every  inch  of  a 
waste  ground  may  equally  need  weeding,  yet  not  the  fabled 
Briareus  himself  could  weed  the  whole  simultaneously  at  one 
swoop. 

Whilst  we  pray  for  love,  let  us  act  as  if  already  possessed  of 
love.  "  He  that  hath  a  bountiful  eye  shall  be  blessed ;  for  he 
giveth  of  his  bread  to  the  poor."  Let  us  give  of  our  bread  to 
the  poor ;  and  see  whether  God  will  not  first  bless  us  with  the 
lacking  bountiful  eye,  and  afterwards  bless  us  for  its  sake. 

Lord,  I  believe  Thy  word  that  the  eye  is  not  satisfied  with 
seeing.  Give  us,  I  beseech  Thee,  grace  to  love  Thee  Whom 
now  we  see  not,  and  for  Thy  sake  to  love  all  whom  we  see  ;  and 
grant  us  one  day  to  inherit  the  blessing  of  those  who  not 
having  seen  yet  have  believed  and  loved. 

Life  that  was  born  to-day 
Must  make  no  stay, 

But  tend  to  end 
As  blossom-bloom  of  May. 
O  Lord,  confirm  my  root, 
Train  up  my  shoot, 

To  live  and  give 
Harvest  of  wholesome  fruit. 

Life  that  was  born  to  die 
Sets  heart  on  high, 

And  counts  and  mounts 
Steep  stages  of  the  sky. 
Two  things,  Lord,  I  desire 
And  I  require  ; 

Love's  name,  and  flame 
To  wrap  my  soul  in  fire. 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  141 

Life  that  was  born  to  love 
Sends  heart  above 

Both  cloud  and  shroud, 
And  broods  a  peaceful  dove. 
Two  things  I  ask  of  Thee  ; 
Deny  not  me  ; 

Eyesight  and  light 
Thy  Blessed  Face  to  see. 

19.  As  many  as  I  love,  I  rebuke  and  chasten :  be  zealous 
therefore,  and  repent. 

O  Christ,  Who  lovest  all,  we  are  not  straitened  in  Thee,  but 
\ve  are  straitened  in  our  own  hearts. 

We  know  that  Thou  lovest  us  all,  we  all  being  liable  to 
chastening. 

Give  us  grace  not  to  flee  at  Thy  rebuke,  although  at  the 
voice  of  Thy  thunder  we  be  afraid. 

Thou  Who  knowest  all  the  fowls  of  the  mountains,  and 
without  Whom  not  one  sparrow  falls  to  the  ground,  have  regird 
unto  all  of  us,  unto  each  of  us. 

Rebuke  us  in  mercy  and  pity,  not  unto  cursing  and  vexation, 
not  that  we  should  perish  thereby. 

Grant  us  wisdom  to  hear  the  rod  and  Who  hath  appointed 
it,  lest  we  sit  in  the  seat  of  the  scornful  who  hear  not  rebuke. 

"  Open  rebuke  is  better  than  secret  love."     Amen. 

"  As  many  as  I  love." — Ah,  Lord,  Who  lovest  all, 

If  thus  it  is  with  Thee  why  sit  remote  above, 
Beholding  from  afar  stumbling  and  marred  and  small 
So  many  Thou  dost  love"? 

Whom  sin  and  sorrow  make  their  worn  reluctant  thrall ; 
Who  fain  would  flee  away  but  lack  the  wings  of  dove  ; 
Who  lon^  for  love  and  rest  ;  who  look  to  Thee,  and  call 
To  Thee  for  rest  and  love. 

"  Be  zealous  therefore,  and  repent." — I  suppose  it  may  be 
easier  for  many  of  us  to  repent,  or  at  least  to  hope  and  trust 
that  we  repent,  than  to  be  zealous,  or  even  to  suppose  that 
we  are  zealous.  The  Church  of  Corinth  exhibits  to  all  time  a 
pattern  of  zealous  repentance  :  "  For  behold  this  self-same 
thing,  that  ye  sorrowed  after  a  godly  sort,  what  carefulness  it 
wrought  in  you,  yea,  what  clearing  of  yourselves,  yea,  what 
indignation,  yea,  what  fear,  yea,  what  vehement  desire,  }ea, 
what  zeal,  yea,  what  revenge  !  In  all  things  ye  have  approved 
yourselves  to  be  clear  in  this  matter." 

If  nothing  short  of  this  be  the  imperative  standard  of 
repentance,  God  indeed  be  merciful  to  us  sinners. 


142  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

God  Almighty  declares  that  for  us  men  and  for  our  salvation 
He  Himself  "was  clad  with  zeal  as  a  cloak";  whilst  too 
many  of  us  His  nominal  servants  are  devoted  body  and  soul 
to  soft  clothing  and  delicate  living,  even  if  we  be  not  clothed 
in  actual  purple  and  fine  linen  and  fare  not  sumptuously  every 
day. 

Yet  gazing,  if  merely  as  an  outsider,  at  zeal,  I  recognize  that 
it  is  as  fire  which  descending  from  heaven  kindles  earth  to 
consume  it.  Zeal  knows  little,  and  goes  on  to  know  less  and 
less,  of  self-indulgence  and  personal  luxuries.  Zeal  so  covets 
earnestly  the  best  gifts  as  to  sell  all  to  purchase  the  field  of 
hidden  treasure,  as  to  barter  all  the  pearls  once  esteemed 
goodly  for  the  one  pearl  of  great  price.  Zeal  in  the  aforetime 
sluggard  cries  out,  "  Here  am  I ;  send  me  "  ;  and  advances  the 
backslider  beyond  his  former  attainment.  Zeal  shouts  for  the 
battle,  and  turns  it  to  the  gate,  and  wins  it  be  the  warrior  weak 
or  strong;  and  wins  the  race  be  the  runner  swift  or  slow. 
Zeal,  loving  righteousness  and  hating  iniquity,  sets  the  penitent 
high  in  the  congregation  of  saints ;  and  makes  his  light  so  to 
shine  that  men  glorify  their  Father  in  Heaven.  "  Be  zealous 
therefore,  and  repent." 

20.  Behold,  I  stand  at  the  door,  and  knock  :  if  any  man 
hear  My  voice,  and  open  the  door,  I  will  come  in  to 
him,  and  will  sup  with  him,  and  he  with  Me. 

Lord,  give  us  grace  to  behold. 

This  then  is  the  reward  of  that  wise  obedience  which 
justifies  God.  "  Behold,"  He  saith  :  and  with  eyes  healed  and 
enlightened  the  once  lukewarm  look  and  behold  the  King  in 
His  beauty.  They  have  silenced  their  own  foolish  boastings, 
and  so  have  ears  to  hear  Him  knock.  They  have  "  put  on 
their  coats  "  and  can  rise  instantly  to  open  to  Him.  Neither 
do  they  appear  before  their  God  empty  :  in  clean  hands  they 
bring  gold  tried  in  the  fire  as  a  tribute  to  Him  Who  gave  it. 

If  beautiful  upon  the  mountains  were  the  feet  of  them  who 
brought  good  tidings,  how  infinitely  beautiful  are  His  Feet  Who 
enters  the  door  of  His  beloved',  and  is  Himself  that  very  Good 
published  of  old,  our  Salvation  and  cur  God  !  If  we  love 
Him,  and  because  He  loves  us,  He  makes  Himself  our  I}oor  of 
entrance  into  the  Paradise  of  God  :  and  because  He  loves  us, 
and  if  we  love  Him,  He  makes  us  His  door  into  a  little 
Paradise  of  His  own,  "  a  garden  inclosed." 

"I  ...  will  sup  with  him,  and  he  with  Me." — Blessed  it 
were  to  break  our  fast  with  Christ,  and  strengthened  by  that 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  143 

meat  to  pursue  our  journey  of  however  many  days  and  nights 
to  the  Mount  of  God.  Blessed  it  were  to  dine  with  Him,  and 
start  refreshed  to  follow  Him  across  the  storm-beaten  sands  of 
this  troublesome  world.  But  to  sup  with  Him  is  to  end  our 
day  with  Him  in  (please  God)  the  beatitude  of  final  perse 
verance. 

Again  and  again  our  kind  Master  comes  in  and  sups  with 
each  faithful  soul  in  the  Sacrament  of  His  most  Blessed  Body 
and  Blood,  the  Sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper. 

"  Lord,  evermore  give  us  this  Bread."  "  Is  it  nothing  to 
you,  all  ye  that  pass  by  ?  " 

St.  Peter  once  :  "  Lord,  dost  Thou  wash  my  feet  ?" — 
Much  more  I  say  :  Lord,  dost  Thou  stand  and  knock 
At  my  closed  heart  more  rugged  than  a  rock, 

Bolted  and  barred,  for  Thy  soft  touch  unmeet, 

Nor  garnished  nor  in  any  wise  made  sweet  ? 
Owls  roost  within  and  dancing  satyrs  mock. 
Lord,  I  have  heard  the  crowing  of  the  cock, 

And  have  not  wept  :  ah,  Lord,  Thou  knowest  it. 

Yet  still  I  hear  Thee  knocking.      Still  I  hear  : 
"  Open  to  Me,  look  on  Me  eye  to  eye 

That  I  may  wring  thy  heart  and  make  it  whole  ; 

And  teach  thee  love  because  I  hold  thee  dear, 

And  sup  with  thee  in  gladness  soul  with  soul, 
And  sup  with  thee  in  glory  by  and  by." 

21.  To  him  that  overcometh  will  I  grant  to  sit  with  Me  in 

My  throne,  even  as  I  also  overcame,  and  am  set  down 
with  My  Father  in  His  throne. 

22.  He  that  hath  an  ear,  let  him  hear  what  the  Spirit  saith 

unto  the  churches. 

First  and  last  there  is  no  promise  whatever  except  "to  him 
that  overcometh."  Each  of  the  Seven  Churches  is  confronted 
by  a  particular  foe,  and  encouraged  to  contend  for  a  particular 
prize  ;  but  the  only  course  for  all  alike  is  to  overcome.  No 
Tree  of  Lire,  except  for  him  who  regains  lost  ground  :  no 
immunity  from  the  second  death,  except  for  him  who  endures 
to  the  end  :  no  hidden  Manna,  white  stone,  new  name,  except 
for  him  who  repents  and  amends  :  no  dominion,  no  Morning 
Star,  except  for  him  who  by  godly  intolerance  keeps  himself 
pure  from  the  blood  of  all  men  :  no  white  raiment  or  final 
registration  in  the  Book  of  Life,  except  for  him  who  either 
holds  fast  his  integrity  or  rises  from  death  of  sin  to  life  of 
righteousness  :  no  permanent  incorporation  into  God's  Temple, 


144  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

no  Divine  Name,  except  for  him  who  holding  fast  what  he 
has  keeps  patience  till  all  be  accomplished. 

As  with  the  Six,  so  with  the  Seventh  and  last  Church :  Over 
come,  and  no  good  thing  will  God  withhold.  "  Who  among 
us  shall  dwell  with  the  devouring  fire  ?  who  among  us  shall 
dwell  with  everlasting  burnings?"  Well  may  heaven  and 
earth  regard  and  wonder  marvellously  when  the  enkindled 
lukewarm  man  sits  down  with  Christ  in  His  throne  :  for  the 
Lord  our  God  is  a  consuming  fire,  even  a  Jealous  God. 

The  sevenfold  prize  is  not  of  man's  earning  but  of  God's 
largesse  :  yet  I  think  congruity  is  traceable  between  each  phase 
of  righteousness  and  its  allotted  reward  :  — 

1.  He  who  regains  lost  ground,  regains  lost  Paradise. 

2.  He  who  lives  and  believes  till  his  mortal  end,  shall  never 
die. 

3.  Lo-amrai  repenting,  is  renamed  Ammi. 

4.  The  witness  on  earth  is  the  plenipotentiary  in  Heaven. 

5.  Life  maintained  or  life  regained,  or  else  erasure  from  the 
Book  of  Life. 

6.  Immutable  amid  mutability,  permanent  amid  permanence. 

7.  "  There  are  threescore  queens." 

"  Even  as  I  also  overcame." — It  is  Thou,  Lord,  sayest, 
"  Even  as  I  "  :  for  which  of  us  had  dared  say  it  ? 

Thou  overcarnest  in  our  stead,  and  happy  are  we  if  we  over 
come  in  Thy  strength.  Thou  overcamest  for  us  without  our 
help,  and  Thou  wilt  overcome  in  us  and  by  us  except  \\e 
hinder.  Thanks  be  to  Thee,  O  God. 

Lord,  we  are  rivers  running  to  Thy  sea, 
Our  waves  and  ripples  all  derived  from  Thee  : 
A  nothing  we  should  have,  a  nothing  be, 
Except  for  Thee. 

Sweet  are  the  waters  of  Thy  shoreless  sea, 
Make  sweet  our  waters  that  make  haste  to  Thee  ; 
Pour  in  Thy  sweetness,  that  ourselves  may  be 
Sweetness  to  Thee. 

"With  Me  in  .My  throne,  even  as  I  ...  with  My  Father 
in  His  throne." — This  promise  (if  one  may  dare  say  so)  ex 
hausts  beatitude.  This  is  indeed  to  call  her  beloved,  which 
was  not  beloved.  Elsewhere  our  Lord  says  concerning  His 
own  :  "The  glory  which  Thou  gavest  Me  I  have  given  them  .  .  . 
Father,  I  will  that  they  also,  whom  Thou  hast  given  Me,  be 
with  Me  where  I  am  ;  that  they  may  behold  My  glory,  which 
Thou  hast  given  Me." 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  145 

"  My  Father." — "  My  Father,  and  your  Father  ...  My 
God,  and  your  God." 

Our  Father,  which  art  in  heaven,  hallowed  be  Thy  Name. 
Give  us,  I  beseech  Thee,  daily  grace  to  hallow  It,  for  Thy  Son 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ's  sake.  Amen. 

"  David  said,  Seemeth  it  to  you  a  light  thing  to  be  a  king's 
son  in  law,  seeing  that  I  am  a  poor  man,  and  lightly 
esteemed  ?  " 

Who  sits  with  the  King  in  His  Throne  ?     Not  a  slave  but  a  Bride, 
With  this  King  of  all  Greatness  and  Grace  Who  reigns  not  alone  ; 

His  Glory  her  glory,  where  glorious  she  glows  at  His  side 
Who  sits  with  the  King  in  His  Throne. 

She  came  from  dim  uttermost  depths  which  no  Angel  hath  known, 
Leviathan's  whirlpool  and  Dragon's  dominion  worldwide, 
From  the  frost  or  the  fire  to  Paradisiacal  zone. 

Lo,  she  is  fair  as  a  dove,  silvery,  golden,  dove-eyed  : 

Lo,  Dragon  laments  and  Death  laments,  for  their  prey  is  flown  : 

She  dwells  in  the  Vision  of  Peace  and  her  peace  shall  abide 
Who  sits  with  the  King  in  His  Throne. 


CHAPTER   IV. 

1.  After  this  I  looked,  and,  behold,  a  door  was  opened  in 
heaven :  and  the  first  voice  which  I  heard  was  as  it 
were  of  a  trumpet  talking  with  me  ;  which  said,  Come 
up  hither,  and  I  will  shew  thee  things  which  must  be 
hereafter. 

"  After  this  I  looked,  and,  behold  .  .  ."—Let  us  too  look, 
even  if  we  should  not  behold.  "Mine  eyes  fail  with  looking 
upward :  O  Lord,  I  am  oppressed ;  undertake  for  me." 
"Then  I  saw  that  wisdom  excelleth  folly,  as  far  as  light 
excelleth  darkness." 

Far  be  it  from  me  to  think  to  unfold  mysteries^  or  interpret 
prophecies.  But  I  trust  that  to  gaze  in  whatever  ignorance  on 
what  God  reveals,  is  so  far  to  do  His  will.  If  ignorance  breed 
humility,  it  will  not  debar  from  wisdom.  If  ignorance  betake 
itself  to  prayer,  it  will  lay  hold  on  grace. 

As  children  may  feel  the  awe  of  a  storm,  the  beauty  of 
sunrise  or  sunset,  so  at  least  I  too  may  deepen  awe,  and  stir  up 
desire  by  a  contemplation  of  things  inevitable,  momentous, 
transcendent.  "  Consider  the  work  of  God  :  for  who  can  make 
that  straight,  which  He  hath  made  crooked?  In  the  day  of 
prosperity  be  joyful,  but  in  the  day  of  adversity  consider." 

The  eagle  strengthened  with  might  gazes  full  at  the  sun. 
Glory  be  to  God  for  all  His  gifts  to  all  His  creatures. 

But  God  has  not  bidden  us  be  mighty  as  eagles,  but  be 
harmless  as  doves.  I  suppose  a  dove  may  be  no  more  fit  than 
myself  to  look  steadily  at  the  sun  :  we  both  might  be  blinded 
by  what  would  enlighten  that  stronger  bird.  The  dove  brings 
not  much  of  her  own  to  the  sun,  yet  the  sun  caresses  and 
beautifies  her  silver  wings  and  her  feathers  like  gold  :  it  would 
be  a  sore  mistake  on  the  dove's  part  were  she  to  say,  Because 
I  am  not  the  eagle  I  am  not  a  sun  bird,  and  so  were  to  cut 
herself  off  from  the  sun's  gracious  aspect. 


THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP.  147 

And  since  five  sparrows  are  sold  for  two  farthings,  and  not 
one  of  them  is  forgotten  before  God,  even  the  least  and  last  of 
birds  may  take  courage  to  court  the  light-giving,  life-giving, 
munificent  sun. 

"  After  this," — after,  that  is,  a  revelation,  an  alarum,  a  Great 
Voice  of  praise  and  rebuke,  hope  and  fear.  Rebuke  and  fear 
should  not  paralyse  us  :  they  should  rather  rouse  us  to  instant 
exertion,  instant  obedience,  instant  prayer. 

O  Lord  our  God,  deliver  us,  I  beseech  Thee,  from  idle 
tremblings  and  abject  fear.  It  is  Thou  :  give  us  grace  not  to 
be  afraid,  except  with  the  fear  of  those  who  always  fearing  are 
happy.  For  Jesus  Christ's  sake.  Amen. 

<(I  looked." — If  we  will  not  look,  we  should  not  behold  even 
though  a  door  were  opened  in  heaven  for  our  enlightenment. 

This  Apocalypse  is  a  celestial  door  opened  to  us  :  let  us  not, 
until  we  have  looked,  despair  of  seeing  somewhat.  Having 
looked,  we  shall  not  despair. 

What  shall  we  see?  As  it  were  the  company  of  two  armies  ; 
life  and  good,  death  and  evil.  Wherefore  choose  life. 

"  Look  how  high  the  heaven  is  in  comparison  of  the  earth." 

O  my  God,  Who  acceptedst  Daniel  when  taking  his  life  in 
his  hand  he  set  his  face  in  prayer  toward  desolate  Jerusalem, 
grant  us  such  grace  that  night  and  day  our  eyes  may  be  directed 
toward  Thy  heavenly  Temple,  and  our  faces  set  steadfastly 
toward  New  Jerusalem  the  mother  of  us  all.  For  our  Lord 
Jesu's  sake.  Amen. 

"  Those  Seven ;  they  are  the  Eyes  of  the  Lord,  which  run  to 
and  fro  through  the  whole  earth." 

Lord  Jesus,  by  indwelling  of  Thy  Most  Holy  Spirit,  purge 
our  eyes  to  discern  and  contemplate  Thee  ;  until  we  attain  to 
see  as  Thou  seest,  judge  as  Thou  judgest,  choose  as  Thou 
choosest ;  and  having  sought  and  found  Thee,  to  behold  Thee 
for  ever  and  ever. 

"  I  will  stand  upon  my  watch,  and  set  me  upon  the  tower, 
and  will  watch  to  see." 

"  A  door  was  opened  in  heaven." — Jesus,  Who  hast  deigned 
to  call  Thyself  the  Door  of  the  sheep,  lead  us,  I  pray  Thee,  in 
and  out,  and  provide  for  us  pasture. 

"And  the  first  Voice  which  I  heard  was  as  it  were  of  a 
trumpet  talking  with  me." — The  Revised  Version  reads: 
41  And  the  first  Voice  which  I  heard,  a  Voice  as  of  a  trumpet 
speaking  with  me,  One  saying  .  .  .  ."  This  rendering  more 
decidedly  than  the  other,  suggests  that  this  may  be  the  same 
Voice  as  that  former  Voice  which  spake  (ch.  i.  10).  St.  John 


148  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

was  then  "  in  the  Spirit "  :  but  now  (a  verse  later)  he  says  :  "  And 
immediately  I  was  in  the  Spirit."  Thus  we  see  how  to  him 
that  hath  shall  be  given  ;  how  the  elect  go  from  strength  to 
strength  until  unto  the  God  of  gods  appeareth  every  one  of 
them  in  Sion.  And  when  with  eyes  and  heart  fixed  on  God 
they  at  length  appear  before  Him,  then  shall  they  one  by  one 
know  how  His  Eyes  and  His  Heart  have  been  and  are  and 
will  be  upon  them  continually.  [This  remark  is  made  under 
correction,  lest  " Spirit"  and  "spirit,"  occasionally  so  printed 
in  the  two  verses  alluded  to,  should  negative  the  thought.  The 
Revised  Version  prints  "  Spirit "  in  both  verses  alike.] 

Lord,  dost  Thou  look  on  me,  and  will  not  I 

Launch  out  my  heart  to  Heaven  to  look  on  Thee  ? — 

Here  if  one  loved  me  I  should  turn  to  see, 
And  often  think  on  him  and  often  sigh, 
And  by  a  tender  friendship  make  reply 

To  love  gratuitous  poured  forth  on  me, 

And  nurse  a  hope  of  happy  days  to  be, 
And  mean  "until  we  meet"  in  each  good-bye. 
Lord,  Thou  dost  look  and  love  is  in  Thine  Eyes, 

Thy  Heart  is  set  upon  me  day  and  night, 
Thou  stoopest  low  to  set  me  far  above  : 
O  Lord,  that  I  may  love  Thee  make  me  wise  ; 

That  I  may  see  and  love  Thee  grant  me  sight ; 
And  give  me  love  that  I  may  give  Thee  love. 

"  Come  up  hither." — Thus  was  St.  John  brought  into  the 
haven  where  he  would  be  :  but  not  to  abide  there.  It  was  as 
when  he  leaned  on  His  Master's  Bosom,  and  after  a  while  had 
to  arise ;  as  when  he  set  off  to  follow,  and  after  a  while  had  to 
pause  and  tarry.  Love  laid  him  on  his  Master's  Breast,  love 
sped  him  along  that  blessed  Foot-track ;  and  equally  it  was  love 
which  constrained  him  to  arise  and  depart  from  that  Rest  which 
was  not  at  once  to  be  his  final  rest,  and  to  turn  back  from  that 
"  Way  "  which  vouchsafed  not  yet  to  lead  him  home. 

We  reckon  that  love  mighty  which  avails  to  enter  heaven. 
How  mighty  must  that  love  be  which  at  God's  behest  turns 
back  contentedly  from  heaven  to  earth  ! 

"Come  up  hither." — Hither  is  a  joyful  word,  but  come  a 
more  joyful.  Hither  summons  us  to  Mount  Sion,  and  unto 
the  City  of  the  Living  God,  the  heavenly  Jerusalem,  and  to  an 
innumerable  company  of  Angels,  to  the  general  assembly  and 
Church  of  the  firstborn,  which  are  written  in  heaven,  and  to  the 
spirits  of  just  men  made  perfect : — Come  calls  us  to  God  the 
Judge  of  all,  and  to  Jesus,  the  Mediator  of  the  new  covenant. 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  149 

O  Jesu,  better  than  Thy  gifts 

Art  Thou  Thine  only  Self  to  us  ! 
Palm-branch  its  triumph,  harp  uplifts 

Its  triumph-note  melodious  : 

But  what  are  such  to  such  as  we  ? 
O  Jesu,  better  than  Thy  saints 

Art  Thou  Thine  only  Self  to  us  ! 
The  heart  faints  and  the  spirit  faints 

For  only  Thee  all-Glorious, 

For  Thee,  O  only  Lord,  for  Thee. 

"And  I  will  shew  thee  things  which  must  be  hereafter." — 
If  it  be  the  same  Voice  (see  ante  on  "And  the  first  Voice,"  &c.), 
then  is  it  "  the  Voice  of  my  Beloved."  It  saith  not  now  as  in 
the  Song  of  songs,  "Open  to  Me,"  but  rather:  I  have  opened 
to  thee.  That  first  word  appertains  to  earth  and  its  duties, 
this  second  word  to  Paradise  and  its  privileges. 

O  Lord,  Gracious  without  measure,  beyond  all  measure,  Who 
hast  said  :  "  Whatsoever  ye  would  that  men  should  do  to  you, 
do  ye  even  so  to  them,"  if  by  love  we  now  open  to  Thee,  and 
welcome  Thee  in  time's  sorrowful  night;  in  eternity's  rapturous 
day  open  Thou  to  us,  welcome  Thou  us,  that  we  may  enter 
in  and  go  out  no  more.  Amen. 

"  I  will  shew  thee  things  which  must  be  hereafter." — The 
personal  honour  thus  promised  is  for  St.  John ;  the  grace  is  for 
us  all :  the  vision  is  his ;  the  revelation  not  his  exclusively  but 
ours  also,  if  we  are  penitent  and  obedient.  As  we  read  else 
where  :  "  Turn  you  at  My  reproof:  behold,  I  will  pour  out  My 
Spirit  unto  you,  I  will  make  known  My  words  unto  you." 

O  Lord,  Thou  hast  reproved  the  Churches,  and  we  have 
heard  Thy  reproof.  Turn  us,  we  beseech  Thee,  and  teach  us 
by  Thy  most  Holy  Spirit  the  meaning  of  Thy  sacred  words. 

"  By  terrible  things  in  righteousness  wilt  Thou  answer  us,  O 
God  of  our  salvation." 

2.  And  immediately  I  was  in  the  Spirit :  and,  behold,  a 
throne  was  set  in  heaven,  and  One  sat  on  the  throne. 

St.  John  records  not  "I  was  in  the  Spirit"  for  our  discourage 
ment.  On  the  contrary,  in  his  First  Epistle  addressing  all 
obedient  Christians  he  writes  :  "  He  that  keepeth  His  com 
mandments  dwelleth  in  Him,  and  He  in  him.  And  hereby  we 
know  that  He  abideth  in  us,  by  the  Spirit  which  He  hath 
given  us." 

"  Come,  Holy  Ghost,  our  souls  inspire, 
And  lighten  with  celestial  fire." 


i  so  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

"Behold,  a  Throne  was  set  in  heaven." — We  have  beheld 
earthly  thrones.  Righteous  they  may  be  or  unrighteous, 
gracious  or  tyrannical,  from  of  old  or  of  yesterday  ;  unlike  each 
other  in  many  ways,  all  alike  in  one  way  :  they  are  crumbling 
with  this  crumbling  world,  are  finishing  with  this  finishing 
time  ;  to-day  they  judge,  to-morrow  they  will  be  judged.  For 
earthly  thrones  are  probationary. 

Not  so  the  Heavenly  Throne.  In  this  He  is  set  that 
judgeth  right;  the  King  of  kings,  Lord  of  lords,  Judge  of 
judges. 

Yet  we  read  :  "  A  throne  was  set" — suggesting  (perhaps ?) 
that  whilst  He  Who  sat  on  it  was  from  eternity  to  eternity,  yet 
that  Throne  itself  was  not  from  eternity  although  to  eternity. 
For  as  we  read  on  through  this  chapter  of  the  Apocalypse,  and 
markedly  when  we  reach  its  final  ascription  of  glory  (see  ver.  n),. 
it  appears  as  if  creation  were  here  gathered  in  solemn  adoration 
around  its  Creator ;  exceeding  lofty  creatures  being  constituted 
the  mouthpiece  of  all,  when  everything  that  hath  or  that  hath  not 
breath  praiseth  the  Lord.  And  if  so,  that  word  "  was  set "  sends 
thought  back  into  that  eternity  uninhabited  of  creatures,  which 
(so  far  as  human  conception  avails)  preceded  creation  :  not 
the  creation  of  our  actual  world  merely,  but  the  formation  of 
that  chaos  out  of  which  it  was  evoked,  and  the  beginning  of 
that  pre-creation  which  appears  to  have  lapsed  into  chaos. 
For  send  our  mind  back  as  we  may  through  the  vast  ante 
cedent  unknown  of  remote  and  yet  more  remote  possible 
successive  creations,  yet  beyond  the  utmost  bound  of  the  ever 
lasting  hills  lies  the  infinite  eternity  of  God  Almighty,  before  it 
pleased  Him  to  make  all  things  out  of  nothing,  and  to  be 
worshipped  by  ten  thousand  times  ten  thousand,  and  thousands 
of  thousands. 

When  we  consider  even  Thy  heavens  the  work  of  Thy 
fingers,  the  moon  and  stars  which  Thou  hast  ordained,  what  is 
man  that  Thou  art  mindful  of  him  ? 

Much  more  when  we  consider  Thee,  what  then  is  man  ? 

"The  publican,  standing  afar  off,  would  not  lift  up  so  much 
as  his  eyes  unto  heaven,  but  smote  upon  his  breast,  saying  : 
God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner." 

"  And  One  sat  on  the  throne." 

O  God  Eternal,  Who  causest  the  vapours  to  ascend  from  the  ends  of  the 
earth,  let  our  prayer  be  set  forth  in  Thy  sight  as  the  incense, 

And  be  gracious  unto  us. 
Thou  "Who  art  our  Creator  Blessed  for  ever, 

Be  gracious  unto  us. 


THE  FACE.  OF  THE  DEEP.  151 

Thou  Who  art  the  God  and  Father  of  our 'Lord  Jesus  Christ,  for  His  sake 
Who  is  God  over  all  Blessed  for  ever, 

Be  gracious  unto  us. 
Thou  Who  hast  vouchsafed  to  us  the  glorious  Gospel, 

Be  gracious  unto  us. 

Thou  Who  art  the  Blessed  and  only  Potentate,  the  King  of  kings  and  Lord 
of  lords, 

Be  gracious  unto  us. 
Thou  Who  hatest  nothing  that  Thou  hast  made, 

Be  gracious  unto  us. 
Thou  Who  art  Three  Persons  in  One  God, 

Be  gracious  unto  us. 

We   plead    Christ   Jesus   made  unto  us  Wisdom  and   Righteousness  and 
Sanctification  and  Redemption.     Amen. 

"Dominion  and  fear  are  with  Him,  He  maketh  peace  in 
His  high  places." 

3.  And  He  that  sat  was  to  look  upon  like  a  jasper  and  a 
sardine  stone :  and  there  was  a  rainbow  round  about 
the  throne,  in  sight  like  unto  an  emerald. 

If  it  be  so,  that  in  this  transcendent  vision  we  are  permitted  to 
contemplate  the  Almighty  Creator  enthroned  amid  creation,  then 
I  think  that  in  particular  some  manifestation  of  the  All  Holy 
Trinity  in  Unity  may  be  revealed  to  the  adoring  eye  of  faith. 

What  is  the  Christian's  manifestation  of  the  Unapproachable 
Trinity?  Surely  it  is  eminently  Christ  Himself,  Who  once 
declared:  "He  that  hath  seen  Me  hath  seen  the  Father"; 
Christ  Himself  Very  God  of  Very  God ;  Christ  Himself,  Who 
received  not  the  Spirit  by  measure. 

By  "  a  jasper  "  need  not  (as  I  have  read)  be  understood  ex 
clusively  that  opaque  stone  which  now  bears  the  name ;  for  of 
yore  translucent  gems  were  included  under  the  same  designa 
tion.  While  thus  we  may  picture  it  of  dazzling  brilliancy,  per 
meated  by  pure  light,  and  as  it  were  swallowed  up  in  radiations 
of  that  light ;  yet,  as  Moses  of  old  at  the  Burning  Bush,  let  us 
also  whilst  we  draw  near  to  behold,  be  afraid  even  in  a  symbol 
"to  look  upon  God."  The  "sardine  stone"  (or  sardius,  as  I 
have  seen  it  explained)  is  a  species  of  cornelian,  which  some  write 
carnelian^  deriving  the  word  not  from  horn  but  from  flesh  ;  and 
is  a  blood-red  translucent  gem,  whence  we  may  perhaps  assume 
an  intimation  of  our  Redeemer's  Humanity.  The  "rainbow"" 
has  been  thought  to  indicate  that  same  Sacred  Humanity,  be 
cause  surrounding  the  Throne  it  appears  no  less  to  surround 
Him  Who  sat  thereon,  like  as  the  Blessed  Body  enshrined  the 
"Incomprehensible"  Divinity.  If  so,  the  sardine  stone  may 


152  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

remind  us  how  the  Godhead  was  not  converted  into  flesh,  but 
the  Manhood  was  taken  into  God :  whilst  the  rainbow  may 
more  especially  bring  home  to  us  that  in  our  Lord  Himself 
Very  Man  dwells  the  Fulness  of  the  Godhead  bodily.  Further 
we  are  reminded  that  Christ  as  Man,  over  and  beyond  the 
Indivisible  Unity  of  the  Divine  Trinity,  became  a  Temple  of  the 
Holy  Ghost. 

For  a  rainbow  being  indissolubly  connected  with  a  cloud, 
seems  at  once  to  suggest  an  emblematic  allusion  to  the  Most 
Holy  Spirit  of  God.  Its  form  shows  that  it  proceeds  from  a 
centre.  It  exhibits  to  us  what  light  is,  by  evolving  the  lovely 
tints  hidden  in  its  whiteness.  It  enables  us  to  look  on  light 
which  viewed  directly  would  blind  us.  It  conveyed  hope  to 
Noah  and  his  family  all  alone  in  a  ruined  world.  It  gladdens 
whoso  beholds  it :  the  eye  that  seeth  it  beareth  witness  to  it. 
What  we  look  on  is  water,  but  transfigured  by  fire  :  fire  and 
water,  two  chief  symbols  of  God  the  Holy  Ghost. 

"Round  about  the  Throne." — Not  (please  God)  simply  over 
arching  the  throne ;  but  encircling  it  (as  I  have  heard  sug 
gested)  by  its  own  completely  revealed  circle.  In  this  world 
we  observe  no  more  than  a  larger  or  a  smaller  section  of  rain 
bow.  Thus  even  at  its  widest  it  overarches  no  wider  area  than 
the  eye  can  compass,  and  where  it  seems  to  touch  earth  or  sea 
we  know  that  it  touches  them  not.  We  discern  enough  to  feel 
convinced  that  we  see  a  portion  only,  not  the  whole ;  yet  is 
that  portion  so  far  complete  in  itself  that  it  certifies  to  us  that 
whole  which  we  see  not :  the  part  declares  the  unbroken, 
continuous,  unvaried  whole. 

And  thus  for  the  present  the  faithful  "  know  in  part "  God 
Almighty,  so  far  as  it  pleases  Him  by  His  Spirit  to  reveal 
Himself  to  them  one  by  one  in  divers  measures.  The  least 
recognize  Him  as  on  high  protecting  them  ;  the  greatest  realize 
that  He  is  in  truth  all  around  them  embracing  them. 

Even  a  very  little  reading  teaches  that  a  number  of  different 
tints  belong  to  jewels  of  which  we  habitually  think  as  exhibiting 
some  one  fixed  hue  :  thus  though  the  ruby  is  red,  the  sapphire 
blue,  the  emerald  green,  it  does  not  follow  that  any  one  of 
them  is  restricted  to  that  characteristic  colour.  Perhaps  such 
variety  of  colour  may  be  allowed  for  when  this  celestial  rain 
bow  is  set  before  us  as  "  in  sight  like  unto  an  emerald." 

Yet  after  all  green  remains  as  our  standard  colour  for  an 
emerald.  Green  seems  the  colour  both  of  hope  and  of  rest : 
of  hope  because  of  sweet  ever-renewed  spring  verdure ;  of  rest 
because  of  the  refreshing  repose  green  affords  to  strained 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  153 

sight.     Completed   hope,    completed   rest,    are   celestial,    not 
terrestrial. 

"...   Look  up  and  sing 
In  hope  of  promised  spring." 

4.  And  round  about  the  Throne  were  four  and  twenty  seats  : 

and  upon  the  seats  I  saw  four  and  twenty  elders  sitting, 
clothed  in  white  raiment ;  and  they  had  on  their 
heads  crowns  of  gold. 

According  to  one  theory,  these  twenty-four  august  Elders 
make  up  in  some  sort  a  figure  of  time  or  of  a  portion  of  time 
surrounding  that  Centre  which  rules  it.  Thus  a  fixed  law 
dominates  the  Signs  of  the  Zodiac,  and  thus  the  sun  regulates 
days,  weeks,  months,  years. 

But  if  Time  appears  to  meet  us  in  the  domain  of  Eternity,  we 
may  surely  look  for  it  not,  so  to  say,  in  its  own  person,  but  as 
embodied  in  its  permanent  fruits.  Wherefore  (in  my  avowed 
ignorance)  I  will  for  my  own  part  connect  these  blessed  Elders 
with  the  twofold  Israel ;  the  Twelve  Tribes  of  the  Old  Dispensa 
tion,  and  the  corresponding  perfect  number  of  the  New. 

A  nation  of  kings  and  priests ;  they  are  clothed  in  priestly 
white  raiment,  and  wear  kingly  crowns.  Their  "  seats," 
according  to  the  Revised  Version,  are  "thrones."  They  are 
the  family  of  the  King  of  kings,  the  Divine  royal  family  once  of 
earth,  now  of  heaven.  Out  of  prison  hath  the  sometime  poor 
and  wise  child  come  to  reign. 

5.  And  out  of  the  Throne  proceeded  lightnings  and  thunder- 

ings  and  voices  :  and  there  were  Seven  Lamps  of  Fire 
burning  before  the  Throne,  which  are  the  Seven  Spirits 
of  God. 

"Lightnings  and  thunderings  and  voices" — a  message  to 
every  soul  of  man  from  "the  Throne" :  a  message  not  necessarily 
in  articulate  words,  but  greatly  challenging  our  littleness.  As 
when  "God  thundereth  marvellously  with  His  voice;  great 
things  doeth  He,  which  we  cannot  comprehend."  As  when 
the  lightnings  say  -"Here  we  are."  "There  is  neither  speech 
nor  language  :  but  their  voices  are  heard  among  them." 

Lightnings,  thunderings,  voices  :  when  our  hearts  misgive  us 
and  our  spirits  fail  because  of  those  things  that  are  coming 
upon  the  earth,  let  us  remember  that  they  all  proceed  "out  of 
the  Throne." 


154  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

Tumult  and  turmoil,  trouble  and  toil, 

Yet  peace  withal  in  a  painful  heart  ; 
Never  a  grudge  and  never  a  broil, 
And  ever  the  better  part. 

O  my  King  and  my  heart's  own  choice, 

Stretch  Thy  Hand  to  Thy  fluttering  dove  ; 
Teach  me,  call  to  me  with  Thy  Voice, 
Wrap  me  up  in  Thy  Love. 

"  Seven  Lamps  of  Fire  burning  before  the  Throne,  which  are 
the  Seven  Spirits  of  God." — Long  ago  I  was  impressed  by  a 
preacher's  words.  He  explained  this  passage  as  revealing  the 
Presence  not  of  any  creatures  but  of  God  the  Holy  Spirit  in 
Person  :  for,  he  argued,  had  They  been  the  highest  of  creatures 
they  would  have  joined  with  their  fellows  in  the  hymn  of  praise 
to  God  Almighty  ;  whence  he  inferred  that  That  which  praised 
not  God,  Was  and  Is  and  Is  to  come  God. 

That  preacher's  authority  sanctions  (I  hope)  what  I  en 
deavoured  to  think  out  on  a  former  text  (ch.  i.  ver.  4). 

Once  more  we  behold  and  adore  that  unspeakable  Diffused 
Unity  (if  I  may  dare  so  express  myself)  which  the  All  Holy 
Spirit  Who  is  pleased  to  dwell  in  the  innumerable  hearts  of 
faithful  humankind  reveals  to  our  contemplation. 

Sacrifices  prefigured  Christ.  And  since  Christ  "  through  the 
Eternal  Spirit  offered  Himself,"  the  fire  of  the  sacrifice  pre 
figured  the  Holy  Ghost.  We  read  concerning  Abram's  first 
great  recorded  sacrifice  :  "  It  came  to  pass,  that,  when  the  sun 
went  down,  and  it  was  dark,  behold  a  smoking  furnace,  and  a 
burning  lamp  that  passed  between  those  pieces."  And  again 
we  read  how  Abraham  having  laid  the  wood  of  the  burnt 
offering  upon  Isaac  his  son  "took  the  fire  in  his  hand." 

"Before  the  Throne" — as  the  Rainbow  was  "round  about" 
the  Throne  :  once  more  reminding  us  of  that  authoritative 
definition,  "Proceeding  from."  Thus  in  a  figure  we  discern 
how  God  the  Holy  Spirit  is  that  Person  of  the  All  Holy  Trinity 
Who  vouchsafes  to  come  into  special  nearness  and  contact  with 
creation  at  large :  creation  itself  being  ranged  round  about 
the  Throne  in  the  person  of  the  Elders ;  and  before  the 
Throne,  when  worshipping  Him  that  sat  thereon  they  fall 
down  and  cast  down  their  crowns ;  in  the  midst  of  the  Throne 
moreover,  and  round  about  the  Throne,  by  reason  of  the  four 
Living  Creatures  (see  ver.  6). 

In  the  beginning  the  Spirit  of  God  Himself  moved  (or 
brooded)  upon  the  face  of  the  waters,  recreating  a  world  out 
of  chaos  by  His  own  almighty  act.  He  it  was  spake  in  time 


THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP.  155 


past  unto  the  fathers  by  the  Prophets.  He  it  was  came  and 
went  among  the  sons  of  men  as  He  pleased.  Century  after 
century  the  human  family  lived  and  died  before  Christ  was 
manifest  in  the  Flesh  :  meanwhile  generation  after  generation 
the  Spirit  strove  with  man,  who  oftentimes  rebelled  and  vexed 
Him.  And  since  the  Ascension  He  has  made  regenerate 
man's  heart  His  settled  place  wherein  to  abide  for  ever ; 
according  to  our  Lord's  gracious  promise  to  His  Apostles  : 
"  I  will  pray  the  Father,  and  He  shall  give  you  another 
Comforter,  that  He  may  abide  with  you  for  ever;  even  the 
Spirit  of  Truth ;  Whom  the  world  cannot  receive,  because  it 
seetli  Him  not,  neither  knoweth  Him  :  but  ye  know  Him ; 
for  He  dwelleth  with  you,  and  shall  be  in  you." 

O  God  the  Holy  Ghost  Who  art  Light  unto  Thine  elect, 

Evermore  enlighten  us. 
Thou  Who  art  Fire  of  Love 

Evermore  enkindle  us. 
Thou  \Yho  art  Lord  and  Giver  of  Life, 

Evermore  live  in  us. 
Thou  Who  art  Holiness, 

Evermore  sanctify  us. 
Thou  Who  bestowest  Sevenfold  Grace, 

Evermore  replenish  us. 
As  the  Wind  is  Thy  symbol, 

So  forward  our  goings. 
As  the  Dove, 

So  launch  us  heavenwards. 
As  Water, 

So  purify  our  spirits. 
As  a  Cloud, 

So  abate  our  temptations. 
As  Dew, 

So  revive  our  languor. 
As  Fire, 

So  purge  out  our  dross. 

Be  Thou,  O  Lord,  before  to  guide  us,  behind  to  guard  us, 
around  to  shelter  us,  within  to  perfect  us. 

As  the  Father  loveth  us  for  Jesu's  sake,  as  Jesus  for  His 
own  sake,  so  love  Thou  us,  O  Lord  the  Loving  Spirit :  until 
Thou  Thyself  bring  home  all  Thy  holy  congregation  to  bless 
for  evermore  the  Lord  God,  bowing  down  and  worshipping  the 
Lord  and  the  King.  Amen. 

6.  And  before  the  Throne  there  was  a  sea  of  glass  like  unto 
crystal :  and  in  the  midst  of  the  Throne,  and  round 
about  the  Throne,  were  four  beasts  full  of  eyes  before 
and  behind. 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 


An  untroubled  sea,  or  it  could  not  be  "of  glass":  a  pure 
sea,  or  it  could  not  be  "  like  unto  crystal."  But  wherefore 
41  before  the  Throne"? 

However  fathomless  its  depths,  its  surface  (the  thought  is 
not  my  own)  appears  as  a  vast  permanent  mirror;  reflecting 
all  which  surrounds  it.  It  thus  recalls  Habakkuk's  prophetic 
promise  :  "  The  earth  shall  be  filled  with  the  knowledge  of  the 
Glory  of  the  Lord,  as  the  waters  cover  the  sea."  So  here  in 
the  better  land  we  perceive  a  figure  of  that  which  (God  willing) 
will  convey  to  the  redeemed  a  perfect  knowledge  of  God 
Himself,  and  of  each  fellow  saint  who  abode  the  day  of  His 
coming  and  stood  when  He  appeared.  Everything  which  is 
very  good,  all  things  lovely,  the  height  of  the  heaven  in 
comparison  of  the  earth,  the  wide  distance  of  the  east  from 
the  west,  all  will  be  seen  and  known.  For  in  that  day  and  in 
fulness  the  delights  of  the  Uncreated  Wisdom  shall  be  with  the 
sons  of  men. 

Knowledge  seems,  if  I  may  so  say,  to  be  the  key-note  of 
this  verse,  The  Living  Creatures  which  abide  "  in  the  midst 
of  the  Throne,  and  round  about  the  Throne  "  being  likewise 
"full  of  eyes"  must,  in  their  degree,  look  on  all  things  from 
the  view-point  of  Almighty  God  Himself.  Their  eyes  being 
41  before  and  behind  "  suggest  an  exercise  of  foresight  no  less 
than  of  memory  :  and  in  them  appears  to  be  inherent  an  exemp 
tion  from  variableness  or  shadow  of  turning,  according  to  the 
vision  of  Ezekiel  :  "  They  went  every  one  straight  forward  : 
whither  the  spirit  was  to  go,  they  went  ;  and  they  turned  not 
when  they  went." 

Thus  knowledge  appears  to  be  in  them  an  original  endow 
ment,  while  to  us  it  is  held  out  as  a  prize  at  the  goal.  "So 
run,  that  ye  may  obtain." 

7.  And  the  first  beast  was  like  a  lion,  and  the  second  beast 
like  a  calf,  and  the  third  beast  had  a  face  as  a  man, 
and  the  fourth  beast  was  like  a  flying  eagle. 

Tradition  assigns  these  four  Living  Creatures  to  the  four 
Evangelists.  St.  John  that  Son  of  Thunder  illuminated  and 
unconsumed  by  "  the  Fire  of  God  "  inherits  the  sun-facing 
Eagle.  St.  Luke  with  his  revelation  of  reconciling  Love,  the 
sacrificial  Calf.  The  Lion  and  the  Man  remain  for  St.  Matthew 
and  St.  Mark;  of  whom  each  sometimes  takes  one,  sometimes 
the  other  :  reasons  have  been  alleged  for  either  arrangement. 
If  the  Man  is  attributed  to  St.  Matthew,  we  may  connect  it 
with  his  table  of  our  Lord's  Human  genealogy  :  while  St.  Mark's 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  157 

Lion  may  remind  us  how  he  alone  notices  that  it  was  "with 
the  wild  beasts"  that  our  Lord  sojourned  during  Forty  Days 
in  the  wilderness.  Reversing  the  position  (and  not  to  enumerate 
other  points),  the  Lion  of  the  royal  tribe  of  Judah  befits  St. 
Matthew  in  virtue  of  his  unique  narrative  of  the  Adoration  of 
the  Magi  when  they  worshipped  Christ  as  King :  the  Man 
harmonizes  with  that  special  prominence  of  the  Very  Manhood 
which  it  has  been  thought  characterizes  St.  Mark's  Gospel. 

Yet  this  venerable  scheme  need  not  (I  hope)  exclude  the 
view  that  in  these  august  Living  Creatures ;  the  Cherubim 
apparently  of  Ezekiel's  visions ;  the  Chariot  of  the  Almighty 
Himself,  whence  the  Psalmist  sings,  "  He  rode  upon  a  Cherub, 
and  did  fly," — that  in  them  is  perpetuated  a  sort  of  summary 
and  memorial  of  those  good  gifts  which  God  has  lavished  on. 
man  indeed  pre-eminently,  but  likewise  in  varying  degrees  and 
after  various  fashions  on  beast,  bird,  and  every  inferior  creature 
that  hath  life ;  all  which  creatures  at  the  first  were  beheld  to 
be  very  good.  St.  Paul  writes:  "The  earnest  expectation  of 
the  creature  waiteth  for  the  manifestation  of  the  sons  of  God. 
For  the  creature  was  made  subject  to  vanity,  not  willingly,  but 
by  reason  of  Him  Who  hath  subjected  the  same  in  hope,, 
because  the  creature  itself  also  shall  be  delivered  from  the 
bondage  of  corruption  into  the  glorious  liberty  of  the  children 
of  God.  For  we  know  that  the  whole  creation  groaneth  and 
travaileth  in  pain  together  until  now.  And  not  only  they,  but 
ourselves  also,  which  have  the  firstfruits  of  the  Spirit,  even  we 
ourselves  groan  within  ourselves,  waiting  for  the  adoption,  to 
wit,  the  redemption  of  our  body  "  : — thus  opening  our  eyes  to  a 
mysterious  element  in  those  lower  existences  so  familiar  and 
often  so  friendly  to  us.  We  think  of  them  in  relation  to  man  : 
yet  surely  the  unnumbered  multitudes  of  them  which  live, 
propagate,  die  "  on  the  earth,  where  no  man  is ;  on  the  wilder 
ness,  wherein  there  is  no  man,"  may  have  some  purpose  inde 
pendent  of  direct  human  profit,  discipline,  convenience.  "  O 
Lord,  how  manifold  are  Thy  works !  in  wisdom  hast  Thou 
made  them  all." 

Sacred  association  makes  reverend  to  us  lamb,  lion,  sheep 
(see  Isa.  liii.  7),  dove,  eagle  (see  Deut.  xxxii.  n,  12),  even  leopard 
and  bear  (see  Hos.  xiii.  7,  8) :  and  endears  to  us  on  inferior 
grounds  hart,  stork  and  sparrow,  owl  and  pelican.  All  sentient 
creatures  have  a  claim  on  us :  and  well  may  we  admit  and 
honour  their  claim,  when  we  recollect  Who  vouchsafed  to  have 
respect  to  the  much  cattle  of  Nineveh. 

O  Good  God,  Who  permitting  to  every  man  his  temptation- 


158  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

preparest  for  him  a  way  of  escape,  and  hast  constituted  the 
present  age  a  period  of  knowledge  and  of  thirst  after  know 
ledge  ;  give  us  grace  never  to  pursue  knowledge  by  avenues 
of  cruelty  or  impurity,  but  keeping  innocency  to  take  heed  to 
the  thing  that  is  right ;  lest  headstrong  lust  of  good  and  evil 
mislead  us  to  choose  the  evil  and  refuse  the  good.  Which  God 
forbid,  for  His  All  Holy  Son's  sake.  Amen. 

If  Cherubim  transcendent  in  knowledge  and  accounted 
second  in  the  ninefold  celestial  hierarchy  exhibit  any  likeness 
to  man's  inferiors,  well  may  I  be  contented  to  karn  of  these 
humble  brethren.  The  serpent  can  teach  me  wisdom,  the 
dove  harmlessness,  the  ant  prudent  industry,  the  coney  adapta 
bility  to  circumstances,  the  locust  self-government,  the  spider 
resource;  lions  and  young  ravens  set  me,  in  some  sort,  an 
example  of  prayer ;  dog  and  sow  scare  me  from  relapses  into 
sin. 

A  Psalm  asserts :  "  O  Lord,  Thou  preservest  man  and 
beast " ;  or  according  to  the  Prayer-book  version :  "  Thou, 
Lord,  shalt  save  both  man  and  beast."  It  were  unwise  to 
reflect  on  no  statement  besides  "  the  beasts  that  perish " ; 
or  so  to  exalt  man's  spirit  which  goeth  upward,  over  the  beast's 
which  goeth  downward,  as  practically  to  ignore  that  the  beast 
is  endowed  with  any  spirit  at  all.  Land  may  cry  out  against 
an  unrighteous  owner,  and  furrows  complain  :  how  much  more 
the  moving  creature  that  hath  life. 

8.  And  the  four  beasts  had  each  of  them  six  wings  about 
him ;  and  they  were  full  of  eyes  within  :  and  they  rest 
not  day  and  night,  saying,  Holy,  Holy,  Holy,  Lord  God 
Almighty,  which  was,  and  is,  and  is  to  come. 

If  these  be  the  same  living  creatures  as  those  Ezekiel  beheld 
by  the  river  Chebar,  their  aspect  seems  to  have  been  revealed 
with  a  difference  to  St.  John.  To  Ezekiel  each  appeared  four- 
faced  as  Man,  Lion,  Ox,  Eagle :  St.  John  describes  each  indi 
vidual  as  exhibiting  one  or  other  such  face.  Ezekiel  assigns 
four  wings  to  each ;  St.  John  six.  Balancing  together  the  two 
descriptions  it  may  perhaps  be  thought  that  Ezekiel  saw  more 
of  the  physical  aspect,  exhibited  in  multiplied  faces  and  in 
those  hands  and  feet  which  he  alone  registers ;  St.  John  more 
of  the  spiritual  significance,  expressed  by  wings  in  greater 
number :  these  two  revelations  of  the  Cherubim  thus  corre 
sponding  respectively  with  the  two  dispensations  ;  of  which  the 
elder  dealt  in  carnal  ordinances,  the  latter  (thank  God,  our 
own)  deals  in  spiritual  realities. 


THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP.  159 

"Full  of  eyes  within"  has,  I  believe,  been  understood  as 
applying  either  to  the  person  of  the  living  creature,  or  else 
to  his  wings.  One  reading  invites  us  to  admire  the  depth  of 
his  intuition  ;  the  other  by  a  figure  the  aspiring  loftiness  of  his 
contemplation. 

Lord,  if  not  for  us  are  the  eyes  of  a  Cherub,  yet  grant  us  the 
receptiveness  and  goodwill  of  a  Cherub  ;  that  we  may  discern 
what  Thou  revealest,  and  may  follow  after  to  apprehend  that 
for  which  also  we  are  apprehended  of  Christ  Jesus.  For  His 
sake.  Amen. 

All  things  are  fair,  if  we  had  eyes  to  see 

How  first  God  made  them  goodly  everywhere : 

And  goodly  still  in  Paradise  they  be, — 
All  things  are  fair. 

O  Lord,  the  solemn  heavens  Thy  praise  declarer 
The  multi-fashioned  saints  bring  praise  to  Thee, 
As  doves  fly  home  and  cast  away  their  care. 

As  doves  on  divers  branches  of  their  tree 
Perched  high  or  low,  sit  all  contented  there 

Not  mourning  any  more  ;  in  each  degree 
All  things  are  fair. 

"  They  rest  not." — I  suppose  by  rest  not  we  may  understand 
cease  not,  pause  not,  flag  not ;  their  endless  worship  being  an 
endless  contentment,  their  labour  a  labour  of  love,  their  explor 
ation  of  unfathomable  mysteries  as  it  were  a  skylark's  ever- 
ascending  flight ;  yet  even  at  the  same  moment,  as  his  sustained 
exaltation  at  his  zenith  on  poised  wings. 

Rapture  and  rest,  desire  and  satisfaction,  perfection  and 
progress,  may  seem  to  clash  to-day  :  to-morrow  the  paradoxes 
of  earth  may  reappear  as  the  demonstrations  of  heaven. 

These  Living  Creatures  compounded  of  multiplied  gifts  and 
multiform  beauties  concentrate  themselves  in  worship.  Their 
worship  is  due  exercise  of  their  gifts ;  the  exercise  of  their  gifts 
is  worship. 

God,  who  needeth  not  to  be  worshipped  with  men's  hands, 
deigns  to  accept  man's  worship.  Shall  He  dispose  Himself  to 
be  worshipped,  and  shall  not  we  worship  ? 

"  Day  and  night." — Yet  we  look  for  no  night  there.  Mean 
while  though  the  ebb  and  flow  of  time  sway  not  the  natives 
of  heaven,  their  perpetual  adoration  runs  parallel  with  our  night 
and  day ;  they  worship  while  we  wake,  and  worship  on  while 
we  sleep.  Alas  for  us,  if  while  they  rest  not  from  worship,  we 
-worship  not  either  while  we  labour  or  while  we  rest. 

"  Saying."— Isaiah  of  old  beheld  the  six-winged  Seraphim, 


160  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

and  heard  one  cry  to  another,  saying,  "  Holy,  Holy,  Holy,  is 
the  Lord  of  hosts  :  the  whole  earth  is  full  of  His  glory." 

The  Seraphim,  spirits  of  love  absorbed  in  God,  in  their  hymn 
of  Divine  praise  remember  also  the  hosts  their  fellow-servants 
and  the  earth  their  fellow-creature. 

The  Cherubim,  spirits  of  knowledge  concentrated  upon  God, 
name  and  celebrate  Him  alone. 

Yet  Seraph  ranks  above  Cherub,  as  love  above  knowledge. 
-  "  Saying,  Holy,  Holy,  Holy,  Lord  God  Almighty,  which  Was, 
and  Is,  and  Is  to  come." — Worthy  to  be  praised  before  praise 
waited  on  Him,  before  any  creature  existed  to  worship  Him. 
Before  the  earth  and  the  world,  before  the  morning  stars  and 
the  sons  of  God,  before  any  extreme  before  mind  can  conceive, 
God  was  :  three  Persons,  one  God,  always  and  evermore. 

Three  Persons  :  distinct,  not  separate ;  alike,  not  the  same. 
As  our  first  Article  of  Religion  declares  :  "  There  is  but  One 
Living  and  True  God,  Everlasting,  without  body,  parts,  or 
passions  ;  of  infinite  Power,  Wisdom,  and  Goodness  ;  the  Maker 
and  Preserver  of  all  things  both  visible  and  invisible.  And  in 
Unity  of  this  Godhead  there  be  Three  Persons,  of  one  Substance, 
Power,  and  Eternity  ;  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost." 
As  we  ourselves  year  after  year  aver  :  "  O  Lord,  Almighty, 
Everlasting  God.  Who  art  One  God,  One  Lord  ;  not  one  only 
Person,  but  three  Persons  in  One  Substance.  For  that  which 
we  believe  of  the  Glory  of  the  Father,  the  same  we  believe 
of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  without  any  difference  or 
inequality." 

Awful  it  is  for  feeble  man  to  contemplate  the  Omnipotence 
of  God,  awful  for  finite  man  to  contemplate  His  Eternity  ; 
most  of  all  awful  is  it  for  sinful  man  to  contemplate  His 
Sanctity.  Yet  may  our  awestruck  weakness  betake  itself  with 
out  shame  to  His  Strength,  our  awestruck  littleness  to  His 
Infinity  :  it  is  when  we  approach  the  presence  of  His  Holiness 
that  the  shame  of  our  face  covers  us,  our  comeliness  is  turned 
into  corruption,  and  we  retain  no  strength. 

O  God  Almighty  our  Fea'r  and  our  only  Hope,  Thou  art  in 
heaven  and  we  upon  earth,  Thou  art  Holy  and  we  unholy.  .  . 
But  we  plead  Jesus  Christ  our  Redeemer. 

9.  And  when  those  beasts  give  glory  and  honour  and  thanks 
to  Him  that  sat  on  the  throne,  who  liveth  for  ever  and 
ever, 

Their  service  is  clearly  worship  in  spirit  and  in  truth.  Their 
recorded  hymn  by  ascribing  Holiness  and  Eternity,  ascribes  as 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  161 

bound  up  with  them  "  glory  and  honour,"  but  conveys  not  in 
set  terms  "  thanks."  Yet  we  are  told  that  they  give  "  thanks  to 
Him  that  sat  on  the  Throne."  To  overflow  with  thankfulness  is 
virtually  to  render  thanks.  Thankless  thanks,  on  the  contrary, 
are  no  thanks  at  all. 

These  celestial  impersonations  of  knowledge  appear  to  have 
one  only  object  of  contemplation,  God  Almighty.  Thus  have 
they  attained  to  know  all  they  do  know. 

That  same  School  of  Cherubim  is  open  to  men, — is  open 
to  me. 

True  knowledge  adores,  gives  thanks,  loves,  and  ever  follows 
on  to  know  the  love  of  Christ,  which  passeth  knowledge. 

"Let  everything  that  hath  breath  praise  the  Lord."  The 
Living  Creatures  ascribe  glory  to  Him  "  Who  liveth  for  ever  and 
ever."  Derived  life  praises  its  Fountain,  imparted  life  its 
Bestower ;  life  which  began,  the  Unbeginning  Life  whence  it 
began  ;  life  which  began  yet  which  ends  not,  the  Endless  Life 
which  sustains  it  endless. 

Love  loveth  Thee,  and  wisdom  loveth  Thee. 

The  love  that  loveth  Thee  sits  satisfied. 

Wisdom  that  loveth  Thee  grows  million-eyed, 
Learning  what  was  and  is  and  is  to  be. 
Wisdom  and  love  are  glad  of  all  they  see  ; 

Their  heart  is  deep,  their  hope  is  not  denied  ; 

They  rock  at  rest  on  time's  unresting  tide, 
And  wait  to  rest  thro'  long  eternity. 
Wisdom  and  love  and  rest,  each  holy  soul 

Hath  these  to-day  while  day  is  only  night : 

What  shall  souls  have  when  morning  brings  to  light 
Love,  wisdom,  rest,  God's  treasure  stored  above  ? 

Palm  shall  they  have  and  harp  and  aureole, 

Wisdom,  rest,  love — and  lo  !  the  whole  is  love. 

10.  The  four  and  twenty  elders  fall  down  before  Him  that 
sat  on  the  Throne,  and  worship  Him  that  liveth  for 
ever  and  ever,  and  cast  their  crowns  before  the  Throne, 
saying, 

To  sit  on  thrones  is  an  exaltation,  to  wear  crowns  a  dignity  : 
to  fall  prostrate  in  worship  is  a  loftier  exaltation,  to  cast  down 
tributary  crowns  an  enhanced  dignity.  Blessed  it  is  to  receive, 
still  more  blessed  to  give. 

What  we  have  experienced,  felt,  done,  bears  witness  to  what 
we  have  not  yet  experienced,  felt,  done.  The  self-surrenders 
of  earth  rehearse  in  their  rapturous  triumph  the  all-surrendering 
self-surrender  of  heaven. 


1 62  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

The  best  gifts  are  those  which  can  be  given  back  to  the 
Giver.  Them  it  is  generous  to  covet  earnestly. 

To  press  forward  toward  all  the  great  things  which  may  yet 
be  ours  annuls  the  pang  caused  by  lesser  matters  we  have 
missed.  It  is  so  even  as  concerns  glories  terrestrial  when 
compared  amongst  themselves :  home  mountains  and  lakes 
may  lightly  be  ignored  by  one  who  sets  foot  in  Switzerland. 
How  beyond  all  comparison  does  any  comparison  appear  when 
terrestrial  glories  are  set  against  celestial  ! 

11.  Thou  art  worthy,  0  Lord,  to  receive  glory  and  honour 
and  power  ;  for  Thou  hast  created  all  things,  and  for 
Thy  pleasure  they  are  and  were  created. 

If  in  the  present  context  we  are  allowed  to  view  this  majestic 
circle  of  crowned  and  enthroned  Elders,  with  these  multiform 
Living  Creatures  in  their  midst,  as  a  representative  compendium 
of  creation,  then  we  see  and  hear  the  universe  justifying  the 
ways  of  God.  For  they  proclaim  not  solely  "  Holy,  Holy, 
Holy,"  but  also  :  "  Thou  art  worthy,  O  Lord,  to  receive  glory 
and  honour  and  power :  for  Thou  hast  created  all  things,  and 
for  Thy  pleasure  they  are  and  were  created." 

It  is  not  at  all  times  and  in  all  places  that  we  could  as  yet 
tli us  praise  our  Maker,  except  on  trust  and  by  an  effort  of  love- 
illuminated  faith.  But  courage !  our  difficulty  will  end  with 
this  present  distress,  if  we  nerve  ourselves  to  quit  us  like  men 
and  be  strong. 

Meanwhile  it  does  indeed  require  a  loving  faith,  trust, 
courage,  to  praise  God  for  every  creature.  For  every  criminal, 
every  ignorant  soul,  every  child  being  trained  to  evil ;  for  some 
whose  life  seems  well-nigh  into'erable,  for  some  whose  death 
seems  desperate.  "  Save  me,  O  God  :  for  the  waters  are  come 
in,  even  unto  my  soul.  I  stick  fast  in  the  deep  mire,  where  no 
ground  is  :  I  am  come  into  deep  waters,  so  that  the  floods  run 
over  me.  I  am  weary  of  crying;  my  throat  is  dry  :  my  sight 
faileth  me  for  waiting  so  long  upon  my  God." 

[Parenthetical,  and  to  be  skipped  by  all  who  please. — Just 
now  I  have  been  told  an  incident  which  is  readily  transformed 
into  a  parable. 

Three  newts  and  three  frogs  were  sent  up  from  Scotland. 
On  being  unpacked  in  London,  two  of  the  newts  vanished 
forthwith  from  sight  and  were  lost.  Of  the  three  frogs,  one  on 
being  taken  in  hand  croaked,  moving  to  sympathy  the  heart 
of  its  captor.  Humanity  dictated  that  the  remnant  newt  and 
all  the  frogs  should  be  carried  forth  and  manumitted  at  a 


THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP,  163 

neighbouring  ornamental  water;  which  was  done.  The  fate 
of  that  newt  and  of  one  frog  I  do  not  know.  Of  the  other  two, 
one  ensconced  itself  in  a  pipe ;  the  second  was  then  and  there 
devoured  by  a  duck.  Who  would  have  guessed  that  a  frog 
born  in  Argyleshire  would  die  in  London  ? 

Even  if  I  fail  to  express  my  point  to  others,  to  myself  there 
is  something  suggestive  in  the  anecdote,  reported  (as  I  believe) 
with  tolerable  accuracy.  The  two  vanishing  newts  presumably 
aimed  at  getting  out  of  harm's  way,  while  in  reality  by  eluding 
powerful  hands  they  cut  themselves  off  from  rescue.  Their 
peers  which  (however  perforce)  faced  apparent  peril,  may  have 
attained  safety,— except,  indeed,  for  the  final  catastrophe  of 
the  one  frog :  but  even  this  was  a  natural,  not  a  monstrous, 
end  for  such  as  it.  Nor  shall  the  risk  of  being  laughed  at 
prevent  my  remarking  that  the  croak  of  the  helpless  frog,  yet 
not  helpless  because  of  that  very  faculty  of  helpless  appeal 
fodged  in  it,  sets  before  me  much  higher  images. 

We  know  on  the  highest  Authority  that  not  one  sparrow  is 
overlooked.  "  Are  ye  not  much  better  than  they  ?  "] 

Ah  Lord,  Lord,  if  my  heart  were  right  with  Thine 

As  Thine  with  mine,  then  should  I  rest  resigned 

Awaiting  knowledge  with  a  quiet  mind 
Because  of  heavenly  wisdom's  anodyne. 
Then  would  Thy  Love  be  more  to  me  than  wine, 

Then  should  I  seek  being  sure  at  length  to  find, 

Then  should  I  trust  to  Thee  all  humankind 
Because  Thy  Love  of  them  is  more  than  mine. 
Then  should  I  stir  up  hope  and  comfort  me 

Remembering  Thy  Cradle  and  Thy  Cross  ; 

How  Heaven  to  Thee  without  us  had  been  loss, 
How  Heaven  with  us  is  Thy  one  only  Heaven, 

Heaven  shared  with  us  through  all  eternity, 

With  us  long  sought,  long  loved,  and  much  forgiven. 

'*  Thou  hast  created  all  things,  and  for  Thy  pleasure  they  are 
and  were  created." — If  I  would  explain  to  my  own  compre 
hension  how  this  can  be  :  "  all  things,  and  for  Thy  pleasure 
they  are," — I  should  not  succeed.  Everything  may  have  a  bright 
side,  everything  may  be  a  vehicle  or  a  channel  of  good,  or  an 
imperfect  form  of  good,  or  defective  good,  or  good-excessive  ; 
everything,  except  sin.  Thus  pain,  suffering,  privation,  death 
may  be  good-producers.  Wickedness  alone,  even  should  it  be 
overruled  to  promote  good,  wickedness  remains  and  must  re 
main  evil.  The  existence  of  evil  silences  me.  I  cannot  under 
stand;  I  can  only  trust  :  God,  for  Christ's  sake,  help  me  to  trust. 

Nevertheless  for  practical  purposes  all  is  clear  as  day.     All 


1 64  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

things  are  and  were  created  for  the  Divine  good  pleasure. 
Therefore  I  for  one  am  capable  of  pleasing  God,  and  it  becomes 
me  strenuously  and  gladly  so  to  do.  Because  He  hath  no 
pleasure  in  the  death  of  him  that  dieth,  it  becomes  me  to  turn 
myself  and  live ;  nor  in  wickedness,  therefore  must  I  cease  to 
do  evil  and  learn  to  do  well ;  nor  in  mere  natural  endowments 
(see  Ps.  cxlvii.  10),  therefore  I  must  sue  out  graces;  nor 
in  "fools,"  therefore  I  must  endeavour  to  get  wisdom,  and 
with  all  my  getting  to  get  understanding;  nor  in  sordid 
service  (see  Mai.  i.  10),  therefore  I  ought  in  spirit,  and  if  it 
were  possible  even  in  the  letter,  to  "fear  God  for  nought." 

I  am  bound  myself  to  please  God  in  the  manner  He  appoints. 
I  am  not  bound  to  account  for  His  Will  and  pleasure  at  large. 

"  O  Lord,  let  it  be  Thy  pleasure  to  deliver  me  :  make  haste, 
O  Lord,  to  help  me.  ...  Let  all  those  that  seek  Thee  be 
joyful  and  glad  in  Thee  :  and  let  such  as  love  Thy  salvation 
say  alway,  The  Lord  be  praised." 


CHAPTER  V. 

1.  And  I  saw  in  the  right  hand  of  Him  that  sat  on  the 
Throne  a  book  written  within  and  on  the  backside, 
sealed  with  seven  seals. 

"  In  the  Right  Hand," — the  Hand  of  blessing.  Whatever  the 
import  of  the  revelation,  its  being  revealed  is  so  far  our  blessing. 
He  who  warns  desires  to  spare  :  as  said  Manoah's  wife  :  "  If 
the  Lord  were  pleased  to  kill  us,  ...  neither  would  He 
have  showed  us  all  these  things,  nor  would  as  at  this  time  have 
told  us  such  things  as  these  "  ; — or  much  more  as  the  Lord  Him 
self  answered  His  prophet  Habakkuk :  "  Write  the  vision,  and 
make  it  plain  upon  tables,  that  he  may  run  that  readeth  it." 

O  God  most  Merciful,  Who  warnedst  even  a  generation  of 
vipers  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come,  quicken  us  to  bring 
forth  fruits  meet  for  repentance.  We  plead  Jesus,  only  Jesus. 

"  Length  of  days  is  in  her  right  hand ;  and  in  her  left  hand 
riches  and  honour."  Thus  Wisdom  fills  both  her  hands  with 
blessings  :  yet  I  think  a  difference  may  be  discernible  between 
the  twain. 

By  length  of  days  may  surely  be  understood  life  everlasting 
in  accordance  with  David's  words:  "The  King  shall  joy  in 
Thy  strength,  O  Lord ;  and  in  Thy  salvation  how  greatly  shall 
He  rejoice  !  Thou  hast  given  Him  His  heart's  desire,  and  hast 
not  withholden  the  request  of  His  lips.  .  .  .  He  asked  life  of 
Thee,  and  Thou  gavest  it  Him,  even  length  of  days  for  ever 
and  ever." 

Solomon,  whose  gracious  outset  prefigured  our  Lord's  fulness 
of  grace,  asked  for  himself  "an  understanding  heart,"  and  was 
answered  :  "  Because  thou  hast  asked  this  thing,  and  hast  not 
asked  for  thyself  long  life  ;  neither  hast  asked  riches  for  thyself, 
nor  hast  asked  the  life  of  thine  enemies ;  but  hast  asked  for 
thyself  understanding  to  discern  judgment;  behold  I  have 
done  according  to  thy  words  :  lo,  I  have  given  thee  a  wise  and 


1 66  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

an  understanding  heart.  .  .  .  And  I  have  also  given  thee  that 
which  thou  hast  not  asked,  both  riches,  and  honour.  .  .  .  And 
if  thou  wilt  walk  in  My  ways,  to  keep  My  statutes  and  My 
commandments,  as  thy  father  David  did  walk,  then  I  will 
lengthen  thy  days." 

Thus  Solomon's  dutiful  choice  of  a  regal  understanding  heart 
won  for  him  not  simply  the  boon  craved,  but  with  it  riches  and 
honour,  gifts  of  the  left  hand ;  which  gifts  correspond  so  far 
with  that  sunlight  and  rain  which  we  see  lavished  on  just  and 
unjust,  that  they  all  alike  come  down  from  the  Father  of  lights, 
and  are  all  alike  capable  of  promoting  God's  glory  and  man's 
salvation ;  while  yet  no  one  of  them  is  guaranteed  against  such 
dire  misuse  as  may  pervert  it  into  a  means  of  destruction. 
Length  of  days,  the  gift  statedly  of  the  right  hand,  is  promised 
to  Solomon  for  nothing  short  of  persevering  obedience  :  where 
fore  we  may  understand  thereby  much  more  than  even  the 
most  prolonged  walk  in  this  vain  shadow. 

Are  we  beset  by  shadows?  Let  us  resolutely  walk  in  them  : 
for  by  sitting  down  we  should  fail  ever  to  emerge  from  them. 

Shadows  to-day,  while  shadows  show  God's  Will. 
Light  were  not  good  except  He  sent  us  light. 
Shadows  to-day,  because  this  day  is  night 
Whose  marvels  and  whose  mysteries  fulfil 
Their  course  and  deep  in  darkness  serve  Him  still. 
Thou  dim  aurora,  on  the  extremest  height 
Of  airy  summits  wax  not  over  bright ; 
Refrain  thy  rose,  refrain  thy  daffodil. 
Until  God's  Word  go  forth  to  kindle  thee 
And  garland  thee  and  bid  thee  stoop  to  us, 

Blush  in  the  heavenly  choirs  and  glance  not  down : 
To-day  we  race  in  darkness  for  a  crown, 
In  darkness  for  beatitude  to  be, 
In  darkness  for  the  city  luminous. 

"  A  book  written  within  and  on  the  backside,  sealed  with 
seven  seals." — A  book  sealed,  inscrutable  :  evidently  containing 
a  message,  but  that  message  withheld.  Yet  does  it  deliver  a 
message  by  reason  of  that  very  withholding.  St.  John  under 
stood  readily  a  call  to  humility,  and  wept  (ver.  4)  for  his  own 
and  for  the  general  unworthiness.  Humility  and  penitence 
befitted  St.  John,  and  befit  all  the  saints  his  fellows  :  it  is  the 
reckless  sinners  who  act  contrariwise,  as  at  a  former  crisis  wjs 
made  clear  to  the  prophet  Isaiah  :  "  In  that  day  did  the  Lord 
God  of  Hosts  call  to  weeping,  and  to  mourning,  and  to  baldness, 
and  to  girding  with  sackcloth  :  and  behold  joy  and  gladness, 
slaying  oxen,  and  killing  sheep,  eating  flesh,  and  drinking  wine  : 
let  us  eat  and  drink ;  for  to-morrow  we  shall  die.  And  it  was 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  167 

revealed  in  mine  ears  by  the  Lord  of  hosts,  Surely  this  iniquity 
shall  not  be  purged  from  you  till  ye  die,  saith  the  Lord  God  of 
hosts." 

To  humble  ourselves,  to  repent,  to  stand  alert  at  the  rumour 
of  a  Divine  message,  such  acts  as  these  lie  within  our  own 
power  ;  acts  whereby  we  all  can  please  God.  And  if  nothing 
further  become  possible  to  us,  then  surely  even  at  such  a  point 
we  shall  not  miss  a  blessing.  "  For  My  thoughts  are  not  your 
thoughts,  neither  are  your  ways  My  ways,  saith  the  Lord. 
For  as  the  heavens  are  higher  than  the  earth,  so  are  My  ways 
higher  than  your  ways,  and  My  thoughts  than  your  thoughts. 
For  as  the  rain  cometh  down,  and  the  snow  from  heaven,  and 
return eth  not  thither,  but  watereth  the  earth,  and  maketh  it 
bring  forth  and  bud,  that  it  may  give  seed  to  the  sower,  and 
bread  to  the  eater  :  so  shall  My  word  be  that  goeth  forth  out 
of  My  mouth  :  it  shall  not  return  unto  Me  void,  but  it  shall 
accomplish  that  which  I  please,  and  it  shall  prosper  in  the 
thing  whereto  I  sent  it." 

One  whose  memory  I  revere  once  suggested  to  me  that  if  a 
person,  not  through  any  voluntary  fault,  knew  no  more  than 
the  Name  of  Jesus  :  that  Name  alone,  beloved  and  cherished, 
might  by  God's  grace  suffice  to  salvation. 

O  God  Only  Wise,  bless  to  us,  I  beseech  Thee,  all  we  know 
and  all  we  know  not.  Grant  us  a  ready  mind  ;  and  accept  us 
according  to  what  we  have  and  not  according  to  what  we 
have  not,  in  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  our  All  in  all. 

"  Sealed  with  seven  seals." — "  There  is  nothing  covered, 
that  shall  not  be  revealed  ;  and  hid,  that  shall  not  be  known." 
Lord,  grant  us  sevenfold  grace. 

2.  And  I  saw  a  strong  angel  proclaiming  with,  a  loud  voice, 

Who  is  worthy  to  open  the  book,  and  to  loose  the  seals 
thereof  ? 

3.  And  no  man  in  heaven,  nor  in  earth,  neither  under  the 

earth,  was  able  to  open  the  book,  neither  to  look 
thereon. 

4.  And  I  wept  much,  because  no  man  was  found  worthy  to 

open  and  to  read  the  book,  neither  to  look  thereon. 

A  question  in  form,  in  result  a  proclamation.  He  who 
proclaims  is  strong,  but  what  he  proclaims  is  a  general 
weakness  whence  he  himself  is  not  exempt. 

Since  we  read  in  the  Prophecy  of  Daniel  of  "  the  man 
Gabriel,"  and  in  the  Gospels  and  Book  of  Acts  of  men  where 
it  seems  we  must  recognize  angels ;  so  I  suppose  that  here  we 


1 68  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

may  perhaps  understand  all  creatures  from  human  beings 
upwards  to  be  intimated  by  "  men "  of  heaven,  earth,  under 
the  earth;  and  notably  mankind  at  large  whether  living  or 
dead. 

Whereupon  St.  John  wept.  Wherefore  ?  because  the  Book 
remained  sealed  and  closed?  He  says  not  so,  but  because 
"  no  man  was  found  worthy  "  to  open,  read,  look.  For  saints 
bewail  unworthiness  rather  than  the  penalty  of  unworthiness. 

O  Lord  Jesus,  Who  on  earth  didst  shed  unselfish  vicarious 
tears,  and  Who  hast  bestowed  on  us  a  treasure  of  tears  ;  grant 
that  we  may  never  squander  these  goodly  pearls  on  vanities, 
but  may  weep  such  blessed  tears  as  Thou  hast  promised 
Thyself  to  wipe  away. 

"Who  is  worthy  .  .  .?" — The  solution  was  forthcoming, 
only  not  at  once. 

This  world  nowadays  resounds  with  questions  not  yet 
answerable.  1  suppose  an  idiot  might  happen  to  propound  a 
query,  which  not  Solomon  himself  could  then  and  there  in  his 
wisdom  have  answered.  Among  the  first  things  which  meet 
us  when,  following  St.  John  afar  off,  we  look  through  the 
"  door  opened  in  heaven/'  is  a  question  left  for  the  moment 
without  an  answer. 

Heaven  endured  such  discipline,  and  well  may  earth  :  St. 
John  endured  it,  and  well  may  I.  "  Trust  in  the  Lord  with 
all  thine  heart ;  and  lean  not  unto  thine  own  understanding." 

Good  Lord,  Who  requirest  faith  of  us ;  if  our  faith  be  too 
weak  to  encounter  doubtful  disputations,  I  beseech  Thee  so 
far  strengthen  it  that  by  Thy  grace  we  may  humbly  avoid  them. 

O  Lord  Jesus,  my  Lord  Jesus,  Thou  art  Light  to  our  dark 
ness,  Knowledge  for  our  ignorance,  Wisdom  for  our  folly, 
Certainty  for  our  doubts.  Thou  art  our  Way  and  our  End  ;  the 
Illumination  of  our  way,  the  Glory  of  our  end.  Never  shall 
we  see,  know,  have,  enjoy,  aught  permanent  out  of  Thee ;  but 
in  Thee  (please  God  !)  all  :  for  whoso  is  one  with  Thee  cannot 
but  see  with  Thine  Eyes,  acquiesce  in  Thy  Will,  apprehend  by 
Thine  Understanding,  possess  by  Thy  Lordship,  enjoy  in  Thy 
Good-pleasure.  Yea,  even  while  swaddled  as  babes  in  fleshly 
bands,  Thy  faithful  servants  being  already  joined  to  Thee,  do 
already  latently  and  potentially  behold,  know,  choose,  inherit, 
keep  festival.  The  vigil  of  Thy  Feast  excels  the  high  days  of 
time;  the  threshold  of  Thy  House,  the  presence-chamber  of 
earth's  palaces  :  "  I  had  rather  be  a  door-keeper  in  the  house 
of  my  God,  than  to  dwell  in  the  tents  of  ungodliness."  Or 
if  as  yet  it  be  not  thus  with  any,  M  ith  me,  Lord,  make  it  thus 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  169 

to  be  with  us  all  before  we  go  hence  and  be  no  more  seen. 
Amen. 

5.  And  one  of  the  elders  saith  unto  me,  Weep  not :  behold, 
the  Lion  of  the  tribe  of  Juda,  the  Root  of  David,  hath 
prevailed  to  open  the  book,  and  to  loose  the  seven  seals 
thereof. 

"  One  of  the  Elders." — Conjectured  (I  believe)  by  some  to 
be  St.  James,  own  brother  to  St.  John.  What  however  we 
know  with  certainty  of  this  beatified  Elder  is  not  his  name,  but 
his  Christ-likeness.  As  once  his  Master  on  earth,  so  now  he 
in  heaven  saith,  "  Weep  not." 

Jesus  spake  the  word  to  a  sonless  mother  in  whom  (reverent 
be  the  thought !)  He  may  have  contemplated  a  fore-image  of 
His  own  blessed  Mother  in  her  bereavement. 

The  sympathetic  Elder  spake  the  same  word  to  the  appointed 
"  son  "  of  that  blessed  Mother,  to  a  saint  the  days  of  whose 
mourning  were  not  yet  ended. 

Jesus  the  Consolation  of  Israel  spake,  and  it  was  done. 

Pointing  to  Him,  the  Elder  became  a  son  of  consolation. 

Christ-likeness  is  the  salient  characteristic  revealed  to  us  of 
this  celestial  Elder.  His  name  continues  hidden,  his  previous 
history  hidden  :  we  know  not,  however  we  may  attempt  to 
guess,  wherefore  he  rather  than  another  was  inspired  to  testify. 

Would  his  name  avail  us  aught,  or  his  previous  history,  or 
even  light  cast  on  the  secret  of  his  predestination  to  that 
particular  ministry  ?  We  may  safely  conclude  not,  since  they 
are  unrevealed.  Hidden  they  serve  to  check  curiosity  ;  whilst 
in  a  manner  they  illustrate  that  the  one  and  only  aspect  high 
or  low  need  desire  to  be  known  by  is  Christ-likeness.  Thus 
the  saints  are  stamped,  thereby  they  become  recognizable ; 
und  this  is  that  accessible  glory  which  we  can  if  we  will  in 
common  with  them  put  on. 

I  saw  a  Saint. — How  canst  thou  tell  that  he 

Thou  sawest  was  a  Saint  ? — 
I  saw  one  like  to  Christ  so  luminously 

By  patient  deeds  of  love,  his  mortal  taint 
Seemed  made  his  groundwork  for  humility. 

And  when  he  marked  me  downcast  utterly 

Where  foul  I  rat  and  faint, 
Then  more  than  ever  Christ-like  kindled  he  ; 

And  welcomed  me  as  I  had  been  a  saint, 
Tenderly  stooping  low  to  comfort  me. 


i;o  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

Christ  bade  him,  "  Do  thou  likewise."     Wherefore -he 

Waxed  zealous  to  acquaint 
His  soul  with  sin  and  sorrow,  if  so  be 

He  might  retrieve  some  latent  saint  : — 
"  Lo,  I,  with  the  child  God  hath  given  to  me  !  " 

"  Behold."— Commanded  to  behold,  let  us  behold.  The 
command  is  simple,  the  act  of  obedience  simple. 

Obedience  will  bring  its  own  reward,  for  by  obeying  we  shall 
presently  contemplate  Christ.  We  shall  discern  Him  at  work 
for  us  men  and  for  our  salvation,  opening  the  book  and  loosing 
the  seven  seals  thereof. 

But  if  after  all  we  cannot  decipher  the  unsealed  revelation  ? 

We  still  shall  have  gazed  on  Him  Who  is  the  Author  of  the 
revelation  :  and  Greater  is  He  Who  reveals  than  aught  else 
which  is  revealed. 

Lord  Jesus,  Who  art  Wisdom  and  the  Word  and  Whose 
Name  is  called  Wonderful ;  whatever  word  be  too  hard  for  us, 
yet  vouchsafe  to  us  the  wisdom  hidden  in  that  word.  For 
Thine  own  sake,  O  God,  Thou  that  doest  wonders  and 
declarest  Thy  strength. 

"  The  Lion  of  the  tribe  of  Juda." — Some  if  not  all  of  the 
Jewish  tribes  derived,  it  would  seem,  their  standard  or  coat-of- 
arms  from  the  form  of  their  father  Jacob's  blessing  differently 
bestowed  upon  each.  Jacob  said  :  "  Judah  is  a  lion's  whelp  : 
from  the  prey,  my  son,  thou  art  gone  up  :  he  stooped  down, 
he  couched  as  a  lion,  and  as  an  old  lion  ;  who  shall  rouse 
him  up?" 

Therefore  as  the  standard  led  the  tribe,  so  this  title  "  Lion 
of  the  tribe  of  Juda"  denotes  our  Lord  as  Leader  and  Com 
mander  to  the  people.  In  the  Song  of  Songs  we  read  :  "  My 
Beloved  is  ...  the  Chiefest  among  ten  thousand,"  literally 
"  Standard-bearer  among  ten  thousand  "  :  our  omen  of  victory ; 
for  never  will  it  befall  us  "  as  when  a  standard-bearer  fainteth." 

"For  thus  hath  the  Lord  spoken  unto  me,  Like  as  the  lion 
and  the  young  lion  roaring  on  his  prey,  when  a  multitude  of 
shepherds  is  called  forth  against  him,  he  will  not  be  afraid  of 
their  voice,  nor  abase  himself  for  the  noise  of  them :  so  shall 
the  Lord  of  hosts  come  down  to  fight  for  Mount  Zion,  and  for 
the  hill  thereof." 

And  whereas  in  a  prophecy  of  Redemption  and  Salvation  we 
read  :  "  When  the  enemy  shall  come  in  like  a  flood,  the  Spirit 
of  the  Lord  shall  lift  up  a  standard  against  him," — this  same 
title  Lion  of  the  tribe  of  Juda  seems  to  connect  itself  pointedly 
with  the  sacred  Humanity  of  Jesus,  according  to  those  words 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  171 

of  the  Angel  Gabriel  instructing  blessed  Mary  :  "  The  Holy 
Ghost  shall  come  upon  thee,  and  the  power  of  the  Highest 
shall  overshadow  thee  :  therefore  also  that  Holy  Thing  which 
shall  be  born  of  thee  shall  be  called  the  Son  of  God." 

"  And  on  the  east  side  toward  the  rising  of  the  sun  shall 
they  of  the  standard  of  the  camp  of  Judah  pitch  throughout 
their  armies."  Thus  Judah  of  old  by  encamping  toward  the 
east  prefigured  the  camp  of  Christ's  faithful  soldiers ;  in 
harmony  with  His  declaration  Who  being  the  Light  of  the 
world  said  :  "  He  that  doeth  truth  cometh  to  the  light,  that  his 
deeds  may  be  made  manifest,  that  they  are  wrought  in  God." 

The  disciple  is  called  to  be  as  his  Master,  the  servant  as  his 
Lord.  Because  Christ  is  strong  His  Church  likewise  must  wax 
strong.  "  Behold,  the  people  shall  rise  up  as  a  great  lion,  and 
lift  up  himself  as  a  young  lion  :  he  shall  not  lie  down  until 
he  eat  of  the  prey,  and  drink  the  blood  of  the  slain  .  .  . 
He  couched,  he  lay  down  as  a  lion,  and  as  a  great  lion  :  who 
shall  stir  him  up  ?  "  "The  righteous  are  bold  as  a  lion." 

Yet  let  us  not  forget  the  terror  also  of  this  great  Name  of 
God.  Even  holy  Job  complains  :  "  Thou  huntest  me  as  a 
fierce  lion."  Hosea  in  the  Divine  Name  prophesies  against 
Israel :  "  I  will  be  unto  Ephraim  as  a  lion,  and  as  a  young 
lion  to  the  house  of  Judah  :  I,  even  I,  will  tear  and  go  away  ; 
I  will  take  away,  and  none  shall  rescue  him  "  ; — "  I  will  be 
unlo  them  as  a  lion  :  .  .  .  there  will  I  devour  them  like  a  lion." 

'•  The  lion  hath  roared,  who  will  not  fear?" 

Lord,  give  me  blessed  fear 

And  much  more  blessed  love, 
That  fearing  I  may  love  Thee  here 

And  be  Thy  harmless  dove : 

Until  Thou  cast  out  fear, 

Until  Thou  perfect  love, 
Until  Thou  end  mine  exile  here 

And  fetch  Thee  home  Thy  dove. 

"  The  Root  of  David." — It  pleased  our  Lord  on  one  occasion 
to  propound  a  question  touching  the  mystery  of  His  relation 
ship  to  David,  without  at  the  same  time  vouchsafing  the 
answer : — 

"  While  the  Pharisees  were  gathered  together,  Jesus  asked 
them,  saying,  What  think  ye  of  Christ?  Whose  Son  is  He? 
They  say  unto  Him,  The  Son  of  David.  He  saith  unto  them, 
How  then  doth  David  in  spirit  call  Him  Lord,  saying,  Th^ 
Lord  said  unto  my  Lord,  Sit  Thou  on  My  right  hand,  till  I 


172  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

make  Thine  enemies  Thy  footstool  ?  If  David  then  call  Him 
Lord,  how  is  He  his  Son  ?  " 

Lord,  grant  us  receptive  minds  :  and  teach  us  by  Thy  Most 
Holy  Spirit  knowledge  if  Thou  pleasest,  and  wisdom  whereby 
to  please  Thee. 

"  In  the  beginning  was  the  Word,  and  the  Word  was  with 
God,  and  the  Word  was  God.  ...  All  things  were  made  by 
Him ;  and  without  Him  was  not  anything  made  that  was 
made." — If  all  things,  then  David. 

The  root  is  that  which  affords  origin,  stability,  maintenance, 
to  the  plant.  Root  may  exist  without  shoot,  not  shoot  without 
root.  The  root  supplies,  the  shoot  receives,  life  and  nourish 
ment.  The  unseen  root  is  the  source  and  basis  of  all  the 
luxuriant  upgrowth.  "  What  hast  thou  that  thou  didst  not 
receive  ?  " 

"  Hath  prevailed." — The  Revised  Version  substitutes  "  over 
come  "  for  "  prevailed  "  ;  by  that  word  reminding  us  how  our 
own  Lord  has  made  Himself  our  Fellow.  He  Himself 
overcame  before  He  bade  His  Seven  Churches  overcome. 
"Follow  Me  "is  His  word;  not,  Precede  Me.  "When  He 
putteth  forth  His  own  sheep,  He  goeth  before  them." 

Christ  goes  before  us,  leading  us  gently  and  encouraging  us 
along  the  same  path  He  long  ago  trod.  When  He  saith,  Do 
this,  bear  this,  He  has  already  done  and  borne  much  more  for 
our  sakes  and  in  our  stead.  We  peer  into  the  valley  of 
humiliation,  and  He  goeth  before  us  into  Galilee.  We  gaze 
up  the  arduous  ascent  of  perfection,  and  how  beautiful  upon 
the  mountains  are  His  feet ! 

By  analogy  : — to  urge  any  one  to  suffer  patiently,  entails  on 
the  speaker,  unless  suffering  be  already  in  some  measure  his 
portion,  the  duty  of  assuming  such  fellowship  of  suffering  as 
may  justify  urgency  and  avert  scandal.  Thus  in  penitentiary 
work,  in  reformatory  work,  self-denial  must  teach  self-denial, 
and  self-restraint,  self-restraint.  Otherwise,  how  flatter  myself 
that  my  righteousness  exceeds  that  of  the  Pharisees  ?  "  For 
they  bind  heavy  burdens  and  grievous  to  be  borne,  and  lay 
them  on  men's  shoulders ;  but  they  themselves  will  not  move 
them  with  one  of  their  fingers." 

An  exemplary  Sister  speaking  once  of  her  Sister  Superior  in 
their  common  Order  of  Mercy,  described  that  Superior's 
authority  as  exercised  in  postponing  herself  to  her  subordinates. 
To  engross  disadvantages  was  that  Wise  Virgin's  form  of 
coveting  earnestly  the  best  gifts. 

"To  open  the  Book,  and  to  loose  the  seven  seals  thereof." — 


THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP.  173 

Christ  openeth,  and  no  man  shutteth.  Our  own  eyes  we  can 
indeed  shut,  and  can  stop  our  ears ;  but  we  within  radius  of 
the  Gospel  cannot  so  cut  ourselves  off  from  revelation  as  to  take 
up  the  position  of  heathens.  Israel  of  old  could  not  do  so : 
"  That  which  cometh  into  your  mind  shall  not  be  at  all,  that 
ye  say,  We  will  be  as  the  heathen,  as  the  families  of  the 
countries,  to  serve  wood  and  stone.  As  I  live,  saith  the  Lord 
God,  surely  with  a  mighty  hand,  and  with  a  stretched  out  arm, 
and  with  fury  poured  out,  will  I  rule  over  you."  Neither  after 
wards  could  Israel  by  denying  and  rejecting  their  Messiah  face 
to  face  revert  to  the  position  of  their  stiff-necked  forefathers  ; 
for  our  Lord  Himself  declared:  "If  I  bad  not  come  and 
spoken  unto  them,  they  had  not  had  sin  :  but  now  they  have 
no  cloke  for  their  sin." 

Whether  in  great  matters  or  small,  whether  for  good  or  evil, 
done  is  done  and  cannot  become  not-done.  A  word  may  be 
retracted,  but  not  recalled.  A  living  soul  once  born  must  live 
or  die,  for  it  can  never  be  dis-born.  Eve  could  not  unknow 
her  foul  knowledge,  or  Adam  unchoose  his  ruinous  choice. 

And  how  many  of  their  children  in  the  anguish  of  inex 
tinguishable  existence  have  been  ready  to  cry  out:  "Woe  is 
me,  my  mother,  that  thou  hast  borne  me  ! " 

"  Except  the  Lord  keep  the  city,  the  watchman  waketh  but 
in  vain." 

O  Lord  Christ,  Who  hast  said,  Take  heed  what  ye  hear, 
how  ye  hear  :  give  us  grace  to  cast  all  our  care  on  Thee  Who 
cares t  for  us. 

Because  Thou  hast  called  us,  give  us  grace  to  obey  Thy  call. 

Because  Thou  showest  us  wonderful  things  in  Thy  Righteous 
ness,  give  us  grace  to  worship  Thee  trembling. 

Because  they  that  fear  Thee  lack  nothing,  give  us  grace  to 
fear  Thee. 

Because  they  who  seek  Thee  shall  want  no  manner  of  thing 
that  is  good,  give  us  grace  to  seek  Thee  until  we  find  Thee. 

Because  Thou  lovest  them  that  love  Thee,  give  us  grace  to 
love  Thee. 

Because  Thou  hast  loved  them  that  loved  Thee  not,  give  us 
grace  to  love  Thee.  Amen. 

Hope  is  the  counterpoise  of  fear 
While  night  enthralls  us  here. 

Fear  hath  a  startled  eye  that  holds  a  tear  : 
Hope  hath  an  upward  glance,  for  dawn  draws  near 
With  sunshine  and  with  cheer. 
Fear  gazing  earthwards  spies  a  bier  ; 


174  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 


And  sets  herself  to  rear 

A  lamentable  tomb,  where  leaves  drop  sere 

Bleaching  to  congruous  skeletons  austere  : 

Hope  chants  a  funeral  hymn  so  sweet  and  clear 

He  seems  true  chanticleer 

Of  resurrection  and  of  all  things  dear 

In  the  oncoming  endless  year. 

Fear  ballasts  hope,  hope  buoys  up  fear, 
And  both  befit  us  here. 

"  And  to  loose  the  seven  seals  thereof." — "  He  shall  deliver 
thee  in  six  troubles  :  yea,  in  seven  there  shall  no  evil  touch 
thee.  In  famine  He  shall  redeem  thee  from  death  :  and  in 
war  from  the  power  of  the  sword.  .  .  .  Neither  shalt  thou  be 
afraid  of  destruction  when  it  cometh." 

6.  And  I  beheld,  and  lo,  in  the  midst  of  the  Throne  and  of 
the  four  beasts,  and  in  the  midst  of  the  elders,  stood  a 
Iamb  as  it  had  been  slain,  having  seven  horns  and 
seven  eyes,  which  are  the  seven  Spirits  of  God  sent 
forth  into  all  the  earth. 

If  the  preceding  chapter  (IV.)  unfolds  a  vision  of  the  Creator 
surrounded  and  worshipped  by  His  creation,  this  present 
chapter  appears  more  particularly  to  set  before  us  in  vision  the 
Redeemer,  always  well  pleasing  to  God  His  Father,  and  to 
Whom  is  given  all  power  in  Heaven  and  in  earth. 

Doubtless  a  thread  of  perfect  sequence  runs  throughout 
Divine  Revelation,  binding  it  into  one  sacred  and  flawless 
whole.  But  not  so  do  feeble  eyes  discern  it.  I  can  but  study 
piece  by  piece,  word  by  word,  unworthy  even  to  behold  the 
little  I  seem  to  observe. 

Much  of  this  awful  Apocalypse  opens  to  my  apprehension 
rather  a  series  of  aspects  than  any  one  defined  and  certified 
object.  It  summons  me  to  watch  and  pray  and  give  thanks; 
it  urges  me  to  climb  heavenward.  Its  thread  doubtless  consists 
unbroken  :  but  my  clue  is  at  the  best  woven  of  broken  lights 
and  shadows,  here  a  little  and  there  a  little.  As  when  years 
ago  I  abode  some  while  within  sight  of  a  massive  sea  rock,  I 
used  to  see  it  put  on  different  appearances  :  it  seemed  to  float 
baseless  in  air,  its  summit  vanished  in  cloud,  it  displayed  upon 
its  surface  varied  markings,  it  passed  from  view  altogether  in  a 
mist,  it  fronted  me  distinct  and  solid  far  into  the  luminous 
northern  summer  night,  still  appearing  many  and  various  while 
all  the  time  I  knew  it  to  be  one  and  the  same, — so  now  this 
Apocalypse  I  know  to  be  one  congruous,  harmonious  whole, 
yet  can  I  read  it  only  as  it  were  in  disjointed  portions,  some  to 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  175 

myself  inexplicable,  some  not  unmistakably  denned  ;  all  never 
theless,  please  God,  profitable  to  me  for  doctrine,  for  reproof, 
for  correction,  for  instruction  in  righteousness. 

"  Lo,  in  the  midst  of  the  Throne  and  of  the  four  beasts,  and 
in  the  midst  of  the  elders." — As  the  centre  whence  all  pro 
ceeds,  whither  all  converges.  So  St.  Paul  writes  to  the 
Ephesians :  "  The  Father  of  Glory  .  .  .  according  to  the 
working  of  His  mighty  power,  which  He  wrought  in  Christ, 
when  He  raised  Him  from  the  dead,  and  set  Him  at  His  own 
Right  Hand  in  the  heavenly  places,  far  above  all  principality, 
and  power,  and  might,  and  dominion,  and  every  name  that 
is  named,  not  only  in  this  world,  but  also  in  that  which  is  to 
come  :  and  hath  put  all  things  under  His  feet,  and  gave  Him 
to  be  the  Head  over  all  things  to  the  Church,  which  is  His 
body,  the  fulness  of  Him  that  filleth  all  in  all." 

Lord  Jesus,  lovely  and  pleasant  art  Thou  in  Thy  high  places, 
Thou  Centre  of  bliss,  whence  all  bliss  flows.  Lovely  also  and 
pleasant  wast  Thou  in  Thy  lowly  tabernacles,  Thou  sometime 
Centre  wherein  humiliations  and  sorrows  met. 

Thou  Who  wast  Centre  of  a  stable,  with  two  saints  and  harmless  cattle  and 
some  shepherds  for  Thy  court, 

Grant  us  lowliness. 
Thou  Who  wast  Centre  of  Bethlehem  when  Wise  Men  worshipped  Thee, 

Grant  us  wisdom. 

Thou  Who  wast  Centre  of  the  Temple,  with  doves  or  young  pigeons  and 
four  saints  about  Thee, 

Grant  us  purity. 
Thou  WTho  wast  Centre  of  Egypt  which  harboured  Thee  and  Thine  in  exile, 

Be  Thou  our  refuge. 
Thou  Who  wast  Centre  of  Nazareth  where  Thou  wast  brought  up, 

Sanctify  our  homes. 
Thou  Who  wast  Centre  of  all  waters  at  Thy  Baptism  in  the  River  Jordan, 

Still  sanctify  water  to  the  mystical  washing  away  of  sin. 
Thou  Who  wast  Centre  of  all  desolate  places  during  forty  days  and  forty 
nights, 

Comfort  the  desolate. 
Thou  Who  wast  Centre  of  a  marriage  feast  at  Cana, 

Bless  our  rejoicing. 
Thou  Who  wast  Centre  of  a  funeral  procession  at  Nain, 

Bless  our  mourning. 
Thou  Who  wast  Centre  of  Samaria  as  Thou  sattest  on  the  well, 

Bring  back  strayed  souls. 
Thou  Who  wast  Centre  of  all  heights  on  the  Mount  of  Beatitudes, 

Grant  us  to  sit  with  Thee  in  heavenly  places. 
Thou  Who  wast  Centre  of  sufferers  by  the  Pool  of  Bethesda, 

Heal  us. 

Thou  Who  was  Centre  of  all  harvest  ground  when  Thou  wentest  through 
the  cornfields  with  Thy  disciples, 

Make  us  bring  forth  to  Thee  thirty,  sixty,  a  hundredfold. 


1 76  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

Thou  Who  wast  Centre  of  mankind  when  Thou  calledst  unto  Thee  whom 
Thou  wouldest, 

Grant  us  grace  to  obey  Thy  call. 
Thou  Who  wast  Centre  of  love  in  the  Upper  Chamber, 

Evermore  give  us  that  Bread. 
Thou  Who  wast  Centre  of  sorrows  in  Gethsemane, 

Console  the  sorrowful. 
Thou  Who  wast  Centre  of  the  whole  earth  on  Calvary, 

Reign  over  north  and  south,  east  and  west. 
Thou  Who  wast  Centre  of  Life  in  Thy  Sepulchre, 

Forget  not  our  dust. 

Remember  us  and  ours,  remember  all,  O  our  All  in  all. 
Lord,  remember  us  when  Thou  comest  into  Thy  Kingdom.     Amen. 

"Stood  a  Lamb  as  it  had  been  slain." — "  Behold  the  Lamb 
of  God,  which  taketh  away  the  sin  of  the  world.  .  .  .  Behold 
the  Lamb  of  God  !  " 

Not  otherwise  even  in  heaven  than  "as  It  had  been  slain." 
Death  will  be  abolished,  pain  over,  tears  wiped  away,  weakness 
reinforced,  loss  made  good,  failure  retrieved  :  these  are  remedi 
able,  and  will  be  remedied.  No  spot  or  blemish,  wrinkle  or 
any  such  thing,  will  appear  there.  There  all  glories  will  con 
gregate  :  and  glorious  among  glories  will  be  the  wounds  made 
by  love.  Now  it  is  blessed  to  believe  without  seeing  :  then 
blessed  will  it  be  to  see  what  unseen  we  have  believed.  Then 
wilt  Thou  show  to  Thine  own  with  loving  praise,  what  once 
Thou  showedst  to  St.  Thomas  with  loving  rebuke.  Then  shall 
Thine  own  love  Thee  because,  being  all  fair,  Thou  art  also 
"  white  and  ruddy."  And  if  they  Thee,  wilt  Thou  not  like 
wise  love  them  for  their  wounds  made  by  love  ?  Yea,  all  from 
Thy  most  glorious  martyrs  downwards,  who  have  been  partakers 
of  Thy  sufferings  "  more  ruddy  in  body  than  rubies,"  Thou 
wilt  love. 

None  other  Lamb,  none  other  Name, 

None  other  Hope  in  heaven  or  earth  or  sea, 
None  other  Hiding-place  from  guilt  and  shame, 
None  beside  Thee. 

My  faith  burns  low,  ray  hope  burns  low, 
Only  my  heart's  desire  cries  out  in  me 
By  the  deep  thunder  of  its  want  and  woe, 
Cries  out  to  Thee. 

Lord,  Thou  art  Life  tho'  I  be  dead, 

Love's  Fire  Thou  art  however  cold  I  be : 
Nor  heaven  have  I,  nor  place  to  lay  my  head, 
Nor  home,  but  Thee. 

A  lamb  is  a  sort  of  personified  innocence  by  reason  of  its 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  177 

whiteness,  its  meek  expression,  its  pathetic  voice.  Its  curly 
softness  suggests  that  by  rights  innocence  is  allied  to  comfort 
and  cheerfulness.  How  beautiful  is  a  lamb  in  green  pastures 
beside  still  waters !  In  the  natural  course  of  events  a  lamb 
would  grow  old,  and  not  till  then  would  it  die  :  a  lamb  would 
not  naturally  die  as  a  lamb.  Yet  from  ancient  days  lambs  of 
sacrifice,  by  God's  behest,  have  so  far  as  in  them  lay  taken  the 
place  of  men,  women,  children,  and  been  brought  to  the 
slaughter.  Truly  a  lamb  is  to  us  a  picture  and  memento  of 
Divine  Love. 

;  O  Lamb  of  God  :  that  takest  away  the  sins  of  the  world  ; 

;  Grant  us  Thy  peace. 

1 0  Lamb  of  God  :  that  takest  away  the  sins  of  the  world ; 

'  Have  mercy  upon  us. 

'  O  Christ,  hear  us." 

It  was  once  pointed  out  to  me,  that  in  the  Bible  the  first 
mention  of  a  lamb  occurs  in  connection  with  Abraham's 
virtual  sacrifice  of  Isaac  :  "  Isaac  spake  unto  Abraham  his 
father,  and  said,  My  father :  and  he  said,  Here  am  I,  my  son. 
And  he  said,  Behold  the  fire  and  the  wood  :  but  where  is  the 
lamb  for  a  burnt  offering  ?  And  Abraham  said,  My  son,  God 
will  provide  Himself  a  lamb  for  a  burnt  offering."  And  I  think 
the  observation  is  essentially  correct,  despite  the  "  seven  ewe 
lambs  "  of  the  preceding  chapter ;  inasmuch  as  these  do  not 
belong  (so  to  say)  to  the  same  spiritual  context.  Yet,  had  I 
been  aware  of  both  texts,  I  should  not  (in  Seek  and  Find} 
without  a  modifying  clause  have  referred  to  Isaac's  words  as 
absolutely  first. 

[Which  oversight  invites  me  to  two  wholesome  proceedings  : 
to  beg  my  reader's  pardon  for  my  errors ;  and  ever  to  write 
modestly  under  correction.] 

"  Having  seven  horns  and  seven  eyes,  which  are  the  Seven 
Spirits  of  God  sent  forth  into  all  the  earth." — Seven,  a  number 
of  completeness  :  the  horn,  a  symbol  of  strength.  Even  during 
His  Ministry,  Christ  deigned  to  announce  the  might  of  His 
inherent  power :  "  I  lay  down  My  life,  that  I  might  take  it 
again.  No  man  taketh  it  from  Me,  but  I  lay  it  down  of 
Myself.  I  have  power  to  lay  it  down,  and  I  have  power  to 
take  it  again." 

If  the  "seven  horns  "  may  seem  to  indicate  an  attribute,  the 
"  Seven  Eyes,  which  are  the  Seven  Spirits  of  God,"  appear  to 
show  forth  that  Unutterable  Sevenfold  Spirit,  Who  being  Very 
God  proceedeth  from  the  Father  and  the  Son ;  and  Who 
having  once  vouchsafed  amid  audible  and  visible  signs  to  be 

II 


1 73  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

"  sent  forth  into  all  the  earth  "  on  the  supreme  Day  of  Pente 
cost,  abides  in  and  with  the  Church  for  ever.  That  in  seven 
fold  plenitude  He  should  rest  upon  Christ  "the  Branch" 
Isaiah  prophesied,  adding :  "...  and  shall  make  Him  of 
quick  understanding  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord  :  and  He  shall  not 
judge  after  the  sight  of  His  eyes,  neither  reprove  after  the 
hearing  of  His  ears  "  ;  the  human  faculties  being,  according  to 
the  Hebrew  Prophet,  subordinated  to  that  Divine  Spirit  Who 
in  St.  John's  present  vision  appears  (if  I  dare  so  think)  under 
the  figure  of  Seven  Eyes.  Our  Lord  became  "  One  Christ 
...  by  taking  of  the  Manhood  into  God " :  those  two 
Natures  are  His ;  and  only  those  two,  so  far  as  Revelation 
teaches.  Moreover  we  are  expressly  certified  that  "  He  took 
not  on  Him  the  nature  of  angels"  :  whence  (if  lawfully  I  may) 
I  infer  that,  on  the  evidence  of  the  Apocalyptic  text  in  question, 
the  "Seven  Spirits  of  God  "  here  named  cannot  be  created 
spirits,  cannot  but  be  the  Creator  Spirit. 

Two  prophecies  of  Zechariah  without  anticipating  St.  John's 
vision  seem  to  harmonize  with  it :  "  Hear  now,  O  Joshua  the 
high  priest,  them,  and  thy  fellows,  that  sit  before  thee  :  .  .  . 
behold,  I  will  bring  forth  My  Servant  the  BRANCH.  For 
behold  the  stone  that  I  have  laid  before  Joshua;  upon  one 
stone  shall  be  seven  eyes  :  behold,  I  will  engrave  the  graving 
thereof,  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts,  and  I  will  remove  the  iniquity 
of  that  land  in  one  day"  : — "Not  by  might,  nor  by  power, 
but  by  My  Spirit,  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts.  Who  art  thou,  O 
great  mountain  ?  before  Zerubbabel  thou  shalt  become  a  plain  : 
and  he  shall  bring  forth  the  headstone  thereof  with  shoutings, 
crying,  Grace,  grace  unto  it.  .  ,  .  The  hands  of  Zerubbabel 
have  laid  the  foundation  of  this  house ;  his  hands  shall  also 
finish  it ;  and  thou  shalt  know  that  the  Lord  of  hosts  hath 
sent  me  unto  you.  For  who  hath  despised  the  day  of  small 
things?  for  they  shall  rejoice,  and  shall  see  the  plummet  in 
the  hand  of  Zerubbabel  with  those  seven ;  they  are  the  eyes 
of  the  Lord,  which  run  to  and  fro  through  the  whole  earth." 

"  Canst  thou  by  searching  find  out  God  ?  canst  thou  find 
out  the  Almighty  unto  perfection  ?  " — Nay,  my  Master,  I  think 
not  to  do  so.  Yet  hath  it  ere  now  pleased  Thee  to  choose 
and  work  by  foolish  things,  weak  things,  base  things,  things 
which  are  despised,  yea,  and  things  which  are  not.  That 
which  I  know  not,  and  which  Thou  requirest  me  to  know, 
teach  Thou  me.  And  teaching  me,  make  me  so  far  like 
Jacob  when  he  awaked  out  of  sleep,  that  I  too  may  say, 
"  Surely  the  Lord  is  in  this  place ;  and  I  knew  it  not "  :  and 


THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP.  179 

may  fear,  saying,  "  How  dreadful  is  this  place  !  this  is  none 
other  but  the  House  of  God,  and  this  is  the  Gate  of  Heaven  "  : 
and  may  confess  the  munificence  of  Thy  bounty,  humbling 
myself  and  saying,  "  I  am  not  worthy  of  the  least  of  all  the 
mercies,  and  of  all  the  truth,  which  Thou  hast  showed  unto 
Thy  servant." 

7.  And  He  came  and  took  the  Book  out  of  the  Right  Hand 

of  Him  that  sat  upon  the  Throne. 

"  For  there  .is  One  God,  and  one  Mediator  between  God 
and  men,  the  Man  Christ  Jesus ;  Who  gave  Himself  a  ransom 
for  all."  "  For  the  Father  judgeth  no  man,  but  hath  com 
mitted  all  judgment  unto  the  Son."  "  Jesus  .  .  .  spake  .  .  . 
saying,  All  power  is  given  unto  Me  in  heaven  and  in  earth." 

8.  And  when  He  had  taken  the  Book,  the  four  beasts  and 

four  and  twenty  elders  fell  down  before  the  Lamb, 
having  every  one  of  them  harps,  and  golden  vials  full 
of  odours,  which  are  the  prayers  of  saints. 

As  in  the  previous  chapter,  God  the  Creator,. so  now  God 
the  Redeemer  is  Centre  of  worship  to  them  that  are  round 
about  Him.  God  is  very  greatly  to  be  feared  and  had  in 
reverence  of  all  saints  always  ;  yet  now  we  seem  to  behold 
these  citizens  and  peers  of  Heaven  carried  away  by  a  sudden 
rapture  of  adoring  love,  a  celestial  ecstasy  of  satisfaction.  If 
the  four  Living  Creatures  be  the  Cherubim,  the  Song  (vers.  9, 
10)  which  speaks  of  Redemption  becomes  mysterious  in  their 
mouths,  unless  we  adopt  the  words  of  the  Revised  Version. 
Or  might  we  conceive  the  elders  alone  to  have  sung  it  ? 

By  considering  them  all,  under  whatever  aspect,  let  us  in 
any  case  learn  to  aspire.  Would  we  have  it  said  of  ourselves 
to-day,  or  would  we  not  far  rather  it  were  said  of  us  to-morrow, 
"  It  is  not  the  voice  of  them  that  shout  for  mastery,  neither  is 
it  the  voice  of  them  that  cry  for  being  overcome:  but  the 
noise  of  them  that  sing  do  I  hear  "  ?  WTe  cannot  in  this  life  sit 
at  ease  and  make  merry,  eat,  drink,  and  to-morrow  die ;  and 
then  on  the  morrow  after  sing  a  triumph  song.  Wherefore 
blessed  are  those  who  now  shout  for  mastery.  Blessed  are 
even  those  who  now  cry  for  being  overcome,  if  only  they  cry 
to-day  while  it  is  called  to-day  to  Him  that  heareth  prayer. 

My  God,  give  us  grace  to  weep  and  lament  while  the  world 
rejoiceth,  and  in  the  end  turn  Thou  our  sorrow  into  joy.  Give 
us  such  present  comfort  in  conforming  our  will  to  Thine  that 
we  may  have  our  songs  in  the  night,  songs  of  desire,  songs  of 


i So  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

hope.  Give  us,  when  day  breaks  and  shadows  flee  away,  songs 
of  joy  and  love.  Give  us,  and  deny  us  what  Thou  wilt.  For 
our  Lord  Jesu's  sake.  Amen. 

Heavenly  worship  is  fulness  of  joy  and  pleasures  for  ever 
more. 

Earthly  worship  is  too  often  a  constraint  and  weariness. 

Amongst  the  causes  of  this  depressing  difference  certain 
appear  to  be  removable,  others  not  so.  Some  of  the  heavenly 
conditions  of  worship  abide  beyond  our  attainment,  some  are 
imitable.  Presumably  to  assimilate  the  two  systems  of  worship 
so  far  as  feasible,  might  be  a  step  secured  towards  informing 
the  ritual  of  earth  with  the  significance  and  sentiment  of 
Heaven. 

1.  The  Living  Creatures  from  the  midst  of  the  Throne,  and 
from  round  about  the  Throne,  the  Elders   from  their  proper 
thrones,  fall  down.     We,  not  in  the  midst,  but  afar  off;  we  not 
on  thrones,  but  more  duly  in  dust  and  ashes,  we  are  many 
times  hampered   by  sloth   or  by  false   shame.     Yet  he  alone 
"  that  overcometh "  tempter,  besetment,  self,  is  he  who  can 
claim  the  promise  to  be  set  down  in  Christ's  Throne  at  last. 

Sloth  and  false  shame,  good  Lord,  overcome  in  us. 

2.  They  have  harps,  worshipping  the  Lord  in  the  beauty  of 
holiness,   the   perfection    of  beauty.     We,  remote   from   such 
glories  too  often,  neither  do  our  best,  nor  bring  our  best.     Yet 
of  old  such  as  we  have  been  forewarned :  "  Cursed  be  the 
deceiver,  which  hath  in  his  flock  a  male,  and  voweth,   and 
sacrificed!  unto  the  Lord  a  corrupt  thing." 

Hypocrisy,  irreverence,  a  sacrilegious  spirit,  good  Lord,  cast 
out  of  us. 

3.  They  have  golden  vials  full  of  odours  which  are  the  prayers 
of  saints.      We  in  vessels  of  clay  bring   prayers  of  sinners, 
prayers  mixed  with  sin,  prayers  (please  God)  mixed  with  tears. 

Our  tears  in  Thy  bottle,  our  prayers  in  Thine  own  censer, 
good  Lord,  accept  and  make  acceptable.  Amen. 

"Whoso  hath  anguish  is  not  dead  in  sin, 
\Vhoso  hath  pangs  of  utterless  desire. 
Like  as  in  smouldering  flax  which  harbours  fire,— 

Red  heat  of  conflagration  may  begin, 

Melt  that  hard  heart,  burn  out  the  dross  within, 
Permeate  with  glory  the  new  man  entire, 
Crown  him  with  fire,  mould  for  his  hands  a  lyre 

Of  fiery  strings  to  sound  with  those  who  win. 

Anguish  is  anguish,  yet  potential  bliss, 

Pangs  of  desire  are  birth-throes  of  delight  : 
Those  citizens  felt  such  who  walk  in  white, 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  181 

And  meet  but  no  more  sunder  with  a  kiss  ; 
Who  fathom  still  un fathomed  mysteries, 

And  love,  adore,  rejoice,  with  all  their  might. 

Lord,  make  alms  to  be  the  golden  vials  of  our  prayer,  and 
the  blessing  of  him  that  was  ready  to  perish  its  upbearing 
odours ;  and  let  melody  to  Thee  in  our  hearts  be  our  harp, 
with  bands  of  love  for  its  strings ;  and  exalt  our  present  lowli 
ness  to  become  the  step  of  our  future  throne  ;  and  now  grant 
us  grace  to  do  what  we  can,  that  then  Thou  mayest  empower 
us  to  do  what  Thou  wilt.  Lord,  for  Thine  own  sake.  Lord 
Jesus,  for  the  glory  of  Thy  name.  Amen. 

The  joy  of  Saints,  like  incense  turned  to  fire 

In  golden  censers,  soars  acceptable  ; 

And  high  their  heavenly  hallelujahs  swell 
Desirous  still  with  still-fulfilled  desire. 
Sweet  thrill  the  harpstrings  of  the  heavenly  choir, 

Most  sweet  their  voice  while  love  is  all  thf.y  tell, 

Where  love  is  all  in  all,  and  all  is  well  ; 
Because  their  work  is  love  and  love  their  hire. 
All  clad  in  white  and  all  with  palm  in  hand, 

Crowns  too  they  have  of  gold  and  thrones  of  gold  ; 

The  street  is  golden  which  their  feet  have  trod, 
Or  on  a  sea  of  glass  and  fire  they  stand  : 

And  none  of  them  is  young,  and  none  is  old, 
Except  as  perfect  by  the  will  of  God. 

9(  And  they  sung  a  new  song,  saying,  Thou  art  worthy  to 
take  the  Book,  and  to  open  the  seals  thereof :  for  Thou 
wast  slain,  and  hast  redeemed  us  to  God  hy  Thy  blood 
out  of  every  kindred,  and  tongue,  and  people,  and 
nation ; 

10.  And  hast  made  us  unto  our  God  kings  and  priests  :  and 
we  shall  reign  on  the  earth. 

The  Revised  Version  renders  this  Song  of  Praise  somewhat 
differently  :  "  Worthy  art  Thou  to  take  the  Book,  and  to  open 
the  seals  thereof:  for  Thou  wast  slain,  and  didst  purchase 
unto  God  with  Thy  blood  men  of  every  tribe,  and  tongue, 
and  people,  and  nation,  and  madest  them  to  be  unto  our  God 
a  kingdom  and  priests ;  and  they  reign  upon  the  earth." 

According  to  the  first  reading  the  blessed  choir  praise  God 
for  their  own  lot  :  according  to  the  second,  apparently  for  the 
lot  of  others.  Wide  the  difference  ! 

Nay,  rather  let  us  learn  hence  that  it  is  only  earthly  narrow 
ness  which  insists  on  such  difference  as  wide.  Heavenly 
large-heartedness  seems  scarcely  to  know  me  from  t/iee,  but 
in  its  measure  reflects  the  Mind  of  Christ  when  He  said  :  "  All 


i82  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

Mine  are  Thine,  and  Thine  are  Mine ;  and  I  am  glorified  in 
them."  By  Whose  Divine  grace  St.  Paul  antedates  final 
perfection  for  his  Corinthian  flock,  when  he  writes  :  "  That 
there  should  be  no  schism  in  the  body ;  but  that  the  members 
should  have  the  same  care  one  for  another.  And  whether 
one  member  suffer,  all  the  members  suffer  with  it ;  or  one 
member  be  honoured,  all  the  members  rejoice  with  it." 

So  that  if,  being  "  the  body  of  Christ,  and  members  in  par 
ticular,"  we  still  rejoice  not  in  the  common  joy,  assuredly  we 
are  straitened  not  in  Him  but  in  ourselves. 

"And  they  sung  a  new  song/' — The  Church  Militant  is 
ever  looking  for  new  heavens  and  a  new  earth,  wherein 
dwelleth  righteousness.  Under  the  sun  there  is  nothing  new  : 
of  mortal  man  himself  it  is  written,  "  That  which  hath  been  is 
named  already,  and  it  is  known  that  it  is  man " ;  and  even 
concerning  fierce  searching  individual  temptation,  St.  Paul 
seems  to  imply  a  general  rule  when  he  writes  to  his  Corinthian 
converts,  "  There  hath  no  temptation  taken  you  but  such  as 
is  common  to  man." 

Yet  human  instinct  craves  after  something  new ;  if  not  for 
a  new  pleasure,  at  least  for  a  new  sensation.  And  sanctified 
human  instinct  sets  its  hope  above  the  sun  :  and  while  con 
tentedly  walking  in  the  old  paths  of  daily  duty  and  reiterated 
discipline,  knowing  that  for  to-day  the  old  is  better;  yet  waits 
and  hastens  forward  to  be  renewed,  and  strengthened  to  sustain 
a  new  perfection,  where  the  Church  Triumphant  sings  "  a  new 
song." 

u  It  shall  be  one  day  which  shall  be  known  to  the  Lord, 
not  day,  nor  night." 

Lord  Jesus,  by  Thy  grace  and  gracious  Will  I  will  have  my 
pearls  not  here,  but  new  there  for  entrance  gates  ;  and  my 
gold  not  here,  but  new  there  for  a  footway ;  and  my  jewels  not 
here,  but  new  there  for  garnishing ;  and  my  song  not  here, 
but  new  there  for  Thy  praise  ;  and  my  joy  not  here,  but  new 
there  for  Thy  visible  Presence.  Amen. 

My  heart  is  yearning  : 

Behold  my  yearning  heart ; 

And  stoop  low  to  satisfy 

Its  lonely  beseeching  cry, 
For  Thou  its  fulness  art. 

Turn,  as  once  turning 

Thou  didst  behold  Thy  Saint 

In  deadly  extremity  ; 

Didst  look,  and  win  back  to  Thee 
His  will  frighted  and  faint. 


THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP.  183 

Kindle  my  burning 

From  Thine  unkindled  Fire  ; 

Fill  me  with  gifts  and  with  grace 

That  I  may  behold  Thy  Face, 
For  Thee  I  desire. 

My  heart  is  yearning, 

Yearning  and  thrilling  thro' 

For  Thy  Love  mine  own  of  old, 
For  Thy  Love  unknown  untold, 

Ever  old,  ever  new. 

"  Thou  art  worthy  to  take  the  book,  and  to  open  the  seals 
thereof:  for  Thou  wast  slain,  and  hast  redeemed  us  to  God 
by  Thy  Blood." — Our  dear  Lord  is  indeed  everything  to  us. 
Here  He  stands  before  us  altogether  lovely  both  as  our 
Redeemer  and  as  our  Example. 

(Because  Thy  Love  hath  sought  me, 
All  mine  is  Thine  and  Thine  is  mine  : 

Because  Thy  Blood  hath  bought  me, 
I  will  not  be  mine  own  but  Thine. 

I  lift  my  heart  to  Thy  Heart, 

Thy  Heart  sole  resting-place  for  mine  : 

Shall  Thy  Heart  crave  for  my  heart, 

And  shall  not  mine  crave  back  for  Thine?) 

But  wherein  our  Example  ?     Herein,  I  think. 

He  Who  opens  to  mortal  ken  that  Book  of  overwhelming 
judgments,  mighty  marvels,  joys  inconceivable,  is  the  Same 
Who  first  tested  by  experience  our  wants  and  capacities,  our 
strength  and  weakness.  Well  may  He  know  whereof  we  are 
made  Who  assumed  our  flesh  ;  and  remember  that  we  are  but 
dust  Who,  though  it  was  not  possible  for  Him  to  see  corruption, 
lay  down  in  a  grave.  He  Who  speaks  to  us  is  one  of  ourselves, 
infinitely  above  us  indeed,  yet  none  the  less  on  our  level; 
incomparably  unlike,  yet  essentially  like  us.  He  is  in  sympathy 
with  us,  He  loves  us,  He  has  sacrificed  Himself  for  us. 

Any  of  us  then  who  being  older  or  better  taught  or  placed 
by  Providence  on  any  other  vantage  ground,  are  called  upon  to 
educate  or  guide  a  neighbour ;  as  Aquila  and  Priscilla  were 
promoted  to  instruct  the  highly-gifted  zealous  Apollos, — any 
of  us  so  empowered  may  here  learn  from  our  Master  opening 
the  Sealed  Book  what  graces  ought  to  adorn  us  while  exercising 
our  privilege  :  sympathy,  love,  on  occasion  self-sacrifice. 

We  learn  this,  inasmuch  as  Christ  Himself  is  here  acclaimed 
"worthy"  to  unfold  God's  dealings,  because  ("for")  He  was 
slain  and  redeemed  us  to  God  by  His  Blood. 


1 84  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

Lord  Jesus  Merciful  and  Patient,  grant  us  grace,  I  beseech 
Thee,  ever  to  teach  in  a  teachable  spirit ;  learning  along  with 
those  we  teach,  and  learning  from  them  whenever  Thou  So 
pleasest.  Word  of  God,  speak  to  us,  speak  by  us,  what  Thou 
wilt.  Wisdom  of  God,  instruct  us,  instruct  by  us  if  and  whom 
Thou  wilt.  Eternal  Truth,  reveal  Thyself  to  us,  reveal  Thyself 
by  us  in  whatsoever  measure  Thou  wilt. 

"  It  is  written  in  the  prophets,  And  they  shall  be  all  taught 
of  God." 

Lord  Jesus,  the  price  of  my  Redemption  was  Thy  Blood, 
Thy  Life.  Help  me  to  love  Thee. 

O  Lord  God,  hear  the  silence  of  each  soul, 

Its  cry  unutterable  of  ruth  and  shame, 

Its  voicelessness  of  self-contempt  and  blame  : 
Nor  suffer  harp  and  palm  and  aureole 
Of  multitudes  who  praise  Thee  at  the  goal, 

To  set  aside  Thy  poor  and  blind  and  lame  ; 

Nor  blazing  Seraphs  utterly  to  outflame 
The  spark  that  flies  up  from  each  earthly  coal. 
My  price  Thy  priceless  Blood  ;  and  therefore  I 

Trice  of  Thy  priceless  Blood  am  precious  so 

That  good  things  love  me  in  their  love  of  Thee  : 
I  comprehend  not  why  Thou  lovedst  me 

With  Thy  so  mighty  Love  ;  but  this  I  know, 
No  man  hath  greater  love  than  thus  to  die. 

"  Hast  redeemed  us  to  God."' — "  What  ?  know  ye  not  that 
your  body  is  the  temple  of  the  Holy  Ghost  which  is  in  you, 
which  ye  have  of  God,  and  ye  are  not  your  own  ?  For  ye  are 
bought  with  a  price  :  therefore  glorify  God  in  your  body,  and 
in  your  spirit,  which  are  God's." 

Let  not  the  thing  formed  say  to  Him  that  formed  it,  Why 
hast  Thou  made  me  thus? — It  pleased  Christ  to  redeem  us 
whole,  whence  we  know  that  our  whole  being  is  capable  of 
serving  God  acceptably.  Our  body,  our  soul,  our  spirit,  all 
are  His  and  endowed  for  His  service. 

The  body  is  a  burden.  "The  corruptible  body  presseth 
down  the  soul,  and  the  earthly  tabernacle  weigheth  down  the 
mind  that  museth  upon  many  things."  But  for  it  we  should 
escape  aches,  pains,  death  :  this  is  its  least  and  lowest  burden- 
someness.  But  for  it  we  should  abide  impervious  to  sundry 
temptations,  and  not  merely  impervious  but  absolutely  irre 
spective  of  them  :  this  is  an  incalculable  augment  of  its  burden. 
Moreover  we  are  certified  that  flesh  and  blood  cannot  inherit 
the  Kingdom  of  God  :  so  that  after  lifelong  toil  and  trouble  in 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  185 

cherishing  and  disciplining  this  burdensome  body,  it  must  be 
"  changed  "  before  man  can  arrive  at  perfection. 

'But  Thou,  Lord  Christ,  didst  bear  a  heavier  burden  for  our 
sake,  even  our  guilt :  a  burden  incapable  of  salutary  discipline  ; 
intolerable  to  us  who  incurred  it,  and  were  it  possible  (as  it 
would  seem)  all  but  intolerable  to  Thee.  Thus  didst  Thou  for 
us,  for  me.  Love  bore  Thy  burden  which  was  mine  :  love, 
Thou  sustaining  me,  shall  bear  my  burden  which  is  my  own. 

And  since  it  is  "to  God"  that  we  are  redeemed,  our  very 
dust  may  well  be  dear  in  our  own  sight  as  it  is  in  His. 

"  Out  of  every  kindred,  and  tongue,  and  people,  and  nation." 
— Kindred,  tongue,  people,  nation,  will  not  (it  appears)  be 
obliterated  from  the  Communion  of  Saints.  Since  in  that 
blessed  company  similarities  and  varieties  will  alike  become 
bonds  of  affection,  motives  of  sympathy,  we  see  as  in  a  glass 
what  they  should  even  now  already  be  to  us  who  are  militant 
here  on  earth.  For  earth  holds  heaven  in  the  bud ;  our  per 
fection  there  has  to  be  developed  out  of  our  imperfection 
here;  neither  in  heaven  nor  on  earth,  neither  to-day  nor  to 
morrow,  neither  by  God  nor  by  man,  will  grapes  be  gathered 
of  thorns,  or  figs  of  thistles. 

By  grace  love  of  kindred  learns  to  embrace  the  whole  human 
family.  Language  discriminates  into  groups;  whilst  speech, 
man's  universal  heritage,  by  grace  brings  home  to  our  hearts  the 
world-width  of  brotherhood.  By  grace  the  concentrated,  I 
dwell  among  mine  own  people,  expands  until  we  also  say  with 
delighted  welcome,  Thy  people  shall  be  my  people.  By  grace 
nations  become  bound  and  welded  together  in  the  unifying 
Presence  of  God  (see  Zech.  viii.  20 — 23). 

By  grace;  but  not  by  nature.  Now  even  kindred  often 
lack  warmth,  tongues  make  discord,  peoples  encroach  on  one 
another,  nations  learn  and  practise  war. — Lord,  forgive  and 
help  us. 

A  lesson  against  antipathies.  Every  kindred,  every  tongue, 
every  people,  every  nation,  promises  to  be  represented  there 
and  associate  there :  French  with  Germans,  Italians  with 
Austrians,  English  with  Irish,  whites  with  blacks,  all  ranks  with 
all  ranks,  all  men  with  all  men, — an  alarum  against  antipathies  ! 

Saints  are  ready  to  receive  all  sinners  :  all  sinners  are  not 
ready  to  receive  saints.  Abraham  doubtless  would  have  re 
ceived  into  his  bosom  Dives  his  "  son  "  as  well  as  Lazarus  :  it 
was  Dives  who  having  held  aloof  from  Lazarus  in  one  world, 
was  set  down  still  more  aloof  from  him  in  the  other. 

Much  of  earth  will   find   no   entrance  into  heaven.      Not 


1 86  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

sin  alone  :  things  which  here  have  been  allowable,  inevitable, 
even  expedient,  will  yet  have  to  perish  in  the  using. 

To  cling  tenaciously  to  such  as  these  is  disproportionate,  to 
cling  passionately  is  idolatrous.  God,  Who  alone  can,  help  us 
to  refrain  our  soul  and  keep  it  low  like  as  a  child  that  is 
weaned  from  his  mother. 

Meanwhile, — if  what  I  dwell  upon,  picture  to  myself,  turn  to, 
crave  after,  am  overjoyed  at  possessing  or  acquiring,  cannot 
be  comforted  in  lacking  or  losing,  be  after  all  no  more  than 
something  which  must  perish  in  the  using;  my  own  words 
condemn  me. 

From  worshipping  and  serving  the  creature  more  than  the  Creator ;  from 
striving  to  serve  two  masters  ; 

Deliver  us,  Lord  Jesus. 

From  laying  up  treasure  for  ourselves  without   being  rich  toward   God  j 
from  laying  up  treasures  on  earth  and  not  in  heaven  ; 

Deliver  us,  Lord  Jesus. 

From  building  on  the  sand  and  not  on  the  rock  ;  from  gaining  though  it 
were  the  whole  world  and  losing  our  own  soul ; 
Deliver  us,  Lord  Jesus. 

From    cleaving   to  anything  apart  from  Thee  ;    from  loving  anything  in 
compatible  with  Thee  ; 

Deliver  us,  Lord  Jesus. 

Until  the  day  break  and  the  shadows  flee  away  ;  until  we  awake  up  after 
Thy  likeness  and  are  satisfied  therewith  ; 

Deliver  us,  Lord  Jesus.     Amen  and  Amen. 

They  throng  from  the  east  and  the  west, 
The  north  and  the  south  with  a  song ; 
To  golden  abodes  of  their  rest 
They  throng. 

Eternity  stretches  out  long  : 
Time,  brief  at  its  worst  or  its  best, 
Will  quit  them  of  ruin  and  wrong. 

A  rainbow  aloft  for  their  crest, 

A  palm  for  their  weakness  made  strong  ! 
As  doves  breast  all  winds  to  their  nest, 
They  throng. 

"And  hast  made  us  unto  our  God  kings  and  priests." — 
Christ  the  King  of  kings  hath  kings  for  subjects;  Christ  the 
High  Priest  for  ever  hath  priests  for  ministers ;  kings  and 
priests  unto  His  Father  and  our  Father,  unto  His  God  and 
our  God.  Peaceable  kings,  infallible  priests. 

Lord,  give  us  grace  to  seek  peace  and  ensue  it,  holding  fast 
Thy  truth  in  a  pure  conscience;  to  serve  Thee  meekly  on 
earth,  gloriously  in  heaven,  well  pleasingly  now  and  for  ever 
more.  For  our  Redeemer's  sake.  Amen. 


THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP.  187 

"And  we  shall  reign  on  the  earth." — Now,  a  trial ;  then,  a 
reward.  Now  all  earthly  thrones  are  so  far  like  King  Herod's 
that  from  them,  as  from  the  basest  seat,  one  single  step  leads 
to  worms  and  corruption.  Now  earthly  crowns  are  indeed  of 
gold  and  precious  stones  but,  like  one  of  yore,  load  as  it  were 
a  talent's  weight  on  the  head  of  the  wearer.  Not  so  the  far 
more  exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of  glory  awaiting  the  better 
life  in  Christ's  triumphant  kingdom.  Thrones  not  precarious, 
crowns  not  burdensome,  in  an  universal  peace :  Ephraim  no 
more  envying  Judah,  nor  Judah  vexing  Ephraim. 

11.  And  I  beheld,  and  I  heard  the  voice  of  many  angels 
round  about  the  Throne  and  the  beasts  and  the  elders  : 
and  the  number  of  them  was  ten  thousand  times  ten 
thousand,  and  thousands  of  thousands ; 

Thought  fails  before  "the  number  of  them"  :  no  simile,  no 
symbol,  conveys  it  to  me.  I  suppose  if  every  single  thing  I 
have  ever  looked  upon  had  been  an  Angel,  yet  all  together 
they  might  not  sum  up  "  the  number  of  the  fourth  part "  of 
that  celestial  holy  nation.  Around  the  Throne  and  the  Living 
Creatures  and  the  Elders  they  form  a  ring  more  glorious  than 
of  fiery  opals,  they  form  a  garland  more  lovely  than  of  roses. 

How  know  I  that  they  are  lovely  and  glorious  ? — I  a  sinner 
know  it,  because  certified  that  they  have  never  sinned.  Created 
loveliness  and  lustre  can  be  defaced  by  sin  only.  Every  faith 
fully  good  creature  abides  in  its  degree  as  a  mirror  of  God. 

I  dwell  hopefully  and  aspiringly  on  the  assurance  that  man 
having  been  made  a  little  lower  than  the  Angels  will  one  day 
be  made  equal  to  them.  But  who  are  mounting  to  such 
promotion  ?  Not  I,  if  I  grudge  them  their  present  exceeding 
highness, — if  I  would  lower  superiority  to  my  baseness,  instead 
of  by  help  of  grace  ascending  to  its  level, — if  wincing  under 
inferiority  I  rankle  against  excellence.  David  exhorts  us  not 
to  fret  ourselves  because  of  evil-doers :  alas !  he  writes  not 
down  to  the  standard  of  those  who  fret  themselves  because  of 
the  upright. 

Lord  Jesus,  Who  for  love  of  us  wast  once  made  a  little  lower 
than  Thine  own  Angels ;  make  us,  I  pray  Thee,  for  love  of  Thee 
sacrificers  of  self,  delighters  in  goodness,  companions  of  all 
who  fear  Thee  :  lest  we  should  never  see  Thee  as  Thou  art, 
nor  have  part  and  lot  with  Thee. 

"Round  about." — In  heavenly  assemblies  to  encircle  is  as  it 
were  to  embrace,  to  embrace  is  to  love.  Created  love  finite 
although  unnumbered  embraces  its  Creator,  while  abiding 


j S3  THE   FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

within  the  Everlasting  Arms  which  above,  around,  underneath, 
hold  it  in  the  embrace  of  Infinite  Uncreated  Love. 

Lord  God  Almighty,  suffer  us  not  to  withdraw  from  the 
embrace  of  Thy  Love.  Thy  Love  our  consolation,  Thy  strong 
Love  our  safeguard,  we  sorely  need.  For  oftentimes  our 
contrarieties  chill  human  love,  leaving  us  lonely  as  sparrow 
on  housetop,  owl  in  desert,  pelican  in  wilderness.  Lord  of 
Patience  and  Consolation,  deign  to  fetch  us  back  out  of  the 
loneliness  of  our  perversity  into  meek  charity  with  all.  Then 
will  our  desolation  not  be  wholly  desolate,  though  we  bear  the 
reproach  of  our  youth  alone  with  Thee  and  keeping  silence. 
For  Jesus  Christ's  sake,  ever  Patient.  Amen. 

12.  Saying  with  a  loud  voice,  Worthy  is  the  Lamb  that  was 
slain  to  receive  power,  and  riches,  and  wisdom,  and 
strength,  and  honour,  and  glory,  and  blessing. 

"  Saying." — The  Elders  sang,  the  Angels  say.  Throughout 
this  Book  of  Revelation  it  is  invariably  (if  I  mistake  not)  the 
redeemed  who  sing.  Nor  elsewhere  in  Holy  Scripture  do  I 
recall  any  mention  of  angelic  songs ;  unless  we  except  "  The 
morning  stars  sang  together,"  or  "Sing,  O  ye  heavens  .  .  . 
Sing,  O  heavens."  Yet  who  can  think  of  Angels  and  not 
associate  them  with  heavenly  harmonies  ?  Perhaps  their  speech 
is  song. 

The  Angels  render  glory  to  the  Lamb  inasmuch  as  He  was 
slain.  Unlike  the  elders  they  say  not  wherefore,  but  are 
content  simply  to  ascribe  to  Him  all  worthiness.  They  form 
the  outer  ring,  others  the  inner.  Thus  standing  without,  they 
worship  Him  for  gifts  which  He  receives  haply  for  others 
rather  than  for  them.  It  is  enough  for  them  to  fulfil  His 
commandments,  hearken  unto  the  voice  of  His  words,  do  His 
pleasure.  As  friends  of  the  Bridegroom  they  stand  without, 
rejoicing  greatly  because  of  the  Bridegroom's  voice  :  this  their 
joy  therefore  is  fulfilled. 

In  unselfed  ecstasy  they  exult  in  that  which  is  another  man's, 
thereby  glorifying  God  with  that  which  is  their  own.  Exalted 
on  so  eminent  a  pinnacle  of  the  Temple  they  stand  firm  and 
cast  not  themselves  down. 

What  grace  sustains  them  ?  Greater  grace  than  is  lavished 
on  us? 

Grace  does  its  natural  work  in  upholding  the  upright :  its 
•supernatural  work  (if  I  may  so  say)  in  upraising  the  fallen. 
This  it  does  for  us,  that  for  them. 

O  Lord  their  God  and  ours,  while  Thou  wilt  and  to  whatso- 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  189 

ever  point  Thou  wilt  make  Thy  holy  Angels  excel  and  shame 
us  by  gifts  and  glories:  only  let  not  Thy  grace  multiplied 
towards  ourselves  bear  in  us  less  fruit  of  love.  For  Jesus 
Christ's  sake,  slain  for  us.  Amen. 

Lord  Jesus,  Who  wert  pleased  to  Hve  for  us;  make  us 
righteous  :  to  die  for  us ;  make  us  holy :  to  rise  again  for  us ; 
make  us  glorious. 

God  the  Son  once  of  free  will  assumed  the  form  of  a  servant, 
therefore  and  for  evermore  is  He  worthy  of  power, — once  for 
our  sakes  He  became  poor,  therefore  of  riches, — once  He 
thought  as  a  child,  therefore  of  wisdom, — once  He  was  slain 
through  weakness,  therefore  of  strength, — once  He  endured  the 
Cross,  therefore  of  glory, — once,  yea  many  times  He  was 
contradicted,  reviled,  blasphemed,  therefore  of  blessing. 

As  Son  of  God  these  were  always  His  in  plenitude  of  per 
fection.  As  Son  of  Man  He  earned  and  receives  them  :  for 
Himself,  but  not  for  Himself  alone ;  for  Himself  as  Head  of 
mankind,  for  mankind  as  His  members. 

We  must  be  congruous  members  of  our  Divine  Head  if  we 
desire  to  share  His  beatitude ;  we  must  tread  the  same  steps  if 
we  aspire  to  the  same  goal.  Wherefore  to  serve  becomes  a 
privilege  ;  to  lack,  an  endowment ;  to  think  simply,  a  profitable 
exercise ;  to  be  sensible  of  weakness,  a  safeguard ;  to  undergo 
shame,  a  medicine ;  to  endure  provocations,  a  stimulus  to 
prayer. 

This  reverses  the  world's  judgment;  but  the  world  and  its 
lust  are  to  pass  away. 

The  world, — what  a  world,  ah  me  ! 

Mouldy,  wormeaten,  grey  : 
Vain  as  a  leaf  from  a  tree, 

As  a  fading  day, 
As  veriest  vanity, 

As  the  froth  and  the  spray 
Of  the  hollow-billowed  sea, 
As  what  was  and  shall  not  be, 

As  what  is  and  passes  away. 

13.  And  every  creature  which  is  in  heaven,  and  on  the  earth, 
and  under  the  earth,  and  such  as  are  in  the  sea,  and 
all  that  are  in  them,  heard  I  saying,  Blessing,  and 
honour,  and  glory,  and  power,  be  unto  Him  that 
sitteth  upon  the  Throne,  and  unto  the  Lamb  for  ever 
and  ever. 

Absolute  unanimity  amongst  all  creatures.  Though  one 
have  more,  another  less,  all  swell  the  hymn  of  unalloyed, 


1 9o  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

unabated  triumph.  If  stones  also  are  crying  out,  it  is  not 
because  any  in  heaven  or  on  earth  hold  their  peace  :  if  those 
who  still  draw  mortal  breath  speak,  they  supersede  not  voices 
from  under  the  earth  and  from  the  sea.  The  present  heaven  and 
present  earth  must  pass  away,  but  meanwhile  they  praise  God  : 
the  sea  must  be  no  more  to-morrow,  yet  to-day  it  magnifies  its 
Maker. 

Since  all  Holy  Scriptures  are  written  for  our  learning,  this 
thirteenth  verse  cannot  but  be  meet  for  us  to  ponder  over. 
And  it  strikes  me  that  whoever  conscientiously  and  unflinch 
ingly  puts  and  keeps  himself  in  harmony  with  this  text,  must 
find  that  for  practical  purposes  even  predestination  itself  is 
shorn  of  difficulties  and  terrors.  For  here  we  behold  things 
transitory  in  company  with  things  permanent  uplifting  praises  : 
the  former  utilizing  for  praise  the  only  time  they  have  ;  the 
latter  for  identical  praise  anticipating  the  eternity  which  awaits 
them.  This  is  to  take  our  Master  at  His  word  when  He  said : 
"  Take  therefore  no  thought  for  the  morrow :  for  the  morrow 
shall  take  thought  for  the  things  of  itself."  This  is  with  Job  to 
hold  fast  integrity  come  what  may.  This  is  with  Shadrach, 
Meshach,  and  Abed-nego  to  silence  the  adversary :  "  O  Nebu 
chadnezzar,  we  are  not  careful  to  answer  thee  in  this  matter. 
If  it  be  so,  our  God  Whom  we  serve  is  able  to  deliver  us  from 
the  burning  fiery  furnace,  and  He  will  deliver  us  out  of  thine 
hand,  O  king.  But  if  not,  be  it  known  unto  thee,  O  king,  that 
we  will  not  serve  thy  gods,  nor  worship  the  golden  image 
which  thou  hast  set  up." 

"Go  thou  thy  way  till  the  end  be." 

For  "  power  "  the  Revised  Version  substitutes  "  dominion," 
thereby  recalling  very  pointedly  our  risen  Lord's  words  to  the 
eleven  ;  in  which  passage  the  Authorized  Version  again  uses 
"power,"  which  the  Revised  Version  replaces  by  "  authority  ": 
— "  All  power  is  given  unto  Me  in  heaven  and  in  earth.  Go  ye 
therefore,  and  teach  all  nations  .  .  .  and,  lo,  I  am  with  you 
alway,  even  unto  the  end  of  the  world." 

"Unto  Him  that  sitteth  upon  the  throne,  and  unto  the 
Lamb." — Lord  Jesus,  as  Thou  with  the  Eternal  Father  and  the 
Eternal  Spirit  art  One  in  Thy  Godhead,  deign,  I  pray  Thee,  to 
be  One  with  Them  in  our  humble  apprehension  and  love  ;  that 
we  may  believe  and  feel  that  there  is  One  Lord,  One  God,  One 
Love,  wherein  to  repose  our  hearts,  souls,  spirits.  Amen. 

"  For  ever  and  ever." — The  Greek  words  (see  margin  of 
Revised  Version)  mean  literally  "  unto  the  ages  of  the  ages." 
This  seems  to  condescend  to  our  rooted  habit  of  computation, 


THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP.  191 

measurement,  estimate.  An  age  we  can  realize  :  an  age  of 
ages  (where  each  year  is  represented  by  an  age?)  we  can  in 
some  sort  imagine  :  and  the  vague  undefined  plural  number 
conveys  to  us  endlessness.  Yet  (if  it  be  not  irreverent  to  think 
so)  I  fancy  that  to  some  "  for  ever  and  ever,"  or,  as  I  suppose 
one  might  equally  express  it,  "  for  always  and  always,"  might 
appear  if  not  more  like  endlessness  yet  to  be  more  like  eternity,  if 
such  a  distinction  may  be  assumed  :  because  eternity  having 
neither  beginning  nor  middle  nor  end,  seems  to  exhibit  dura 
tion  without  sequence. 

But  in  this  passage  where  "  unto  the  ages  of  the  ages  "  is  the 
phrase  actually  employed,  I  observe  its  adaptation  to  the  matter 
in  hard.  All  creatures,  having  had  a  beginning,  speak  in 
character  if  speaking  with  a  birthright  sense  of  time.  And  the 
Eternal  Son  of  God,  to  Whom  as  Lamb  of  God  the  praise  is 
addressed,  had  under  that  aspect  even  He  Himself  likewise  a 
beginning :  "  When  the  fulness  of  the  time  was  come,  God 
sent  forth  His  Son,  made  of  a  woman,  made  under  the  law,  to 
redeem  them  that  were  under  the  law,  that  we  might  receive  the 
adoption  of  sons." 

Voices  from  above  and  from  beneath, 

Voices  of  creation  near  and  far, 
Voices  out  of  life  and  out  of  death, 

Out  of  measureless  space, 
Sun,  moon,  star, 

In  oneness  of  contentment  offering  praise. 

Heaven  and  earth  and  sea  jubilant, 

Jubilant  all  things  that  dwell  therein  ; 
Filled  to  fullest  overflow  they  chant, 

Still  roll  onward,  swell, 
Still  begin, 

Never  flagging  praise  interminable. 

Thou  who  must  fall  silent  in  a  while, 

Chant  thy  sweetest,  gladdest  best  at  once  ; 
Sun  thyself  to-day,  keep  peace  and  smile  ; 

By  love  upward  send 
Orisons, 

Accounting  love  thy  lot  and  love  thine  end. 

14.  And  the  four  beasts  said,  Amen.  And  the  four  and 
twenty  elders  fell  down  and  worshipped  Him  that 
liveth  for  ever  and  ever. 

These  Living  Creatures  which  appear  as  if  in  some  sort  a 
compendium  of  animated  nature,  answer  "Amen" — itself  a 
summing  up  of  "praise.  The  Throne  whereon  He  sitteth  Who 


1 92  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

judgeth  right,  answers  by  their  voice  "  Amen "  to  all  His 
decrees  and  to  all  which  He  permits.  Strength  in  the  "  Lion," 
acceptableness  in  the  "  Calf,"  intelligence  in  the  "  Man,"  lofti-. 
ness  in  the  "Eagle,"  every  good  gift  and  every  perfect  gift 
answers  "Amen,"  to  the  praise  and  glory  of  the  Father  of 
Lights  whence  they  came  down. 

Amen,  O  Lord  :  "dust  to  dust"  also  ascribeth  to  Thee  glory. 
From  the  ends  of  the  earth,  from  a  heart  in  heaviness,  from  a 
"mouth  in  the  dust "  by  foretaste  of  death,  glory  be  to  God  on 
high,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.  Amen. 

We  who  have  no  door  set  open  before  us  into  visible  Heaven, 
may  yet  look  in  with  St.  John's  eyes.  And  if  with  his  heart  as 
well  as  with  his  eyes,  then  shall  we  too  be  rapt  into  celestial 
regions  and  among  harmonies  superhuman.  With  Elders  our 
spirits  may  already  fall  prostrate  in  worship,  with  Living 
Creatures  our  wills  may  at  once  and  for  ever  answer  Amen. 

Amen,  which  signifies  both  So  it  is  and  So  be  it.  God  for 
Jesus'  sake  grant  us  grace  now  and  for  evermore  to  answer 
Amen  to  His  perfect  Will  and  Ways. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

1.  And  I  saw  when  the  Lamb  opened  one  of  the  seals,  and 
I  heard  as  it  were  the  noise  of  thunder,  one  of  the  four 
beasts  saying,  Come  and  see. 

He  who  had  been  redeemed  by  the  Blood  of  the  Lamb,  he 
in  whose  stead  Christ  had  died,  he  whom  Jesus  loved,  "  saw  when 
the  Lamb  opened  one  of  the  seals."  What  that  Wise  Master 
and  Gracious  Lord  did  St.  John  could  endure  to  behold,  how 
ever  awful,  terrible,  overwhelming  in  the  result.  He  could 
endure  because  he  was  beloved  and  because  he  loved. 

Lord,  me  also  Thou  hast  redeemed  by  Thy  Blood,  in  my 
stead  also  Thou  hast  died,  me  also  Thou  lovest  (for  which  sinner 
hast  Thou  not  loved  ?)  ;  yet  I  exceedingly  fear  and  quake  lest  I 
should  fall  away.  Thou  hast  not  ceased  to  be  my  Wise  Master 
and  my  Gracious  Lord;  Thou  lovest  as  Thou  hast  ever  loved; 
alas,  it  is  I  who  love  not  as  St.  John  loved. 

Son  of  God,  have  mercy  upon  us.  O  Lord,  let  Thy  mercy 
be  showered  upon  us.  O  Lord,  have  mercy  upon  us;  have 
mercy  upon  us. 

Love  still  is  Love,  and  cloeth  all  things  well, 
Whether  he  show  me  heaven  or  hell, 

Or  earth  in  her  decay 

Passing  away 

On  a  day. 

Love  still  is  Love,  tho'  He  should  say,  "  Depart," 
And  break  my  incorrigible  heart, 

And  set  me  out  of  sight 

Widowed  of  light 

In  the  night. 

Love  still  is  Love,  is  Love,  if  He  should  say, 
"  Come  "  on  that  uttermost  dread  day  , 

"  Come  "  unto  very  me, 

"  Come  «  here  I  be, 

Come  and  see." 


i94  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

Love  still  is  Love,  whatever  comes  to  pass  : 
O  Only  Love,  make  me  Thy  glass, 

Thy  pleasure  to  fulfil 

By  loving  still 

Come  what  will. 

"  Opened  one  of  the  seals." — Not  the  whole  seven  at  once ; 
not  forthwith  to  recompense  all,  or  to  make  an  end  of  all 
consuming  as  in  a  moment.  Rather  as  it  were  remonstrating 
with  mankind  again  and  again  :  "  The  day  of  the  Lord  is  great 
and  very  terrible  ;  and  who  can  abide  it  ?  Therefore  also  now, 
saith  the  Lord,  turn  ye  even  to  Me  with  all  your  heart," — and 
saying  especially  concerning  the  elect,  as  of  old  concerning 
Israel  :  "  In  measure  when  it  shooteth  forth,  Thou  wilt  debate 
with  it  :  He  stayeth  His  rough  wind  in  the  day  of  the  east 
wind." 

So  the  waters  of  the  Deluge  mounted  stage  by  stage,  affording 
time  not  for  the  bitterness  of  death  only,  but  also  (please  God  !) 
for  the  salutary  bitterness  of  repentance  in  sight  of  death. 

O  Merciful  Redeemer,  grant  us  repentance  early  in  the 
morning,  repentance  at  the  third  hour,  at  the  sixth  hour,  at  the 
ninth  hour.  O  Most  Merciful  Saviour,  grant  us  repentance 
at  the  eleventh  hour ;  grant  us  the  eleventh  hour  for  repentance. 
According  to  Thy  Mercy  saving  us,  Thou  Who  hast  died  our 
death  and  paid  our  penalty. 

"  As  it  were  the  noise  of  thunder." — That  is,  as  appears,  the 
voice  of  one  of  the  Living  Creatures.  If  we  may  assume  that 
these  speak  in  the  order  in  which  they  are  first  named,  then 
this  thunderous  voice  appertains  to  him  of  the  leonine  aspect, 
with  whom  such  a  sound  seems  congruous.  I  have  read  how 
the  natural  lion  setting  his  face  toward  the  ground  utters  a  tre 
mendous  reverberant  roar  far  reaching  and  appalling :  this 
celestial  "  Lion  "  now  sets  his  face  earthwards  and  summons  all 
within  hearing  to  "  Come  and  see."  For  surely  his  word  is  not 
to  St.  John  exclusively,  but  through  him  to  us  upon  whom  the 
ends  of  the  world  are  come. 

But  if  those  four  "Living  Creatures"  rest  not  day  and  night, 
saying,  "  Holy,  Holy,  Holy,  Lord  God  Almighty,  Which  Was,  and 
Is,  and  Is  to  come  "  :  how  is  it  that  one  after  another  they  now 
say  "  Come  and  see  "  ?  Perhaps  partly  to  show  us  that  charitable 
work  interrupts  not  the  flow  of  adoration.  [Yet  in  such  a  case 
I  must  not  be  rash  to  utter  anything  with  my  mouth  :  for  these 
are  problems  of  heaven,  while  I  am  upon  earth  ;  therefore 
should  my  words  be  few.] 

O  Lord,  Who  hast  proclaimed  by  Thy  servant,   "  Come  and 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  195 

see,"  blessed  is  the  man  whom  Thou  choosest  and  receivest 
unto  Thee.  Show  us,  I  beseech  Thee,  wonderful  things  in 
Thy  righteousness,  O  God  of  our  salvation  :  Thou  that  art  the 
hope  of  all  the  ends  of  the  earth.  For  Jesus  Christ's  sake. 
Amen. 

St.  Paul  has  written:  "  Let  the  woman  learn  in  silence  with 
all  subjection.  But  I  suffer  not  a  woman  to  teach."  Yet  else 
where  he  wrote  :  "  I  call  to  remembrance  the  unfeigned 
faith  .  .  .  which  dwelt  first  in  thy  grandmother  Lois,  and  thy 
mother  Eunice." 

To  expound  prophecy  lies  of  course  beyond  my  power,  and 
not  within  my  wish.  But  the  symbolic  forms  of  prophecy  being 
set  before  all  eyes,  must  be  so  set  for  some  purpose  :  to  inves 
tigate  them  may  not  make  us  wise  as  serpents;  yet  ought  by 
promoting  faith,  fear,  hope,  love,  to  aid  in  making  us  harmless 
as  doves.  "  Write  the  vision,  and  make  it  plain  upon  tables, 
that  he  may  run  that  readeth  it "  : — God  helping  us,  we  all 
great  and  small  can  and  will  run. 

A  commentator  I  have  turned  to  explains  the  remainder  of 
this  chapter  as  referring  to  the  establishment  on  earth  of 
Christ's  Kingdom,  and  to  successive  events  in  the  history 
of  imperial  Rome.  But  since  in  Holy  Scripture  personage 
after  personage,  crisis  after  crisis,  judgment  after  judgment, 
becomes  at  various  points  typical  of  some  greater  personage, 
crisis,  judgment,  thereafter  to  be  looked  for  :  I  venture  to 
trust  that  throughout  this  Book  of  Revelations  underlying  or 
parallel  with  the  primary  meaning,  is  often  discernible  a  further 
signification  which  may  be  unfolded  to  us  even  while  the 
other  continues  occult. 

Nor  surely  need  an  ignorant  man  be  accounted  any  great 
loser  (so  long  as  ignorance  be  his  misfortune,  not  his  fault)  if 
Bible  history  becomes  less  his  chronicle ,  of  individuals  and 
nations  than  his  parable  of  Christ  and  mankind.  Abel  will 
speak  better  things  than  ever  when  he  is  lost  sight  of  in  Christ. 
Isaac  will  be  glorified  when  by  his  submission  to  death  Christ 
is  manifested  and  remembered.  Moses  will  be  sufficed  when 
the  Prophet  like  unto  him  supersedes  him.  Melchizedek  and 
Aaron  will  vanish  gloriously  when  by  them  Christ  stands 
revealed  :  so  David  before  his  Son  and  Lord :  so  Solomon 
before  the  Sole  Builder  and  Maker.  The  Paschal  Lamb,  the 
Scapegoat,  will  have  fulfilled  their  end  when  they  lead  a  wor 
shipper  to  Christ  :  the  Day  of  Atonement  will  avail  him  to 
whom  it  shadows  forth  Good  Friday.  The  Deluge  engulfing 
the  old  world,  the  eternal  fire  of  the  Cities  of  the  pkiin,  the 


I96  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

fall  of  Jericho,  of  Assyria,  of  Babylon,  the  rejection  of  ancient 
Israel,  will  make  wise  unto  salvation  him  to  whom  they  bring 
home  the  final  Day  of  account ;  and  who  with  condemned 
Achan  gives  God  the  glory,  and  with  ruined  Manasseh  betakes 
himself  to  penitence  and  prayer. 

Glory  be  to  Thee  O  God,  with  Whom  are  the  treasures  of 
wisdom  and  knowledge,  and  Who  impartest  to  every  man 
severally  as  Thou  wilt.  Glory  be  to  Thee  in  the  Church  by 
Christ  Jesus  for  ever  and  ever. 

2.  And  I  saw,  and  behold  a  white  horse  :  and  He  that  sat 
on  him  had  a  bow  ;  and  a  crown  was  given  unto  Him  : 
and  He  went  forth  conquering,  and  to  conquer. 

This  verse,  having  been  interpreted  of  our  Blessed  Lord  and 
of  the  outset  of  His  Gospel,  harmonizes  with  the  Psalmist's 
apostrophe  :  "  Gird  Thy  sword  upon  Thy  thigh,  O  Most 
Mighty,  with  Thy  glory  and  Thy  majesty.  And  in  Thy 
majesty  ride  prosperously  because  of  truth  and  meekness 
tind  righteousness ;  and  Thy  right  hand  shall  teach  Thee 
terrible  things.  Thine  arrows  are  sharp  in  the  heart  of  the 
King's  enemies;  whereby  the  people  fall  under  Thee."  Elisha 
also  prophesied  victory  to  Israel,  in  the  words  :  "  The  arrow  of 
the  Lord's  deliverance  " ;  thus  suggesting  a  type  of  this  vision. 

The  horse  (agent  or  vehicle  of  the  rider)  is  white,  the  sign  of 
innocence ;  showing  how  above  His  fellows  our  Lord  is  He 
Who,  never  doing  evil  that  good  may  come,  works  by  pure  un 
mixed  good  to  a  good  end.  Horses  were  allowed  only  under 
restriction  to  ancient  Israel ;  but  now  we  see  one_  advanced  to 
signal  honour  ;  and  are  thus  reminded  that  all  things  whereby 
they  can  serve  God  are  lawful  to  Christians,  who  must  not  call 
any  such  creature  common  or  unclean.  The  bow  recalls  to  us 
the  paternal  blessing  of  Joseph,  himself  a  hero  of  purity  and 
eminent  type  of  Christ :  "  Joseph  is  a  fruitful  bough,  even  a 
fruitful  bough  by  a  well :  whose  branches  run  over  the  wall : 
the  archers  have  sorely  grieved  him,  and  shot  at  him,  and  hated 
him  :  but  his  bow  abode  in  strength,  and  the  arms  of  his  hands 
were  made  strong  by  the  hands  of  the  Mighty  God  of  Jacob ; 
{from  thence  is  the  Shepherd,  the  stone  of  Israel :)  even  by  the 
God  of  thy  father,  Who  shall  help  thee ;  and  by  the  Almighty, 
Who  shall  bless  thee  with  blessings  of  heaven  above,  blessings 
of  the  deep  that  lieth  under,  blessings  of  the  breasts,  and  of  the 
womb :  the  blessings  of  thy  father  have  prevailed  above  the 
blessings  of  my  progenitors  unto  the  utmost  bound  of  the  ever- 


THE   FACE   OF   THE  DEEP.  197 


lasting  hills  :  they  shall  be  on  the  head  of  Joseph,  and  on 
the  crown  of  the  head  of  him  that  was  separate  from  his 
brethren."  And  again  Job's  protest  of  integrity  which  exhibits 
him  also  as  a  type  of  Christ,  by  its  mention  of  diadem 
(though  here  the  word  is  crown)  and  bow  accords  with  the 
present  vision  :  "  When  the  ear  heard  me,  then  it  blessed  me  ; 
and  when  the  eye  saw  me,  it  gave  witness  to  me  :  because  I 
delivered  the  poor  that  cried,  and  the  fatherless,  and  him  that 
had  none  to  help  him.  The  blessing  of  him  that  was  ready  to 
perish  came  upon  me  :  and  I  caused  the  widow's  heart  to  sing 
for  joy.  I  put  on  righteousness,  and  it  clothed  me  :  my  judg 
ment  was  as  a  robe  and  a  diadem.  I  was  eyes  to  the  blind, 
and  feet  was  I  to  the  lame.  I  was  a  father  to  the  poor  :  and 
the  cause  which  I  knew  not  I  searched  out.  And  I  brake  the 
jaws  of  the  wicked,  and  plucked  the  spoil  out  of  his  teeth  .  .  . 
My  glory  was  fresh  in  me,  and  my  bow  was  renewed  in  my  hand." 

u  And  a  crown  was  given  unto  Him." — Christ  is  the  Priest 
Whose  Self-oblation  has  found  acceptance,  the  Captain  Whose 
arm  has  brought  salvation  to  His  followers  :  "  put  the  holy 
crown  upon  the  mitre."  This  Crown  given  appears  to  be  not 
the  inalienable  Crown  of  Supreme  Divine  Majesty,  but  rather 
the  Crown  of  reinstated  Human  Royalty  awarded  by  God  to 
Man.  It  is  the  Crown  of  the  only  One  born  of  woman  Who  in 
absolute  perfection  has  striven  lawfully  and  run  well.  It  is 
the  Mediatorial  Crown  honoured  in  heaven  and  on  earth, 

But  receiveth  He  no  Crown  except  from  God  ?  Yes,  verily. 
"  Go  forth,  O  ye  daughters  of  Zion,  and  behold  King  Solomon 
with  the  crown  wherewith  his  mother  crowned  him  in  the  day 
of  his  espousals,  and  in  the  day  of  the  gladness  of  his  heart." 
Redeemed  humanity  crowns  her  beloved  Son  and  Champion 
as  her  King  for  ever.  Christ  being  God  and  Man  is  constituted 
between  God  and  men  the  indissoluble  link  on  whom  descend 
blessings  of  heaven  above,  to  Whom  ascend  blessings  of  the 
deep  that  lieth  under,  blessings  unto  the  utmost  bound  of  the 
everlasting  hills. 

Moreover  inspired  wisdom  teaches  us  that  "  a  virtuous  woman 
is  a  crown  to  her  husband."  Which  suggests  that  in  the 
Mystical  Marriage  between  Christ  and  the  Church  (whereof 
each  earthly  marriage  is  emblematic)  the  Bride  is  "  crown  "  to 
the  Bridegroom,  accounted  by  His  love  not  disgrace  or  drawback, 
but  dignity  and  complement.  "How  great  is  His  Goodness, 
and  how  great  is  His  Beauty  !  " 

"  But  she  that  maketh  ashamed  is  as  rottenness  in  his  bones." 
For  not  only  do  all  the  members  in  the  One  Body  influence 


198  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

each  other,  but  even  the  Divine  head  is  honoured  or  dishonoured 
by  them.  Christ  keep  us,  keep  me,  from  being  "  as  rottenness." 

Lord,  of  Whom  a  certain  young  man  worshipping  Thee  once 
asked,  What  lack  I  yet  ? — we  now  worshipping  Thee  are  bold 
rather  to  ask,  Whatlackest  Thou?  Inasmuch  as  Thou  hast  said, 
Give  Me  thy  heart :  Lord,  only  grant  us  grace  to  give  our  hearts 
to  Thee  ;  and  hold  Thou  them  fast.  Then  in  Thy  good  pleasure 
shall  we  lack  nothing. 

"  And  He  went  forth  conquering  and  to  conquer." — Experi 
ence  attests  conquering ;  faith  protests  and  to  conquer.  Experi 
ence  bears  noble  witness  ;  but  faith  yet  more  noble,  meets  God 
as  it  were  half-way  and  becomes  His  herald. 

Experience  follows  and  gives  thanks  ;  faith  precedes  and 
offers  praise.  Experience  keeps  pace  with  time ;  faith  out 
stripping  time  forestalls  eternity. 

Faith  is  the  Elias  of  virtues,  girt  up  and  running  before  her 
advancing  King.  Faith  is  the  St.  John  Baptist  of  graces,  her 
joy  fulfilled  without  sight. 

Faith  and  Hope  are  wings  to  Love, 
Silver  wings  to  golden  dove. 

Wings  bear  the  bird  heavenward  :  th^  bird  animates,  impels, 
directs  the  wings. 

Bird  without  wings  might  do  something  :  wings  without  bird 
could  do  nothing. 

"  And  now  abideth  faith,  hope,  charity,  these  three;  but  the 
greatest  of  these  is  charity." 

Experience  bows  a  sweet  contented  face, 
Still  setting  to  her  seal  that  God  is  true  : 
Beneath  the  sun,  she  knows,  is  nothing  new  ; 

All  things  that  go  return  with  measured  pace, 

Winds,  rivers,  man's  still  recommencing  race  : — 
While  Hope  beyond  earth's  circle  strains  her  view, 
Past  sun  and  moon  and  rain  and  rainbow  too, 

Enamoured  of  unseen  eternal  grace. 

Experience  saith,  "  My  God  doth  all  tilings  well  "  j 
And  for  the  morrow  taketh  little  care, 

Such  peace  and  patience  garrison  her  soul : — 
While  Hope  who  never  yet  hath  eyed  the  goal, 
With  arms  flung  forth  and  backward  floating  hair 

Touches,  embraces,  hugs  the  invisible. 

This  Who  goeth  forth  conquering  and  to  conquer  is  He, 
"  Whose  goings  forth  have  been  from  of  old,  from  everlasting." 
Before  there  was  any  to  resist  His  Will  He  went  forth  to  bless 
in  the  lovely  work  of  creation.  He  went  forth  for  His  own 
sake  and  for  His  creature's  sake. 


THE  FACE    OF   THE  DEEP.  199 

But  evil  having  marred  all,  He  again  went  forth  for  His  o\vn 
sake  and  for  ours  conquering  and  lo  conquer.  He  went  forth 
from  heaven  to  Bethlehem,  from  Jerusalem  to  Calvary  without 
the  gate,  from  the  Sepulchre  by  way  of  Olivet  back  to 
Heaven.  As  He  went  He  conquered  sin  and  death  for  us,  and 
then  sat  down  on  the  Right  Hand  of  the  Majesty  on  High. 

Now  once  more  He  goes  forth,  for  us  indeed  but  also  with 
us  one  by  one,  to  conquer  sin  and  death  in  each  separate 
human  soul.  He  conquers  with  us  ;  He  offers  not  to  conquer 
without  us:  "He  hath  showed  thee,  O  man,  what  is  good." 

Neither  lias  it  pleased  Him  to  conquer  the  heathen  for  His 
inheritance  without  the  co-operation  of  their  elder  brethren  in 
Christ.  Some  Christians  are  called  to  become  literal  Evangel 
ists,  and  every  Christian  is  at  the  least  a  minor  missionary  : 
example  preaches  more  powerfully  than  words,  intercession 
converts  as  mightily  as  sermons,  alms  supply  the  sinews  of 
that  war  whose  weapons  are  not  carnal. 

If  all  our  forefathers  had  preached  adequately  by  word  and 
by  example,  wrestled  in  intercession,  invested  liberally  in  alms, 
spent  themselves  in  missionary  enterprise  or  at  least  in 
missionary  zeal,  doubtless  Christ  would  have  gone  forth 
mightily  with  them  to  annex  nations  and  races.  It  might  have 
come  to  pass  as  Isaiah  records  :  "  The  isles  saw  it,  and  feared  ; 
the  ends  of  the  earth  were  afraid,  drew  near,  and  came.  They 
helped  every  cne  his  neighbour;  and  every  one  said  to  his 
brother,  Be  of  good  courage." 

If  our  forefathers  had  then  lived  worthy  of  their  vocation, 
tVius  it  might  have  been.  If  we  their  children  will  now  live 
worthy  of  ours,  thus  it  yet  may  be. 

A  cowardly  Christian  shrinking  from  martyrdom  risks  suicide. 

A  scandalous  Christian  is  Satan's  right  hand  to  strengthen 
evil. 

An  inconsistent  Christian  is  his  left  hand  to  weaken  good. 

My  God,  Thou  Who  secst,  knowest,  siftest  souls:  how  dare 
I  look  elsewhere  and  not  within  for  cowardice,  scandal,  in 
consistency,  while  Thou  takest  account  of  me  and  under- 
standest  me  altogether? 

Thou  Who  knowest  me,  be  merciful  unto  me  and  correct 
me. 

Thou  Who  knowest  all,  be  merciful  unto  all  a-nd  perfect  us. 

Amen,  Gracious  Lord  Jesus,  Amen. 

3.  And  when  He  had  opened  the  second  seal,  I  heard  the 
second  beast  say,  Come  and  see. 


2co  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 


The  second  living  Creature  resembled  a  Calf,  one  of  the 
animals  devoted  to  sacrifice,  and  thus  an  emblem  of  mercy. 
He  summons  St.  John  to  contemplate  an  awful  vision,  as  it 
would  seem  a  mighty  scourge  sent  in  judgment.  Yet  is  it  mercy 
that  gives  the  call,  even  while  the  sight  is  appalling  to  flesh 
and  blood. 

God  in  wrath  remembers  mercy. 

Lord  Jesus,  while  we  tremble  at  Thy  wrath,  uphold  us  to 
confide  in  Thy  mercy  :  for  they  that  hope  in  Thee  shall  not 
be  ashamed. 

4.  And  there  went  out  another  horse  that  was  red :  and 
power  was  given  to  him  that  sat  thereon  to  take  peace 
from  the  earth,  and  that  they  should  kill  one  another  : 
and  there  was  given  unto  him  a  great  sword. 

Red,  the  tint  of  blood  ;  the  horse  and  his  rider  seem  an 
impersonation  of  bloodshed.  Our  comfort  is  that  the  power 
was  given  and  the  great  sword  given  ;  recalling  our  Lord's  own 
word  to  Pilate  :  "Thou  couldest  have  no  power  at  all  against 
Me,  except  it  were  given  thee  from  above." 

Moreover,  all  follows  :  nothing  now  can  precede,  any  more 
than  it  ever  could  outrun,  our  Saviour.  Whatever  Red  Sea 
we  are  passing  through  or  have  still  to  pass,  He  has  passed 
through  it  before  us  :  even  He  Who  in  vision  was  beheld  as 
red  in  His  apparel  when  He  made  the  depths  of  the  sea  a  way 
for  the  ransomed  to  pass  over. 

Is  there  any  peace  under  that  domination  ordained  "  to  take 
peace  from  the  earth  "  ?  There  remains  that  peace  which  the 
world  neither  gives  nor  takes  away.  Nothing  happens  irre 
spective  of  God's  Will  ;  no  sword  can  be  unsheathed,  unless 
He  first  have  said  :  "  Sword,  go  through  the  land." 

Once  too  our  Lord  declared  :  "  I  came  not  to  send  peace, 
but  a  sword."  Yet  a  sword  of  Christ's  sending  brings  peace 
when  welcomed  for  His  sake  and  faced  in  His  strength.  Or 
even  though  the  sword  be  Satan's  sword,  yet  to  ourselves  it 
will  become  the  sword  of  the  Lord  if  whilst  being  slain  we 
trust  in  Him. 

But  alas  !  for  those  who  "kill  one  another"  filling  up  the 
measure  of  their  fathers.  Haman  brought  enlargement  and 
great  joy  to  captive  Israel,  nevertheless  he  with  his  sons 
miserably  perished. 

It  is  no  part  of  duty  to  call  that  small  which  the  Voice  of 
Inspiration  calls  great.  "  Great "  is  the  sword  predicted  : 
great  must  be  the  Church's  searchings  of  heart  if  she  would 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  201 

be  prepared  with  weapons  not  carnal  to  cope  with  and  over 
come  that  sword.  Of  yore  "  for  the  divisions  of  Reuben  there 
were  great  searchings  of  heart "  :  we  too  have  shameful 
divisions  to  our  incalculable  loss  and  hindrance,  and  woe  is  us 
if  we  undergo  not  proportionate  self-searchings.  "Let  us 
search  and  try  our  ways,  and  turn  again  to  the  Lord.  Let  us 
lift  up  our  heart  with  our  hands  unto  God  in  the  heavens." 

"If  a  kingdom  be  divided  against  itself,  that  kingdom 
cannot  stand.  And  if  a  house  be  divided  against  itself,  that 
house  cannot  stand." 

Such  is  Love,  it  comforts  in  extremity  ; 

Tho'  a  tempest  rage  around  and  rage  above, 
Tempest  beyond  tempest  far  as  eye  can  see  : 

Such  is  Love, 

That  it  simply  heeds  its  mourning  inward  Dove, 
Dove  which  craves  contented  for  a  home  to  be 
Set  amid  the  myrtles  or  an  olive  grove. 


Dove-eyed  Love  contemplates  the  Twelve-fruited  Tree, 
Marks  the  bowing  palms  which  worship  as  they  move  ; 

Simply  sayeth,  simply  prayeth,  "  All  for  me  !  " 
Such  is  Love. 


5.  And  when  He  had  opened  the  third  seal,  I  heard  the 
third  beast  say,  Come  and  see.  And  I  beheld,  and 
lo  a  black  horse  ;  and  lie  that  sat  on  Mm  had  a  pair  of 
balances  in  his  hand. 

The  third  Living  Creature  exhibiting  "  a  face  as  a  man " 
summons  his  human  brother  (and  with  him  humankind  at 
large)  to  view  the  black  horse  and  his  rider.  If  the  Calf  may 
be  interpreted  as  symbolizing  Divine  Compassion,  the  Man 
suggests  (in  this  context)  an  embodiment  if  not  of  human  yet 
still  of  fellow-creaturely  sympathy. 

If  it  becomes  celestial  creatures  not  of  our  blood  to  concern 
themselves  for  us ;  surely  we  ourselves  of  one  common  stock, 
one  common  family,  should  plan  and  pray  and  yearn  over  each 
other.  The  coming  scourge  has  been  interpreted  as  chastising 
man  not  directly  in  his  spiritual  nature,  but  through  the  flesh. 
For  the  black  horse  and  his  rider  are  viewed  as  a  figure  of 
famine. 

Behold  a  funeral  traversing  earth  !  "  And  they  shall  pass 
through  it,  hardly  bestead  and  hungry  :  and  it  shall  come  to  pass 
that  when  they  shall  be  hungry,  they  shall  fret  themselves,  .  .  . 
and  look  upward.  And  they  shall  look  unto  the  earth ;  and 


202  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 


behold  trouble  and  darkness,  dimness  of  anguish  ;  and  they 
shall  be  driven  to  darkness." 

Famine  :  yet  not  absolute  foodlessness ;  else,  why  the  pair 
of  balances  ? 

But  first  let  us  note  these  Balances,  the  established  insignia 
of  Justice.  Injustice  never  has  a  voice  in  the  counsels  of 
Providence  :  Justice  always,  except  when  silenced  by  Mercy. 
Which  Mercy,  whilst  to  us  sinners  gratuitous,  is  yet  Justice  and 
not  Mercy  to  Him  Who  has  taken  our  place,  paid  our  penalty, 
made  good  our  deficiency  ;  even  to  Christ.  To  Whom  be  all 
gratitude,  praise,  love,  for  ever  and  ever. 

To  resume.  The  balances  suggest  scarcity  short  of  literal 
nullity :  hunger,  but  not  necessarily  starvation.  Scarcity 
imposes  frugality,  exactness  ;  a  gathering  up  of  fragments,  with 
thanksgiving  because  there  remain  fragments  to  gather.  No 
waste,  latitude,  margin ;  no  self-pampering  can  be  tolerated, 
but  only  a  sustained  self-denial  :  self  must  be  stinted,  selfish 
ness  starved,  to  give  to  him  that  needeth. 

And  as  the  poor  never  cease  out  of  the  land  and  are  in 
various  degrees  standing  representatives  of  famine,  this  self- 
stinting  seems  after  all  to  be  the  rule  and  standard  of  right 
living;  not  a  desperate  exceptional  resource,  but  a  regular, 
continual,  plain  duty. 

When  the  pinch  of  famine  comes  they  will  be  prepared  to 
bear  it  who  already  for  charity's  sake  have  learned  and 
practised  to  suffer  hunger.  They  who  have  kept  the  Fast  of 
God's  choosing  by  dealing  their  bread  to  the  hungry  will  even 
in  extremity  know  Whom  they  have  trusted  :  "  Although  the 
fig  tree  shall  not  blossom,  neither  shall  fruit  be  in  the  vines  ; 
the  labour  of  the  olive  shall  fail,  and  the  fields  shall  yield  no 
meat ;  the  flock  shall  be  cut  off  from  the  fold,  and  there  shall 
be  no  herd  in  the  stalls  :  yet  I  will  rejoice  in  the  Lord,  I  will 
joy  in  the  God  of  my  salvation." 

"BECAUSE   HE   FIRST   LOVED    US." 

I  was  hungry,  and  Thou  feddest  me  ; 

Yea,  Thou  gavest  drink  to  slake  my  thirst : 
O  Lord,  what  love  gift  can  I  offer  Thee 
Who  hast  loved  me  first  ? — 

Feed  My  hungry  brethren  for  My  sake  ; 

Give  them  drink,  for  love  of  them  and  Me  : 
Love  them  as  I  loved  ihee,  when  Bread  I  i.:ai<e 
In  pure  love  of  thee. — 


THE  FACE   OF   THE   DEEP.  203 

Yen,  Lord,  I  will  serve  them  by  Tliy  grace  ; 

Love  Thee,  seek  Thee,  in  them  ;  wait  and  pray : 
Yet  would  I  love  Thyself,  Lord,  face  to  face, 
Heart  to  heart,  one  day. — 

Let  to-day  fulfil  its  daily  task, 

Fill  thy  heart  and  hand  to  them  and  Me  : 
To-morrow  thou  shall  ask.  and  shall  not  ask 
Half  I  keep  for  thee. 

God  accepts  dues  as  gifts.     Man  receives  gifts  as  dues. 

An  eminent  physician  once  told  me  that  there  are  people 
who  would  benefit  in  health  by  fasting  :  a  secondary  motive,  yet 
surely  not  an  unlawful  one.  To  perform  a  duty  from  a  motive 
which  is  not  wrong,  may  prove  a  step  towards  performing  it 
from  the  motive  which  is  right.  To  leave  it  unperformed  seems 
the  last  contrivance  adapted  to  result  in  its  performance. 

6.  And  I  heard  a  voice  in  the  midst  of  the  four  beasts  say, 
A  measure  of  wheat  for  a  penny,  and  three  measures 
of  barley  for  a  penny ;  and  see  thou  hurt  not  the  oil 
and  the  wine. 

Whatever  historical  circumstances  may  here  be  indicated, 
the  "Voice  "  which  from  the  midst  of  the  four  Living  Creatures 
speaks  authoritatively,  tempering  judgment  with  mercy,  may 
safely  be  listened  to  by  us  as  the  Divine  Voice  :  for  the  Living 
Creatures  are  described  as  in  the  midst  of  the  Throne  and 
round  about  the  Throne,  and  He  is  set  in  the  Throne  that 
judgeth  right. 

Discipline  therefore,  not  inevitable  destruction,  may  be 
confidently  looked  for,  except  we  be  reprobate :  at  the  utmost 
"the  destruction  of  the  flesh,  that  the  spirit  may  be  saved  in 
the  day  of  the  Lord  Jesus." 

A  parable  and  prophecy  of  such  severe  tenderness  was  ages 
before  vouchsafed  through  the  Prophet  Hosea  :  "  Then  said 
the  Lord  unto  me,  Go  yet,  love  a  woman  beloved  of  her  friend, 
yet  an  adulteress,  according  to  the  love  of  the  Lord  toward  the 
children  of  Israel,  who  look  to  other  gods,  and  love  flagons  of 
wine.  So  I  bought  her  to  me  for  fifteen  pieces  of  silver,  and 
for  an  homer  of  barley,  and  an  half  homer  of  barley  :  and  I 
said  unto  her,  Thou  shalt  abide  for  me  many  days  .  .  .  For 
the  children  of  Israel  shall  abide  many  days  without  a  king, 
.and  without  a  prince,  and  without  a  sacrifice,  and  without  an 
image,  and  without  an  ephod,  and  without  teraphim  :  afterward 
shall  the  children  of  Israel  return,  and  seek  the  Lord  their 
God,  and  David  their  king ;  and  shall  fear  the  Lord  and  His 


204         THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP. 

goodness  in  the  latter  days."  And  earlier  still  Moses  had 
declared  to  Israel  assembled  on  the  threshold  of  Canaan  : 
"  He  humbled  thee,  and  suffered  thee  to  hunger,  and  fed  thee 
with  manna,  which  thou  knewest  not,  neither  did  thy  fathers 
know ;  that  He  might  make  thee  know  that  man  doth  not  live 
by  bread  only,  but  by  every  word  that  proceedeth  out  of  the 
mouth  of  the  Lord  doth  man  live  " — with  a  portion  of  which  text 
our  Blessed  Saviour  deigned  to  confute  Satan  in  the  wilderness. 

"  A  measure  of  wheat  for  a  penny,  and  three  measures  of 
barley  for  a  penny." — A  literal  scarcity  of  material  food  : 
spiritual  food  cannot  so  be  purchased  :  "  Ho,  every  one  that 
thirsteth,  come  ye  to  the  waters,  and  he  that  hath  no  money  ; 
come  ye,  buy,  and  eat ;  yea,  come,  buy  wine  and  milk  without 
money  and  without  price." 

The  next  following  clause  in  the  verse  under  consideration 
we  may  hopefully  appropriate  as  guarding  our  spiritual 
interests  :  "  See  thou  hurt  not  the  oil  and  the  wine."  Oil  is  a 
symbol  of  that  "  Unction  from  the  Holy  One "  bestowed 
upon  us  when  by  Baptism  we  begin  to  live  :  Wine  suggests 
that  blessed  life-sustaining  Sacrament  which  verily  and  indeed 
feeds  the  faithful  with  the  Body  and  Blood  of  Christ. 

Happy  we,  if  come  what  will  that  Table  is  still  prepared 
before  us  against  them  that  trouble  us  :  if  the  Anointing  Oil 
is  not  withheld  from  our  children,  nor  from  us  our  Cup  of 
Blessing.  "  The  Lord  is  my  Shepherd  ;  I  shall  not  want." 

If  pursuing  further  such  thoughts  it  be  lawful  to  consider 
this  "  Oil "  and  "  Wine  "  as  symbolic  not  only  of  the  gifts  but 
also  of  the  Divine  Givers,  Who  indeed  give  Themselves  :  then 
may  we  reinforce  hope  by  tenderness  of  grateful  love,  if  so  be 
the  word  "hurt"  intimates  how  God  the  Son  and  God  the 
Holy  Spirit  vouchsafe  to  account  Themselves  as  of  one  Heart 
and  one  Mind  with  the  Communion  of  Saints  ;  so  that  what 
hurts  the  elect  in  some  inscrutable  sense  hurts  Them,  after 
the  manner  of  Christ's  own  express  words  :  "  Saul,  Saul,  why 
persecutest  thou  Me?" — and  in  harmony  with  the  Apostolick 
injunction  :  "  Grieve  not  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God." 

Nevertheless  the  Prophet  Amos  predicted  one  period  of 
surpassing  famine  :  "  Behold,  the  days  come,  saith  the_  Lord 
God,  that  I  will  send  a  famine  in  the  land,  rot  a  famine  of 
bread,  nor  a  thirst  for  water,  but  of  hearing  the  words  of  the 
Lord  :  and  they  shall  wander  from  sea  to  sea,  and  from  the 
north  even  to  the  east,  they  shall  run  to  and  fro  to  seek  the 
word  of  the  Lord,  and  shall  not  find  it.  In  that  day  shall  the 
fair  virgins  and  young  men  faint  for  thirst." 


THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP.  205 


From  such  extremity  God  preserve  us,  or  out  of  such 
extremity  God  recover  us,  for  the  all-availing  sake  of  His  Son 
Jesus.  Amen. 

7.  And  when  He  had  opened  the  fourth  seal,  I  heard  the 
voice  of  the  fourth  beast  say,  Come  and  see. 

This  fourth  amongst  the  Living  Creatures  appears  to  be 
the  one  "  like  a  flying  Eagle  "  assigned  of  old  to  St.  John  as 
his  evangelical  symbol. 

Not  merely  like  an  eagle,  but  like  a  flying  eagle  ;  one  soaring 
or  prompt  to  soar  sunwards  relinquishing  earth  for  heaven, 
mounting  with  ever-renewed  strength,  "  forgetting  those  things 
which  are  behind,  and  reaching  forth  unto  those  things  which 
are  before."  Well  may  this  lofty  and  gracious  creature  be  the 
one  to  summon  the  Eagle  of  the  Apostolick  College  to  behold  : 
for  dread  is  the  vision  about  to  pass  by,  intolerable  to  flesh 
and  blood,  endurable  only  by  men  whose  citizenship  is  already 
in  heaven. 

Yet  by  them  gazed  upon,  dwelt  upon,  desired,  embraced ; 
because  they  know  that  man  cannot  fully  live  except  first  he 
die.  Therefore  with  a  good  courage  they  say  "  to  corruption, 
Thou  art  my  father  :  to  the  worm,  Thou  art  my  mother,  and 
my  sister."  Therefore  not  bound  with  fetters  and  chains,  but 
as  free  among  the  dead  they  oftentimes  keep  holy-day  among 
the  tombs,  cleaving  unto  Christ  the  Resurrection  and  the  Life, 
if  by  any  means  they  may  attain  unto  the  resurrection  of  the 
dead. 

O  Lord  God  Omniscient,  I  thank  Thee  on  behalf  of  all 
those  who  have  not  felt  or  who  no  longer  are  called  to  endure 
the  pnng  of  bereavement.  I  thank  Thee  for  ourselves,  who 
humbly  trust  that  some  we  love  rest  safely  in  Paradise.  Whom 
grant  us  grace  to  follow.  In  the  Name  of  Jesus  Christ. 
Amen. 

Safe  where  I  cannot  lie  yet, 

Safe  where  I  hope  to  lie  too, 
Safe  from  the  fume  and  the  fret ; 

You,  and  you, 
Whom  I  never  forget. 

Safe  from  the  frost  and  the  snow, 

Safe  from  the  storm  and  the  sun  ; 
Safe  where  the  seeds  wait  to  grow 

One  by  one 
And  to  come  back  in  blow. 


2o5  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

8.  And  I  looked,  and  behold  a  pale  horse  :  and  his  name 
that  sat  on  him  was  Death,  and  Hell  followed  with  him. 
And  power  was  given  unto  them  over  the  fourth  part 
of  the  earth,  to  kill  with  sword,  and  with  hunger,  and 
with  death,  and  with  the  beasts  of  the  earth. 

Pallor  of  a  visible  death,  as  whiteness  of  leprosy  is  whiteness 
of  death  :  leprosy  is  a  type  of  sin,  and  the  wages  of  sin  is 
death.  "  Before  their  face  the  people  shall  be  much  pained: 
all  faces  shall  gather  blackness." 

But  not  necessarily  blackness  of  darkness  for  ever.  Death 
appears  mounted  on  a  horse,  not  on  a  throne :  he  arrives,  he 
passes  by.  And  albeit  there  is  one  event  to  the  righteous  and 
to  the  wicked  ;  yet  the  righteous  even  while  rendering  to  Death 
the  things  that  are  Death's  enter  their  protest :  "  Rejoice  not 
against  me,  O  mine  enemy  :  when  I  fall,  I  shall  arise  :  when  I 
sit  in  darkness,  the  Lord  shall  be  a  light  unto  me.  I  will  bear 
the  indignation  of  the  Lord,  because  I  have  sinned  against 
Him,  until  He  plead  my  cause,  and  execute  judgment  for  me  : 
He  will  bring  me  forth  to  the  light,  and  I  shall  behold  His 
righteousness." 

"And  Hell  followed  with  him."— Hell,  otherwise  Hades: 
Hades  the  coffin  of  mortality,  the  cradle  of  immortality.  **  An 
end  is  come,  the  end  is  come  :  it  watcheth  for  thee  ;  behold, 
it  is  come." 

Hades  follows  Death.  Death  reaps,  Hades  garners  :  Death 
reaps,  to  sow;  Hades  garneis,  to  reproduce. 

Our  tender  Lord  encourages  the  faithful:  "I  say  unto  you 
My  friends,  Be  not  afraid  of  them  that  kill  the  body,  and  after 
that  have  no  more  that  they  can  do."  Death  then  is  one  of 
those  whom  saints  need  not  fear.  And  Hades  includes  Paradise. 

Hades  the  intermediate  abode  appears  (at  least  by  a  fanciful 
conjecture)  to  be  fitly  illuminated  by  intermediate  light,  twilight 
(otherwise,  'tween  light).  Twilight  is  one  of  two  things  : 
evening  twilight  is  the  dying  of  light  into  darkness  :  morning 
twilight,  the  vanishing  of  darkness  into  light. 

God  grant  that  to  us  it  may  prove  the  vanishing  of  darkness 
into  light,  for  the  True  Light's  sake,  Jesus  Christ. 

"There  is  hope  in  thine  end" — and  my  own  fault  it  will  be 
if  there  is  not  hope  in  mine. 

How  know  I  that  it  looms  lovely  that  land  I  have  never  seen, 
With  morning-glories  and  heartease  and  unexampled 
With  neither  heat  nor  cold  in  the  balm-redolent  air? 
Some  of  this,  not  all,  I  know  :  but  this  is  so : 
Christ  is  there. 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  207 

How  know  I  that  blessedness  befalls  who  dwell  in  Paradise, 
The  outwearied  hearts  refreshing,  rekindling  the  worn-out  eyes  ; 
All  souls  singing,  seeing,  rejoicing  everywhere? 
Nay,  much  more  than  this  I  know  :  for  this  is  so  : 
Christ  is  there. 

O  Lord  Chiist  Whom  having  not  seen  I  love  and  desire  to  love, 
O  Lord  Christ  Who  lookest  on  me  uncomely  yet  still  Thy  dove, 
Take  me  to  Thee  in  Paradise,  Thine  own  made  fair  : 
For  whatever  else  I  know,  this  thing  is  so  : 
Thou  art  there. 

"  And  power  was  given  unto  them  over  the  fourth  part  of 
the  earth." — Once  again  our  comfort  is  that  the  power  v&  given  ; 
the  Giver  regulates  the  gift.  "What?  shall  we  receive  good 
at  the  hand  of  God,  and  shall  we  not  receive  evil  ?  "  said  holy 
Job  :  and  in  this  we  are  expressly  certified  that  he  sinned  not 
with  his  lips.  But  for  such  an  assurance  and  for  other  passages 
of  Holy  Scripture  one  might  have  hesitated  to  call  anything  of 
God's  sending  evil. 

The  "power"  extended  "over  the  fourth  part  of  the  earth," 
but  no  further.  Not  over  the  whole  earth,  nor  at  all  into  the 
other  world  ;  nor  indeed  under  the  earth,  where  is  God's  Acre. 
It  is  a  surface  scourge  :  kiss  the  rod,  and  thoti  shall  abide  as 
the  profound  sea  whoso  surface  is  lashed  and  ploughed  by 
winds,  but  whose  depths  repose  in  unbroken  calm. 

Alas  for  shallow  persons  who  are  all  surface  ! 

"  Behold,  a  sower  went  forth  to  sow  ;  and  when  he  sowed, 
some  seeds  .  .  .  fell  upon  stony  places,  where  they  had  not 
much  earth  :  and  forthwith  they  sprung  up,  because  they  had 
no  deepness  of  earth  :  and  when  the  sun  was  up,  they  were 
scorched  ;  and  because  they  had  no  root,  they  withered  away  . .  . 
He  that  received  the  seed  into  stony  places,  the  same  is  he  that 
heareth  the  word,  and  anon  with  joy  receiveth  it ;  yet  hath  he 
not  root  in  himself,  but  dureth  for  awhile  :  for  when  tribulation 
or  persecution  ariseth  because  of  the  word,  by  and  by  he  is 
offended." 

Sorrow  of  saints  is  sorrow  of  a  day, 

Gladness  of  saints  is  gladness  evermore  : 
Send  on  thy  hope,  send  on  thy  will  before 

To  chant  God's  praise  along  the  narrow  way. 

Stir  up  His  praises  if  the  flesh  would  sway, 
Exalt  His  praises  if  the  world  press  sore, 
Peal  out  His  praises  if  black  Satan  roar 

A  hundred  thousand  lies  to  say  them  nay. 

Devil  and  Death  and  Hades,  threefold  cord 
Not  quickly  broken,  front  thee  to  thy  face  ; 


2o3  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 


Front  thou  them  with  a  face  of  tenfold  flint : 
Shout  for  the  battle,  David  !  never  stint 
Body  or  breath  or  blood,  but  proof  in  grace 
Die  for  thy  Lord,  as  once  for  thee  thy  Lord. 

"  To  kill  with  sword,  .  .  .  hunger,  .  .  .  death  (or  as  in  the 
margin  pestilence),  .  .  .  beasts  of  the  earth." — Ezekiel  delivers 
a  corresponding  prophecy: — "The  word  of  the  Lord  came 
again  to  me,  saying,  Son  of  man,  when  the  land  sinneth  against 
Me  by  trespassing  grievously,  then  will  I  stretch  out  Mine 
hand  upon  it,  and  will  break  the  staff  of  the  bread  thereof, 
and  will  send  famine  upon  it,  and  will  cut  off  man  and  beast 
from  it  ...  If  I  cause  noisome  beasts  to  pass  through  the 
land,  and  they  spoil  it,  so  that  it  be  desolate,  that  no  man  may 
pass  through  because  of  the  beasts  :  .  .  .  Or  if  I  bring  a  sword 
upon  that  land,  and  say,  Sword,  go  through  the  land ;  so  that 
I  cut  off  man  and  beast  from  it :  ...  Or  if  I  send  a  pestilence 
into  that  land,  and  pour  out  My  fury  upon  it  in  blood,  to  cut 
off  from  it  man  and  beast :  though  Noah,  Daniel,  and  Job, 
were  in  it,  as  I  live,  saith  the  Lord  God,  they  shall  deliver 
neither  son  nor  daughter;  they  shall  but  deliver  thdr  own 
souls  by  their  righteousness.  For  thus  saith  the  Lord  God. 
How  much  more  when  I  send  My  four  sore  judgments  upon 
Jerusalem,  the  sword,  and  the  famine,  and  the  noisome  beast, 
and  the  pestilence,  to  cut  off  from  it  man  and  beast  ?  " 

If  we  may  argue  from  the  fuller  prophecy  to  the  briefer,  we 
admit  in  both  (because  in  one)  what  the  Psalmist  recognized 
and  declared  of  old  :  "  No  man  may  deliver  his  brother  :  nor 
make  agreement  unto  God  for  him ;  for  it  cost  more  to  redeem 
their  souls  :  so  that  he  must  let  that  alone  for  ever ;  yea, 
though  he  live  long :  and  see  not  the  grave."  This  famili  ir 
Prayer  Book  translation  differs  from  the  Bible  Version ;  but  if 
I  may  here  safely  follow  it.  it  darkly  and  in  part  by  a  negative 
affirms  a  Divine  Mystery.  For  what  "  no  man "  can  do, 
Christ  did;  and  therefore  cannot  but  be  God  as  well  as  man. 
And  He  did  it  not  by  living  long  and  not  seeing  the  grave,  to 
which  no  covenanted  redemptive  virtue  was  attached  ;  but  by 
being  cut  off  out  of  the  land  of  the  living  and  making  his 
grave  with  the  wicked. 

True,  the  scourge  threatened  by  Ezekiel,  revealed  to  St. 
John,  is  temporal,  not  eternal;  but  since  Noah,  Daniel,  Job, 
availed  not  for  the  lesser  salvation,  much  more  could  they  not 
avail  for  the  greater. 

What,  Lord,  have  we  then  nothing  but  Thee? — Nothing  out 
of  Me,  all  in  Me. — Amen,  Lord. 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  209 

"  Evil  shall  hunt  the  wicked  person  to  overthrow  him  "  : — 
but  all  in  vain  would  it  hunt  the  righteous  man  ;  who  being 
even  as  the  Mount  Sion  which  may  not  be  removed  but 
standeth  fast  for  ever,  echoes  St.  Paul's  witness  :  "  Who  shall 
separate  us  from  the  love  of  Christ  ?  shall  tribulation,  or 
distress,  or  persecution,  or  famine,  or  nakedness,  or  peril,  or 
sword  ?  .  .  .  Nay,  in  all  these  things  we  are  more  than 
conquerors  through  Him  that  loved  us.  For  I  am  persuaded, 
that  neither  death,  nor  life,  nor  angels,  nor  principalities,  nor 
powers,  nor  things  present,  nor  things  to  come,  nor  height,  nor 
depth,  nor  any  other  creature,  shall  be  able  to  separate  us  from 
the  love  of  God,  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord." 

The  sword  has  had  its  will  of  many  a  martyr,  and  yet  has 
despatched  him  to  glory.  Fasting  devotees  practise  themselves 
aforetime  in  famine.  Pestilence  damages  not  him  who  is 
content  to  fall  into  the  hand  of  the  Lord.  Prayer  makes  itself 
heard  out  of  the  lien's  mouth  or  from  among  the  horns  of  the 
unicorns.  No  antagonist  can  disconcert  him  to  whom  to  live  is 
Christ  and  to  die  gain. 

From  any  sword  that  would  devour  for  ever, 

Lord,  guard  us. 
From  any  hunger  which  Thou  wilt  not  fill  with  good  things, 

Lord,  guard  us. 
From  any  sickness  unto  death  and  not  for  Thy  glory, 

Lord,  guard  us. 
From  evil  beasts, 

Lord,  guard  us. 

From   the   venomous   crooked   serpent,  from   the  roaring   lion,  from  the 
dragon  and  his  angels, 

Lord,  guard  us. 

9.  And  when  He  had  opened  the  fifth  seal,  I  saw  under  the 
altar  the  souls  of  them  that  were  slain  for  the  word 
of  God,  and  for  the  testimony  which  they  held : 

"  Do  ye  not  know  that  .  .  .  they  which  wait  at  the  altar  are 
partakers  with  the  altar?" 

These  blessed  martyrs  verily  waited  at  the  Altar  when  once 
they  were  offered  up  as  a  whole  burnt  offering  to  God ;  and 
now  St.  John  beholds  them  "partakers  with  the  Altar":  so 
identified  with  the  Altar,  that  all  which  thenceforward  is  offered 
thereon  may  be  said  to  be  offered  likewise  upon  the  sacrifice 
and  service  of  their  faith. 

All  who  are  united  to  Christ  are  thereby  united  to  one 
another.  The  Communion  of  Saints  flows  in  one  continuous 
stream  from  the  One  Fountain  Head ;  descends  as  one 

o 


210  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

unbroken  chain  link  by  link  from  that  irremovable  ancttor  of 
our  only  hope,  the  Cross  of  Christ. 

The  holy  fear  which  to-day  despises  earthly  terrors,  mirrors 
and  memorializes  the  holy  fear  of  our  fathers  and  mothers  in 
the  faith ;  holy  courage,  their  courage ;  heavenly  love,  their 
love.  A  martyr  of  this  generation  is  spiritual  descendant  of 
the  martyrs  of  yore :  even  as  (may  I  not  say,  evidently  ?)  St. 
Paul  under  the  Roman  sword  was  true  son  to  St.  Stephen  who 
had  interceded  for  him  amid  the  Judsean  stones. 

"  I  saw  .  .  .  the  souls  of  them  that  were  s'ain  for  the  word 
of  God,  and  for  the  testimony  which  they  held." — This  most 
noble  qualification  applies  to  St.  James,  own  brother  of  St. 
John,  and  to  others  amongst  his  familiar  friends.  But  as 
before  so  now  again  we  find  not  on  either  side  any  trace  of 
human  recognition,  of  human  tenderness. 

Perhaps  this  is  for  our  sakes,  lest  we  should  presume  so  to 
people  heaven  with  our  own  cherished  dead  as  to  turn  them 
into  idols  in  the  very  shrine  and  Presence  of  Christ. 

Since  he  that  keepeth  his  life  shall  lose  it,  it  may  be  that 
oftentimes  to  keep  our  beloved  would  be  to  lose  them. 
"  Perhaps  he  therefore  departed  for  a  season,  that  thou 
j-houldest  receive  him  for  ever."  "  Lord,  all  my  desire  is 
be '"ore  Thee." 

It  is  not  death,  O  Christ,  to  die  for  Thee  : 
Nor  is  that  silence  of  a  silent  land 
Which  speaks  Thy  praise  so  all  may  understand : 

Darkness  of  death  makes  Thy  dear  lovers  see 

Thyself  Who  Wast  and  Art  and  Art  to  Be  ; 
Thyself,  more  lovely  than  the  lovely  band 
Of  saints  who  worship  Thee  on  either  hand 

Loving  and  loved  thro'  all  eternity. 

Death  is  not  death,  and  therefore  do  I  hope  : 
Nor  silence  silence  ;  and  I  therefore  sing 

A  very  humble  hopeful  quiet  psalm, 
Searching  my  heart-field  for  an  offering  ; 

A  handful  of  sun-courting  heliotrope, 

Of  myrrh  a  bundle,  and  a  little  balm. 

Every  tree  after  its  kind  :  the  One  Cross  has  ramified  into 
unnumbered  crosses.  Every  seed  after  its  kind  :  the  Corn 
of  Wheat  which  died  is  replenishing  the  world-wide  harvest- 
field. 

Christ  is  Head  of  the  Church  :  should  a  martyred  Head 
have  a  pampered  body?  Lord  Jesus,  grant  us  grace  to  keep 
Easter  Eve  to-day  and  Easter  Day  to-morrow. 

"  The  testimony  which  they  held." — It  is  the  same  thing 


THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP.  211 

over  and  over  again  :  they  only  who  have  held,  held  fast,  held 
out,  are  they  who  shall  come  up  with  acceptance  on  God's 
Altar.  Courage,  patience, — woe  is  me  !  Yet,  Lord,  Thou  canst 
make  us,  make  me,  courageous  and  patient.  Amen. 

If  I  have  wisdom,  and  then  even  because  I  am  a  coward,  I 
shall  choose  the  less  risk  rather  than  the  greater,  the  less 
torment  rather  than  the  greater. 

If  I  have  wisdom,  and  then  even  because  I  am  impatient, 
I  shall  put  up  with  the  whip  lest  I  incur  the  scorpion. 

If  I  have  wisdom  .  .  .  nay,  but  even  if  I  have  common  sense! 

10.  And  they  cried  with  a  loud  voice,  saying,  How  long-,  0 
Lord,  holy  and  true,  dost  Thou  not  judge  and  avenge 
our  blood  on  them  that  dwell  on  the  earth  ? 

"  Vengeance  is  Mine  ;  I  will  repay,  saith  the  Lord."  Those 
\vho  are  indefectibly  of  one  mind  and  one  will  with  God 
Almighty  thirst  and  cry  out  for  His  just  judgment  and 
righteous  vengeance. 

Can  these  be  they  who  in  mortal  life  were  ready  to  lay  down 
that  life  for  their  brethren  ?  Yea,  these  same  are  they  once 
the  "all  things  to  ail  men"  if  by  any  means  they  might  save 
some  ;  the  echoes  of  Christ  in  intercession,  the  mirrors  of 
Christ  in  self-sacrifice. 

Like  Christ  they  became  by  grace,  like  Christ  they  cannot 
but  remain  on  the  threshold  of  glory  and  throughout  the 
unending  triumph  of  His  Glory.  What  Christ  is,  that  in  their 
several  proportions  they  too  must  be  :  according  to  His 
promise:  ''If  any  man  serve  Me,  let  him  follow  Me;  and 
where  I  am,  there  shall  also  My  servant  be  "  : — there  not 
merely  in  celestial  locality,  but  doubtless  in  spiritualized  will 
and  illumination  of  wisdom  likewise. 

0  Lord,  now  is  my  soul  troubled,  and  what  shall  I  say  ? 
Father,  save  us  from  that  hour ;  but  for  this  cause  hast  Thou 
revealed  that  hour.     Father,  glorify  Thy  Name.      While  there 
is  yet  time,  while  there  is  yet  hope,  Lord,  remember  Jesus  and 
all  His  trouble  for  our  sakes,  for  love  of  us.     I  plead  Jesus 
I  plead  only  Jesus.     Amen. 

"Holy  and  True." — "Yea,  let  God  be  true,  but  every  man 
a  liar  ;  as  it  is  written,  That  Thou  mightest  be  justified  in 
Thy  sayings,  and  mightest  overcome  when  Thou  art  judged. . . . 
Is  God  unrighteous  Who  taketh  vengeance  ?  .  .  .  God  forbid  : 
for  then  how  shall  God  judge  the  world  ?  " 

1  know  not  what  besetment  hinders  my  neighbour,  but  in 
some  degree  I  know  what  hinders  myself. 


212         THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP. 

I  quail  before  God's  Holiness  because  I  am  not  holy,  before 
His  Truth  because  I  am  not  true.  "  God  is  love  "  :  and  I  am 
of  a  different  mind  from  God,  not  because  of  my  excess  of 
love  but  because  of  my  defect  of  love. 

O  God  All-Holy  our  Father,  pity  us  and  renew  us  unto 
holiness. 

O  God  All-True  our  Redeemer,  compassionate  us  and  con 
form  us  unto  Thy  Truth  in  righteousness. 

O  God  All-Loving  our  Sanctifier,  convert  and  perfect  us. 

O  God  All-Holy,  All-True,  All-Loving,  Three  Persons  in 
One  Godhead,  we  are  they  for  whom  Jesus  was  born  and  died 
and  rose  again  and  ascended  into  heaven,  for  whom  He 
intercedes,  whom  He  will  judge.  Behold  us,  consider  us, 
succour  us.  I  take  refuge  in  the  supreme  Name  of  Jesus. 
Amen. 

"  On  them  that  dwell  on  the  earth." — They  say  not,  On  them 
that  slew  us  ;  but,  On  them  that  dwell  on  the  earth.  Whoever 
then  would  clean  escape  from  under  their  ban,  can  so  do  by 
ceasing  to  be  a  dweller  and  becoming  a  stranger  and  pilgrim 
upon  earth.  This  road  of  safety  lies  open  to  all,  to  murderers 
of  martyrs  as  freely  as  to  succourers  of  saints.  For  either  by 
innocence  or  by  penitence  any  and  every  soul  can  quit  earth 
and  betake  itself  to  Heaven. 

And  with  how  warm  a  heart  the  Martyrs  do  forgive  and 
welcome  their  slayers  is  exemplified  by  St.  James  the  Great : 
who  (at  least  according  to  a  legend)  having  by  his  superhuman 
sanctity  of  demeanour  converted  his  accuser,  received  him 
with  a  kiss  of  peace  ;  after  which  they  suffered  death  together. 

11.  And  white  robes  were  given  unto  every  one  of  them ; 
and  it  was  said  unto  them,  that  they  should  rest  yet 
for  a  little  season,  until  their  fellow-servants  also  and 
their  brethren,  that  should  be  killed  as  they  were, 
should  be  fulfilled. 

"  He  shall  grow  as  the  lily."  Whiteness  of  purity,  greenness 
of  hope,  fragrance  of  aspiration,  a  comely  aspect,  a  head 
uplifted :  once  in  their  passion  the  martyrs  became  as  lilies 
among  thorns,  and  now  in  their  rest  they  are  beautiful  as  lilies 
in  the  garden  of  their  Beloved.  Is  it  not  "  to  gather  lilies  " 
when  He  takes  home  His  own  unto  Himself?  Is  it  not  to 
feed  "  among  the  lilies  "  when  He  sups  with  them  and  they 
with  Him  ? 

"  Consider  the  lilies  of  the  field,  how  they  grow ;  they  toil 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  213 

not,  neither  do  they  spin  :  and  yet  I  say  unto  you,  That  even 
Solomon  in  all  his  glory  was  not  arrayed  like  one  of  these." 

"  White  robes  were  given  unto  every  one  of  them." — Israel 
in  the  wilderness  gathering  Manna  "  gathered,  some  more, 
some  less.  And  when  they  did  mete  it  with  an  omer,  he 
that  gathered  much  had  nothing  over,  and  he  that  gathered 
little  had  no  lack."  Similarly  these  elect  souls  have  pre 
sumably  not  laboured  all  alike :  some  have  borne  the  burden 
and  heat  of  a  long  day,  some  have  wrought  but  one  hour  ;  yet 
in  the  sphere  of  their  acceptance  these  have  no  lack  and  those 
nothing  over.  All  are  absolutely  accepted,  absolutely  sancti 
fied,  absolutely  perfected. 

Does  it  follow  that  all  the  robes  are  on  a  par  ?  This  point 
is  not  revealed.  All  are  white  :  yet  for  aught  we  know  one 
and  another  may  differ  in  glory  like  stars,  in  beauty  like 
flowers.  However  this  may  be,  let  not  our  eye  be  evil  because 
God  is  good  :  those  robes  are  given,  and  it  is  lawful  for  Him 
to  do  what  He  will  with  His  own.  Blessed  be  He  Who  freely 
gave  every  grace  which  He  invests  with  glory,  and  freely 
bestows  every  glory  wherewith  He  adorns  grace. 

"  So  then  it  is  not  of  him  that  willeth,  nor  of  him  that 
runneth,  but  of  God  that  sheweth  mercy." 

"  And  it  was  said  unto  them  that  they  should  rest  yet  for 
a  little  season." — In  this  world  vehement  desire  is  restless,  in 
that  better  world  it  can  rest.  "Their  strength  is  to  sit  still." 

"  A  little  season." — Already  about  eighteen  centuries.  But 
eternity  dwarfs  all  time  :  that  which  will  end  may  be  prolonged, 
but  cannot  be  long. 

"  Fellow-servants  .  .  .  brethren  ",  —  designations  of  affec 
tion.  And  what  their  disembodied  lovers  look  forward  to 
with  approval  is  that  they  be  "  killed."  For  martyrs  know  by 
experience  that  to  die  for  Christ  brings  an  accession  of  life ; 
and  saints  of  every  degree  in  honour  prefer  one  another. 
"  There  is  no  fear  in  love  ;  but  perfect  love  casteth  out  fear," 
not  for  self  alone  but  for  others  also.  "  In  the  sight  of  the 
unwise  they  seemed  to  die  :  and  their  departure  is  taken  for 
misery,  and  their  going  from  us  to  be  utter  destruction ;  but 
they  are  in  peace."  To  be  killed  in  Christ's  cause  is  to  be 
"fulfilled." 

"  All  the  rivers  run  into  the  sea ;  yet  the  sea  is  not  full." 
Man  is  a  still  wider  sea,  a  still  deeper  ocean,  a  more  insatiable 
abyss  :  this  life  and  the  resources  of  this  life  can  never  fill  him. 
As  one  has  proposed,  expressing  a  thought  too  daring  for  me 
cf  myself  to  have  entertained  or  uttered  :  The  vast  bed  of 


214  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

ocean  corresponds  with  the  ocean  whereof  it  is  the  bed  :  so 
man's  vast  emptiness  corresponds  with  the  Immensity  of  God 
Who  fills  him  ;  they  correspond,  God  having  fulness  where 
man  hath  emptiness. 

"  Fellow-servants,"  one  in  duty  :  "  brethren,"  one  in  love. 
Soul  by  soul  each  individual  fulfilled,  until  the  entire  pre 
destined  number  be  fulfilled. 

The  generations  of  mankind  shall  not  pass  away,  nor  heaven 
and  earth  pass  away,  till  all  be  fulfilled.  Time  must  endure, 
eternity  must  stand  back,  till  all  be  fulfilled. 

Fulfil  God's  Will,  and  thou  shalt  be  of  the  number  of  the 
fulfilled.  I  also,  He  prospering  me.  Amen. 

Once  slain  for  Him  Who  first  was  slain  for  them, 
Now  made  alive  in  Him  for  evermore, 
All  luminous  and  lovely  in  their  gore 
With  no  more  buffeting  winds  or  tides  to  item, 
The  Martyrs  look  for  New  Jerusalem  ; 

And  cry  "  How  long?"  remembering  all  they  boi'c, 
"  How  long?"  with  heart  and  eyes  sent  on  before 
Toward  consummated  throne  and  diadem. 
"  How  long?"     White  robes  are  given  to  their  desire  ; 
"  How  long?"  deep  rest  that  is  and  is  to  be  ; 
With  a  great  promise  of  the  oncoming  host, 
Loves  to  their  love  and  fires  to  flank  their  fire  : 
So  rest  they,  worshipping  incessantly 

One  God,  the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost. 

12.  And  I  beheld  when  He  had  opened  the  sixth  seal,  and, 
lo,  there  was  a  great  earthquake  ;  and  the  sun  be 
came  black  as  sackcloth  of  hair,  and  the  moon  became 
as  blood; 

Darkness  and  earthquake  waited  on  our  Lord's  Passion  and 
Death:  "the  sun  was  darkened  "  and  "  the  earth  did  quake." 
If  on  a  saving  Passion  and  life-restoring  Death,  how  much 
more  on  a  vain  passion  and  destruction-preluding  death ! 
"  Great "  now  is  the  earthquake  ;  the  sun  now  becomes  "  black 
as  sackcloth  of  hair."  The  done  done,  and  the  undone  left 
undone,  earth  is  preparing  to  pass  away,  and  she  quakes.  We 
know  not  whether  the  sun  is  passing  away,  or  whether  he  will 
be  relit. 

That  we  know,  this  we  know  not  :  that  concerns  ourselves, 
this  concerns  us  not.  Practical  utility,  not  idle  amusement, 
appears  to  be  one  widely  applicable  rule  according  to  which 
we  are  instructed  or  left  ignorant.  No  good  thing  (but  not, 
nothing  whatever)  will  God  withhold  from  them  that  walk 
uprightly. 


THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP.  215 

O  God  All-Wise,  let  us  not  be  as  our  mother  Eve  who 
thought  to  hanker  after  good  knowledge  denied,  when  in  truth 
she  hankered  after  evil  knowledge  kept  back. 

O  God  All-Good,  let  us  not  be  as  our  father  Adam  who  was 
not  deceived,  but  rejected  good  and  chose  evil. 

O  God  All-Merciful,  we  plead  our  only  hope  of  mercy, 
Jesus,  the  Second  Adam,  made  of  a  woman.  Amen. 

The  sun  being  a  figure  of  Christ  (a  figure  authorized  by  the 
Bible)  concerning  whom  Pilate  said  justly,  "  Behold  the  Man  !  " 
may  presumably  be  in  some  sort  a  figure  also  of  mankind. 
As  a  figure  of  Christ,  its  face  was  darkened  at  the  Crucifixion, 
and  is  once  more  darkened  towards  the  reprobate  :  as  a  figure 
of  man,  when  all  the  tribes  of  the  earth  go  mourning  to  their 
death  it  too  puts  on  mourning.  The  luminous  sun  then  is  an 
emblem  of  the  Living  Christ  and  of  all  who  live  in  Him  :  the 
lightless  sun  is  an  emblem  of  the  Dying  Christ,  of  Christ 
hiding  His  face  from  the  incorrigible,  and  of  all  who  die  cut 
off  from  Him. 

Now  the  moon  is  not  mentioned  in  the  Gospel  narratives  of 
the  Crucifixion.  Because  the  sun  sets  forth  Christ,  the  moon 
which  is  that  sun's  mirror  and  follower  cannot  but  set  forth  the 
Church.  And  the  Church  was  not  (so  to  say)  born  so  early 
as  the  day  of  Calvary  ;  but  by  the  end  of  the  world  she  is 
even  mature.  Then  therefore,  though  not  till  then,  she  appears 
unextinguished  in  heaven  while  the  world  is  departing  into 
darkness  ;  and  exhibits  her  proper  glory  "  as  blood,"  for  all 
her  glory  accrues  to  her  through  the  Blood  of  the  Lamb.  [I 
trust  such  a  train  of  thought  is  permissible.] 

13.  And  the  stars  of  Heaven  fell  unto  the  earth,  even  as  a 
fig  tree  casteth  her  untimely  figs,  when  she  is  shaken 
of  a  mighty  wind. 

The  Son  of  Sirach  observes  :  "  All  things  are  double  one 
against  another."  This  suggests  that  everything  cognizable  by 
the  senses  may  be  utilized  as  symbol  or  parable. 

To  such  an  exercise  certain  minds  seem  strongly  drawn. 
Their  horizon  thereby  recedes,  depth  is  deepened,  height 
heightened,  width  widened.  Underlying  any  measurable 
depth,  overtopping  such  height,  encompassing  such  width,  they 
apprehend  That  which  nothing  underlies,  nothing  overtops, 
nothing  encompasses.  To  them  matter  suggests  the  imma 
terial  ;  time  eternity.  "One  day  telleth  another:  and  one 
night  certifieth  another."  Their  world  expands,  and  with  their 


216  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

world  their  responsibilities,  and  with  their  responsibilities  their 
peril. 

The  Tender  Master  Who  adjusts  our  load,  help  us,  whatever 
it  amount  to,  to  bear  it :  the  Wise  Master  Who  appoints  our 
lot,  help  us,  whatever  it  involve,  to  conform  to  it.  And  this 
with  a  cheerful  hope  :  because  it  is  "  not  that  we  are  sufficient 
of  ourselves  to  think  anything  as  of  ourselves ;  but  our 
sufficiency  is  of  God." 

"The  stars  of  heaven  fell  unto  the  earth." — He  Who 
knoweth  the  number  of  the  stars  and  calleth  them  all  by  their 
names,  He  alone  can  "  loose  the  bands  of  Orion."  Neither 
sparrow  nor  star  shall  fall  to  the  ground  without  our  Father, 
and  we  are  of  more  value  than  many  sparrows. 

Meteors  and  shooting-stars  rehearse  to  successive  generations 
that  great  and  terrible  day.  Nor  can  so  much  as  one  single 
unripe  fig  drop  without  sounding  an  alarm  in  our  holy 
mountain.  The  fig  tree  bears  last  year's  fruit  and  this  year's 
fruit  together,  the  ripe  with  the  unripe  :  the  unripe  readily  fall 
away,  the  ripe  abide. 

"A  mighty  wind." — But  even  the  winds  hear  and  obey  God's 
word.  He  maketh  the  weight  for  them,  and  out  of  His 
treasuries  He  bringeth  them  :  as  after  the  Deluge  to  assuage 
the  waters  ;  as  at  the  Red  Sea  to  open  a  passage  to  Israel ; 
as  travelling  from  the  wilderness  to  sift  Job  ;  as  across  heaven 
to  bring  rain  when  earth  languished  under  Ahab  ;  as  rending 
the  mountains  to  instruct  Elijah ;  as  resuscitating  the  dead 
before  the  eyes  of  Ezekiel ;  as  arresting  Jonah  to  the  intent 
that  he  might  return  into  the  way  of  righteousness.  "  There 
fore  will  we  not  fear."  Or  if  still  we  fear,  let  us  lay  hold  on 
that  promise  :  "  A  Man  shall  be  as  an  hiding-place  from  the 
wind."  Yea,  Lord  Jesus,  hide  us  as  Thou  hast  promised. 

"THOU  SHALT  HEAR  A  VOICE  BEHIND  THEE." 
It  was  not  warning  that  our  fathers  lacked, 

It  is  not  warning  that  we  lack  to-day. 
The  Voice  that  cried,  still  cries  :   "  Rise  up  and  act : 
Watch  alway, — watch  and  pray, — watch  alvvay, — 

All  men." 
Alas,  if  ought  was  lacked  goodwill  was  lacked  ; 

Alas,  goodwill  is  what  we  lack  to-day. 
O  gracious  Voice,  grant  grace  that  all  may  act, 
Watch  and  act, — watch  and  pray, — watch  alway. 

Amen. 

14.  And  the  heaven  departed  as  a  scroll  when  it  is  rolled 
together  ;  and  every  mountain  and  island  were  moved 
out  of  their  places. 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  217 

Once,  years  ago  in  Normandy  after  a  day  of  flooding  rain,  I 
beheld  the  clouds  roll  up  and  depart  and  the  auspicious  sky 
reappear.  Once  in  crossing  the  Spliigen  I  beheld  that  moving 
of  the  mists  which  gives  back  to  sight  a  vanished  world. 
Those  veils  of  heaven  and  earth  removed,  beauty  came  to 
light.  What  will  it  be  to  see  this  same  visible  heaven  itself 
removed  and  unimaginable  beauty  brought  to  light  in  glory 
and  terror  !  auspicious  to  the  elect,  by  aliens  unendurable. 

As  a  scroll  rolled  up  the  heavens  shall  depart.  Meanwhile 
they  are  spread  out  above  all  humankind  as  an  open  scroll 
declaring  the  Glory  of  God. 

David  perused  the  open  scroll  to  good  purpose  :  "  O  Lord 
our  Lord,  how  excellent  is  Thy  Name  in  all  the  earth  !  Who 
hast  set  Thy  glory  above  the  heavens.  .  .  .  When  I  consider 
Thy  heavens,  the  work  of  Thy  fingers,  the  moon  and  the  stars, 
which  Thou  hast  ordained  ;  what  is  man,  that  Thou  art  mind 
ful  of  him  ?  and  the  son  of  man,  that  Thou  visitest  him  ?  .  .  . 
O  Lord  our  Lord,  how  excellent  is  Thy  Name  in  all  the 
earth  ! " 

Alas,  O  Lord  God,  we  are  not  thus  with  Thee.  Yet  hast 
Thou  made  with  us  an  everlasting  covenant  ordered  in  all 
things  and  sure  in  Jesus  Christ.  He  is  all  our  salvation,  and 
even  if  we  apprehend  it  not  He  is  all  our  desire  :  for  His  sake 
make  Thou  us  to  grow  in  grace  and  in  the  saving  knowledge 
of  Thee.  Amen. 

"  Every  mountain  and  island  were  moved  out  of  their 
places." — Faith,  whose  is  the  promise  to  remove  mountains, 
will  not  fear  "  though  the  earth  be  removed,  and  though  the 
mountains  be  carried  into  the  midst  of  the  sea;  though  the 
waters  thereof  roar  and  be  troubled,  though  the  mountains 
shake  with  the  swelling  thereof." 

Faith  will  not  fear.  Hope  will  look  up  and  lift  up  the  head. 
If  now  they  abide,  then  also  may  they  abide  :  yet  neither  now 
nor  then  except  in  company  with  love.  Faith  surmounts  fear. 
Hope  overbalances  fear.  Love  casts  out  fear. 

"Behold,  He  taketh  up  the  isles  as  a  very  little  thing." 
"According  to  their  deeds,  accordingly  He  will  repay,  fury  to 
His  adversaries,  recompence  to  His  enemies ;  to  the  islands 
He  will  repay  recompence."  Nevertheless  "  He  shall  deliver 
the  island  of  the  innocent :  and  it  is  delivered  by  the  pureness 
of  thine  hands." 

England,  our  beloved  England,  seems  naturally  included  in 
one  or  other  of  the  foregoing  texts.  Innocence  would  avail 
for  her  protection ;  but  who  among  her  millions  dare  challenge 


2i 8  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

that  safeguard?     "  Who  can  say,  I  have  made  my  heart  clean, 
I  am  pure  from  my  sin  ?  " 

Penitence  the  restorer  of  purity  is  the  substitute  for  irretriev 
ably  forfeited  innocence.  What  innocence  might  have  secured 
in  some  sense  as  a  right,  penitence  secures  as  a  grace.  Inno 
cence  is  strong  without  weakness.  Penitence  waxes  strong  in 
weakness. 

15.  And  the  kings  of  the  earth,  and  the  great  men,  and  the 

rich  men,  and  the  chief  captains,  and  the  mighty  men, 
and  every  bondman,  and  every  free  man,  hid  them 
selves  in  the  dens  and  in  the  rocks  of  the  mountains ; 

16.  And  said  to  the  mountains  and  rocks,  Fall  on  us,  and 

hide  us  from  the  face  of  Him  that  sitteth  on  the 
Throne,  and  from  the  wrath  of  the  Lamb : 

17.  For  the  great  day  of  His  wrath  is  come ;  and  who  shall 

be  able  to  stand  ? 

This  general  levelling  is  accounted  for  by  the  final  clause : 
"  Who  shall  be  able  to  stand  ?  "  All,  each,  must  either  stand 
or  fall :  such  as  cannot  stand,  fall. 

Herein  consists  a  genuine  distinction,  here  the  man  himself 
is  in  question :  whereas  those  other  points  of  difference  enu 
merated  in  the  text  are  accidental,  temporary.  To  be  a  king 
or  a  captain ;  to  be  great,  rich,  mighty ;  even  to  be  bond  or 
free ;  is  no  more  than  the  individual's  appointed  form  of 
discipline  in  his  proper  vocation.  Corruptible  crowns  perish 
in  the  using ;  sooner  or  later  war  will  cease  to  be  learned  ; 
greatness,  riches,  might  of  this  world,  cannot  be  expected 
to  outlast  the  world  to  which  they  appertain  ;  nor  bonds  or 
freedom  of  this  mortal  life,  the  mortality  to  which  they  are 
appended.  These  last  two  form  the  extreme  instance  :  whoso 
grasps  that  even  these  are  respectively  a  passing  vanity  or 
a  passing  vexation  of  spirit,  abides  in  impregnable  freedom 
though  Pharaoh  were  his  taskmaster. 

Not  that  a  slur  attaches  to  any  lawful  condition  or  pursuit : 
what  God  hath  made  He  is  graciously  willing  to  bear.  A 
terrestrial  crown  may  become  the  nucleus  of  a  crown  celestial. 
And  so  with  the  rest,  or  at  most  with  one  exception.  Bonds 
surely  will  be  stripped  off  at  once  and  for  ever  from  Christ's 
immortal  freeman ;  unless  haply  they  may  reappear  as  an 
ornament  of  grace  unto  the  head,  and  chains  about  the 
neck  of  one  whose  feet  were  hurt  in  the  stocks  whilst  the 
iron  entered  into  his  soul,  until  the  time  came  that  his  cause 
was  known,  the  word  of  the  Lord  trying  him. 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  219 

Perhaps  there  is  no  convulsion  of  nature  more  rife  with 
terror  than  an  earthquake.  What  must  that  extremity  of  terror 
be  which  will  call  on  earthquake  for  refuge  and  shelter  ! — and 
will  be  denied. 

Sinners  will  then  clamour  to  be  hidden  from  the  Face  of 
God,  not  realizing  how  God's  Face  is  about  to  be  hidden  from 
them. 

"  The  wrath  of  the  Lamb." — Words  cannot  utter  it.  "  Is  it 
not  a  grief  unto  death,  when  a  companion  and  friend  is  turned 
to  an  enemy? " 

Lord,  before  the  great  day  of  Thy  wrath  overtake  mankind, 
teach  us,  I  beseech  Thee,  to  discern  between  its  good  and  its 
evil. 

Thy  wrath  is  the  wrath  of  Holiness.  It  is  the  wrath  of 
Love,  for  Thou  art  Love.  Love  while  it  hates  still  is  Love. 
The  day  of  Thy  wrath,  because  it  is  Thy  day,  is  also  the  day 
of  Love,  of  Holiness. 

Incorrigible  sinners  become  the  mark  of  Thy  wrath ;  them 
it  tracks  out,  them  it  destroys.  They  appear  to  be  (as  it  were) 
so  fused  into  one  mass  with  evil  that  these  are  no  longer  twain 
but  one,  inextricable,  indistinguishable.  They  heaped  up  wrath 
against  the  day  of  wrath  and  revelation  of  Thy  righteous  judg 
ment  :  their  delight  was  in  cursing,  and  it  happens  unto  them ; 
they  loved  not  blessing,  and  therefore  is  it  far  from  them. 

Thy  righteous  wrath  lays  hold  of  them,  overwhelms  them  : 
these  who  shunned  and  abhorred  righteousness  are  now  forced 
into  contact  with  it  in  one  tremendous  form.  Sin  mastered 
and  prompted  them  hitherto,  now  righteousness  dominates 
and  overbears  them :  better,  it  may  be,  to  be  ruled  in  prison 
and  darkness  by  "the  rod  of  God,"  than  at  large  to  obey  by 
choice  the  serpent  of  the  diabolical  enchanter. 

Thy  righteous  wrath  coerces,  crushes,  shivers  them  into  some 
sort  of  conformity  with  Thy  Will.  It  could  not  be  better  for 
them  while  they  were  in  no  sense  conformed  to  it. 

Sin  was  their  evil  of  old ;  and  in  the  day  of  wrath  not 
punishment,  but  sin  remains  their  extreme  evil.  Sin  rampant 
cannot  be  better  than  sin  delivered  to  the  tormentors. 

Worse  was  it  for  Babel  to  be  built  than  to  be  destroyed. 

Grace  withdrawn  precludes  grace  resisted.  Opportunity 
denied  precludes  opportunity  set  at  nought.  Time  finished 
precludes  time  lost. 

Such  withdrawal,  denial,  finis,  are  amongst  the  last  revealed 
dealings  of  God  towards  self-ruined  man  :  and  who  shall  dare 
pronounce  them  in  no  sense  dealings  of  mercy?  [These 


220  THE  FACE  OF  THE   DEEP. 

thoughts  are  less  my  own  than  derived  from  widely  different 
sources.] 

O  Lamb  of  God,  the  spirit  fails  from  before  Thee  and  the 
souls  which  Thou  hast  made.  I  cannot  understand,  can  only 
bow  down  before,  the  mystery  of  Thy  wrath  :  preserve  me  from 
darkening  counsel  by  words  without  knowledge.  Behold,  I 
am  vile  ;  what  shall  I  answer  Thee  ?  I  will  lay  my  hand  upon 
my  mouth.  Once  have  I  spoken ;  but  I  will  not  answer  :  yea, 
twice ;  but  I  will  proceed  no  further.  O  Lamb  of  God,  Who 
earnest  not  to  destroy  men's  lives,  but  to  save  them,  take  away 
the  sins  of  the  world. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

1.  And  after  these  things  I  saw  four  angels  standing  on  the 
four  corners  of  the  earth,  holding  the  four  winds  of  the 
earth,  that  the  wind  should  not  blow  on  the  earth,  nor 
on  the  sea,  nor  on  any  tree. 

"After  these  things  I  saw." — Happen  what  may,  the  saints 
survive.  The  great  saints?  Yea,  and  the  little  saints  along 
with  them.  Saints  are  all,  every  one  of  them  "  great  fishes  " 
drawn  ashore  at  last  in  the  unbroken  net  of  salvation. 

"Four  angels  .  .  .  holding." — A  period  of  suspense,  pre 
paration.  Suspense  is  preparation,  and  should  be  utilized  for 
preparation.  That  it  should  be,  attests  that  it  can  be.  That 
any  one  can  so  use  it,  certifies  that  all  can.  Suspense  tempts 
one  to  do  nothing :  it  ought  contrariwise  to  stir  one  up  to  do 
everything. 

For  suspense  though  it  may  be  prolonged  indefinitely  must 
sooner  or  later  terminate  ;  and  must  be  succeeded  by  we  know 
not  what.  Had  we  known  what  would  follow,  suspense  could 
not  have  been  suspense. 

During  suspense  we  can  prepare  ourselves  for  anything,  only 
by  preparing  ourselves  for  everything.  The  prepared  man 
secures  "a  happy  issue"  out  of  suspense  whenever  and  what 
ever  that  issue  may  be.  But  the  unprepared  man  .  .  .  ? 

And  since  "  the  preparations  of  the  heart  in  man  "  are  "  from 
the  Lord,"  let  us  pray  with  David  whose  heart  indited  of  good 
matters :  "  Create  in  me  a  clean  heart,  O  God ;  and  renew  a 
right  spirit  within  me."  For  Jesu's  sake.  Amen. 

St.  John  saw  four  Angels  standing  on  the  four  corners  of  the 
earth.  They  would  equally  have  been  standing  there  had  he 
not  seen  them ;  and  it  may  be  so  even  now  at  this  present 
moment. 

Angels  see  us  though  we  see  them  not,  they  hear  us  though 


222         THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP. 

we  hear  them  not :  let  it  not  be  that  they  love  us  though  we 
love  them  not. 

Whether  we  love  them  or  not,  and  even  whether  we  love 
God  or  not,  they  love  us  so  long  as  God  loves  us  :  because 
they  are  lovely,  that  is,  love-like;  and  we  know  Who  it  is 
Whose  Name  is  Love. 

Glory  be  to  Thee,  O  Lord  God,  Glory  be  to  Thee  for  all 
created  glories,  for  all  ministries  of  mercy  and  judgment,  for 
what  eye  hath  seen,  and  what  eye  hath  not  seen,  for  Angels 
unfallen,  for  saints  raised  up  to  newness  of  life,  for  sinners  with 
the  possibilities  of  saints,  for  equality  with  angels  accessible  to 
man,  for  glory  differing  from  glory,  for  glory  that  shall  be 
revealed.  Glory  be  to  Thee  for  the  Excellent  Glory,  for  our 
knowledge  of  Thy  Glory  in  the  Face  of  Jesus  Christ ;  Whom 
we  plead,  desiring  to  live  and  die  unto  Thy  glory.  Amen. 

Dear  Angels  and  dear  disembodied  Saints 

Unseen  around  us,  worshipping  in  rest, 
May  wonder  that  man's  heart  so  often  faints 

And  his  steps  lag  along  the  heavenly  quest, 
What  while  his  foolish  fancy  moulds  and  paints 

A  fonder  hope  than  all  they  prove  for  best ; 
A  lying  hope  which  undermines  and  taints 

His  soul,  as  sin  and  sloth  make  manifest. 
Sloth,  and  a  lie,  and  sin  :  shall  these  suffice 

The  unfathomable  heart  of  craving  man, 

The  heart  that  being  a  deep  calls  to  the  deep  ? 

Behold  how  many  like  us  rose  and  ran 

When  Christ  life-Giver  roused  them  from  their  sleep 
To  rise  and  run  and  rest  in  Paradise  i 

This  period  of  suspense  is  under  one  aspect  a  period  of 
calm :  the  winds  being  withheld  from  blowing,  earth,  sea,  and 
every  tree  stand  still.  Wherefore? 

While  we  wait  to  know,  let  us  practise  ourselves  in  faith. 
"Be  still,  and  know  that  I  am  God." 

Lord,  grant  us  calm,  if  calm  can  set  forth  Thee  ; 

Or  tempest,  if  a  tempest  set  Thee  forth  ; 

Wind  from  the  east  or  west  or  south  or  north  ; 
Or  congelation  of  a  silent  sea 
With  stillness  of  each  tremulous  aspen  tree. 

Still  let  fruit  fall,  or  hang  upon  the  tree  ; 

Still  let  the  east  and  west,  the  south  and  north, 
Curb  in  their  winds,  or  plough  a  thundering  sea ; 

Still  let  the  earth  abide  to  set  Thee  forth, 
Or  vanish  like  a  smoke  to  set  forth  Thee. 

Earth  with  four  corners,  amenable  to  four  winds  and  four 
angels,  might  seem  but  a  small  place. 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  223 

And  earth  is  small  compared  with  space.  And  space  is 
small  compared  with  infinity. 

Let  us  not  lose  our  soul  to  gain  the  world,  that  smallest  of 
three  areas. 

How  escape  four  avenging  winds,  and  four  avenging  angels  ? 
By  entrenching  ourselves  betimes  amid  the  four  cardinal 
virtues :  Prudence  which  seeks  God  while  He  may  be  found ; 
*  Justice  whereby  (among  other  functions)  man  judges  self,  and 
so  is  not  judged;  Fortitude  which  even  counts  it  happy  to 
endure;  Temperance  which  strives  lawfully,  and  runs  so  as 
to  obtain. 

2.  And  I  saw  another  angel  ascending  from  the  east,-  having 
the  seal  of  the  living  God :  and  he  cried  with  a  loud 
voice  to  the  four  angels,  to  whom  it  was  given  to  hurt 
the  earth  and  the  sea, 

All  alike  angels,  each  with  his  particular  office  to  fulfil, 
talent  to  use.  Four  to  chastise,  one  to  protect.  The  angel 
of  protection  exercises  authority  over  those  his  brethren ; 
salvation  must  be  secured  before  destruction  does  its  work ; 
mercy  delays  judgment. 

O  Christ  my  God,  if  I  know  it  not  concerning  any  soul 
beside  mine  own,  yet  concerning  mine  own  soul  well  know 
I  that  mercy  delay eth  judgment.  Well  I  know  it,  yet  not 
fully:  Thou  alone  fully  knowest  the  length,  breadth,  depth, 
height,  of  Thy  mercy  towards  me ;  free  mercy,  renewed  mercy, 
pursuing  mercy,  beseeching  mercy.  O  my  God,  let  it  be 
prevailing,  conquering,  triumphant  mercy  over  me,  over  all, 
lest  we  heap  up  wrath  against  the  day  of  wrath  by  means  of 
the  longsuffering  of  Thy  mercy  :  Thou  Who  earnest  not  to 
condemn  the  world,  but  to  save  the  world.  Amen. 

"Another  angel  ascending  from  the  east." — As  a  star  risen 
in  the  east  manifested  Christ,  so  now  an  angel  rises  in  the  east 
to  manifest  them  that  are  Christ's.  Instinctively  I  should 
picture  an  angel  as  descending,  and  not  ascending  on  earthly 
embassies ;  but  this  angel  visibly  ascended  :  the  east  thereupon 
emitting  a  double  light ;  an  angel  in  his  brightness ;  and  an 
illuminating  inference,  that  every  Divine  errand  or  calling 
whithersoever  and  whatsoever  it  may  be  exalts  a  faithful 
messenger,  a  dutiful  servant. 

To  descend  penitently  into  the  valley  of  humiliation,  to 
descend  obediently  and  with  a  good  courage  into  the  valley 
of  the  shadow  of  death,  is  to  ascend  the  hill  of  the  Lord.  To 
excavate  the  foundation  forwards  the  erection  of  the  Temple. 


224  THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP. 

"Who  is  there  among  you  of  all  His  people?  The  Lord  his 
God  be  with  him,  and  let  him  go  up." 

"The  seal  of  the  Living  God." — In  Holy  Baptism  we 
certainly  receive  such  a  seal.  But  Baptism  initiates  :  this  seal 
seems  to  stamp  the  end  rather  than  the  beginning.  Final 
perseverance,  if  it  be  not  itself  the  seal,  appears  congruous 
with  it. 

To  be  sealed  makes  the  members  so  far  like  their  Head  : 
for  Christ  declared  concerning  Himself,  "  Him  hath  God  the 
Father  sealed."  Which  ineffable  sealing  I  have  seen  explained 
as  referring  to  a  Jewish  custom  observed  towards  the  Passover 
Lambs,  according  to  which  they  were  before  sacrifice  authori 
tatively  inspected  and  certified  as  without  blemish. 

Whence  it  would  seem  that  our  Lord's  "sealing"  both 
attested  His  perfection  and  assigned  Him  to  sacrifice.  I  know 
not  whether  a  parallel  on  a  lower  level  may  be  permitted  to 
apply  the  same  thought  to  His  elect. 

There  is  yet  another  sealing  whereby  the  Bride  prays  to  be 
indissolubly  united  to  her  Heavenly  Bridegroom  :  "  Set  me  as 
a  seal  upon  Thine  heart,  as  a  seal  upon  Thine  arm  :  for  love  is 
strong  as  death."  And  to  this  prayer  each  devoted  soul  may 
unblamed  frame  a  parallel :  Set  Thyself  as  Seal  upon  my  heart, 
as  Seal  upon  mine  arm  ;  that  my  love  may  wax  strong  as  death. 
Amen. 

A   SORROWFUL  SIGH   OF  A  PRISONER. 

Lord,  comest  Thou  to  me  ? 

My  heart  is  cold  and  dead  : 
Alas  that  such  a  heart  should  be 

The  place  to  lay  Thy  head  ! 

"  The  Living  God."— "As  the  Father  raiseth  up  the  dead,  and 
quickeneth  them ;  even  so  the  Son  quickeneth  whom  He 
will.  ...  As  the  Father  hath  life  in  Himself;  so  hath  He 
given  to  the  Son  to  have  life  in  Himself."  "  The  law  of  the 
Spirit  of  Life  in  Christ  Jesus  hath  made  me  free  from  the  law 
of  sin  and  death.  .  .  .  And  if  Christ  be  in  you,  the  body  is 
dead  because  of  sin ;  but  the  Spirit  is  life  because  of  righteous 
ness." 

"  To  whom  it  was  given  to  hurt  the  earth  and  the  sea." — 
Each  duty,  office,  vocation,  is  God's  gift  whether  to  man  or  to 
angel.  Man  indulges  ardours  and  reluctances,  choices,  recoils 
and  preferences ;  some  gifts  he  styles  trials,  some  burdens. 
Angels  seem  to  see  and  feel  no  difference  between  calling 
and  calling,  opportunity  and  opportunity.  Angels  doubtless 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  225 

estimate  the  gift  by  the  Giver :  men  too  often  the  Giver  by  the 
gift ;  not,  that  is,  by  the  intrinsic  value  of  the  gift,  but  rather 
by  their  own  taste  or  distaste  for  it. 

And  indeed  to  flesh  and  blood  it  is  in  truth  an  appalling 
thing  to  be  constituted  a  rod  of  God's  anger.  We  shrink  from 
reading  of  David  :  "  He  smote  Moab,  and  measured  them  with 
a  line,  casting  them  down  to  the  ground ;  even  with  two  lines 
measured  he  to  put  to  death,  and  with  one  full  line  to  keep 
alive." 

Well  may  we  thank  God  for  our  exemptions. 

We  should  naturally  expect  sooner  or  later  to  behold  the  four 
Angels  execute  their  charge,  perhaps  by  releasing  the  four 
winds.  But  we  read  not  of  the  event  in  any  such  form.  Earth 
and  sea  are  smitten  after  a  time,  but  not  statedly  by  those. 
"  Be  not  wise  in  your  own  conceits  " 

3.  Saying,  Hurt  not  the  earth,  neither  the  sea,  nor  the 
trees,  till  we  have  sealed  the  servants  of  our  God  in 
their  foreheads. 

In  like  manner  Scdom  and  Gomorrah  could  not  be  dealt 
with  until  "  righteous  Lot  "  had  been  rescued  :  "  Haste  thee, 
escape  thither;  for  I  cannot  do  anything  till  thou  be  come 
thither.  .  .  .  The  sun  was  risen  upon  the  earth  when  Lot 
entered  into  Zoar.  Then  the  Lord  rained  upon  Sodom  and 
upon  Gomorrah  brimstone  and  fire  from  the  Lord  out  of 
heaven  ;  and  He  overthrew  those  cities,  and  all  the  plain,  and 
all  the  inhabitants  of  the  cities,  and  that  which  grew  upon  the 
ground." 

Thus  are  saints  the  salt  of  the  earth  ;  preserving  it  from 
dissolution.  Thus  do  the  blessed  meek  inherit  the  earth. 

Thus  are  they,  thus  do  they.  Gracious  Lord  Jesus,  let  it 
not  be  Thy  rare  saints  only  who  are  and  do  thus,  but  all  souls 
with  them. 

"  The  servants  of  our  God." — It  might  have  sufficed  for 
practical  purposes  to  say  simply,  The  servants  of  God  :  but 
the  other  is  a  loving  form,  and  consequently  a  tongue  of 
Angels. 

"  In  their  foreheads." — "  Known  unto  God  are  all  His  works 
from  the  beginning  of  the  world,"  is  St.  James's  declaration. 
And  St.  Paul  writes  more  particularly  :  "  The  foundation  of 
God  standeth  sure,  having  this  seal,  The  Lord  knoweth  them 
that  are  His." 

God  knoweth  His  own  before  they  are  sealed.  The  holy 
Angels  who  minister  to  such  heirs  of  salvation  must  also  previ- 


226  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

ously  know  them,  or  how  should  they  affix  the  seal  ?  A  seal 
made  prominent  on  the  forehead  announces  to  all  others  whom 
it  may  concern  the  wearer's  identity.  And  so  on  occasion  of 
the  great  first  Passover,  the  destroying  Angel  was  admonished 
by  a  conspicuous  sign,  the  blood  of  sacrifice,  to  pass  over  the 
doors  of  the  exempt.  And  long  afterwards  in  vision  Ezekiel 
beheld  a  general  slaughter,  against  which  the  safeguard  was  a 
mark  set  on  the  forehead  :  "  And  He  called  to  the  man  clothed 
with  linen,  which  had  the  writer's  inkhorn  by  his  side;  and  the 
Lord  said  unto  him,  Go  through  the  midst  of  the  city,  through 
the  midst  of  Jerusalem,  and  set  a  mark  upon  the  foreheads  of 
the  men  that  sigh  and  that  cry  for  all  the  abominations  that  be 
done  in  the  midst  thereof.  And  to  the  others  he  said  in  mine 
hearing,  Go  ye  after  him  through  the  city,  and  smite  :  let  not 
your  eyes  spare,  neither  have  ye  pity  :  slay  utterly  old  and 
young,  both  maids,  and  little  children,  and  women  :  but  come 
not  near  any  man  upon  whom  is  the  mark  ;  and  begin  at  My 
sanctuary." 

Perhaps  by  the  seal  we  may  further  understand  some  distinct 
spiritual  feature  or  gracious  appearance  whereby  the  Com 
munion  of  Saints  are  enabled  to  recognize  each  other  in  love  ; 
whereby  also  the  aliens  recognizing  the  household  of  God  will 
wax  the  more  bitter  to  hate  them  without  a  cause,  in  accordance 
with  our  Lord's  word  to  His  disciples :  "  Ye  shall  be  hated  of 
all  nations  for  My  Name's  sake." 

We  talk  of  the  unrighteous  hating  the  righteous  :  do  they 
hate  because  they  are  unrighteous,  or  are  they  unrighteous  be 
cause  they  hate  ?  If  at  all  the  latter,  I  fear  there  are  so-called 
and  self-called  righteous  people  who  will  scarcely  if  at  all  be 
saved. 

"My  God,  I  mean  myself,"  said  holy  George  Heibert.  God 
grant  us  a  like  self-knowledge  and  humility. 

PURLIEUS  AND  APPROACHES  WHICH  TEND  TOWARDS  OR 

BORDER  UPON  HATRED  OF  THE  RIGHTEOUS. 

1.  Antipathies  tolerated. 

2.  Incompatibilities  taken  for  granted. 

3.  Fastidiousness  nursed  on  indifferent  points. 

4.  Favoritism  indulged. 

5.  Affront  taken  where  none  is  meant. 

6.  Reciprocal  angles,  yours  always  in  the  wrong. 

7.  Reciprocal  soreness,  I  always  in  the  right. 

8.  Offence  at  distasteful  doer,  let  him  do  or  leave  undone 
what  he  will. 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  227 

Taking  one  a  day,  you  will  require  a  week  and  a  day  for  your 
self-reform.  I,  alas  !  foresee  requiring  much  more  than  a  week 
and  a  day  for  mine. 

Jesus  Who  didst  touch  the  leper, 

Deliver  us  from  antipathies. 
Who  didst  dwell  among  the  Nazarenes, 

Deliver  us  from  incompatibility. 
Who  didst  eat  with  some  that  washed  not  before  meat, 

Deliver  us  from  fastidiousness. 
Who  didst  not  promise  the  right  hand  or  the  left, 

Deliver  us  from  favoritism. 
Who  didst  condone  Samaritan  inhospitality, 

Deliver  us  from  affront  taking. 
Who  didst  provide  the  sacred  Didrachma, 

Deliver  us  from  offence  giving. 
Who  having  called  didst  recall  St.  Peter, 

Deliver  us  from  soreness. 
Who  didst  love  active  Martha  and  contemplative  Mary, 

Deliver  us  from  respect  of  persons. 

Deliver  us  to-day  while  it  is  called  to-day,  Thou  Who  givest  us  to-day  and 
promisest  us  not  to-morrow. 

Whatever  the  "  seal  "  may  signify,  its  being  impressed  on 
the  forehead  suggests  that  it  may  be  some  sign  definite,  obvious, 
prominent,  emphatic,  calculated  to  be  "known  and  read  of  all 
men,"  friends,  unfriends,  and  foes  ;  to  catch  their  eye,  even  to 
force  itself  upon  their  notice. 

Christians  of  some  generation  are  (please  God)  to  be  sealed. 
But  all  Christians  have  once  already  by  His  mercy  been  sealed 
in  Holy  Baptism  ;  and  we  cannot  suppose  that  a  crowning 
grace  will  contradict  instead  of  harmonizing  with  an  initiatory 
grace  from  the  self-same  Source. 

Whence  it  ensues  that  if  none  but  fearless,  self-evident 
Christians  can  worthily  undergo  the  final  sealing,  every  Baptized 
man,  woman,  child,  each  in  due  proportion,  is  already  pledged 
by  the  Baptismal  seal  to  be  a  fearless,  self-evident  Christian. 

Field-day  harness,  and  parade  carrying  of  bows,  will  profit  a 
soldier  nothing  if  he  turn  back  in  the  day  of  battle. 
4.  And  I  heard  the  number  of  them  which  were  sealed : 
and  there  were  sealed  an  hundred  and  forty  and  four 
thousand  of  all  the  tribes  of  the  children  of  Israel. 

Then  exulted  Abraham,  who  having  gone  out  not  knowing 
whither  he  went,  beheld  as  father  of  the  faithful  whither  he  and 
his  seed  after  him  had  journeyed.  Then  Sarah  had  pleasure. 
Then  Rebekah  understood  what  good  her  life  had  done  her. 
Then  Rachel  was  comforted.  Then  Israel  said  tenfold  more, 
"  It  is  enough." 


223  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

Dost  thou  thyself  ask,  What  good  shall  my  life  do  me  ? 
Resolve  that  God  speeding  thee  it  shall  do  thee  this  good,  to 
be  numbered  among  the  nations  of  the  saved ;  and  thou  too 
one  day  shalt  say,  It  is  enough. 

"Of  all  the  tribes." — Yet  is  not  Dan  named  in  the  ensuing 
catalogue.  Still,  if  we  dwell  on  the  literal  twelve  Patriarchs, 
Dan  may  doubtless  have  been  represented  through  inter 
marriages  among  kindred  families.  Moreover,  Samson  the 
Judge  sprang  from  that  tribe,  and  reappears  in  the  goodly 
fellowship  of  heroes  of  faith  (see  Heb.  xi.  32 — 34). 

Whatever  historical  or  prophetical  meaning  may  be  con 
veyed  by  this  omission  of  Dan,  it  at  least  serves  to  remind  us 
how  no  perversity  of  man  can  ultimately  thwart  God's  will  or 
mar  His  work.  Twelve  tribes  there  were  at  the  outset,  and 
twelve  tribes  there  are  at  the  ingathering.  In  like  manner  the 
College  of  Apostles  numbered  twelve  first  and  last,  despite  the 
apostasy  of  Judas.  Sooner  than  the  covenant  with  Abraham 
should  fail,  children  would  be  raised  up  to  him  of  stones. 

We  must  not  forget,  however,  that  in  Ezekiel's  vision  of  the 
City  whose  name  shall  be  "  The  Lord  is  there,"  Dan  has  his 
portion  and  his  gate. 

Dan  no  less  than  his  peers  inherited  a  prophetic  benediction 
first  from  Jacob,  afterwards  from  Moses: — "Dan  shall  judge 
his  people,  as  one  of  the  tribes  of  Israel.  Dan  shall  be  a 
serpent  by  the  way,  an  adder  in  the  path,  that  biteth  the 
horse's  heels,  so  that  his  rider  shall  fall  backward.  I  have 
waited  for  Thy  salvation,  O  Lord  "  :  "  Dan  is  a  lion's  whelp  : 
he  shall  leap  from  Bashan."  Yet  the -second  clause  of  the 
elder  prophecy  reads  at  the  least  equivocally:  whatever  the 
temporal  character  and  tactics  thus  metaphorically  conveyed, 
any  obvious  spiritual  analogy  seems  to  proclaim  a  curse  rather 
than  a  blessing  :  a  curse  upon  work  such  as  the  serpent  com 
passed  in  Eden  when  he  likewise  made  the  lord  of  this  visible 
world  to  "  fall  backward."  Read  under  so  ominous  a  light, 
even  the  other  clauses  seem,  if  not  to  ring  hollow,  at  least  to 
give  an  uncertain  sound ;  and  we  think  fearfully  of  Dan  as 
haply  that  wolf  in  sheep's  clothing  the  Unjust  Judge,  sitting 
indeed  to  judge  Christ's  people,  but  "  contrary  to  the  law  " ; 
sitting  "  as  "  one  of  the  tribes  of  Israel,  but  in  truth  no  longer 
one  of  them,  having  gone  out  from  them  because  not  of  them. 
Even  the  kingly  prediction  :  "  Dan  is  a  lion's  whelp  :  he  shall 
leap  from  Bashan,"  reminds  us  that  while  God  deigns  to  define 
His  own  Hill  "  as  the  hill  of  Bashan,  an  high  hill  as  the  hill 
of  Bashan,"  yet  for  Bashan  to  vie  with  Zion  would  be  as  when 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  229 

Eve  set  herself  to  become  like  God  :  and  the  lion  which  leaps 
from  Bashan  comes  from  the  country  of  those  "  fat  bulls  "  which 
closed  the  Messiah  in  on  every  side. 

What  immediately  follows  of  the  Sacred  Text  I  once  heard 
read  like  the  roll-call,  when  victorious  hosts  muster  to  their 
colours.  "And  His  banner  over  me  was  love." 

5.  Of  the  tribe  of  Juda  were  sealed  twelve  thousand.     Of 

the  tribe  of  Reuben  were  sealed  twelve  thousand.     Of 
the  tribe  of  Gad  were  sealed  twelve  thousand. 

6.  Of  the  tribe  of  Aser  were  sealed  twelve  thousand.     Of 

the  tribe  of  Nepthalim  were  sealed  twelve  thousand. 
Of  the  tribe  of  Manasses  were  sealed  twelve  thousand. 

7.  Of  the  tribe  of  Simeon  were  sealed  twelve  thousand.     Of 

the  tribe  of  Levi  were  sealed  twelve  thousand.     Of  the 
tribe  of  Issachar  were  sealed  twelve  thousand. 

8.  Of  the  tribe  of  Zabulon  were  sealed  twelve  thousand.   Of 

the  tribe  of  Joseph  were  sealed  twelve  thousand.     Of 
the  tribe  of  Benjamin  were  sealed  twelve  thousand. 

Now  is  being  made  good  every  promise  to  the  election. 
Now  is  being  brought  to  pass  the  saying  that  is  written, 
"  Death  is  swallowed  up  in  victory."  Now  is  the  beginning  of 
the  end. 

Faith  and  hope  look  beyond  the  "little  moment,  until  the 
indignation  be  overpast,"  and  contemplate  the  final  consumma 
tion. 

Behold  Juda  praised  of  his  brethren,  supreme  over  his 
enemies,  honoured  by  his  nearest  and  dearest ;  replenished 
and  lacking  nothing,  imperturbable  in  rest,  royally  sceptred ;  a 
rallying  point  to  gracious  men  ;  his  journey  accomplished, 
his  travail  over,  his  cravings  satisfied  ;  gathered  to  his  fathers 
and  his  people ;  coming  short  of  nothing  ;  delivered  from  all 
his  adversaries.  Behold  Reuben  renewed  in  strength,  retrieved 
from  lapses,  excellent  in  dignity  and  in  power;  if  once  dead, 
now  alive  again ;  if  once  lost,  now  found ;  heretofore  a  little 
one,  now  twelve  times  a  thousand  ;  and  from  a  small  one  be 
come  a  strong  nation.  Behold  Gad,  having  overcome  all  by 
whom  ever  he  was  overcome ;  enlarged,  enriched,  dominant ; 
noble  among  the  noble,  because  he  executed  the  justice  of  the 
Lord  and  His  judgments.  Behold  Aser,  once  hungry  and 
athirst  after  righteousness,  now  satisfied ;  fed  as  it  were  with 
marrow  and  fatness,  and  all  royal  dainties;  blessed  with 
children,  beloved  of  his  brethren,  anointed  with  oil,  freely 
giving  as  freely  he  has  received  j  as  were  his  days,  so  was  his 


230  THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP. 

strength,  and  as  the  eternal  day,  so  shall  his  strength  be. 
Behold  Nepthalim  loosed  from  all  bonds;  having  a  tongue,  and 
therewith  uttering  praise  ;  satisfied  with  favour,  and  full  with 
the  blessing  of  the  Lord;  possessing  "the  west  and  the  south," 
even  the  kingdom  of  heaven  glowing  and  luminous.  Be 
hold  Manasses,  as  the  branch  of  a  fruitful  bough  abundantly 
watered  ;  mighty  and  glorious  ;  gone  up  from  blessings  of  the 
deep  that  lieth  under,  to  blessings  of  the  heaven  above.  Behold 
Simeon  purged  from  blood-guiltiness  ;  his  tongue  singing  of 
God's  Righteousness;  once  scattered,  now  gathered  for  ever 
more.  Behold  Levi,  having  altogether  left  off  from  wrath  and 
let  go  displeasure ;  holy,  steadfast,  approved,  unworldly,  un 
earthly  ;  faithful  to  the  word  and  the  covenant,  and  now  proving 
Him  faithful  Who  promised  ;  teacher  of  many,  turner  of  many 
to  righteousness,  now  shining  as  the  stars  for  ever  and  ever ; 
blessed  in  what  he  had,  for  the  Lord  was  his  inheritance  ; 
blessed  in  his  work,  for  he  waited  on  Him  continually  ;  txalted 
now  to  be  Son  of  Consolation,  peace  around,  and  peace  within. 
Behold  Issachar,  because  sometime  in  faith  he  humbled  and 
limited  himself  to  serve,  to  bear,  to  render  to  all  their  dues, 
now  at  large  and  aloft  in  the  rest  that  is  good,  and  the  land 
that  is  pleasant ;  because  of  old  he  dwelt  in  tents  by  faith,  now 
ascended  into  the  Hill  of  the  Lord,  and  bringing  many  with 
him  into  that  Temple  which  is  the  Presence  of  God  ;  now 
where  the  sea  is  as  of  glass  and  fire,  possessing  for  incorruptible 
treasure  that  Wisdom  which  the  earthly  sea  saith  is  not  with 
her.  Behold  Zabulon,  brought  safe  unto  the  haven  where  he 
would  be  ;  having  gone  out  from  the  world  that  is  polluted, 
and  having  entered  into  that  pure  world  whence  none  go  out 
any  more  ;  offering  the  ever-acceptable  sacrifice  of  righteous 
ness.  Behold  Joseph,  once  strong  in  the  earthly  Israel,  now 
tenfold  strong  in  the  heavenly  ;  abiding  in  strength  ;  the  arms 
of  his  hands  made  strong  by  the  hands  of  the  Mighty  God  of 
Jacob;  exalted  and  mighty  for  ever  and  ever;  for  temporal 
treasures  having  inherited  eternal.  Behold  Benjamin,  a  vessel 
chosen  unto  honour,  a  chosen  vessel  unto  God  ;  having  of  yore 
coveted  earnestly  the  best  gifts,  now  dividing  the  spoil  ;  beloved 
of  the  Lord,  dwelling  in  safety  by  Him,  covered  of  Him  all  the 
day  long,  placed  at  His  Right  Hand,  gathered  into  His  bosom. 
"  Happy  is  that  people,  that  is  in  such  a  case  :  yea,  happy  is 
that  people,  whose  God  is  the  Lord." 

9.  After  this  I  beheld,  and  lo,  a  great  multitude,  which  no 
man  could  number,  of  all  nations,  and  kindreds,  and 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 


people,  and  tongues,  stood  before  the  Throne,  and 
before  the  Lamb,  clothed  with  white  robes,  and  palms 
in  their  hands ; 

As  their  praise  was  erst  not  of  men  but  of  God,  so  now  their 
number  is  known  not  to  men  but  to  God.  "  So  many  as  the 
stars  of  the  sky  in  multitude,  and  as  the  sand  which  is  by  the 
seashore  innumerable." 

"  I  beheld,"  says  St.  John  :  and  you  with  your  eyes,  I  with 
mine  (please  God  !)  shall  yet  behold. 

Looking  forward  to  this,  what  terrestrial  sight  is  worth 
hankering  after  because  of  beauty  or  majesty?  It  will  pass  by 
and  be  no  more  seen  ;  no,  nor  peered  after.  What  terrestrial 
sight  is  worth  avoiding  because  of  horror  or  loathliness  ?  It 
will  pass  by  and  be  no  more  shrunk  from.  I  once  grieved 
and  grudged  because  I  could  not  betake  myself  to  a  vantage 
ground  whence  to  watch  an  eclipse :  the  grief  might  have 
been  simply  blameless,  but  the  grudge  proved  that  I  was  in  a 
double  sense  loving  darkness  rather  than  light. 

O  Lord,  grant  us  in  Thy  Light  to  see  light ;  and  aught 
besides,  reveal  or  hide  from  us  according  to  Thy  Will  in  Jesus 
Christ,  Light  of  Light.  Amen. 

One  asked,  "Lord,  are  there  few  that  be  saved?  And  He 
said  unto  them,  Strive  to  enter  in  at  the  strait  gate  :  for  many, 
I  say  unto  you,  will  seek  to  enter  in,  and  shall  not  be  able.;> 
Yet  now  St.  John  beholds  "  a  great  multitude  "  of  the  saved. 
Thank  God. 

"All  nations,  and  kindreds,  and  people,  and  tongues." — 
Never,  since  Babel,  a  unison :  no  longer,  since  the  first 
Christian  Pentecost,  an  inevitable  discord  :  for  ever  and  ever, 
a  harmony.  Babel  dissolved  the  primitive  unison  into  discord  : 
Pentecost  reduced  the  prevalent  discord  to  contingent  harmony, 
but  reclaimed  it  not  into  unison. 

Unison  is  faultless :  harmony  is  perfect.  On  earth  the 
possibility  of  harmony  entails  the  corresponding  possibility  of 
discord.  Even  on  earth,  however,  whoever  chooses  can  him 
self  or  herself  keep  time  and  tune  :  which  will  be  an  apt 
prelude  for  keeping  eternity  and  tune  in  heaven. 

"  White  robes." — "  White  as  the  light "  :  for  stainless  and 
spotless  they  sustain  the  Presence  of  the  Very  Light.  Blessed 
those  sons  and  daughters  for  whom  the  best  robe  has  been 
brought  forth  without  money  and  without  price. 

Neither  was  it  of  their  own  power  or  holiness  that  they 
plucked  palms  and  bore  them  before  the  Throne  and  before 


232  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

the  Lamb.  Christ  of  Whom  it  is  mystically  written  :  "I  said, 
I  will  go  up  to  the  palm  tree,  I  will  take  hold  of  the  boughs 
thereof," — won  all  palms  for  all  saints  when  on  Calvary  with 
His  own  right  hand  and  with  His  holy  arm  He  got  Himself 
the  victory.  Christ  it  is  Who  triumphs  in  His  triumphant 
redeemed  :  from  Him  they  derive  their  victories,  from  Him 
their  rewards.  His  Cross  branched  out  into  their  crosses  : 
His  Cross,  the  one  palm  tree  of  victory,  branches  out  into 
their  palms. 

Thy  Cross  cruciferous  doth  flower  in  all 

And  every  cross,  dear  Lord,  assigned  to  us : 

Ours  lowly-statured  crosses  ;  Thine,  how  tall, 
Thy  Cross  cruciferous. 

Thy  Cross  alone  life-giving1,  glorious  : 
For  Love  of  Thine,  souls  love  their  own  when  small 
Easy  and  light,  or  great  and  ponderous. 

Since  deep  calls  deep,  Lord,  hearken  when  we  call  ; 

When  cross  calls  Cross  racking  and  emulous  : — 
Remember  us,  with  him  who  shared  Thy  gall, 

Thy  Cross  cruciferous. 

10.  And  cried  with  a  loud  voice,  saying,  Salvation  to  our 

God  which  sitteth  upon  the  Throne,  and  unto  the 
Lamb. 

"  I  will  sing  a  new  song  unto  Thee,  O  God :  and  sing 
praises  unto  Thee  upon  a  ten-stringed  lute.  Thou  hast  given 
victory  unto  kings." 

Here  we  encounter  a  new  word,  "  Salvation,"  in  the  chorus 
of  perfected  praise  uplifted  by  new-comers  into  a  new  glory. 
Since  time  began  no  unfallen  creature  from  the  lowest  to  the 
highest  could  thus  bless  God.  The  dead  alive  again,  the  lost 
found,  ascribing  their  salvation  to  God  and  to  the  Lamb,  add 
to  celestial  language  one  more  word,  to  celestial  joys  one 
more  joy. 

11.  And  all  the  angels  stood  round  about  the  Throne,  and 

about  the  elders  and  the  four  beasts,  and  fell  before 
the  Throne  on  their  faces,  and  worshipped  God, 

Heretofore  (ch.  v.  vers.  u,  12)  when  the  Angels  praised 
"the  Lamb  that  was  slain,"  we  read  not  that  they  fell  on  their 
faces ;  but  now  beholding  Him  glorified  in  His  saints  and  to 
be  admired  in  all  them  that  believe,  they  fall  down  in  worship. 

And  in  one  sense  this  for  which  they  fall  down  is  a  greater 
marvel  than  the  other.  For  great  and  marvellous  as  are  God's 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  233 

works  and  ways,  the  marvel  resides  in  the  creature's  appre 
hension  of  a  truth  newly  revealed,  and  till  then  inscrutable  and 
unimaginable  ;  not  in  the  fact  of  any  outcome  whatsoever  of 
Goodness  from  Him  Who  is  All  Good  of  Love  from  Him 
Who  is  Love.  "  He  Himself  knew  what  He  would  do  "  sets 
forth  not  only  the  good  pleasure  of  Christ,  but  the  eternal, 
uninterrupted,  calm  Will  and  Purpose  of  God. 

But  that  man,  of  heart  deceitful  above  all  things  and 
desperately  wicked,  deathstruck  and  sin-relishing,  endued  with 
free  will,  and  so  able  to  resist  his  Maker,  should  at  length  by 
Divine  patience,  longsufTering  and  love  unfeigned  live  once 
more,  and  move,  and  have  his  being  in  God,  his  own  free 
will  co-operating  with  Divine  grace  so  that  finally  he  is  raised 
up  in  heavenly  places  as  a  miracle  and  glorious,  everlasting 
monument  of  mercy ;  that  man  should  do  thus,  and  be  thus, 
transcends  experience,  baffles  foresight,  and  is  indeed  a  new 
thing. 

12.  Saying,  Amen :  Blessing1,  and  glory,  and  wisdom,  and 

thanksgiving,  and  honour,  and  power,  and  might,  be 
unto  our  God  for  ever  and  ever.     Amen. 

The  rapturous  Angels  answer  Amen  to  the  triumph  shout  of 
the  enraptured  redeemed.  Amen  they  say  first  and  last, 
beginning  and  finishing  in  sympathy  with  a  joy  which  primarily 
befalls  others.  They  exult  when  those  who  were  beneath  being 
exalted  to  an  equality,  enter  and  stand  within  where  they 
themselves  form  the  outer  circle. 

Alike  in  their  former  (ch.  v.  12)  and  in  their  present  chorus 
of  praise  the  Angels  ascribe  "  Wisdom  "  to  the  Object  of  their 
adoration.  The  first  time  it  is  to  "the  Lamb  that  was  slain" 
when  He  has  prevailed  to  loose  the  Seven  Seals  ;  thereby 
recalling  St.  Peter's  statement:  " Which  things  the  Angels 
desire  to  look  into."  The  second  time  it  is  to  God,  when 
before  the  Throne  stand  the  saved  arrayed  in  the  garments 
of  salvation ;  thus  reminding  us  of  St.  Paul's  declaration  afore 
time  :  "  To  the  intent  that  now  unto  the  principalities  and 
powers  in  heavenly  places  might  be  known  by  the  Church  the 
manifold  wisdom  of  God." 

13.  And  one  of  the  elders  answered,  saying  unto  me,  What 

are  these  which  are  arrayed  in  white  robes  ?   and 
whence  came  they  ? 

A  celestial  model  of  catechetical  instruction ;  the  question 
being  propounded  for  the  sake  of  the  learner,  not  apparently 
of  the  asker. 


234  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

If  this  be  the  same  elder  who  before  spoke  comfortably  to 
St.  John,  I  note  his  personal  gift  of  love  :  if  it  be  another,  I 
note  the  general  infusion  and  effusion  of  Divine  charity.  As 
I  am  now,  I  like  to  think  him  the  same ;  but  as  I  hope  to  be 
hereafter,  I  doubt  not  I  shall  then  be  well  pleased  whichever 
way  it  turns  out  to  have  been.  For  in  the  perfected  Communion 
of  Saints  surely  the  general  glory  of  all  will  satisfy,  no  less  than 
the  special  glory  proper  to  each  will  recreate.  I  could  more 
imagine  a  perfected  saint  so  immersed  in  universal  love  as  to 
be  rapt  out  of  the  particular,  than  so  absorbed  in  particular 
love  as  to  be  estranged  from  the  universal. 

Thank  God,  I  am  not  reduced  to  suppose  either  alternative. 

In  heaven  all  the  redeemed  are  to  be  made  like  unto  their 
Redeemer;  and  I  know,  and  am  sure  that  Christ  Who  loves 
us  all,  loves  us  each. 

O  Lord  Jesus  Who  lovest  each  and  all ;  give  us  hearts  wide 
and  deep  to  love  all,  exquisite  and  responsive  to  love  each  : 
in  proportion,  or  if  it  please  Thee,  out  of  proportion ;  even 
as  Thou  beyond  all  proportion  lovest  us. 

"  What  are  these  which  are  arrayed  in  white  robes  ?  " — The 
white  robes  constitute  one  claim  of  these  blessed  ones  on 
celestial  sympathy  :  not  what  they  were  originally,  but  what 
has  been  wrought  in  them  and  for  them  establishes  their 
fellowship  with  the  heavenly  host. 

How  absolute  and  transcendent  must  be  the  spotless  per 
fection  of  saints  in  glory,  if  not  even  St.  John's  experience  in 
mortal  flesh  availed  to  furnish  him  with  an  answer ! 

"What  are  these  .  .  .  and  whence  came  they?" — In  t!  is 
world  and  from  the  children  of  this  world  such  questions  might 
mean  :  Are  they  common  folk  or  gentry?  learned  or  illiterate? 
vulgar  or  refined  ?  in  or  out  of  society  ?  worth  or  not  worth 
knowing? 

The  grave  will  set  us  at  a  different  view-point  There  our 
shallow  earthly  question  will  receive  its  answer  out  of  all 
mysteries  and  all  knowledge. 

If  this  be  seemly  and  inevitable  to-morrow,  why  not  rectify 
and  elevate  our  standard  (my  standard)  to-day  ? 

14.  And  I  said  unto  him,  Sir,  thou  knowest.  And  he  said 
to  me,  These  are  they  which  came  out  of  great  tribu 
lation,  and  have  washed  their  robes,  and  made  them 
white  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb. 

St.  John,  to  our  apprehension  the  most  illuminated  of  the 
Evangelists,  makes  himself,  in  accordance  with  St.  Paul's 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  235 

practice,  a  pattern  of  not  stretching  beyond  the  assigned 
measure.  Here  he  humbly  answers,  "  Sir,  thou  knowest "  ; 
and  in  his  Gospel  (see  xxi.  23)  he  sets  aside,  an  inference 
which  seemed  to  exalt  him  above  his  fellows 

Lord  Jesus,  shall  he  who  lay  on  Thy  Breast  be  humble,  and 
will  not  we  be  humble  ?  For  very  shame's  sake  clothe  us  with 
humility,  that  so  we  may  become  more  like  him  and  less  unlike 
Thee.  Amen. 

"  These  are  they  which  came  out  of  great  tribulation,  and 
have  washed  their  robes,  and  made  them  white  in  the  blood 
of  the  Lamb." — Thus  two  points  concur  to  produce  the 
beatitude  under  contemplation  :  great  tribulation,  and  the 
cleansing  Blood  of  the  Lamb.  God  hath  joined  them 
together ;  it  is  not  for  man  to  put  them  asunder.  Yet 
this  difference  I  observe  :  great  tribulation  could  of  its  own 
virtue  avail  nothing  without  the  Blood  of  the  Lamb  ;  whereas 
that  most  Precious  Blood  Divinely  vouchsafed  and  applied 
could  not  but  avail,  though  the  redeemed  were  called  out 
of  great  joy,  and  from  green  pastures,  and  from  beside  waters 
of  comfort. 

Indeed  one  striking  instance  occurs  in  the  Old  Testament, 
suggesting  that  whoso  hath  faith  and  hope  enough  may  haply 
even  in  this  world  secure  an  approved  felicity: — "And  Jabez 
was  more  honourable  than  his  brethren  ....  And  Jabez 
called  on  the  God  of  Israel,  saying,  Oh  that  Thou  wouldest 
bless  me  indeed,  and  enlarge  my  coast,  and  that  Thine  hand 
might  be  with  me,  and  that  Thou  wouldest  keep  me  from  evil, 
that  it  may  not  grieve  me  !  And  God  granted  him  that  which 
he  requested."  Whilst  in  the  New  Testament  the  history  of 
the  Holy  Innocents  seems  almost  a  case  in  point :  for  small 
must  have  been  their  capacity  for  suffering  who  were  spared 
foresight,  and  whom  one  blow  or  one  grip  sufficed  in  a  moment 
to  speed  through  the  gate  of  death. 

But  presumably  for  most  of  us  tribulation  rather  than  ease 
constructs  the  safe  road  and  the  firm  stepping-stone.  Better 
to  be  taught  with  thorns  of  the  wilderness  and  briars,  than  on 
no  wise  to  be  taught.  Better  great  tribulation  now  than  un 
exampled  tribulation  hereafter. 

Good  Lorrl,  to-day 

I  scarce  find  breath  to  say  : 

Scourge,  but  receive  me. 
For  stripes  are  hard  to  bear,  but  worse 
Thy  intolerable  curse  ; 

So  do  not  leave  me. 


236  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

Good  Lord,  lean  down 
In  pity  tho'  Thou  frown  ; 

Smite,  but  retrieve  me  : 
For  so  Thou  hold  me  up  to  stand 
And  kiss  Thy  smiting  hand, 

It  less  will  grieve  me. 

"  Tribulation,"  that  is,  sifting :  sifting  reclaims  and  releases 
good  from  bad,  while  aught  of  good  remains.  "  Now  no 
chastening  for  the  present  seemeth  to  be  joyous,  but  grievous  : 
nevertheless  afterward  it  yieldeth  the  peaceable  fruit  of  righteous 
ness  unto  them  which  are  exercised  thereby." 

15.  Therefore  are  they  before  the  Throne  of  God,  and  serve 
Him  day  and  night  in  His  temple  :  and  He  that 
sitteth  on  the  Throne  shall  dwell  among  them. 

"  Art  Thou  not  from  everlasting,  O  Lord  my  God,  mine 
Holy  One  ?  we  shall  not  die.  .  .  .  Thou  art  of  purer  eyes 
than  to  behold  evil,  and  canst  not  look  on  iniquity." 

From  everlasting  to  everlasting  God  is  God,  the  Same 
yesterday  and  to-day  and  for  ever.  "  Thou  art  the  same,  and 
Thy  years  shall  have  no  end."  "  The  righteous  also  shall  give 
thanks  unto  Thy  Name  :  and  the  just  shall  continue  in  Thy 
sight" : — the  just  shall,  the  unjust  shall  not.  It  is  on  pain  of 
being  cast  out  of  the  Divine  Presence  that  we  cling  to  sin. 

The  All-Holy  desires  to  sanctify  us,  the  All-Pure  to  purge 
us,  that  in  the  end  He  may  set  us  up  on  high,  and  satisfy  us 
with  long  life,  and  show  us  His  salvation.  Love  desires  the 
beloved  ;  Christ  desires  us  :  shall  Love  desire  us,  Christ  desire 
us,  in  vain  ?  God  forbid. 

Lord  Jesus,  All-Pure,  purify  us  that  we  may  behold  Thee. 
All-Holy,  sanctify  us  that  \ve  may  stand  before  Thee.  All- 
Gracious,  mould  us  that  we  may  please  Thee.  Very  Love, 
suffer  us  not  to  set  at  nought  Thy  Love.  Suffer  not  devil, 
world,  flesh,  to  destroy  us.  Suffer  not  ourselves  to  destroy 
ourselves ;  us  with  whom  Thou  strivest,  whom  Thou  desirest, 
whom  Thou  lovest. 

"And  serve  Him  day  and  night  in  His  Temple." — Alas, 
Lord,  that  here  on  earth  I  have  such  tepid  love  for  the 
habitation  of  Thy  House,  and  the  place  where  Thine  Honour 
dwelleth  !  Alas  for  any  who  are  like  me  !  Grant  us,  I  beseech 
Thee,  if  not  yet  delight  at  least  perseverance  in  resorting  to 
Thy  most  amiable  tabernacles.  Give  us  grace  to  do  what  we 
can,  and  of  Thy  free  Grace  do  Thou  for  us  and  in  us  what 
we  cannot.  Give  us  grace  to  serve  Thee  in  spite  of  ourselves 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  237 

here,  that  so  we  may  serve  Thee  transfigured  from  our  former 
selves  hereafter.  For  our  long-suffering  Saviour's  sake.  Amen. 

"  Day  and  night." — But  day  umvaning,  unending,  how  then 
night  at  all?  Perhaps  (for  one  thing)  night  suggests  by 
association  that  service  in  Heaven  will  comport  with  and  not 
disturb  rest.  No  vigils  there,  all  festivals  :  equally,  no  labour 
there,  all  rest. 

"  And  He  that  sitteth  on  the  Throne  shall  dwell  among 
them," — or,  as  in  the  Revised  Version,  "...  shall  spread 
His  Tabernacle  over  them." — The  first  rendering  sets  before 
us  Christ  All-Gracious  walking  with  His  own  in  the  House  of 
God  as  friends.  The  second  recalls  a  Divine  promise  which 
having  had  its  temporal  fulfilment  amid  drawbacks,  awaits  its 
eternal  accomplishment  in  simple  unalloyed  perfection  :  "  Oh 
how  great  is  Thy  goodness,  which  Thou  hast  laid  up  for  them 
that  fear  Thee ;  which  Thou  hast  wrought  for  them  that  trust 
in  Thee  before  the  sons  of  men  !  Thou  shalt  hide  them  in 
the  secret  of  Thy  Presence  from  the  pride  of  man  ;  Thou  shalt 
keep  them  secretly  in  a  pavilion  from  the  strife  of  tongues. 
Blessed  be  the  Lord  :  for  He  hath  shewed  me  His  marvellous 
kindness  in  a  strong  city." 

I  think  too  that  the  Revised  rendering  seems  peculiarly 
suggestive  of  the  unspeakable  unity  of  Christ  the  Head  with 
His  body  the  Church  :  as  when  Ruth,  her  whole  career  a 
prophetic  parable,  besought  Boaz  to  spread  his  skirt  over  her ; 
or,  as  when  Job  protested,  "If  the  men  of  my  tabernacle  said 
not,  Oh  that  we  had  of  his  flesh  !  we  cannot  be  satisfied." 

16.  They  shall  hunger  no  more,  neither  thirst  any  more ; 

neither  shall  the  sun  light  on  them,  nor  any  heat. 

17.  For  the  Lamb  which  is  in  the  midst  of  the  Throne  shall 

feed  them,  and  shall  lead  them  unto  living  fountains 
of  waters  :  and  God  shall  wipe  away  all  tears  from 
their  eyes. 

"  My  soul  refused  to  be  comforted  ...  I  complained, 
and  my  spirit  was  overwhelmed,"  said  once  the  inspired 
Psalmist. 

And  now  the  blessed  Elder  certifies  St.  John  that  the 
uncomforted  faithful  shall  at  last  be  comforted.  They  shall 
be  delivered  from  all  they  ever  endured,  relieved  from  all  they 
ever  suffered.  Their  emptiness  shall  be  fed  and  filled.  "  And 
God  shall  wipe  away  all  tears  [Revised  Version  :  '  every  tear '] 
from  their  eyes." 

Vast  is  the  consolatoriness,  satisfaction,  of  this  revelation. 


238  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

Elsewhere  we  find  rapture,  here  contentment ;  elsewhere  an 
overflow,  here  enough. 

Perhaps  without  presumption  we  may  conjecture  that  at  the 
moment  in  question  St.  John  himself  was  peculiarly  open  to 
so  comfortable  a  promise.  His  work-day  had  to  outlast  that 
of  any  other  of  the  Twelve ;  his  absence  from  Christ  had  to 
be  prolonged  beyond  theirs.  "As  cold  waters  to  a  thirsty  soul, 
so  is  good  news  from  a  far  country." 

To  the  swift  and  the  strong  rapture  may  prove  more  alluring 
than  relief,  triumph  than  rest.  Bat  to  the  slow  and  the  feeble, 
to  such  as  trudge  on  however  slowly  and  toil  on  however 
feebly,  relief  and  rest  appear  a  mighty  boon ;  in  hope  of  which 
the  hanging  hands  and  feeble  knees  are  again  and  again  lifted 
up  with  piteous  indomitable  perseverance.  Literal  hunger  and 
thirst  are  a  keen  craving,  literal  heat  intensified  and  untempered 
is  a  sore  trial ;  and  the  literal  are  no  more  than  types  of  the 
spiritual.  If  it  was  not  good  for  man  to  be  alone  in  Eden, 
how  dreary  is  loneliness  in  this  outer  world.  Christ,  Himself 
the  Man  of  sorrows  and  acquainted  with  grief,  pronounced 
mourners  blessed,  but  inasmuch  as  they  should  be  comforted ; 
and  when  He  bade  one  mourner  "  Weep  not,"  vouchsafed 
with  the  word  a  foretaste  of  reunion. 

O  Lord  my  God,  perfect  us  in  such  patience  that  we  may 
be  in  no  haste  to  escape  from  toil  or  loneliness  or  suffering  ; 
yet  ever  in  haste  to  serve  Thee,  to  please  Thee,  and  when 
Thou  wilt  to  go  home  to  Thy  Blessed  Presence.  For  our. 
Lord  Jesu's  sake.  Amen. 

This  beatified  multitude  in  Heaven  will  be  led  by  "  the 
Lamb."  Very  meek  must  they  be  whom  the  Lamb  shall  lead  : 
very  pure,  not  to  shame  Him  Who  is  without  blemish  and 
without  spot :  very  innocent,  to  be  made  one  flock  with  Him. 

Lest  any  of  us  should  so  stray  as  to  be  finally  separatjd 
from  Him  Who  alone  is  Love  and  our  own  Joy,  I  pray  Him — 
I  pray  Thee,  O  Lord  Jesus,  to  make  us  also  meek,  pure, 
innocent. 

O  Lamb  of  God,  Who  art  in  the  midst  of  the  Throne,  show 
Thy  mercy  on  them  that  fear  Thee ;  exalt  the  humble  and 
meek,  fill  the  hungry  with  good  things,  help  Thy  militant 
Israel ;  here  sanctify  us,  hereafter  glorify  us ;  for  Thine  own 
sake,  6  God  our  Saviour.  Amen. 

"  Living  fountains  of  waters," — or  as  in  the  Revised  Version  : 
"Fountains  of  waters  of  life." — These  words  seem  capable  of 
connection  with  an  utterance  of  our  Lord's  own  lips  recorded 
by  St.  John  in  his  Gospel:  "Jesus  stood  and  cried,  saying, 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  239 

If  any  man  thirst,  let  him  come  unto  Me,  and  drink.  He 
that  believeth  on  Me,  as  the  scripture  hath  said,  out  of  his 
belly  shall  flow  rivers  of  living  water.  (But  this  spake  He  of 
the  Spirit,  which  they  that  believe  on  Him  should  receive  :  for 
the  Holy  Ghost  was  not  yet  given ;  because  that  Jesus  was 
not  yet  glorified)." 

If  it  is  allowable  to  assume  that  the  two  passages  may  stand 
thus  connected,  we  trace  here  a  further  harmony  with  that 
promise  which  concerns  the  "  Other  Comforter,"  and  discern 
Him  abiding  with  the  elect  for  ever. 

The  waters  of  Baptism,  "  waters  under  the  firmament,"  con 
veyed  Him  to  the  called  soul  ;  and  "waters  that  be  above  the 
firmament  "  may  haply  (at  least  in  a  figure)  do  no  less  for  the 
chosen  and  faithful.  That  would  indeed  be  to  drink  of  the 
river  of  Divine  pleasures. 

It  has,  I  believe,  been  alleged  that  a  multitude  of  Christians 
are  but  slow  of  heart  and  dull  of  sight  and  of  hearing  in  what 
regards  an  adoring  perception  of  God  the  Holy  Ghost. 

It  may  help  myself  against  so  perilous  an  obtuseness,  to 
search  out  from  what  quarter  the  temptation  might  advance  to 
encroach  on  and  annul  my  own  faith,  thereby  vitiating  if  not 
totally  subverting  my  practice. 

The  revelation  of  the  Father  implies  the  Son  ;  the  revelation 
of  the  Son  implies  the  Father  :  but  by  signification  of  neither 
Divine  Name  is  the  Holy  Spirit  implied  to  our  finite  appre 
hension.  Even  when  Christ  said  :  "  No  man  knoweth  the 
Son,  but  the  Father;  neither  knoweth  any  man  the  Father, 
save  the  Son,  and  he  to  whomsoever  the  Son  will  reveal  Him," 
•\\e  still  see  not  our  tokens. 

The  very  Name  "  the  Holy  Spirit "  docs  rot  necessarily 
announce  Him  :  inasmuch  as  we  are  taught  concerning  the 
Godhead  that  "  God  is  a  Spirit "  ;  Who  moreover  hath  said  to 
man  :  "  L'e  ye  holy;  for  I  am  holy." 

The  actual  Graciousness  and  overflowing  Goodness  of  God 
the  Holy  Ghost  may  be  so  misused  by  us  as  to  obscure  His 
Personality.  His  diffusion  throughout  the  Communion  of 
Saints  may  be  misconstrued  as  His  non-existence  independent 
of  that  Communion  :  reducing  our  conception  of  Him  to  a 
grace,  a  gift ;  not  a  distinct,  Divine,  Almighty  Person. 

I  think  too  that  the  devout  formula  "  Jesus  Christ  our  only 
Mediator  and  Advocate,"  may  beguile  us  into  positive  though 
inadvertent  misstatement,  unless  we  consciously  limit  "  only  " 
to  "  Mediator  "  ;  jealously  bearing  in  mind  that  God  the  Holy 
Ghost  vouchsafes  to  be  our  oiher  Advocate. 


240  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

O  God  the  Most  Holy  Trinity,  Who  seest  that  Truth  itself 
will  not  instruct  us  without  Thy  preventing,  guarding,  guiding 
grace ;  grant  us  to  live  by  every  word  that  proceedeth  out  of 
Thy  mouth,  and  to  walk  and  rejoice  in  the  light  of  Thy  Truth ; 
and  give  us  grace  so  to  bring  forth  fruits  of  the  Spirit  as  to 
attest  that  Divine  Indwelling  to  all  men,  and  if  it  please  Thee 
to  our  own  humble  consciousness  likewise.  I  plead  Jesus. 
Amen. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

1.  And  when  He  had  opened  the  seventh  seal,  there  was 
silence  in  heaven  about  the  space  of  half  an  hour. 

There  seems  to  be  a  sense  in  which  heaven  waits  on  earth ; 
in  which  (if  I  dare  say  so)  God  waits  on  man.  Thus  heaven 
mw  keeps  silence  as  a  prelude  to  earthly  events,  portents, 
vicissitudes. 

Yet  need  not  this  celestial  silence  convey  to  us  (I  conjecture) 
any  notion  of  interruption  in  the  day  and  night  harmony  of 
worship  before  the  Throne,  any  more  than  time  interrupts 
eternity.  For  because  we  dare  not  think  of  God  Who  "  in- 
habiteth  eternity  "  as  changing  to  a  habitation  of  time,  we 
thence  perceive  that  time  and  eternity  co-exist,  are  simul 
taneous  :  if,  that  is,  they  be  not  rather  different  aspects  of  one 
and  the  same  continuity. 

If  from  the  songs  of  heaven  we  learn  to  sing  and  make 
melody  to  the  Lord  with  both  voice  and  understanding,  equally 
from  the  silence  of  heaven  we  may  learn  somewhat. 

Whilst  heaven  kept  silence  it  appears  it  may  have  been 
looking  or  preparing  to  look  earthwards.  And  of  old  David 
declared:  "I  will  keep  my  mouth  with  a  bridle,  while  the 
wicked  is  before  me.  I  was  dumb  with  silence,  I  held  my 
peace,  even  from  good."  Thus  from  Angels  above  and  from 
a  saint  below,  I  may  study  that  meekness  of  righteous  indig 
nation,  that  discretion  of  holy  zeal,  which  brings  not  railing 
accusations  nor  risks  doing  harm  even  by  good  words. 

Silence  seems  unnatural,  incongruous,  in  heaven.  On  this 
occasion  and  remotely  we  may  surmise  it  to  be  a  result  of  the 
Fall,  for  when  earth  first  saw  the  light  in  panoply  of  beauty  the 
morning  stars  sang  together  and  all  the  sons  of  God  shouted 
for  joy:  sinless  earth,  for  sinless  it  then  seems  to  have  been 
whether  or  not  inhabited,  called  forth  instead  of  silencing  an 
outburst  of  celestial  music. 

Q 


242  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

I  think  one  may  view  this  "  silence  "  as  a  figure  of  suspense. 
Reversing  which  proposition,  I  perceive  that  a  Christian's 
suspense  ought  to  present  a  figure  of  that  silence. 

And  if  so,  suspense  should  sustain  my  heart  in  heavenly 
peace  even  whilst  fluttering  over  some  spot  of  earth  ;  and 
should  become  my  method  of  worship,  when  other  modes  fail 
me  ;  and  should  be  adopted  by  my  free  will,  whenever  by 
God's  Will  it  befalls  me ;  and  should  not  hinder  heaven  from 
appearing  heaven  to  me,  or  divorce  me  from  fellowship  with 
angels,  or  make  me  speak  .unadvisedly  with  my  lips.  Faithful, 
hopeful,  loving  suspense  would  be  rich  in  evidence  of  things 
not  seen  and  not  heard ;  and  would  neither  lag  nor  hurry,  but 
would  contentedly  maintain  silence  during  its  imposed  "  half- 
hour."  A  shorter  time?  no,  on  pain  of  rashness:  a  longer 
time  ?  no,  on  pain  of  sullenness. 

This  silence  followed  and  waited  upon  an  act  of  our  Lord  : 
"when  He  had  opened  the  seventh  seal." — "  Unto  Thee  lift  I 
up  mine  eyes,  O  Thou  that  dwellest  in  the  heavens.  Behold, 
as  the  eyes  of  servants  look  unto  the  hand  of  their  masters, 
and  as  the  eyes  of  a  maiden  unto  the  hand  of  her  mistress ;  so 
our  eyes  wait  upon  the  Lord  our  God,  until  that  He  have 
mercy  upon  us." 

"About  the  space  of  half  an  hour." — Not  finally,  not  for 
long.  "  Our  God  shall  come,  and  shall  not  keep  silence.  .  .  . 
He  shall  call  to  the  heavens  from  above,  and  to  the  earth,  that 
He  may  judge  His  people.  .  .  .  And  the  heavens  shall  declare 
His  righteousness." 

The  half  moon  shows  a  face  of  plaintive  sweetness 

Ready  and  poised  to  wax  or  wane  ; 
A  fire  of  pale  desire  in  incompleteness, 

Tending  to  pleasure  or  to  pain  : — 
Lo,  while  we  gaze  she  rolleth  on  in  fleetness 

To  perfect  loss  or  perfect  gain. 
Half  bitterness  we  know,  we  know  half  sweetness  ; 

This  world  is  all  on  wax,  on  wane  : 
When  shall  completeness  round  time's  incompleteness 

Fulfilling  joy,  fulfilling  pain? — 
Lo,  while  we  ask,  life  rolleth  on  in  fleetness 

To  finished  loss  or  finished  gain. 

2.  And  I  saw  the  seven  angels  which  stood  before  God; 

and  to  them  were  given  seven  trumpets. 
Recalling   the  seven  trumpets  of  rams'  horns  sounded   by 
the   seven    priests   on    seven   successive    days,    whereby    was 
announced  and  achieved  the  overthrow  of  Jericho. 

The  seven  priests  blew  their  trumpets  together,  the  seven 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  243 

Angels  one  by  one;  the  seven  priests  thus  appearing  as  it  were 
equivalent  to  the  single  angel ;  in  accordance  with  St.  Peter's 
declaration  :  "Angels,  which  are  greater  in  power  and  might." 
And  as  the  agency  is  greater,  so  apparently  the  series  of  events 
is  greater  and  the  result  greater ;  harmonizing  with  Isaiah's 
prophecy,  when  after  foretelling  "  the  day  of  the  great  slaughter, 
when  the  towers  fall," — he  adds  :  "Moreover  the  light  of  the 
moon  shall  be  as  the  light  of  the  sun,  and  the  light  of  the 
sun  shall  be  sevenfold,  as  the  light  of  seven  days." 

Jericho,  the  outpost  of  the  Promised  Land  ;  the  earthly 
Israel  shouting  and  going  up  straight  before  them  :  a  figure  of 
the  spiritual  Israel  going  out  with  joy  and  led  forth  with  peace 
into  the  heavenly  Canaan. 

The  destruction  of  Jericho  and  entering  in  of  the  chosen 
race,  whether  considered  from  the  historical  or  from  the 
emblematical  view-point,  encourages  us  to  face  hopefully  the 
awful  unprecedented  blast  of  the  seven  angelic  trumpets. 
Then  the  Ark  of  the  Lord  encamped  before  Jericho  among 
the  thousands  of  Israel :  and  Christ  our  true  and  sole  Ark  of 
Safety  has  promised  His  Church  :  "  Lo,  I  am  with  you  alway, 
even  unto  the  end  of  the  world." 

His  Presence  ensures  safety  and  every  blessing.  Yet  it  may 
be — and  if  such  be  His  Will,  Christ  grant  it  may  be  even  so  to 
you,  to  all,  to  me — it  may  be  that  one  day  It  will  ensure  these 
by  taking  the  place  to  us  of  any  other  safety  and  of  every 
other  spiritual  blessing.  For  instance  :  of  old  He  pronounced, 
"The  Sabbath  was  made  for  man,  and  not  man  for  the 
Sabbath,"  upholding  its  pious  though  not  its  superstitious 
observance;  and  again  He  tenderly  bade  His  disciples,  "  Pray 
ye  that  your  flight  be  not  ...  on  the  Sabbath-day."  The 
Sabbath  ranks  amongst  venerable  and  immutable  Divine 
institutions,  dating  back  to  unfallen  man  in  the  Garden  of 
Eden  ;  yet  may  it  be  reft  from  us  as  regards  its  outward 
national  observance,  though  never  from  the  faithful  as  regards 
its  inward  hallowing.  Already  in  England  (not  to  glance  at 
other  countries)  the  signs  of  the  times  are  ominous  :  Sunday  is 
being  diverted  by  some  to  business,  by  others  to  pleasure  ; 
Church  congregations  are  often  meagre,  and  so  services  are 
chilled.  Our  solemn  feasts  languish,  and  our  fasts  where  are 
they  ?  Yet  each  for  himself,  and  God  for  us  all,  we  can  if  we 
choose  "remember  the  Sabbath-day,  to  keep  it  holy"  ;  jealous 
of  its  essentials,  not  wedded  to  its  accidents. 

So  Joshua  and  his  host  when  summoned  to  storm  Jericho 
day  after  day  for  seven  days,  must  amongst  those  days  have 


244  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

kept  one  unexampled  Sabbath,  if  not  in  the  letter  yet  in  the 
spirit. 

3.  And  another  angel  came  and  stood  at  the  altar,  having 

a  golden  censer ;  and  there  was  given  unto  him  much 
incense,  that  he  should  offer  it  with  the  prayers  of  all 
saints  upon  the  golden  altar  which  was  before  the 
Throne. 

4.  And  the   smoke  of  the  incense,  which  came  with  the 

prayers  of  the  saints,  ascended  up  before  God  out  of 
the  angel's  hand. 

The  celestial  altar  may  transcend  but  can  never  contradict 
the  terrestrial.  One  throws  light  upon  the  other.  To  meditate 
on  the  altar  which  we  know,  seems  one  safe  way  of  meditating 
on  the  altar  which  we  know  not. 

In  heaven  "an  angel,"  here  a  priest  ministers;  and  whether 
priest  or  angel,  he  who  stands  acceptably  beiore  God  on 
behalf  of  man  cannot  but  represent  Christ ;  ''for  there  is  One 
God,  and  One  Mediator  between  God  and  men,  the  Man 
Christ  Jesus  ;  Who  gave  Himself  a  ransom  for  all,  to  be  testified 
in  due  time." 

There  the  altar  is  of  gold  ;  here  well  might  it  be  of  gold. 
Virtually  it  becomes  of  gold  when  it  is  of  our  costliest,  choicest, 
best ;  but  not  so,  if  man's  house  is  of  cedar  whilst  the  Lord's 
is  of  curtains. 

There  out  of  a  golden  censer  prayers  ascend  by  fire.  For 
prayer  offered  in  Christ's  Name  is  such  a  human  work  as  can 
stand  fire,  a  worthy  superstructure  raised  on  the  One  Founda 
tion  (see  i  Cor.  iii.  n — 15).  And  since  "out  of  the  abundance 
of  the  heart  the  mouth  speaketh,"  the  censer  may  remind  us  of 
that  heart  which  God  claims  as  His  own  portion  (as  if  He 
said,  "My  son,  give  Me  thine  heart,")  from  "the  precious 
sons  of  Zion,  comparable  to  fine  gold."  Or  rather  let  it  remind 
us  of  the  Heart  of  that  Only  always-acceptable  Beloved  Son 
Who,  ever  living  to  make  intercession  for  us,  presents  before 
the  Throne  all  our  needs  out  of  His  own  heart. 

There  much  incense  goes  up  as  smoke  with  the  saints' 
prayers.  Isaiah  in  vision  beheld  the  Temple  of  the  Lord 
"filled  with  smoke";  and  perhaps  we  may  compare  such 
smoke  to  a  cloud  ;  figuratively,  even  to  that  Cloud  which 
under  the  elder  covenant  indicated  the  Divine  Presence.  If 
so,  this  sacred  smoke  may  remind  us  of  that  Presence  of 
Christ  which  is  plighted  to  two  or  three  supplicants  gathered 
together  in  His  Name ;  and  of  that  blessed  Advocacy  whereby 


THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP.  245 

Christ  and  the  Holy  Spirit  deign  to  effectuate  our  petitions, 
rendering  them  in  their  degree  acceptable  like  that  odour  of 
spikenard  wherewith  one  woman's  love  filled  the  house  where 
Jesus  supped. 

Whereupon  the  incense  and  smoke  of  the  incense  should 
kindle  us  to  utmost  adoration  and  love,  by  thus  setting  before 
us  Christ  Who  for  our  sakes  made  Himself  once  for  all  a 
whole  Burnt  Offering,  an  Offering  and  a  sweet-smelling  Savour 
to  the  Glory  of  God  the  Father ;  and  Who  in  the  Blessed 
Sacrament  of  His  Body  and  Blood  having  left  to  His  Church 
a  perpetual  Memorial  of  His  sole  sufficient  Sacrifice,  receives 
us  and  our  petitions  into  the  "  secret  place  "  of  that  Presence 
and  sets  us  in  heavenly  places  with  His  own  Self. 

"OUT  OF  THE  ANGEL'S  HAND." 

No  Cherub's  heart  or  hand  for  us  might  ache, 
No  Seraph's  heart  of  fire  had  half  sufficed  : 
Thine  own  were  pierced  and  broken  for  our  sake, 
O  Jesus  Christ. 

Therefore  we  love  Thee  with  our  faint  good  will, 

We  crave  to  love  Thee  not  as  heretofore, 
To  love  Thee  much,  to  love  Thee  more,  and  still 
More  and  yet  more. 

5.  And  the  angel  took  the  censer,  and  filled  it  with  fire  of 
the  altar,  and  cast  it  into  the  earth  :  and  there  were 
voices,  and  thunderings,  and  lightnings,  and  an  earth 
quake. 

If  I  may  view  this  blessed  Angel  as  in  any  sense  representing 
his  and  our  Lord,  then  may  his  casting  the  fiery  censer  into 
the  earth  recall  to  my  mind  a  declaration  from  our  Lord's  own 
lips  :  "  I  am  come  to  send  fire  on  the  earth ;  and  what  will  I, 
if  it  be  already  kindled  ?  But  I  have  a  baptism  to  be  baptized 
with ;  and  how  am  I  straitened  till  it  be  accomplished  !  Sup 
pose  ye  that  I  am  come  to  give  peace  on  earth  ?  I  tell  you, 
Nay  ;  but  rather  division." 

Then  also  I  may  take  shelter  from  terrors  of  fire,  voices, 
thunderings,  lightnings,  earthquake,  in  the  sympathy  of  Jesus  : 
loved  He  us  of  old,  and  doth  He  not  love  us  now  ?  loveth  He 
us  now,  and  will  He  not  love  us  then  ? 

As  the  dove  which  found  no  rest 
For  sole  of  her  foot,  flew  back 
To  the  ark  her  only  nest 

And  found  safety  there  ; 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 


Because  Noah  put  forth  his  hand, 

Drew  her  in  from  ruin  and  wrack, 
And  was  more  to  her  than  the  land 

And  the  air  : 
So  my  spirit,  like  that  dove, 

Fleeth  away  to  an  ark 
Where  dwelleth  a  Heart  of  love, 

A  Hand  pierced  to  save  ; 
Tho'  the  sun  and  the  moon  should  fail, 

Tho'  the  stars  drop  into  the  dark, 
And  my  body  lay  itself  pale 
In  a  grave. 

Jf  I  may  imagine  one  petition  rather  than  another  to  have 
constituted  those  prayers  of  saints  which  mounted  acceptably 
from  the  golden  censer,  it  may  have  been  "  Thy  Kingdom 
come."  For  it  can  never  have  been  in  denial  of  such  prayers 
that  the  censer,  emptied  of  them,  was  refilled  with  fire  of  the 
Altar,  and  cast  into  the  earth. 

Because  "  fire,"  therefore  either  purifying  as  gold  or  else 
consuming  as  dross ;  because  "  of  the  Altar,"  therefore  either 
sanctifying  as  Jerusalem  or  else  devoting  as  Jericho. 

Fire  of  the  Altar  seems  clearly  a  type  of  God  the  Holy 
Ghost,  in  conformity  with  the  text  :  "  Christ,  Who  through  the 
Eternal  Spirit  offered  Himself  without  spot  to  God."  And  if 
here  in  St.  John's  vision  we  may  with  reverence  so  regard  it, 
its  descent  to  earth  with  the  awful  phenomena  ensuing,  sets 
once  more  before  us  how  every  condescension  of  God  to  man 
must  either  save  or  destroy,  cannot  leave  man  as  he  was  before 
the  visitation,  cannot  suffer  that  the  righteous  should  be  finally 
as  the  wicked,  or  the  wicked  as  the  righteous.  So  it  befell  when 
"God  looked  upon  the  earth,  and  behold,  it  was  corrupt,"  in 
the  days  of  Noah ;  so,  when  "  the  Lord  came  down  to  see  the 
city  and  the  tower,  which  the  children  of  men  builded,"  and 
scattered  abroad  the  future  nations ;  so,  when  He  spake  con 
cerning  Sodom  and  Gomorrah,  "  I  will  go  down  now,  and  see 
whether  they  have  done  altogether  according  to  the  cry  of  it, 
which  is  come  unto  Me  " ;  yet  remembered  Lot :  so,  when 
Christ  ministered  amongst  men  ;  "  Many  of  His  disciples  went 
back,  and  walked  no  more  with  Him.  Then  said  Jesus  unto 
the  twelve,  Will  ye  also  go  away?  Then  Simon  Peter  answered 
Him,  Lord,  to  whom  shall  we  go?  Thou  hast  the  words  of 
eternal  life  "  :  and  even  so  at  Pentecost,  when  the  Holy  Spirit 
descended  upon  the  Church  with  audible  and  visible  signs, 
Israel  was  split  asunder  into  the  camp  of  believers  and  the 
hostile  camp  of  unbelievers. 

O  Lord  Almighty,  to  Whom  continually  Thy  Church  reiterates 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  247 

those  awful  words  ;'  Thy  kingdom  come " ;  grant  her  such 
grace  that  holy  love  may  overcome  in  her  holy  fear,  and  that 
like  as  the  hart  desireth  the  water-brooks,  so  her  soul  may  long 
after  thee,  O  God.  For  Jesus  Christ's  sake,  her  Spouse.  Amen. 
Voices,  though  uninterpreted,  yet  exhorting  me  to  prepare 
to  meet  my  God.  Thunders,  though  inarticulate,  yet  summon 
ing  me  to  make  "ready  against  the  Great  Day.  Lightnings, 
though  evanescent,  yet  warning  me  as  once  the  Writing, 
Belshazzar.  Earthquake,  though  not  hitherto  beneath  my  feet, 
yet  bidding  me  lay  up  betimes  in  heaven  treasures  indestructible. 

6.  And  the  seven  angels  which  had  the  seven  trumpets 
prepared  themselves  to  sound. 

Zephaniah  the  Prophet  foretells  a  crisis  oMike  sweeping 
calamity :  "  The  great  day  of  the  Lord  is  near,  it  is  near,  and 
hasteth  greatly,  even  the  voice  of  the  day  of  the  Lord  :  the 
mighty  man  shall  cry  there  bitterly.  That  day  is  a  day  of 
wrath,  a  day  of  trouble  and  distress,  a  day  of  wasteness  and 
desolation,  a  day  of  darkness  and  gloominess,  a  day  of  clouds 
and  thick  darkness,  a  day  of  the  trumpet  and  alarm  against  the 
fenced  cities,  and  against  the  high  towers.  And  I  will  bring 
distress  upon  men,  and  they  shall  walk  like  blind  men,  because 
they  have  sinned  against  the  Lord  :  and  their  blood  shall  be 
poured  out  as  dust,  and  their  flesh  as  the  dung.  Neither  their 
silver  nor  their  gold  shall  be  able  to  deliver  them  in  the  day  of 
the  Lord's  wrath  ;  but  the  whole  land  shall  be  devoured  by  the 
fire  of  His  jealousy  :  for  He  shall  make  even  a  speedy  riddance 
of  all  them  that  dwell  in  the  land." 

The  same  prophet  propounds  to  us  moreover  our  duty  and 
privilege  on  the  brink  of  such  destruction  :  "  Gather  yourselves 
together,  yea,  gather  together,  O  nation  not  desired  ;  before  the 
decree  bring  forth,  before  the  day  pass  as  the  chaff,  before  the 
fierce  anger  of  the  Lord  come  upon  you,  before  the  day  of  the 
Lord's  anger  come  upon  you.  Seek  ye  the  Lord,  all  ye  meek 
of  the  earth,  which  have  wrought  His  judgment ;  seek  righteous 
ness,  seek  meekness :  it  may  be  ye  shall  be  hid  in  the  day  of 
the  Lord's  anger." 

Let  us  not  make  ourselves  like  to  the  horse  that  hath  no  under 
standing,  of  whom  we  read,  "  neither  believeth  he  that  it  is  the 
sound  of  the  trumpet.  He  saith  among  the  trumpets,  Ha,  ha." 

Thy  trumpet,  Lord  JCSUL,  giveth  no  uncertain  sound  :  prepare 
Thou  us  to  the  battle.  O  Lord  God  of  hosts,  blessed  is  the 
man  that  putteth  his  trust  in  Thee. 

Angels,  whom  the  result  seems  to  concern  only  secondarily 


248  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

sound  not  without  self-preparation  :  shall  man  whose  all  is  at 
stake  not  prepare  himself? 

O  Lord  Jesus,  Who  hast  called  the  Church  Thy  sister,  love, 
dove,  spouse :  Abide  close  to  us,  our  Brother,  our  Friend,  and 
prepare  us ; 

Love  us  unto  the  end,  and  prepare  us  ; 

By  indwelling  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  the  Dove,  prepare  us ; 

For  better,  for  worse,  prepare  us  ; 

That  so  death  itself  may  not  part  us.     Amen. 

Thy  fainting  spouse,  yet  still  Thy  spouse  ; 

Thy  trembling  dove,  yet  still  Thy  dove  j 
Thine  own  by  mutual  vows, 

By  mutual  love. 

Recall  Thy  vows,  if  not  her  vows  ; 

Recall  Thy  love,  if  not  her  love  : 
For  weak  she  is,  Thy  spouse, 

And  tired,  Thy  dove. 

A  series  of  historical  events  has  been  compiled  as  corre 
sponding  with  the  seven  trumpet  blasts.  But  as  those  blasts 
cease  not  to  peal  in  the  Church's  ears,  I  trust  we  may  lawfully 
in  some  degree  and  on  occasion  forget  concerning  them  those 
things  that  are  behind,  and  rather  reach  forward  to  those 
things  which  are  still  before:  for  oftentimes  one  fulfilment 
illustrates,  but  seems  by  no  means  to  exhaust  prophecy. 

7.  The  first  angel  sounded,  and  there  followed  hail  and  fire 
mingled  with,  blood,  and  they  were  cast  upon  the  earth  : 
and  the  third  part  of  trees  was  burnt  up,  and  all  green 
grass  was  burnt  up. 

The  Revised  Version  precedes  the  other  similar  clauses  of 
this  verse  by  the  words  :  "  And  the  third  part  of  the  earth  was 
burnt  up." 

In  the  Answer  out  of  the  Whirlwind  we  read  :  "  Hast  thou 
seen  the  treasures  of  the  hail,  which  I  have  reserved  against 
the  time  of  trouble,  against  the  day  of  battle  and  war  ? " — 
which  weapon  was  brought  forth  from  the  Divine  armoury 
when  the  Lord  fought  for  Israel  against  the  Egyptians  :  "  The 
Lord  sent  thunder  and  hail,  and  the  fire  ran  along  upon  the 
ground ;  and  the  Lord  rained  hail  upon  the  land  of  Egypt. 
So  there  was  hail,  and  fire  mingled  with  the  hail,  very 
grievous.  .  .  .  And  the  hail  smote  throughout  all  the  land  of 
Egypt  all  that  was  in  the  field,  both  man  and  beast ;  and  the 
hail  smote  every  herb  of  the  field,  and  brake  every  tree  of  the 
field."  And  ngain,  when  the  five  infatuated  Kings  of  the 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  249 

Amorites  and  their  hosts  having  joined  battle  with  Joshua 
were  discomfited,  "  it  came  to  pass,  as  they  fled  from  before 
Israel  .  .  .  that  the  Lord  cast  down  great  stones  from  heaven 
upon  them,  .  .  .  and  they  died  :  they  were  more  which  died 
with  hailstones  than  they  whom  the  children  of  Israel  slew  with 
the  sword." 

But  in  this  Apocalyptic  vision  of  hail,  fire,  and  blood,  St. 
John  beheld  [earth,]  trees,  grass,  "  burnt  up  "  :  neither  shattered 
nor  crushed  that  we  read,  but  devoured.  Height  exempted 
not  the  trees,  nor  lowness  the  gjass. 

This  hail  and  fire  being  "mingled  with  blood"  suggests  at 
once  that  no  mere  elemental  storm  destructive  of  inanimate 
nature  may  here  be  depicted.  "  The  Voice  said,  Cry.  And 
he  said,  What  shall  I  cry  ?  All  flesh  is  grass  .  .  .  surely  the 
people  is  grass."  And  that  trees  may  stand  for  men  is  plain 
from  Jotham's  fable :  "  Then  said  all  the  trees  unto  the 
bramble,  Come  thou,  and  reign  over  us.  And  the  bramble 
said  unto  the  trees,  If  in  truth  ye  anoint  me  king  over  you, 
then  come  and  put  your  trust  in  my  shadow  :  and  if  not,  let 
fire  come  out  of  the  bramble,  and  devour  the  cedars  of 
Lebanon.  Now  therefore,  if  ye  have  done  truly  and  sincerely, 
in  that  ye  have  made  Abimelech  king  .  .  ." 

Between  the  trees  and  the  grass  a  distinction  is  made  :  only 
the  third  part  of  trees  was  burnt  up,  but  all  green  grass.  Had 
ail  trees  been  burnt,  then  they  all  must  have  perished  ;  for  a 
charred  stump  can  send  up  no  second  sapful  trunk :  therefore 
some  we  see  taken,  some  left.  With  grass  and  with  green 
herbs  in  general  the  case  may,  I  suppose,  be  different :  the 
bracken,  for  instance,  renews  itself  in  exquisite  verdure  after 
the  faded  autumn  overgrowth  has  been  ignited  and  consumed. 

Which  train  of  thought  seems  not  discordant  with  a  Divine 
promise  :  "  Fear  thou  not,  O  Jacob  My  servant,  saith  the 
Lord  :  for  I  am  with  thee.  ...  I  will  not  make  a  full  end  of 
thee,  but  correct  thee  in  measure ;  yet  will  I  not  leave  thee 
wholly  unpunished." 

8.  And  the  second  angel  sounded,  and  as  it  were  a  great 

mountain  burning  with  fire  was  cast  into  the  sea  : 
and  the  third  part  of  the  sea  became  blood ; 

9.  And  the  third  part  of  the  creatures  which  were  in  the 

sea,  and  had  life,  died ;  and  the  third  part  of  the  ships 
were  destroyed. 

Truth  confronts  us  veiled,  not  in  order  to  baffle  us,  but  rather 
that  our  zeal  may  be  redoubled  to  discern  her. 

"God  is  cur  refuge  and  strength,  a  very  present  help  in 


2 50  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

trouble.  Therefore  will  not  we  fear,  though  the  earth  be 
removed,  though  the  mountains  be  carried  into  the  midst  of 
the  sea;  though  the  waters  thereof  roar  and  be  troubled, 
though  the  mountains  shake  with  the  swelling  thereof."  Thus, 
by  aid  of  God's  grace,  sang  the  Psalmist.  And  if  so  he,  so  at 
the  least  ought  we  :  for  he  looked  forward  to  what  would  be 
wrought  for  his  salvation,  while  we  look  backward  to  what  has 
actually  been  achieved  for  ours.  •  Jesus,  the  Name  above  every 
name,  is  the  "desired  haven"  of  our  souls  :  "The  Name  of 
the  Lord  is  a  strong  tower :  the  righteous  runneth  into  It,  and 
is  safe." 

0  Lord  Jesus,  the  Tmth,  the  Wisdom,  the  Word  of  God ;  of 
Thine  exceeding  Goodness  make  us,  I  beseech  Thee,  so  one 
with  Thyself,  that  cleaving  unto  Thee  we  may  accept  all  truth 
though  we  cannot  express  it,  and  be  replenished  with  wisdom 
however  scant  our  knowledge,  and  speak  gracious  words  or 
keep  gracious  silence  in  our  daily  walk  with  Thee  and  with  one 
another.  Amen. 

At  the  first  trumpet-blast,  fire  from  heaven  did  its  appointed 
work  of  destruction ;  now,  at  the  second,  this  "great  mountain 
burning  with  fire"  seems  rather  to  be  of  the  earth  earthy. 
Both  are  equally  the  rod  of  God's  anger  ;  the  latter  agent 
corresponding  in  some  of  its  effects  with  that  literal  Rod  of 
God  whereby  -Aaron,  inflicting  the  first  plague  upon  Egypt, 
turned  the  Nile  into  blood,  so  that  all  the  fish  died  and  the 
river  stank. 

Then  all  the  fish  perished  :  now  one-third  part  of  the  living 
creatures  and  of  the  ships. 

Those,  although  mere  fish,  were  set  up  as  false  gods ;  the 
Nile  itself  being  for  practical  purposes  also  a  false  god. 

We  are  not  informed  what  offence  or  what  multitude  of 
offences  may  call  for  this  Apocalyptic  destruction  of  a  third 
part;  but  presumably  the  warning  primarily  concerns  us  men 
and  our  salvation,  rather  than  any  lower  creatures  involved  by 
Adam's  fall  in  man's  punishment.  To  quote  St.  Paul's  words 
in  a  different  context :  "  Saith  he  it  altogether  for  our  sakes  ? 
For  our  sakes,  no  doubt,  this  is  written." 

The  Prophet  Isaiah  once  for  good  and  once  for  evil  employs 
the  sea  as  a  similitude  of  mankind.  For  good  :  "  The  abund 
ance  of  the  sea  shall  be  converted  unto  thee,"— but  before 
that  for  evil  :  "The  wicked  are  like  the  troubled  sea,  when  it 
cannot  rest,  whose  waters  cast  up  mire  and  dirt." 

Considering  the  parallel  with  the  first  Egyptian  plague, 
idolatry  suggests  itself  as  a  possible  provocation  here  also ;  and 
this  the  less'hazardously,  because  though  we  might-  hesitate  to 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  251 

define  idolatry  as  the  only  sin,  yet  has  every  sin  at  the  least  an 
idolatrous  side ;  be  the  sin  what  it  may,  its  commission 
demonstrates  that  something  is  preferred  before  God. 

Isaiah  exposes  the  arrant  folly  of  idolatry  in  its  grossly  literal 
form  of  image  worship  :  "  They  have  not  known  nor  under 
stood  :  for  He  hath  shut  their  eyes,  that  they  cannot  see  ;  and 
their  hearts,  that  they  cannot  understand.  And  none  con- 
sidereth  in  his  heart,  neither  is  there  knowledge  nor  under 
standing  to  say,  I  have  burned  part  of  it  in  the  fire  ;  yea,  also 
I  have  baked  bread  upon  the  coals  thereof;  I  have  roasted 
flesh,  and  eaten  it :  and  shall  I  make  the  residue  thereof  an 
abomination  ?  shall  I  fall  down  to  the  stock  of  a  tree  ?  He 
feedeth  on  ashes  :  a  deceived  heart  hath  turned  him  aside,  that 
he  cannot  deliver  his  soul,  nor  say,  '  Is  there  not  a  lie  in  my 
right  hand  ?  '  " 

We  are  not  likely  to  worship  images.  Perhaps  not.  But 
our  Lord  commands  all  to  take  heed,  and  beware  of  covetous- 
ness  :  and  St.  Paul  warns  his  Colossian  converts  that  covetous- 
ness  is  idolatry.  Stubbornness,  too,  is  as  idolatry ;  as  King 
Saul  found  to  his  cost. 

Whatever  may  be  thought  about  the  living  sea-creatures,  the 
mention  cf  ships  directs  our  attention  to  men.  And  ships  by 
association  suggest  commerce ;  and  commerce,  alas !  too  often 
covetousness.  Or  if  we  turn  to  war-  ships,  stubbornness  seems 
only  too  probable  in  connection  with  them. 

10.  And  the  third  angel  sounded,  and  there  fell  a  great  star 

from  heaven,  burning  as  it  were  a  lamp,  and  it  fell 
upon  the  third  part  of  the  rivers,  and  upon  the 
fountains  of  waters ; 

11.  And  the  name  of  the  star  is  called  Wormwood :  and  the 

third  part  of  the  waters  became  wormwood;  and 
many  men  died  of  the  waters,  because  they  were 
made  bitter. 

This  third  fire,  for  at  each  trumpet-peal  hitherto  fire  has 
appeared,  differs  from  the  former  two  at  least  as  widely  as  they 
from  each  other. 

The  first  visitation  resembles  a  storm,  although  in  details 
and  in  effect  more  terrific  than  storms  of  this  world.  To  the 
first  angel  summons  clouds  respond  with  abundance  of  water ; 
lightnings  answer  and  say,  Here  we  are. 

The  second  visitation  appears  as  if  a  volcano  were  cast  down 
headlong.  Once  Mount  Sinai  was  altogether  on  a  smoke ;  and 
if  then  Moses,  now  much  more  may  \ve  exceedingly  fear  and 
quake  to  witness  in  a  figure  the  !La\v  avenge  itself  on  transgressors. 


252  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

The  third  blast  evokes  neither  an  evanescent  nor  a  terrene 
fire,  but  "  a  great  star  from  heaven,  burning  as  it  were  a  lamp  "  : 
thus  liable  to  recall  to  the  mind  even  involuntarily  by  verbal 
association  the  sacred  verses  :  "  For  ever,  O  Lord,  Thy  word  is 
settled  in  heaven.  .  .  .  Thy  word  is  a  lamp  unto  my  feet, 
and  a  light  unto  my  path." 

This  star  then  is  from  heaven,  and  is  a  luminary,  yet  is  its 
name  Wormwood,  and  its  effect  fatal  bitterness.  Still,  although 
it  embitters  both  the  third  part  of  rivers  and  even  of  springs  ; 
yet  we  read  not  that  all  men  died  of  those  waters,  but  many  ; 
perhaps  intimating  that  amongst  those  even  who  drank,  some 
survived.  "  Teach  me  good  judgment  and  knowledge  :  for 
I  have  believed  Thy  commandments.  .  .  .  My  soul  fainteth 
for  Thy  salvation  :  but  I  hope  in  Thy  word." 

If  such  an  inference  is  allowable,  then  I  venture  to  view  as 
not  incongruous  with  this  passage  the  dangers  which  beset 
secular  knowledge ;  a  consideration  exhibiting  an  urgently 
practical  side  in  this  our  day  of  widespread  and  wider-spreading 
culture. 

For  in  the  text  we  behold  light  introducing  men  to  the  dark 
ness  of  death;  an  emblem  of  unsanctified  knowledge  and  its 
tendency.  The  star  is  a  genuine  illuminator  :  so  may  the 
knowledge  be  genuine  knowledge  ;  yet  not  being  mixed  with 
faith  in  them  that  hold  it,  it  becomes  to  them  perilous  or  even 
deadly. 

Whether  any  given  knowledge  will  prove  profitable  or  un 
profitable  is  a  question  by  itself,  independent  of  any  debate  as 
to  its  authenticity.  However  beguiled,  Eve  learned  the  differ 
ence  between  good  and  evil :  so  in  his  turn  did  Adam,  of  whom 
it  is  expressly  stated  that  he  was  not  deceived.  What  they 
learned  was  so  far  genuine  :  all  the  same  it  proved  fatal. 
Knowledge  and  wisdom  are  quite  distinct,  though  not  neces 
sarily  sundered. 

Again  :  in  the  same  sense  that  some  see  and  yet  see  not, 
hear  and  yet  hear  not,  so  some  may  be  said  to  know  without 
knowing.  As  for  instance  the  antediluvians,  who  were  fore 
warned  of  the  impending  catastrophe,  and  who  yet  "knew  not 
until  the  flood  came,  and  took  them  all  away."  Unassimilated 
truth  avails  nothing. 

Some  there  are  who,  familiarized  with  both,  set  the  evidence 
of  their  senses  above  Divine  promises :  as  when  Dathan  and 
Abiram  murmured  against  Moses,  *'  Thou  hast  not  brought  us 
into  a  land  that  floweth  with  milk  and  honey  .  .  .  wilt  thou 
put  out  the  eyes  of  these  men  ?  "  or  as  when  a  certain  courtier 
ueighed  probability  against  an  inspired  utterance  of  Eiisha, 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  253 

saying  :  '*  Behold,  if  the  Lord  would  make  windows  in  heaven, 
might  this  thing  be  ?  "  The  blind  who  say  they  see  are  brought 
in  guilty. 

St.  Paul's  charge  to  his  "  dearly  beloved  son  "  seems  written 
afresh  for  ourselves  in  this  nineteenth  century  :  "  O  Timothy, 
keep  that  which  is  committed  to  thy  trust,  avoiding  profane 
and  vain  babblings,  and  oppositions  of  science  falsely  so  called  : 
which  some  professing,  have  erred  concerning  the  faith.  Grace 
be  with  thee.  Amen." 

If  it  be  fatal  to  hold  error,  what  must  it  be  to  propagate 
error  ? 

Amongst  all  channels  of  instruction,  speech  is  the  readiest 
and  is  universal.  A  noble  gift  entailing  a  vast  responsibility. 
St.  James  sets  forth  its  awful  many-sidedness  :  "  If  any  man 
offend  not  in  word,  the  same  is  a  perfect  man,  and  is  able  also 
to  bridle  the  whole  body.  .  .  .  The  tongue  is  a  little  member, 
and  boasteth  great  things.  Behold,  how  great  a  matter  a  little 
fire  kindleth  !  And  the  tongue  is  a  fire,  a  world  of  iniquity  : 
so  is  the  tongue  among  our  members,  that  it  defileth  the  whole 
body,  and  setteth  on  fire  the  course  of  nature ;  and  it  is  set  on 
fire  of  hell.  .  .  .  The  tongue  can  no  man  tame;  it  is  an 
unruly  evil,  full  of  deadly  poison.  Therewith  bless  we  God, 
even  the  Father ;  and  therewith  curse  we  men,  which  are  made 
after  the  similitude  of  God.  Out  of  the  same  mouth  pro- 
ceedeth  blessing  and  cursing.  My  brethren,  these  things 
ought  not  so  to  be.  Doth  a  fountain  send  forth  at  the  same 
place  sweet  water  and  bitter  ?  " 

And  what  is  true  of  the  tongue  is  in  ample  proportion  true 
of  the  pen  :  this  likewise  may  bless,  edify,  diffuse  sweetness ; 
or  may  become  a  fire,  a  world  of  iniquity,  may  propagate  de 
filement,  and  kindle  impious  fire,  being  itself  set  on  fire  of  hell. 

O  LongsurTering  Lord  Jesus,  curse  not  our  blessings  which 
we  have  slighted,  but  renew  them  to  us.  Retrieve  for  us  Thy 
gifts  which  we  have  perverted,  and  make  us  blessed  and  a 
blessing.  Grant  us  grace  by  Thy  Most  Holy  Spirit,  to  devote 
ourselves  and  all  our  powers  to  Thee,  even  as  Thou  by  the  same 
Spirit  deignest  to  give  Thyself  to  us.  Amen.  Is  anything  too 
hard  for  God  ?  Nay. 

12.  And  the  fourth  angel  sounded,  and  the  third  part  of 
the  sun  was  smitten,  and  the  third  part  of  the  moon, 
and  the  third  part  of  the  stars ;  so  as  the  third  part 
of  them  was  darkened,  and  the  day  shone  not  for  a 
third  part  of  it,  and  the  nig-ht  likewise. 

It  seems  more  marvellous  that  for  earth's  sake  the    stars 


254  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

should  be  smitten,  than  that  the  sun  and  moon  should  be  so  : 
for  Genesis  reveals  how  sun  and  moon  were  created  with  re 
ference  to  earth ;  whilst  in  the  same  passage  (as  I  have  read  in 
explanation)  the  stars  are  mentioned  parenthetically,  not  as 
simultaneously,  but  as  already  created ;  and  are  so  mentioned 
not  in  direct  connection  with  earth's  economy,  but  lest  other 
wise  they  might  come  to  be  regarded  not  at  all  as  creatures  of 
the  One  Universal  Creator,  their  date  of  existence  being  as 
sumed  as  manifestly  anterior  to  the  fourth  day  of  creation. 

How  great  is  little  man  ! 

Sun,  moon  and  stars  respond  to  him, 

Shine  or  grow  dim 
Harmonious  with  his  span. 

How  little  is  great  man  ! 

More  changeable  than  changeful  moon, 

Nor  half  in  tune 
With  Heaven's  harmonious  plan. 

Ah  rich  man  !  ah  poor  man  ! 

Make  ready  for  the  testing  day, 

When  wastes  away 
What  bears  not  fire  or  fan. 

Thou  heir  of  all  things  man. 

Pursue  the  saints  by  heavenward  track  : 
They  looked  not  back  ; 

Run  thou,  as  erst  they  ran. 

Little  and  great  is  man  : 

Great  if  he  will,  or  if  he  will 

A  pigmy  still ; 
For  what  he  will  he  can. 

Again  the  "  third  part  "  smitten,  and  not  the  whole  :  bidding 
us  both  "count  it  all  longsuffering,"  and  redeem  the  time 
because  the  days  are  evil.  For  surely  if  this  revelation  of 
judgment  so  bids  the  men  and  women  of  that  generation 
endure  and  do,  whichever  generation  may  be  in  question  :  it 
equally  adjures  us  to-day  while  it  is  called  to-day  :  for  upon  us 
all  alike  must  finally  descend  the  total  night  when  none  can 
work. 

A  curtailed  day  is  still  a  day  with  daylight  opportunities. 
An  ended  day  is  a  day  done  with  for  good  or  for  evil. 

At  a  first  glance  it  might  seem  as  if  no  specially  appropriate 
discipline  was  organized  to  train  us  for  this  diminution  of  light  : 
by  help  of  grace  ordinary  bereavement  may  become  that 
discipline.  Bereavement  is  often  a  taking  away  the  desire  of 
our  eyes  with  a  stroke  :  if  we  practise  bearing  this  patiently, 
thankfully,  lovingly,  we  may  entertain  a  good  hope  of  so  bearing 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  255 

the  other  should  our  appointed  days  include  that  day  of  dark 
ness  and  gloominess.  "  Nevertheless  the  dimness  shall  not  be 
such  as  was  in  her  vexation." 

Lord  Jesus,  how  shall  I  attain  to  bear  patiently  the  loss  of 
my  beloved  ? — -By  loving  Me  more. 

How  shall  I  endure  when  sun,  moon,  and  stars  are  smitten  ? 
— By  following  Me  as  thy  light  Who  am  alone  thy  salvation. 

One-third  taken,  two-thirds  left  :  I  have  long  dwelt  on  the 
threat ;  I  have  too  long  overlooked  the  promise.  Better  to 
lose  a  third  and  be  thankful,  than  to  retain  the  whole  and  be 
thankless.  It  is  sadly  amiss  never  to  perceive  how  much 
sunshine  gilds  our  mortal  day  until  that  brightness  is  dimin 
ished. 

A  moon  impoverished  amid  stars  curtailed, 

A  sun  of  its  exuberant  lustre  shorn, 

A  transient  morning  that  is  scarcely  morn, 
A  lingering  night  in  double  dimness  veiled, — 
Our  hands  are  slackened  and  our  strength  has  failed  : 

We  born  to  darkness,  wherefore  were  we  born  ? 

No  ripening  more  for  olive,  grape,  or  corn  : 
Faith  faints,  hope  faints,  even  love  himself  has  paled. 
Nay  ! — love  lifts  up  a  face  like  any  rose 

Flushing  and  sweet  above  a  thorny  stem, 
Softly  protesting  that  the  way  he  knows  ; 

And  as  for  faith  and  hope,  will  carry  them 

Safe  to  the  gate  of  New  Jerusalem 
Where  light  shines  full  and  where  the  palm  tree  blows. 

13.  And  I  beheld,  and  heard  an  angel  flying  through  the 
midst  of  heaven,  saying  with  a  loud  voice,  Woe,  woe, 
woe,  to  the  inhabiters  of  the  earth  by  reason  of  the 
other  voices  of  the  trumpet  of  the  three  angels,  which 
are  yet  to  sound  ! 

"  An  angel,"  or  in  the  Revised  Version  "  An  eagle." 

If  every  day  eagles  cannot  convey  to  me  any  instruction,  I 
dare  not  flatter  myself  that  actual  angels  would  teach  me  to 
much  purpose.  According  to  that  weighty  answer  of  Father 
Abraham  :  "  If  they  hear  not  Moses  and  the  prophets,  neither 
will  they  be  persuaded,  though  one  rose  from  the  dead  "  : — 
the  fault  in  all  such  cases  being  chargeable  to  the  listener. 

So  while  waiting  for  Angels  let  us  utilize  eagles.  By  looking 
steadfastly  toward  heaven  we  are  certain  to  discern  something 
there  :  whereas  by  not  looking  at  all  in  that  direction  we  must 
inevitably  miss  both  heaven  and  its  population. 

The  Apostolick  Eagle  "  beheld  "  and  recognized  a  celestial 
fellow  Eagle :  not  even  he,  I  suppose,  could  have  beheld 
without  looking. 


256  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

St.  John  whilst  still  a  sojourner  in  this  world  heard  the 
message,  "Woe,  woe,  woe,  to  the  inhabiters  of  the  earth." 

On  the  point  of  ascending  to  heaven  Christ  had  answered 
His  Apostles  :  "  It  is  not  for  you  to  know  the  times  or  the 
seasons,  which  the  Father  hath  put  in  His  own  power." 

It  is  therefore  open  to  conjecture  that  whilst  St.  John  was 
satisfied  of  the  advancing  Woes  he  foresaw  not  the  exact 
moment  of  their  arrival.  He  may  thus  have  shared  the 
suspense  which  is  our  own  habitual  lot. 

Perhaps  it  may  comfort  some  to  think  that  St.  John  had  a 
share  in  the  common  trial :  much  more  would  it  comfort  us 
all  to  undergo  it  in  his  spirit.  And  wherefore  not?  The 
disciple  whom  Jesus  loved  was  not  loved  to  our  exclusion. 

Our  Lord  declared  :  "  The  things  concerning  Me  have  an 
end."  And  Christ-like  souls  can  by  grace  even  give  thanks 
because  the  things  concerning  themselves  likewise  have  an 
end,  so  keenly  do  they  desire  to  depart  and  be  with  Him 
Whom  their  soul  loveth. 

But  I  woful  sinner  fear  the  end  which  endeth  not.  In  my 
fear  to  whom  shall  I  go,  save  to  Him  Who  hath  the  words  of 
eternal  life  ?  "  Hath  God  forgotten  to  be  gracious  ?  .  .  .  And 
I  said,  It  is  mine  own  infirmity." 

Lord  Jesus,  Who  waitest  to  be  gracious,  be  gracious  to  us 
who  tremble,  to  us  who  mourn,  to  us  all  who  many  ways 
offend,  to  us  who  are  ready  to  perish.  Thou  canst  not  be 
otherwise  than  gracious  :  render  us  susceptible  of  Thy  grace. 
Amen. 

How  weighty  must  be  the  three  comirg  woes,  since  the  four 
preceding  seem  by  comparison  not  to  be  called  woes.  An 
Angel,  himself  insusceptible  of  woe,  celebrates  those  three. 
Apparently  the  first  four  catastrophes  are  wrought  by  agencies 
of  inanimate  nature.  The  three  woes  connect  themselves  with 
active  wickedness ;  therefore  are  they  essentially  and  pre 
eminently  Woes.  "  Oh  let  the  wickedness  of  the  wicked 
come  to  an  end." 

Terror  of  punishment  should  not  swallow  up  horror  of  sin. 
God's  act  is  good ;  mine  evil :  shall  I  recoil  from  the  good 
rather  than  from  the  evil  ?  This  were  in  its  degree  to  choose 
the  evil  and  refuse  the  good. 

O  Lord  God  Who  hast  created  all  things  in  order  and  pro 
portion,  and  requirest  us  likewise  to  have  a  perfect  and  just 
weight  and  measure;  grant  us  grace  to  judge  righteous 
judgment,  and  evermore  to  place  our  whole  trust  in  Thee. 
Through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.  Amen. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

1.  And  the  fifth  angel  sounded,  and  I  saw  a  star  fall  from 
heaven  unto  the  earth  :  and  to  him  was  given  the  key 
of  the  bottomless  pit. 

THE  Revised  Version  has :  "  I  saw  a  star  from  heaven 
fallen  unto  the  earth," — not  seeming  necessarily  to  imply  that 
St.  John  witnessed  its  downfall ;  but  perhaps  that  he  discerned 
the  star,  that  (so  to  say)  it  only  then  came  to  light,  being 
already  fallen. 

If  such  a  suggestion  may  be  entertained,  then  the  office 
assigned  to  this  fallen  star  may  possibly  brand  it  as  being  one 
of  the  rulers  of  the  darkness  of  this  world;  once  superhuman, 
but  now  of  its  own  free  choice  a  subhuman  wandering  star  to 
whom  is  reserved  the  blackness  of  darkness  for  ever.  "  How 
art  thou  fallen  from  heaven,  O  Lucifer,  son  of  the  morning  !  " 

Whatever  the  star  be,  one  thing  is  evident :  its  function  is 
assigned  to  it ;  it  is  not  an  independent  agent,  still  less  an 
independent  potentate.  If  it  be  a  malevolent  power  rejoicing 
in  iniquity,  yet  has  it  no  power  at  all  except  under  constraint 
or  by  sufferance ;  any  more  than  the  sea  can  overpass  its 
decreed  place,  or  behemoth  evade  the  sword  of  Him  that 
made  him. 

A  fallen  star,  not  otherwise  an  outcast  star  ;  a  self-made 
outcast.  Whoso  turns  his  back  on  heaven  may  propose  to 
stop  short  at  earth :  but  next  below  yawns  the  pit.  The 
outcasts  of  the  final  day  who  depart  into  outer  darkness  will 
all  be  self-made  outcasts. 

Oh  fallen  star  !  a  darkened  light, 

A  glory  hurlled  from  its  car, 
Self-blasted  from  the  holy  height : 
Oh  fallen  star  ! 

Fallen  beyond  earth's  utmost  bar, 
Beyond  return,  beyond  far  sight 
Of  outmost  glimmering  nebular : 


253  THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP. 

Now  blackness,  which  once  walked  in  white  ; 

Now  death,  whose  life  once  glowed  afar; 
Oh  son  of  dawn  that  loved  the  night, 
Oh  fallen  star  ! 

Self-conceit  blinds,  self-will  destroys ;  self-oblation  con 
secrates,  self-sacrifice  saves  :  for  once  our  Master  taught  His 
disciples  :  "  If  any  man  will  come  after  Me,  let  him  deny 
himself,  and  take  up  his  cross  daily,  and  follow  Me.  For 
whosoever  will  save  his  life  shall  lose  it  :  but  whosoever  will 
lose  his  life  for  My  sake,  the  same  shall  save  it." 

The  bottomless  pit  preaches  a  sermon.  It  has  a  lid  :  which 
keep  shut,  and  the  pit's  bottomlessne^s  remains  neutral.  But 
lift  the  lid,  and  none  can  calculate  the  volume  of  deathly  out 
come  from  a  fathomless  abyss,  or  the  depth  of  a  fall  into  it. 

If  God  permits  the  lid  of  evil  to  be  lifted  as  a  test  or  as  a 
punishment,  the  key  remains  in  His  hand  to  secure  that  lid 
again  when  He  will.  But  if  I  lift  any  lid  of  evil,  I  have  no 
power  to  shut  off  the  dire  escape  from  myself  or  from  others  : 
death  and  defilement  I  may  let  loose,  but  I  cannot  recapture. 
Solomon  gives  us  a  sample  of  such  deeds  and  their  conse 
quences  :  "The  beginning  of  strife  is  as  \\hen  one  letteth  out 
water "  :  followed  by  a  precept :  *'  therefore  leave  off  con 
tention,  before  it  be  meddled  with," — the  precept  in  spirit 
though  not  in  the  letter  being  applicable  to  all  "  touching  of 
pitch." 

2.  And  he  opened  the  bottomless  pit ;  and  there  arose  a 
smoke  out  of  the  pit,  as  the  smoke  of  a  great  furnace  ; 
and  the  sun  and  the  air  were  darkened  by  reason  of 
the  smoke  of  the  pit. 

By  the  voice  of  His  prophet  Isaiah  God  Almighty  declares 
concerning  one  class  of  offenders:  "These  are  a  smoke  in 
My  nose,  a  fire  that  burneth  all  the  day  "  : — thus  constituting 
smoke  a  figure  of  provocation.  And  touching  two  formidable 
wicked  persons  He  graciously  enjoins :  "  Fear  not,  neither  be 
faint-hearted  for  the  two  tails  of  these  smoking  firebrands." 

Whence  as  regards  the  Woe  summoned  by  the  fifth  trumpet- 
blast  and  ushered  in  by  smoke,  I  yet  venture  to  surmise  a 
possibility  of  rescue  for  sinners  of  every  grade,  except,  alas, 
for  the  obstinately  impenitent. 

And  this,  seeing  that  the  very  elect  are  during  their  mortal 
life  sinners  :  "  If  we  say  that  we  have  no  sin,  we  deceive 
ourselves,  and  the  truth  is  not  in  us.  If  we  confess  our  sins, 
He  is  faithful  and  just  to  forgive  us  our  sins,  and  to  cleanse 


THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP.  259 

us  from  all  unrighteousness.  If  we  say  that  we  have  not 
sinned,  we  make  Him  a  liar,  and  His  word  is  not  in  us." 

"  My  soul  fainteth  for  Thy  salvation  :  but  I  hope  in  Thy 
word.  Mine  eyes  fail  for  Thy  word,  saying,  When  wilt  Thou 
comfort  me  ?  For  I  am  become  like  a  bottle  in  the  smoke  ;  yet 
do  I  not  forget  Thy  statutes.  How  many  are  the  days  of  Thy 
servant  ?  when  wilt  Thou  execute  judgment  on  them  that 
persecute  me?"  Smoke  even  from  the  pit  will  not  slay  that 
soul  which  because  it  is  parched  gasps  as  a  thirsty  land  unto 
God  ;  and  which  in  fhe  smoke  endures  as  God's  own  bottle 
storing  penitential  tears.  Shrivelled  and  unsightly  it  may 
become  to  man's  eye,  "but  the  Lord  looketh  on  the  heart." 
That  smoke  offends  God  Himself,  which  offends  him  who  is 
as  the  apple  of  the  eye. 

Yet  does  the  infernal  smoke  go  up  as  a  beacon  ominous  to 
the  impenitent.  Such  a  smoke  of  sweeping  destruction 
Abraham  descried  when  "  he  looked  toward  Sodom  and 
Gomorrah,  and  toward  all  the  land  of  the  plain,  and  beheld, 
and,  lo,  the  smoke  of  the  country  went  up  as  the  smoke  of  a 
furnace."  Such  a  smoke  Isaiah  employs  figuratively  :  "  For 
wickedness  burneth  as  the  fire :  it  shall  devour  the  briers  and 
thorns,  and  shall  kindle  in  the  thickets  of  the  forest,  and  they 
shall  mount  up  like  the  lifting  up  of  smoke.  Through  the 
wrath  of  the  Lord  of  hosts  is  the  land  darkened,  and  the 
people  shall  be  as  the  fuel  of  the  fire." 

Holy  Writ  saith  :  "  Man  is  born  unto  trouble,  as  the  sparks 
fly  upward."  And  by  God's  grace  he  can,  while  life  lasts,  in 
whatever  smoke  fly  upward. 

When  "  the  sun  and  the  air  were  darkened  by  reason  of  the 
smoke  of  the  pit  "  earth  seems  once  more  subjected  to  a  plague 
of  darkness  which  may  be  felt.  Who  shall  say  but  that  the 
faithful  once  again  had  light  in  their  dwellings  ? 

Who  knows?    God  knows  :  and  what  He  knows 

Is  well  and  best. 

The  darkness  hideth  not  from  Him,  but  glows 
Clear  as  the  morning  or  the  evening  rose 

Of  east  or  west. 

Wherefore  man's  strength  is  to  sit  still : 

Not  wasting  care 

To  antedate  to-morrow's  good  or  ill ; 
Yet  watching  meekly,  watching  with  good  will, 

Watching  to  prayer. 

Some  rising  or  some  setting  ray 
From  east  or  west 


260         THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP. 

If  not  to-day,  why  then  another  day 
Will  light  each  dove  upon  the  homeward  way 
Safe  to  her  nest. 

3.  And  there  came  out  of  the  smoke  locusts  upon  the  earth  : 

and  unto  them  was  given  power,  as  the  scorpions  of 
the  earth  have  power. 

A  defined  and  limited  scourge,  a  scourge  under  control  and 
as  appears  further  on  for  a  limited  period.  Once  more,  thanks 
be  to  God  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Saviour.  Amen. 

4.  And  it  was  commanded  them  that  they  should  not  hurt 

the  grass  of  the  earth,  neither  any  green  thing,  neither 
any  tree  ;  but  only  those  men  which  have  not  the  seal 
of  God  in  their  foreheads. 

5.  And  to  them  it  was  given  that  they  should  not  kill 

them,  but  that  they  should  be  tormented  five  months : 
and  their  torment  was  as  the  torment  of  a  scorpion, 
when  he  striketh  a  man. 

Locusts  venomous  as  scorpions,  and  devastating  not  vege 
tation  but  humankind ;  and  amongst  men  discriminating 
between  the  holy  and  the  unholy.  Tormenting  moreover 
without  slaying,  and  this  no  longer  than  during  a  prefixed 
term.  "  For  the  creature  that  serveth  Thee,  Who  art  the 
Maker,  increaseth  his  strength  against  the  unrighteous  for  their 
punishment,  and  abateth  his  strength  for  the  benefit  of  such 
as  put  their  trust  in  Thee." 

Yet  even  this  extremity  of  wrathful  displeasure  seems  by 
possibility  to  leave  open  a  loophole  of  hope  :  it  seems  haply 
to  fall  within  the  bounds  of  that  Divine  Longsuffering  which 
invites  and  urges  to  repentance.  For  the  unsealed  are,  as  it 
appears,  not  yet  expelled  from  among  the  sealed  :  the  wheat 
and  the  tares  are  still  growing  together  until  the  harvest. 
While  there  is  life  there  is  hope,  according  to  the  time- 
honoured  proverb. 

God  hath  spoken  :  "  Behold,  all  souls  are  mine.  .  .  .  The 
soul  that  sinneth,  it  shall  die  .  .  .  The  wickedness  of  the 
wicked  shall  be  upon  him.  But  if  the  wicked  will  turn  from 
all  his  sins  that  he  hath  committed,  and  keep  all  My  statutes, 
and  do  that  which  is  lawful  and  right,  he  shall  surely  live,  he 
shall  not  die.  All  his  transgressions  that  he  had  committed, 
they  shall  not  be  mentioned  unto  him  ;  in  his  righteousness  that 
1  e  hath  done  he  shall  live.  Have  I  any  pleasure  at  all  that 
the  wicked  should  die  ?  saith  the  Lord  God :  and  not  that 
he  should  return  from  his  ways,  and  live  ?  " 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  261 

6.  And  in  those  days  shall  men  seek  death,  and  shall  not 

find  it,  and  shall  desire  to  die,  and  death  shall  fie 3 
from  them. 

Shall  one  seek  death  and  not  find  it,  and  not  rather  seek 
Christ  our  life  Who  hath  said:  "Seek,  and  ye  shall  find"? 
Shall  one  desire  to  die,  death  fleeing  from  him  ;  and  not  rather 
desire  life,  and  obtain  a  long  life  even  for  ever  and  ever  ? 

"Whoso  is  wise,  and  will  observe  these  things,  even  they 
shall  understand  the  lovingkindness  of  the  Lord." 

To  seek  death  is  sinful :  yet  to  desire  it  may  be  saintly.  St. 
Paul  mentions  his  "  desire  to  depart,  and  to  be  with  Christ : 
which  is  far  better  "  than  even  the  most  spiritual  life  on  earth  ; 
thus  reminding  us  of  his  words  on  another  subject :  "  For  if 
that  which  is  done  away  was  glorious,  much  more  that  which 
remaineth  is  glorious." 

Mortal  life  then,  even  at  its  utmost  perfection,  is  as  the 
fading  face  of  Moses  ;  and  hath  comparatively  no  glory,  by 
reason  of  the  glory  that  excelleth.  Amen.  Alleluia. 

There  is  another  longing  for  death,  far  below  St.  Paul's,  yet 
on  occasion  natural  to  man  and  not  incompatible  with 
eminent  holiness.  Such  longing  was  Job's  when  he  poured 
forth  the  bitterness  of  his  soul  :  "  Wherefore  is  light  given  to 
him  that  is  in  misery,  and  life  unto  the  bitter  in  soul ;  which 
long  for  death,  but  it  cometh  not ;  and  dig  for  it  more  than  for 
hid  treasures  ;  which  rejoice  exceedingly,  and  are  glad,  when 
they  can  find  the  grave  ?  .  .  .  My  soul  chooseth  strangling, 
and  death  rather  than  my  life.  I  loathe  it ;  I  would  not  live 
alvvay.  .  .  .  My  soul  is  weary  of  my  life.  ...  O  that  Thou 
wouldest  hide  me  in  the  grave  !  " 

St.  Paul  then  desired  death  not  as  death  but  as  the  passage 
to  Christ.  And  Job  desired  death  not  as  death  but  as  release 
from  life  well-nigh  intolerable.  To  desire  death  as  death  is  to 
love  darkness  rather  than  light. 

From  rebellious  death,  sudden  death,  lifeless  death,  Good 
Lord,  deliver  us. 

7.  And  the  shapes  of  the  locusts  were  like  unto  horses  pre 

pared  unto  battle ;  and  on  their  heads  were  as  it  were 
crowns  like  gold,  and  their  faces  were  as  the  faces  of 
men. 

8.  And  they  had  hair  as  the  hair  of  women,  and  their  teeth 

were  as  the  teeth  of  lions. 

9.  And  they  had  breastplates,  as  it  were  breastplates  of 


262  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

iron  ;  and  the  sound  of  their  wings  was  as  the  sound 
of  chariots  of  many  horses  running  to  battle. 

10.  And  they  had  tails  like  unto  scorpions,  and  there  were 

stings  in  their  tails :  and  their  power  was  to  hurt 
men  five  months. 

11.  And  they  had  a  king  over  them,  which  is  the  angel  of 

the  bottomless  pit,  whose  name  in  the  Hebrew  tongue 
is  Abaddon,  but  in  the  Greek  tongue  hath  his  name 
Apollyon. 

The  wording  of  this  passage  repeatedly  suggests  that  we  are 
being  instructed  not  plainly  but  by  figure,  similitude,  shadow ; 
feature  after  feature  being  described  as  "like  unto"  or  "as  it 
were "  or  "  as."  Dark  is  the  glass  through  which  we  are 
summoned  to  see,  yet  is  it  a  glass. 

The  mysterious  horrible  smoke  whence  the  locusts  issue 
teaches  us  something  by  analogy.  To  pass  unscathed  through 
literal  suffocating  smoke,  our  way  is  to  crouch  low  to  the 
ground  :  and  through  that  other  more  deadly  smoke  surely  our 
way  of  safety  is  not  dissimilar ;  to  bow  down,  to  "  walk 
humbly."  WhosD  learns  humility  learns  wisdom  if  not  know 
ledge  :  and  wisdom  being  better  than  knowledge,  "the  word"  even 
in  this  occult  instance  will  thus  become  by  no  means  unfruitful. 

That  these  locusts  "  had  a  king  over  them  "  illustrates  their 
allegorical  character.  For  of  the  natural  locusts  we  read  : 
"  The  locusts  have  no  king,  yet  go  they  forth  all  of  them  by 
bands  "  :  which  "  prophecy  "  of  Agur  may  be  blessed  to  us  as 
a  helpful  Queen  Esther  prepared  "  for  such  a  time  as  this." 

Very  terrible  are  these  preternatural  locusts.  Because  one 
day  such  a  trial  may  have  to  be  faced  by  ourselves,  and  as  yet 
we  know  not  clearly  what  thus  we  may  be  called  upon  to  face ; 
point  by  point  let  us  endeavour  to  confront  them  with  that 
"Sword  of  the  Spirit,  which  is  the  Word  of  God." 

"  Like  unto  horses  prepared  unto  battle." — But  if  "  an  horse 
is  a  vain  thing  for  safety,"  so  equally  is  he  in  himself  a  vain 
thing  for  destruction.  "  The  horse  is  prepared  against  the  day 
of  battle  :  but  safety  is  of  the  Lord."  "Thus  saith  the  Lord, 
.  .  .  Which  bringeth  forth  the  chariot  and  horse,  the  army  and 
the  power ;  they  shall  lie  down  together,  they  shall  not  rise : 
they  are  extinct,  they  are  quenched  as  tow."  "  I  said  unto  the 
Lord,  Thou  art  my  God  :  hear  the  voice  of  my  supplications, 
O  Lord.  O  God  the  Lord,  the  strength  of  my  salvation,  Thou 
hast  covered  my  head  in  the  day  of  battle." 

"Crowns  like  gold." — Concerning  another  evil   power  we 


THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP.  '263 


read :  "  Thy  crowned  are  as  the  locusts,  and  thy  captains  as 
the  great  grasshoppers,  which  camp  in  the  hedges  in  the  cold 
day,  but  when  the  sun  ariseth  they  flee  away,  and  their  place 
is  not  known  where  they  are."  "  Weeping  may  endure  for  a 
night,  but  joy  cometh  in  the  morning."  "  Unto  you  that  fear 
my  name  shall  the  Sun  of  Righteousness  arise  with  healing  in 
His  wings." 

"  As  the  faces  of  men." — But  it  is  written  :  "  He  hath  said, 
I  will  never  leave  thee,  nor  forsake  thee.  So  that  we  may 
boldly  say,  The  Lord  is  my  helper,  and  I  will  not  fear  what  man 
shall  do  unto  me." 

"  As  the  hair  of  women." — Surely  if  man  is  not  to  be  feared, 
still  less  aught  that  can  be  likened  to  woman  !  Concerning  a 
dangerous  wicked  woman  the  wise  Preacher  proclaims:  "I 
applied  mine  heart  to  know,  and  to  search,  and  to  seek  out 
wisdom.  .  .  And  I  find  more  bitter  than  death  the  woman, 
whose  heart  is  snares  and  nets,  and  her  hands  as  bands  :  whoso 
pleaseth  God  shall  escape  from  her;  but  the  sinner  shall 
be  taken  by  her."  "  In  the  way  of  righteousness  is  life  ;  and  in 
the  pathway  thereof  there  is  no  death." 

"  As  the  teeth  of  lions."— Yet  saith  Eliphaz  the  Temanite  : 
"  Remember,  I  pray  thee,  who  ever  perished,  being  innocent  ? 
or  where  were  the  righteous  cut  off?  .  .  .  The  roaring  of  the 
lion,  and  the  voice  of  the  fierce  lion,  and  the  teeth  of  the  young 
lions,  are  broken.  The  old  lion  perisheth  for  lack  of  prey,  and 
the  stout  lion's  whelps  are  scattered  abroad." 

"As  it  were  breastplates  of  iron." — The  Prophet  Daniel 
interpreting  Nebuchadnezzar's  first  dream,  spake  of  the  Stone 
which  was  cut  out  without  hands  and  brake  in  pieces  iron  and 
every  such  substance ;  till  they  became  together  like  the  chaff 
of  the  summer  threshing-floors  and  the  wind  carried  them  away  : 
which  figure  foreshadowed  the  destruction  of  earthly  kingdoms 
by  a  Heavenly  Kingdom.  And  ages  afterwards  Christ  Himself 
being  questioned  declared :  "  The  kingdom  of  God  is  within 
you."  Thus  the  elect  have  within  them  what  suffices  to  bring 
to  nought  the  "  iron  "  of  their  adversaries.  The  "  breastplate 
of  righteousness"  makes  each  saint  in  his  degree  like  his 
Divine  Master  Who  "  put  on  righteousness  as  a  breastplate  "  : 
behold  !  an  invulnerable  breastplate  set  against  a  vulnerable : 
even  as  Ezekiel's  indomitable  face  was  set  against  the  faces  of 
his  opponents. 

"  As  the  sound  of  chariots."—"  Like  the  noise  of  chariots  on 
the  tops  of  mountains  shall  they  leap.  .  .  Before  their  face  thd 
people  shall  be  much  pained  :  all  faces  shall  gather  blackness." 


264  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

Yet  still  good  Christians  will  be  safe.  It  will  be  with  them  as 
in  the  days  of  old  when  Elisha  reassured  his  terrified  servant  : 
"  Fear  not :  for  they  that  be  with  us  are  more  than  they  that 
be  with  them.  .  .  And  behold  the  mountain  was  full  of  horses 
and  chariots  of  fire  round  about  Elisha."  Or  according  to  a 
yet  more  excellent  confidence  :  "  Some  trust  in  chariots,  and 
some  in  horses  :  but  we  will  remember  the  Name  of  the  Lord 
our  God." 

"  Be  not  afraid  of  their  terror,  neither  be  troubled ;  but  sanctify 
the  Lord  God  in  your  hearts."  Up  to  this  point  their  terror 
only  is  fallen  upon  us ;  but  now  we  read  of  their  actual  ability 
to  hurt  :  "  There  were  stings  in  their  tails."  A  base  sting,  a 
degrading  punishment ;  a  punishment  suited  to  the  offence,  for 
sin  is  a  base  thing.  What :  has  sin  never  a  lofty,  heroic  side  ? 
Never  the  sin,  though  sometimes  the  sinner.  The  sinner  may 
awhile  exhibit  majestic  traces  of  that  lofty  heroism  which  nature 
richly  bestows  and  grace  can  transfigure  to  sanctity  :  but  such 
birthright  nobility  when  divorced  from  God  can  no  more 
endure,  than  can  a  severed  vine-branch  maintain  its  luxuriance. 

I  must  learn  this  lesson  :  must  learn  to  recognize  the  degrad 
ation  as  well  as  the  sinfulness  of  Saul's  final  revolt  against 
humiliation,  and  of  Jezebel's  defiant  pride. 

"And  they  had  a  king  over  them.  .  .  .  Whose  name  .  .  . 
is  Abaddon,  .  .  .  Apollyon." — Whether  named  King  Abaddon 
or  King  Apollyon,  his  English  equivalent  is  King  Destroyer. 
Whatever  we  call  him  he  remains  the  same  :  were  we  to  call 
him  King  Preserver  it  would  modify  neither  his  nature  nor  his 
office.  Being  a  destroyer,  our  safety  lies  in  recogni/ingj 
acknowledging,  fleeing  him  as  such.  And  further  :  so  far  as 
we  are  constituted  our  brother's  keeper,  our  brother's  safety 
similarly  lies  in  our  plainly  calling  him  a  destroyer ;  and  never 
toning  him  down  as  a  negation  of  good,  or  even  unloathingly  as 
an  archangel  ruined  ;  which  last  suggestion  I  cull  from  my 
sister's  Shadow  of  Dante,  where  she  contrasts  Milton's  Satan 
with  Dante's  Lucifer. 

Sins  for  like  reason  should  be  spoken  of  simply  as  what  they 
are,  never  palliatingly  or  jocosely.  Lies  and  drunkenness  should 
bear  their  own  odious  appellations,  not  any  conventional  substi 
tute.  But  some  sins  "it  is  a  shame  to  speak  of"  :  true  :  so  let 
us  not  speak  of  them  except  under  necessity;  and  under 
necessity  even  of  them  truthfully.  "  Woe  unto  them  that  call 
evil  good,  and  good  evil ;  that  put  darkness  for  light,  and  light 
for  darkness ;  that  put  bitter  for  sweet,  and  sweet  for  bitter  ! " 

"  The    angel   of  the   bottomless   pit." — Once   an   angel  of 


THE  FACE   OF  THE   DEEP.  265 

heaven,  now  an  angel  of  hell  :  a  self-destroyed  destroyer.  Such 
destruction  is  not  annihilation.  Happily  angel  still  means  mes 
senger  ^  come  from  where  he  may;  and  a  messenger  is  restrained 
within  the  bounds  of  his  commission.  Even  the  Destroyer  may 
thus  be  overruled  to  preserve  instead  of  to  destroy  :  as  Satan 
tested  Job,  sifted  Apostles,  and  by  his  buffeting  messenger  pro 
moted  St.  Paul's  well-being.  Angels  whether  fallen  or  unfallen 
still  envoys,  but  not  plenipotentiaries. 

12.  One  woe  is  past;  and,  behold,  there  come  two  more 
woes  hereafter. 

"  One  woe  is  past "  shows  that  none  need  hesitate  to  call 
woe  woe,  even  when  short  of  the  final  woe  :  for  man  is  not 
framed  without  nerves  but  with  nerves,  and  many  times  an 
horrible  dread  overwhelmeth  him.  Creatures  of  cast-iron  or  of 
stone  might  have  different  duties  from  creatures  of  flesh  and 
blood  whereof  we  are  made. 

One  \voe  is  past.     Come  what  come  will 

Thus  much  is  ended  and  made  fast : 
Two  woes  may  overhang  us  still  ; 
One  woe  is  past. 

As  flowers  when  winter  puffs  its  last 
Wake  in  the  vale,  trail  up  the  hill, 
Nor  wait  for  skies  to  overcast : 

So  meek  souls  rally  from  the  chill 

Of  pain  and  fear  and  poisonous  blast, 
To  lift  their  heads  :  Come  good,  come  ill, 
One  woe  is  past. 

The  exceeding  mystery  of  Divine  judgments  which 
prophets  alone  can  declare,  turns  ignorant  thought  for  safety 
into  the  channel  of  supplication.  "  Who  is  among  you  that 
feareth  the  Lord,  that  obeyeth  the^  voice  of  His  servant, 
that  walketh  in  darkness,  and  hath  no  light  ?  let  him  trust  in 
the  Name  of  the  Lord,  and  stay  upon  his  God.  Behold,  all 
ye  that  kindle  a  fire,  that  compass  yourselves  about  with  sparks  : 
walk  in  the  light  of  your  fire,  and  in  the  sparks  that  ye  have 
kindled.  This  shall  ye  have  of  Mine  hand  :  ye  shall  lie  down 
in  sorrow." 

Lord  God  Whom  we  fear,  protect  us. 
Whom  we  crave  grace  to  obey,  accept  us. 

Towards  Whom  we  press  through  darkness,  guide  and  enlighten  us. 
Whom  we  trust,  confirm  us. 
On  Whom  we  stay  our  weakness,  support  us. 

In  the  Name  of  Jesus  Christ ;  in  Whom  the  elect  are  safe,  acceptable, 
wise,  strong,  indomitable.     Amen. 


266  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

Study  of  the  Apocalypse  should  promote  holy  fear,  unflinch 
ing  obedience,  patient  progress  and  patient  waiting,  unhesitating 
trust,  conformity  to  the  Perfect  Will.  Time  devoted  to  the 
cultivation  of  these  cannot  be  wasted  time.  Moreover,  SD 
long  as  these  are  aimed  at,  to  sit  down  ignorant  and  even  to 
rise  up  equally  ignorant  may  along  with  these  virtues  help 
forward  humility. 

Ignorance  with  humilty  can  serve  and  please  God  :  know 
ledge  without  humility  cannot.  Thus  humble  ignorance  secures 
the  essentials  of  wisdom,  whilst  unhumble  knowledge  is  folly. 

Would  humble  knowledge  not  be  better  than  humble 
ignorance?  Yes,  if  granted  :  no,  if  denied. 

St.  Peter  after  mentioning  how  prophets  of  old  searched  for 
knowledge  and  angels  desired  it,  winds  up  with  a  practical 
precept  to  ourselves  unto  whom  the  Gospel  has  been  preached  : 
"  Wherefore  gird  up  the  loins  of  your  mind,  be  sober,  and 
hope  to  the  end  for  the  grace  that  is  to  be  brought  unto  you  at 
the  revelation  of  Jesus  Christ;  as  obedient  children,  not 
fashioning  yourselves  according  to  the  former  lusts  in  your 
ignorance :  but  as  He  which  hath  called  you  is  holy,  so  be  ye 
holy  in  all  manner  of  conversation ;  because  it  is  written,  Be  ye 
holy ;  for  I  am  holy." 

Gracious  Lord  Jesus,  grant  us  so  to  read,  search,  desire,  pray, 
that  being  sober  and  hoping  to  the  end  we  may  obey  Thy  Will 
and  be  conformed  to  Thy  Sanctity. 

The  merchantman  who  found  the  pearl  of  great  price  was 
one  who  sought  for  goodly  pearls  :  not  one  who  never  sought 
at  all. 

Darkness  and  thick  darkness  cover  you. — I  know  it :  but  if 
in  addition  I  keep  my  eyes  shut,  light  itself  springing  up  would 
fail  to  enlighten  me. — If  the  blind  lead  the  blind  both  shall  fall 
into  the  ditch. — I  know  it  :  but  if  the  blind  grope  in  prayer  for 
himself  and  for  all  his  fellows,  who  knows  but  that  some  of  the 
afflicted  company  may  be  advanced  to  see  ? 

O  Christ  our  Light  Whom  even  in  darkness  we 

(So  we  look  up)  discern  and  gaze  upon, 

O  Christ,  Thou  loveliest  Light  that  ever  shone, 
Thou  Light  of  Light,  Fount  of  all  lights  that  be, 
Grant  us  clear  vision  of  Thy  Light  to  see  ; 

Tho'  other  lights  elude  us,  or  begone 

Into  the  secret  of  oblivion, 
Or  gleam  in  places  higher  than  man's  degree. 
"Who  looks  on  Thee  looks  full  on  his  desire, 

Who  looks  on  Thee  looks  full  on  Very  Love  : 
Looking,  he  answers  well,  '  What  lack  I  yet?' 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  267 


His  heat  and  cold  wait  not  on  earthly  fire, 

His  wealth  is  not  of  earth  to  lose  or  get  ; 
Earth  reels,  but  he  has  stored  his  store  above. 

13.  And  the  sixth  angel  sounded,  and  I  heard  a  voice  from 
the  four  horns  of  the  golden  altar  which  is  before  God, 

Here  and  there  a  ray  seems  to  be  vouchsafed,  a  broken 
light.  "  God  is  the  Lord  Who  hath  shewed  us  light :  bind  the 
sacrifice  with  cords,  yea,  even  unto  the  horns  of  the  altar." 
"  Let  the  words  of  my  mouth,  and  the  meditation  of  my  heart, 
be  alway  acceptable  in  Thy  sight,  O  Lord,  my  strength,  and 
my  Redeemer." 

Whatever  historical  coincidences  with  St.  John's  prophetic 
revelation  may  be  cited  as  having  already  in  part  fulfilled  it, 
these  and  such  as  these  I  leave  to  the  authoritative  handling  of 
my  teachers.  "  Whoso  boasteth  himself  of  a  false  gift  is  like 
clouds  and  wind  without  rain." 

Yet  meditation  is  lawful  to  all  of  us.  Some  there  must  be 
who  shall  be  blessed  according  to  the  promise  :  "  Thine  eyes  shall 
see  the  King  in  His  beauty  :  they  shall  behold  the  land  that  is 
very  far  off.  Thine  heart  shall  meditate  terror.  .  .  Look  upon 
Zion,  the  city  of  our  solemnities  :  thine  eyes  shall  see  Jerusalem 
a  quiet  habitation,  a  taberracle  that  shall  not  be  taken  down." 

Whether  natural  or  spiritual,  eyes  that  look  are  the  eyes 
likely  to  see.  Meditation  fixes  the  spiritual  eye  on  matters 
worthy  of  insight :  it  sees  something,  it  may  gradually  perceive 
more  and  more.  At  first  Pharaoh's  daughter  discerned  only  an 
ark  of  bulrushes ;  next  one  of  the  Hebrews'  children  ;  at  last 
Moses.  The  Brazen  Serpent  was  ordained  a  channel  of  healing 
to  those  death-stricken  Israelites  who  obediently  gazed  upon  it, 
although  we  are  not  told  that  even  one  of  them  could  decipher 
its  Divine  symbolism. 

In  the  Jewish  tabernacle  the  Altar  of  Incense  was  a  golden 
altar,  an  altar  of  acceptance,  its  horns  bearing  a  distinct  part  in 
acts  of  reconcilement  for  sins  of  ignorance.  The  brazen  Altar 
of  Burnt  Offering  likewise  had  horns. 

The  Altar  being,  so  to  say,  one  stronghold  of  God's  Mercy, 
became  so  in  a  minor  degree  of  man's  mercy,  the  lower  illus 
trating  the  higher  :  as  appeared  when  Adonijah  caught  hold 
on  the  horns  of  the  Altar,  "saying,  Let  King  Solomon  swear 
unto  me  to-day  that  he  will  not  slay  his  servant  with  the  sword. 
And  Solomon  said,  If  he  will  show  himself  a  worthy  man,  there 
shall  not  an  hair  of  him  fall  to  the  earth." 

Thus  we  apprehend  this  "  Voice  from  the  four  horns  "  of  the 


268         THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP. 

celestial  Golden  Altar  as  a  voice  of  judgment  proceeding  from 
a  stronghold  of  mercy.  "The  yoke  of  my  transgressions  is 
bound  by  His  hand." 

14.  Saying  to  the  sixth  angel  which  had  the  trumpet, 
Loose  the  four  angels  which  are  bound  in  the  great 
river  Euphrates. 

Amongst  the  seven  Angels  of  the  trumpets  the  sixth  alone  is 
described  as  executing  a  double  function  :  he  sounds  the  sixth 
blast,  and  he  also  looses  the  bonds  of  four  other  angels. 

That  these  four  angels  "were  bound  in  the  great  river 
Euphrates "  recalls  to  our  mind  Jeremiah's  prophecy  of  an 
anterior  judgment :  "  For  this  is  the  day  of  the  Lord  God  of 
hosts,  a  day  of  vengeance,  that  He  may  avenge  Him  of  His 
adversaries  :  and  the  sword  shall  devour,  and  it  shall  be  satiate 
and  made  drunk  with  their  blood  :  for  the  Lord  God  of  hosts 
hath  a  sacrifice  in  the  north  country  by  the  river  Euphrates." 

Euphrates  had  its  source  in  Eden.  There  it  nourished, 
refreshed,  beautified,  the  fertile  Garden ;  being  constituted 
a  minister  of  pleasure,  an  agent  of  preservation  and  fecundity. 
Eden  is  not  more  unlike  the  outer  world,  than  Euphrates  at  its 
pure  fountain  head  in  Paradise  appears  unlike  the  same 
Euphrates  earth-bound,  earth-spurning,  earth-contaminated, 
rushing  downward  to  the  harvestless  sea. 

Innocence  hedged  in  Eden  :  sin  breaking  through  that  hedge 
disparadised  Paradise,  so  far  as  mortal  man  was  concerned. 

Guilt  hedges  in  the  world  :  penitence  breaking  through  that 
hedge  recovers  and  re-enters  Paradise,  now  made  the  anteroom 
of  Heaven. 

Loss  it  seems  is  never  simply  recouped  :  the  precise  forfeit  is 
not  restored.  Loss  may  remain  irretrievable,  or  it  may  be 
more  than  compensated. 

15.  And  the  four  angels  were  loosed,  which  were  prepared 
for  an  hour,  and  a  day,  and  a  month,  and  a  year,  for 
to  slay  the  third  part  of  men. 

Once  again  at  the  loosing  of  these  four  angels  it  is  our  comfort 
that  their  period  of  devastation  is  limited,  and  that  they  are  not 
self-ordained  but  "  prepared  "  for  their  work.  "  My  times  are 
in  Thy  hand." 

I  know  not  whether  so  long  as  we  read  of  the  "  third  part " 
being  destroyed  and  so  by  implication  the  two-thirds  remaining, 
it  may  systematically  be  viewed  as  an  indication  that  the  general 
day  of  grace  is  not  yet  ended,  and  that  probation  is  prolonged. 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  269 

If  I  may  so  view  it,  the  Judgment  in  Eden  shows  forth  a 
sample  of  such  severe  compassion  :  the  serpent  condemned, 
Adam  and  Eve  reprieved.  "  The  one  shall  be  taken,  and  the 
other  left,"  appears  to  be  a  formula  of  separation  beyond 
appeal. 

We  read  but  of  one  Angel  destroying  the  Egyptian  firstborn, 
Israel  numbered  under  David,  Sennacherib's  host.  What  will 
four  do  ? 

O  Lord,  they  will  do  Thy  bidding  and  no  more,  Thy  will  and 
no  more,  Thy  pleasure  and  no  more.  Alleluia.  Amen. 

16.  And  the  number  of  the  army  of  the  horsemen  were  two 

hundred  thousand  thousand  :  and  I  heard  the  number 
of  them. 

Number  oftentimes  expresses  a  total  by  man  innumerable. 

What  St.  John  heard,  that  he  states :  he  neither  accounts  for 
it,  nor  requires  us  to  realize  it.  Simply  he  knew  it  by  revela 
tion,  and  through  him  we  in  our  turn  know  it. 

Which  instance  exemplifies  a  general  rule  as  regards  revela 
tion.  We  are  not  bound  to  account  for,  or  always  even  to 
realize  intellectually,  its  truths  :  we  are  bound  to  accept  them, 
and  we  are  further  bound  when  called  upon  unhesitatingly  and 
literally  to  restate  them. 

"The  army  of  the  horsemen  "  now  first  mentioned  (at  least 
explicitly)  comes  upon  us  with  startling  abruptness.  As  when 
Delilah  said,  "The  Philistines  be  upon  thee,  Samson," — or 
as  when  "  the  Lord  had  made  the  host  of  the  Syrians  to  hear  a 
noise  of  chariots,  and  a  noise  of  horses,  even  the  noise  of  a 
great  host." 

17.  And  thus  I  saw  the  horses  in  the  vision,  and  them  that 

sat  on  them,  having  breastplates  of  fire,  and  of  jacinth, 
and  brimstone :  and  the  heads  of  the  horses  were  as 
the  heads  of  lions  ;  and  out  of  their  mouths  issued  fire 
and  smoke  and  brimstone. 

The  wise  Preacher  warns  us:  "A  dream  cometh  through 
the  multitude  of  business.  .  .  In  the  multitude  of  dreams  and 
many  words  there  are  also  divers  vanities :  but  fear  thou  God." 

Yet  from  some  dreams  otherwise  apparently  vain  may 
perhaps  be  derived  one  illustrative  gleam  on  the  passage  in 
hand.  Often  in  such  dreams  images  appear  which  we  identify 
with  certainty  as  representing  cognate  objects,  which  yet  they 
by  no  means  accurately  reproduce  :  so  (if  the  word  horse  is  to 
be  understood  literally)  "  the  horses  in  the  vision  "  were  recog 
nized  by  St.  John  as  horses  despite  their  unparalleled  features. 

"Them  that  sat  on  them,  having  breastplates  of  fire,  and  of 


27o  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

jacinth,  and  brimstone." — As  it  were  an  embodiment  of  fire. 
Jacinth  displaying  tints  of  fire  and  smoke  might  seem  petrified 
flame. 

"  The  heads  of  the  horses  were  as  the  heads  of  lions  "  : — 
behold  his  neck  clothed  "with  thunder"  ! — "And  out  of  their 
mouths  issued  fire  and  smoke  and  brimstone  "  : — "  the  glory 
of  his  nostrils  is  terrible."  Yet  betide  what  may  all  saints  are 
preserved  who  fear  not,  but  stand  still  to  see  the  salvation  of 
the  Lord.  Moses  and  the  children  of  Israel  had  newly  ex 
perienced  this  when  they  sang :  "  I  will  sing  unto  the  Lord,  for 
lie  hath  triumphed  gloriously :  the  horse  and  his  rider  hath 
He  thrown  into  the  sea  ...  And  Miriam  answered  them, 
Sing  ye  to  the  Lord,  for  He  hath  triumphed  gloriously;  the 
horse  and  his  rider  hath  He  thrown  into  the  sea." 

18.  By  these  three  was  the  third  part  of  men  killed,  by  the 

fire,  and  by  the  smoke,  and  by  the  brimstone,  which 
issued  out  of  their  mouths. 

19.  Tor  their  power  is  in  their  mouth,  and  in  their  tails: 

for  their  tails  were  like  unto  serpents,  and  had  heads, 
and  with  them  they  do  hurt. 

Thus  we  are  not  told  definitely  that  the  terrible  riders,  as 
distinguished  from  their  horses,  slew  any. 

This  visitation  reads  like  a  rehearsal,  forestalment,  foretaste, 
of  hell  itself;  fire,  smoke,. brimstone,  and  as  it  were  "that  old 
serpent,"  working  visibly. 

I  once  read  of  a  woman  who  in  her  room  was  converted 
from  irreligion  by  hearing  a  hubbub  of  drunken  folk  outside  in 
the  street.  She  recoiled  from  an  eternity  spent  with  such,  and 
turned  her  feet  unto  the  testimonies. 

Lord  Jesus,  grant  unto  us  the  like  grace  and  wisdom. 

"  Above  all,  taking  the  shield  of  faith,  wherewith  ye  shall  be 
able  to  quench  all  the  fiery  darts  of  the  wicked." 

The  fire,  smoke,  brimstone,  "  killed "  :  the  serpent-heads 
"do  hurt."  If  we  may  trace  a  difference  between  the  two 
effects,  killed  may  remind  us  of  the  second  death  ;  do  hurt  may 
press  home  upon  us  that  the  second  death  will  not  be  annihi 
lation  but  torture. 

There  is  "fear,  and  fear.  Wise  Abigail's  fear  sped  her,  foolish 
Nabal's  fear  paralyzed  him. 

20.  And  the  rest  of  the  men  which  were  not  killed  by  these 

plagues  yet  repented  not  of  the  works  of  their  hands, 
that  they  should  not  worship  devils,  and  idols  of  gold, 
and  silver,  and  brass,  and  stone,  and  of  wood :  which 
neither  can  see,  nor  hear,  nor  walk  • 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  271 

21.  Neither  repented  they  of  their  murders,  nor  of  their 
sorceries,  nor  of  their  fornication,  nor  of  their  thefts. 

These  two  verses  by  giving  a  summary  of  the  Ten  Com 
mandments  remind  us  that  God's  Will  changes  not ;  that  even 
"if  we  believe  not,  yet  He  abideth  faithful:  He  cannot  deny 
Himself."  As  St»  John  points  out  to  the  disciples  of  his  day  : 
"  Brethren,  I  write  no  new  commandment  unto  you,  but  an  old 
commandment  which  ye  had  from  the  beginning.  The  old 
commandment  is  the  word  which  ye  have  heard  from  the 
beginning." 

Whoever  worships  devils  transgresses  glaringly  the  First 
Commandment,  and  less  obviously  that  Fourth  Commandment 
which  appropriates  or  hallows  the  whole  of  time  either  to 
sanctioned  labour  or  to  enjoined  rest.  Certain  heathens 
formally  and  of  set  purpose  do,  as  we  are  assured,  worship 
devils.  This  literal  gross  act  is  not  perhaps  likely  to  tempt 
nineteenth  century  Christians ;  or  even  others  who,  without 
being  personally  Christian,  have  been  born  and  bred  where  in 
a  certain  sense  the  world  itself  is  Christian  as  well  as  civilized. 
Wherefore,  not  so  much  looking  at  my  remote  neighbour,  I 
consider  myself;  lest  I  also  be  tempted,  although  by  means 
modified  to  assail  my  own  particular  weak  points. 

PLEASE  GOD.  I  will  have  nothing  to  do  with  spiritualism, 
whether  it  be  imposture  or  a  black  art;  or  with  mesmerism, 
lest  I  clog  my  free  will;  or  with  hypnotism,  lest  wilful  self- 
surrender  become  my  road  to  evil  choice,  imagination,  conduct, 
voluntary  or  involuntary.  Neither  will  I  subscribe  to  any 
theory  which  would  pursue  knowledge  by  cruel  or  foul 
methods ;  or  do  evil  that  good  may  come.  Neither  will  I 
either  in  jest  or  in  earnest  tamper  with  fortune  telling  or 
any  other  fashion  of  prying  into  the  future.  Moreover,  I  will 
aim  at  avoiding  both  in  speech  and  in  correspondence  such 
expressions  as  by  good  luck,  or,  there  seems  a  spell  against  us. 
In  performing  my  daily  duties  I  must  strive  against  the  spirit 
of  a  frightened  slave  (which  so  far  as  it  goes  is  the  spirit  of  a 
devil  worshipper),  and  must  aim  instead  at  the  conformed  will 
of  a  loving  child :  I  ought  to  shrink  from  sin  more  sensitively 
than  from  punishment.  In  all  my  dealings  temporal  and 
spiritual  I  must  adhere  to  a  just  weight,  a  just  measure,  even 
balances,  a  superhuman  standard.  I  must  set  conscience 
above  convenience,  and  Divine  law  above  worldly  conventions. 
I  cannot  have  two  masters.  I  cannot  serve  God  and  Mammon. 
"  I  have  set  the  Lord  always  before  me,"  sings  David. 

The  Second  Commandment  is  obviously  broken  by  worship- 


272         THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP. 


ping  idols  of  any  sort,  and  the  mention  of  their  inability  to 
"hear"  suggests  without  stating  that  kindred  breach  of  the 
Third  Commandment  which  is  involved  in  misdirected  prayer, 
praise,  deprecation,  thanksgiving.  Studying  my  own  more 
probable  temptations,  I  pass  over  idols  of  brass,  stone,  wood, 
to  dwell  rather  upon  those  of  gold  and  silver.  A  molten  and 
graven  image  of  gold  or  of  silver  is  strictly  and  literally  re 
produced  nowadays  and  for  us  moderns,  although  in  altered 
guise,  in  the  current  coin  of  the  realm  :  it  depends  on  myself 
whether  to  make  it  my  minister  or  my  idol.  Demas  is  a 
warning  beacon  :  set  up  against  him  for  our  encouragement 
and  emulation  stands  St.  Peter,  who  silver  and  gold  had  none. 
Since  I  cannot  avoid  continual  contact  with  that  which  has  the 
material  and  make  of  an  idol,  I  must  take  good  heed  that  it 
become  not  to  me  an  idol.  The  "  almighty  dollar  "  seems  to 
me  a  phrase  simply  (however  unintentionally)  blasphemous  : 
in  my  mouth  it  would  be  blasphemy.  May  such  an  estimate 
of  money  be  far  from  Christian  tongues,  and  farther  from 
Christian  hearts. 

Of  the  other  sins  enumerated  (murders,  sorceries,  fornication, 
thefts)  three  more  or  less  flagrantly  transgress  the  Fifth,  Sixth, 
Seventh,  and  Eighth  Commandments,  all  belonging  to  the 
Second  Table  (unless  so  far  as  the  Fifth  is  concerned,  of  which 
I  have  seen  the  jDsition  discussed).  Sorceries  alone,  at  least 
at  first  sight,  might  appear  to  fall  exclusively  under  the  ban 
of  the  First  Table.  But  if  sorceries,  while  insulting  the  Divine 
Majesty,  be  regarded  as  likewise  seducing,  hoodwinking,  mis 
leading,  entrapping  man ;  then  we  recognize  in  it  a  distinct 
breach  of  the  Ninth  Commandment :  it  becomes  a  fatal  false 
witness  borne  against  our  neighbour.  One  Commandment, 
the  Tenth,  remains :  and  this  being  spiritual,  covetousness 
may  be  viewed  as  underlying  and  prompting  the  infractions 
of  the  preceding  Five.  For  covetousness,  preferring  as  it  does 
self-interest  to  alien  interest,  whether  or  not  co-extensive  with 
selfishness,  does  at  any  rate  so  far  as  it  goes  cover  the  same 
ground ;  and  is  directly  contrary  to  love,  which,  working  no  ill 
to  its  neighbour,  is  therefore  the  fulfilling  of  the  law. 

Yet  the  desperate  element  as  regards  these  sinners  against 
their  own  souls  was  not  that  they  had  sinned,  but  that  they  did 
not  rep:nt.  Repentance  would  have  bleached  their  scarlet  to 
snow,  their  crimson  to  wool.  It  would  have  made  them  like 
unto  ancient  Israel  when  "  Samuel  said  unto  the  people,  Fear 
not :  ye  have  done  all  this  wickedness  :  yet  turn  not  aside  from 
following  the  Lord,  but  serve  the  Lord  with  all  your  heart; 
and  turn  ye  not  aside  :  for  then  should  ye  go  after  vain  things, 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  273 

which  cannot  profit  nor  deliver ;  for  they  are  vain.  For  the 
Lord  will  not  forsake  His  people  for  His  great  Name's  sake  ; 
because  it  hath  pleased  the  Lord  to  make  you  His  people." 

All  is  promised  to  the  penitent,  but  repentance  is  not 
promised  to  any  individual  sinner. 

Tortures  and  terrors  cannot  do  the  work  of  love.  Nay, 
more  :  Love  from  without  cannot  accomplish  its  own  work, 
unless  there  be  some  response  from  love  within. 

The  proportion  of  men  is  one  taken,  two  left :  and  the  two 
repent  not.  I  who  write,  any  who  read,  are  for  the  present 
left :  God  vouchsafe  to  all,  vouchsafe  to  me,  repentance  unto 
amendment  of  life,  for  Jesus  Christ's  sake. 

And  this  thought,  that  two  are  as  it  were  "left"  even  though 
in  such  extremity,  brings  home  to  all  who  are  not  reprobate 
certain  inspired  words  redolent  of  hope  :  "  Two  are  better  than 
one ;  because  they  have  a  good  reward  for  their  labour.  For 
if  they  fall,  the  one  will  lift  up  his  fellow :  but  woe  to  him  that 
is  alone  when  he  falleth ;  for  he  hath  not  another  to  help  him 
up  ...  And  if  one  prevail  against  him,  two  shall  withstand  him." 

If  then  I  be  one  of  twain  I  must  comport  myself  accordingly  : 
be  it  in  labour  and  in  hope  of  reward ;  in  falls,  in  arisings,  in 
helps ;  in  contest,  in  alliance,  and  in  victory ;  I  must  as  much 
as  in  me  lies  impart  to  him  that  hath  not,  and  bear  my 
neighbour's  burdens. 

Lord  Jesus,  Thou  becamest  Man  thereby  to  become  One 
of  twain,  Thyself  and  Thy  Bride  the  Church.  Thou  hast 
laboured  for  her ;  and  labourest  with  her,  and  sharest  with  her 
Thy  reward.  If  she  fall  Thou  liftest  her  up  :  happy  she  who 
is  never  alone  when  she  falleth.  If  the  battle  go  sore  against 
her,  yet  with  Thee  she  discomfiteth  a  host :  happy  she  whom 
Thou  hast  joined  unto  Thyself. 

Because  the  Church  is  moulded  after  Thy  likeness,  her  least 
and  last  member  is  thus  moulded.  Lord,  give  me  grace  ever 
thankfully  to  account  myself  one  of  twain ;  humbly  receiving 
help  from  my  superiors,  and  myself  helping  any  Thou  em- 
powercst  me  to  help.  Thou  Who  createdst  all  things  out  of 
nothing,  lay  help  even  on  me,  making  my  influence  tend  to 
good.  Turn,  I  beseech  Thee,  my  sins  to  repentance,  my 
repentance  to  amendment,  my  amendment  to  a  shining  light. 
Even  so  of  Thy  Goodness  perfect  all  and  perfect  me.  Amen. 

Life  that  was  bora  to-day  O  Lord,  confirm  my  root, 

Must  make  no  stay,  Train  up  my  shoot, 

But  tend  to  end  To  live  and  give 

Like  bloom  of  May.  A  wholesome  fruit. 


CHAPTER   X. 

1.  And  I  saw  another  mighty  angel  come  down  from  heaven, 

clothed  with  a  cloud:  and  a  rainbow  was  upon  his 
head,  and  his  face  was  as  it  were  the  sun,  and  his  feet 
as  pillars  of  fire : 

2.  And  he  had  in  his  hand  a  little  book  open :  and  he  set 

his  right  foot  upon  the  sea,  and  his  left  foot  on  the 
earth, 

3.  And  cried  with  a  loud  voice,  as  when  a  lion  roareth : 

and  when  he  had  cried,  seven  thunders  uttered  their 
voices. 

We  seem  to  behold  "storm  fulfilling  His  word."  Arrayed 
majestically  in  a  cloud,  crowned  with  beauty  by  a  rainbow,  his 
face  splendid  as  the  sun,  his  feet  no  less  splendid  than  fire  :  if 
this  mighty  Angel  appear  in  some  sort  as  the  lightning,  his 
own  voice  was  as  a  lion's  roar,  and  thunders  respond  to  him. 

Not  thus  at  His  first  advent  came  the  Son  of  Man  down 
from  heaven.  His  might  was  not  of  this  world.  His  first 
garments  were  swaddling-bands;  and  His  last,  except  grave- 
clothes,  were  taken  away  from  Him.  His  crown  was  of  thorns. 
He  hid  not  His  Face  from  shame  and  spitting.  His  Feet  after 
going  about  to  do  good  were  nailed  to  the  Cross.  He  came 
to  send  fire  upon  the  eaith;  but  He  strove  not,  nor  cried, 
neither  was  His  voice  heaid  in  the  street;  and  His  servants, 
the  thunde'S  held  their  peace. 

O  Good  Lord,  Who  ait  above  Thy  servant,  O  Good  Master, 
Who  art  above  Thy  disciple,  grant  us  grace  to  ascend  to 
heaven  by  that  way  of  humility  whereby  Thou  descendedst. 
Let  communion  with  Thee  be  our  strength.  Clothe  o.;r 
children  in  the  Font  with  the  garment  of  salvation  ;  and  gnidi 
them  and  us  in  robes  of  righteousness  to  a  holy  sepulchre. 
Grant  us  patience  for  a  crown,  patience  for  a  shield,  patience 
and  perseverance  in  our  vocation,  patience  in  suffering.  Be 


THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP.  275 

Thy  Most  Holy  Almighty  Spirit  Fire  of  Love  in  our  hearts, 
and  His  still  small  Voice  more  awful  to  us  than  thunders. 
Amen. 

One  notices  a  storm  :  another  discerns  an  Angel.  One 
hears  thunder :  another  divines  a  message.  Well  it  is,  in 
default  of  better,  to  skim  the  surface  and  learn  a  little  :  though 
better  it  is,  God  willing,  to  walk  in  the  search  of  the  depth  and 
learn  much. 

A  Christian  hero  whose  ship  was  about  to  sink,  encouraged 
his  crew  by  pointing  out  that  heaven  is  as  near  the  sea  as  the 
land.  Our  assigned  level  is  our  nearest  point  to  heaven. 

Judge  not  thy  neighbour's  walk,  except  to  follow  or  to  lead 
him 

Those  feet  "  as  pillars  of  fire  "  stood  on  earth  and  sea ;  the 
left  foot  on  the  earth,  the  right  foot  on  the  sea.  As  the  Left 
Hand  is  the  hand  of  rejection,  the  Right  of  acceptance,  so  now 
this  posture  of  the  Angel  suggests  symbolically  that  sin  is  that 
sole  thing  which  God  abominates,  and  that  it  is  for  sin's  sake 
alone  that  He  overturns,  overturns,  overturns.  The  barren 
uninhabited  sea  sustains  the  right  foot,  the  populous  earth  the 
left. 

That  Angel  was  celestial  trustee  of  the  "little  book  open," 
holding  it  in  trust  for  St.  John  ;  who  in  his  turn  received  it 
indeed  for  his  own  edification,  but  also  and  once  more  as  a 
trust  for  others. 

If  Angels  and  Apostles,  those  princes  and  peers  of  earth  and 
heaven,  are  stewards,  not  owners ;  we  Christian  commoners 
need  neither  dream  nor  desire  to  be  constituted  more.  Our 
gifts,  talents,  opportunities,  are  a  trust  vested  in  us  for  the 
definite  purpose  of  glorifying  God,  benefiting  man,  working 
out  our  own  salvation.  Ours  are, — then  mine  are.  In  the 
awful  day  of  account,  Good -Lord,  deliver  us. 

4.  And  when  the  seven  thunders  had  uttered  their  voices,  I 
was  about  to  write :  and  I  heard  a  voice  from  heaven 
saying  unto  me,  Seal  up  those  things  which  the  seven 
thunders  uttered,  and  write  them  not. 

Both  voices  instructed  St.  John  in  wisdom  and  knowledge. 
I  too  may  learn  from  both  if  not  knowledge  still  wisdom. 

Privileges  entail  responsibilities  :  to  be  denied  the  privilege 
is  to  be  spared  the  responsibility. 

More  is  entrusted  to  another  than  to  me.  Let  not  mine  eye 
be  evil  because  God  is  Good,  Who  doeth  what  He  will  with 
His  own. 


276  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

Seven  voices  speak,  but  not  to  me.  One  Voice  speaks  to 
me:  "Speak,  Lord;  for  Thy  servant  heareth."  Yet  do  the 
seven  thunders  also  speak  to  me  without  speech ;  inasmuch  as 
they  convince  me  of  ignorance,  and  further  prove  that  God 
wills  that  I  should  be  aware  of  my  own  ignorance,  and  should 
regulate  my  conduct  with  reference  to  it. 

We  all  might  sit  down  contented  and  complacent  in  ignorance, 
if  only  ignorant  of  our  ignorance.  But  our  Creator  wills  other 
wise.  If  the  Tree  of  Knowledge  had  been  planted  anywhere 
except  in  Eden,  Eve  might  contentedly  have  obeyed  through 
ignorance ;  but  what  was  demanded  of  her  was  to  obey  of  set 
purpose.  What  was  demanded  of  her  is  what  still  is  demanded 
of  us.  Now  as  to  these  Seven  Thunders  we  must  perforce 
obey,  because  we  cannot  ascertain  anything :  true :  but  a 
thorough  obedience  excludes  even  the  indulgence  of  idle 
curiosity,  and  as  to  this  we  have  a  choice.  Long  ago  I  took 
into  my  head  that  these  thunders  may  have  uttered  the  names 
of  the  saved  :  alas  !  in  so  far  as  with  the  childish  thought  I 
have  not  yet  discarded  the  childish  presumption. 

"I  was  about  to  write  .  .  .  Write  them  not." — An  illustra 
tion  against  depending  on  "any  child  of  man,"  on  highest, 
holiest,  most  Christ-like  superiors,  beyond  their  function  as 
channels  and  mouthpieces  of  Divine  teaching. 

O  Lord  Jesus,  Who  didst  vouchsafe  to  grow  in  wisdom, 
stature,  favour;  grant  us  in  loving  memory  of  Thee  to  be  in 
love  with  our  present  lowliness.  Let  grace  be  our  sunshine, 
grace  our  dew ;  that  we  too  may  patiently  grow  in  loveliness 
until  we  behold  Thee  face  to  Face.  Amen. 

5.  And  the  angel  which  I  saw  stand  upon  the  sea,  and  upon 
the  earth,  lifted  up  his  hand  to  heaven, 

*'  His  hand,"  or  as  in  the  Revised  Version  "his  right  hand  "  : 
still  a  blessing  may  be  hoped  for,  whatever  else  may  ensue. 
"God  is  the  Judge:  He  putteth  down  one,  and  setteth  up 
another." 

And  surely  (if  from  words  which  concern  the  servant  we  may 
reverently  ascend  to  contemplation  of  the  Master)  this  present 
day  is  still  that  day  wherein  Christ  comes  not  to  condemn  the 
world,  but  to  save  the  world.  "  Blessed  be  the  Glory  of  the 
Lord  from  His  place."  Both  sacred  Hands  are  as  yet  Hands 
of  blessing,  even  as  when  "  He  lifted  up  His  Hands,  and 
blessed  "  the  Eleven.  Or  as  the  Psalm  declares  :  "  The  Lord 
is  thy  shade  upon  thy  right  hand  " ;  thus  exhibiting  the  beloved 
one  as  at  that  period  of  safeguard  placed  upon  the  Left.  Or 


THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 


as  we  behold  in  type  when  Jacob  laid  his  right  hand  on 
Ephraim's  head,  and  his  left  hand  on  Manasseh's,  blessing, 
both.  And  indeed  (if  I  may  dare  say  so)  there  seems  a  special 
inherent  tenderness  in  that  very  Left  Hand  which  condemns- 
at  last :  it  is  on  the  same  side  as  the  heart,  it  belongs  to  the 
arm  in  which  mothers  enfold  and  carry  their  "  sucking  child." 
Joy  overflowed  for  the  one  stray  sheep  brought  back  :  did  Love 
not  overilow  for  the  sheep  which  refused  to  return  ? 

O  mine  enemy,  Lord,  for  Thine  own  sake 

Rejoice  not  over  me  !  Kindle  my  heart  and  break  ; 

Jesus  waiteth  to  be  gracious  :  Make  mine  anguish  efficacious 

I  will  yet  arise,  Wedded  to  Thine  own  : 

Mounting  free  and  far  Be  not  Thy  dear  pain, 

Past  sun  and  star  Thy  love  in  vain, 

To  a  house  prepared  and  spacious         Thou  Who  waitest  to  be  gracious 

In  the  skies.  On  Thy  Throne. 

One  hand  uplifted  to  heaven,  one  foot  on  sea  and  one  on 
earth,  the  Angel  thus  places  himself  in  contact  with  the 
universe;  and  delivers  his  message,  not  as  an  alien  standing- 
aloof,  but  rather  as  a  fellow-creature  so  far  akin  to  all  whom 
his  words  concern.  We  know  that  Angels  minister  to  the 
heirs  of  salvation :  who  can  doubt  that  they  love  them  while 
caring  for  them  ? 

If  contact  may  be  supposed  to  express  sympathy  between 
natures  so  diverse,  much  more  should  it  breed  sympathy 
between  individuals  of  one  race.  In  Angels  towards  men 
sympathy  seems  an  extra  and  gratuitous  grace  :  in  men  towards 
one  another  it  is  an  essential  grace.  Let  us  not  abandon 
sympathy  to  the  Angels. 

An  unsympathetic  angel  would  be  a  devil.  An  unsym 
pathetic  man  or  woman  would  be ? 

6.  And  sware  by  Him  that  liveth  for  ever  and  ever,  Who 
created  heaven,  and  the  things  that  therein  are,  and 
the  earth,  and  the  things  that  therein  are,  and  the 
sea,  and  the  things  which  are  therein,  that  there  should 
be  time  no  longer  : 

"And  sware  by  Him  that  liveth  for  ever  and  ever  .  .  . 
that  there  should  be  time  no  longer." — Delay  has  been  pro 
posed  instead  of  time.  As  this  alternative  word  would  have 
to  do  with  the  interpretation  of  the  sense,  not  with  simple 
meditation,  I  leave  it  to  my  betters. 

Studying  the  Authorized  Version  as  it  actually  stands,  a 
contrast  is  suggested  between  "for  ever  and  ever"  and  "time." 


278  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

He  that  liveth  for  ever  and  ever  inhabiteth  eternity;  His  works 
(enumerated  by  the  angel)  are  creatures  of  time.  Eternity  is 
duration  which  neither  begins  nor  ends;  time  is  duration 
which  both  begins  and  ends  :  the  mystery  of  eternity  seems  to 
be  its  having  no  beginning;  the  obscure  point  of  time  its 
having  an  end. 

What  is  time?  It  is  not  subtracted  from  eternity,  which 
if  diminished  wrould  fall  short  of  being  eternal :  neither  is  it 
substituted  awhile  for  eternity,  which  thus  would  assume  both 
end  and  beginning  :  neither  is  it  simultaneous  with  eternity, 
because  it  is.  in  Him  Who  inhabiteth  eternity  (not  time)  that 
we  ourselves  day  by  day  live  and  move  and  have  our  being. 
Perhaps  I  shall  not  mislead  my  own  thoughts  by  defining  to 
myself  time  as  that  condition  or  aspect  of  eternity  which 
consists  with  the  possibility  of  probation. 

If  such  indeed  be  time,  then  in  part  I  understand  how  at 
length  there  shall  be  time  no  longer.  The  words,  "  Their 
time  should  have  endured  for  ever"  (Ps.  Ixxxi.  15),  suggest 
that  no  break  will  occur  between  time  and  eternity. 

Time  seems  not  short  : 

If  so  I  call  to  mind 

Its  vast  prerogative  to  loose  or  bind, 
And  bear  and  strike  amort 

All  humankind. 

Time  seems  not  long  : 
If  I  peer  out  and  see 
Sphere  within  sphere,  time  in  eternity, 

And  hear  the  alternate  song 
Cry  endlessly. 

Time  greatly  short, 

O  time  so  briefly  long, 

Yea,  time  sole  battleground  of  right  and  wrong  ; 
Art  thou  a  time  for  sport 

And  for  a  song  ? 

The  Wise  Preacher  has  bequeathed  to  us  a  sermon  on  time, 
and  I  think  other  texts  of  Holy  Scripture  may  furnish  a  running 
commentary  on  part  of  it : — 

To  everything  there  is  a  season,  and  a  time  to  every  purpose 
under  the  heaven  : 

A  time  to  be  born, — "  That  which  is  born  of  the  flesh  is 
flesh  ;  and  that  which  is  born  of  the  Spirit  is  spirit." 

And  a  time  to  die; — "Set  thine  house  in  order;  for  thou 
shalt  die,  and  not  live." 

A  time  to  plant, — "Neither  is  he  that  planteth  anything, 
neither  he  that  watereth ;  but  God  that  giveth  the  increase." 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  279 

And  a  time  to  pluck  up  that  which  is  planted  ;— "  If  ye  had 
faith  as  a  grain  of  mustard  seed,  ye  might  say  unto  this  sycamine 
tree,  Be  thou  plucked  up  by  the  root,  and  be  thou  planted  in 
the  sea ;  and  it  should  obey  you." 

A  time  to  kill, — "Whoso  sheddeth  man's  blood,  by  man 
shall  his  blood  be  shed :  for  in  the  image  of  God  made  He 
man." 

And  a  time  to  heal ;— "  Is  any  sick  among  you?  let  him 
call  for  the  elders  of  the  Church  ;  and  let  them  pray  over  him, 
anointing  him  with  oil  in  the  Name  of  the  Lord:  and  the 
prayer  of  faith  shall  save  the  sick,  and  the  Lord  shaH  raise  him 
up  ;  and  if  he  have  committed  sins,  they  shall  be  forgiven  him." 

A  time  to  break  down,—"  Take  away  her  battlements ;  for 
they  are  not  the  Lord's." 

And  a  time  to  build  up ;— "  They  shall  build  houses,  and 
inhabit  them;  and  they  shall  plant  vineyards,  and  cat  the 
fruit  of  them.  They  shall  not  build,  and  another  inhabit; 
they  shall  not  plant,  and  another  eat :  for  as  the  days  of  a 
tree  are  the  days  of  My  people,  and  Mine  elect  shall  long 
enjoy  the  work  of  their  hands." 

A  time  to  weep, — "  Blessed  are  ye  that  weep  now :  for  ye 
shall  laugh." 

And  a  time  to  laugh ;— "  Behold,  God  will  not  cast  away  a 
perfect  man,  ....  till  He  fill  thy  mouth  with  laughing,  and 
thy  lips  with  rejoicing." 

A  time  to  mourn, — "  Blessed  are  they  that  mourn  :  for  they 
shall  be  comforted." 

And  a  time  to  dance ;— "  Praise  ye  the  Lord  .  .  .  Praise 
Him  with  the  timbrel  and  dance  .  .  .  Praise  ye  the  Lord." 

A  time  to  cast  away  stones, — "The  priest  shall  command 
that  they  take  away  the  stones  in  which  the  plague  is,  and 
they  shall  cast  them  into  an  unclean  place  without  the  city.  .  .  . 
And  they  shall  take  other  stones,  and  put  them  in  the  place  of 
those  stones." 

And  a  time  to  gather  stones  together; — "They  with  whom 
precious  stones  were  found  gave  them  to  the  treasure  of  the 
house  of  the  Lord." 

A  time  to  embrace, — "  Behold,  Jesus  met  them,  saying,  All 
hail.  And  they  came  and  held  Him  by  the  Feet,  and  wor 
shipped  Him." 

And  a  time  to  refrain  from  embracing; — "Jesus  saith  unto 
her,  Touch  Me  not ;  for  I  am  not  yet  ascended  to  My  Father." 

A  time  to  get, — "  Wisdom  is  the  principal  thing ;  therefore 
get  wisdom  :  and  with  all  thy  getting  get  understanding." 


28o  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

And  a  time  to  lose; — "There  is  utterly  a  fault  among  you, 
because  ye  go  to  law  one  with  another.  Why  do  ye  not  rather 
take  wrong?  why  do  ye  not  rather  suffer  yourselves  to  be 
defrauded  ?  " 

A  time  to  keep, — "The  foolish  said  unto  the  wise,  Give  us 
of  your  oil ;  for  our  lamps  are  gone  out.  But  the  wise  answered, 
saying,  Not  so;  lest  there  be  not  enough  for  us  and  you." 

And  a  time  to  cast  away  ; — "  The  kingdom  of  heaven  is  like 
unto  a  net,  that  was  cast  into  the  sea,  and  gathered  of  every 
kind:  which,  when  it  was  full,  they  drew  to  shore;  and  sat 
down,  and  gathered  the  good  into  vessels,  but  cast  the  bad 
away." 

A  time  to  rend, — "  Rend  your  heart,  and  not  your  garments, 
and  turn  unto  the  Lord  your  God." 

And  a  time  to  sew ; — "  Coats  and  garments  which  Dorcas 
made,  while  she  was  with  them." 

A  time  to  keep  silence, — "  I  was  dumb,  I  opened  not  my 
mouth  ;  because  Thou  didst  it." 

And  a  time  to  speak  ; — "  A  word  fitly  spoken  is  like  apples 
of  gold  in  pictures  of  silver." 

A  time  to  love, — "  A  friend  loveth  at  all  times." 

And  a  time  to  hate  ; — "  If  any  man  come  to  Me,  and  hate 
not  his  father,  and  mother,  and  wife,  and  children,  and  brethren, 
and  sisters,  yea,  and  his  own  life  also,  he  cannot  be  My 
disciple." 

A  time  of  war, — "Think  not  that  I  am  come  to  send  peace 
on  earth  :  I  came  not  to  send  peace,  but  a  sword." 

And  a  time  of  peace. — "  Peace  I  leave  with  you,  My  peace 
I  give  unto  you." 

Grant,  O  Lord, 

To  the  natural  man  regeneration, 

To  regenerate  man  fulness  of  Thy  Spirit, 

To  man  who  must  die  an  ordered  house, 

To  planters  and  waterers  hundredfold  increase, 

To  the  faithless  faith, 

To  the  faithful  confirmation  of  faith, 

To  judges  righteous  judgment, 

To  criminals  repentance  unto  salvation, 

To  sufferers  a  happy  issue  out  of  all  their  afflictions, 

To  rebels  submission, 

To  saints  every  good  and  perfect  gift, 

To  those  who  weep  consolation, 

To  the  elect  joy  and  gladness, 

To  mourners  comfort, 

To  the  light-hearted  Thy  fear  and  love, 

To  spiritual  persons  discernment, 

To  the  rich  munificence  and  devotion, 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  281 

To  friends  sanctification  of  intercourse, 
To  lonely  persons  Thy  most  holy  Presence, 
To  the  upright  wealth  and  wisdom, 
To  the  wronged  unworldliness  and  a  forgiving  spirit, 
To  the  prudent  heavenly-mindedness, 
To  the  redeemed  mercy  in  that  day, 
To  sinners  contrition  and  amendment, 
To  workers  good  works, 
To  the  rebuked  silence, 
To  the  instructed  speech, 
To  lovers  Divine  love, 
To  haters  Godly  hatred, 
To  Thy  soldiers  and  servants  victory, 
And  after  victory  peace, 
Grant,  O  Lord.     Amen. 

7.  But  in  the  days  of  the  voice  of  the  seventh  angel,  when, 
he  shall  begin  to  sound,  the  mystery  of  God  should  be 
finished,  as  He  hath  declared  to  His  servants  the 
prophets, 

"  Blessed  be  the  Lord  God  of  Israel ;  for  He  hath  visited 
and  redeemed  His  people  ;  and  hath  raised  up  an  horn  of 
salvation  for  us  in  the  house  of  His  servant  David;  as  He 
spake  by  the  mouth  of  His  holy  prophets,  which  have  been 
since  the  world  began." 

Since  a  former  mystery  revealed  by  prophets  is  the  mystery 
of  man's  redemption,  let  us  all  the  more  lovingly  lean  on  God's 
sustaining  grace  while  He  reveals  further  mysteries. 

Faith,  hope,  love,  His  gift  to  us,  become  in  turn  our  accept 
able  offering  to  Him.  Holy  fear  likewise ;  but  never  such  fear 
as  paralyzes  those  other  graces.  Manoah's  wife  knew  far  less 
than  Christians  know  when  yet  she  protested  :  "  If  the  Lord 
were  pleased  to  kill  us,  He  would  not  have  received  a  burnt 
offering  and  a  meat  offering  at  our  hands,  neither  would  He 
have  shewed  us  all  these  things,  nor  would  as  at  this  time  have 
told  us  such  things  as  these." 

Faith  discerns,  embraces.  Hope  anticipates,  aspires.  Fear 
curbs,  spurs.  Love  curbs,  spurs,  anticipates,  aspires,  discerns, 
embraces,  cleaves  unto,  unites.  Love  is  the  panoply  of  graces. 

"Without  faith  it  is  impossible  to  please  God."  "Hope 
maketh  not  ashamed."  "  Let  us  have  grace,  whereby  we  may 
serve  God  acceptably  with  reverence  and  godly  fear."  "God  is 
Love ;  and  he  that  dwelleth  in  love  dwelleth  in  God,  and 
God  in  him." 

An  impious  species  of  faith  (though  unworthy  of  the  name) 
appertains  to  devils  :  so  likewise  does  an  impious  fear.  In 
the  nature  of  things  devils  seem  absolutely  cut  off  from  hope, 


282  THE   FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

unless  from  a  vile  spurious  hope  of  evil  doing.  Faith  of  one 
sort  or  other  underlies  both  hope  and  fear,  obedience  and 
rebellion.  Hope  is  a  solace,  obedience  a  privilege;  both 
ar«  proper  to  the  saints.  Despairing  faith  and  rebellious  fear 
remain  for  the  reprobate. 

0  Lord  God,  Who  alone  knowest  my  ignorance,  have  pity 
upon  me,  and  mine,  and  all   men.     Weak  we  are,  strengthen 
us  ;  afraid,  encourage  us ;  rash,  sober  us  ;  slothful,  arouse  us ; 
ignorant,  instruct  us  ;  destitute,  enrich  us ;  dead,  quicken  us ; 
lost,  find  us.     Lost,  yet  Thy  treasure  :  dead,  yet  Thine  own. 
I  plead  Jesus. 

"For  what  man  is  he  that  can  know  the  counsel  of  God? 
or  who  can  think  what  the  Will  of  the  Lord  is?  For  the 
thoughts  of  mortal  men  are  miserable,  and  our  devices  are  but 
uncertain.  For  the  corruptible  body  presseth  down  the  soul, 
and  the  earthy  tabernacle  weigheth  down  the  mind  that  museth 
upon  many  things.  And  hardly  do  we  guess  aright  at  things 
that  are  upon  earth,  and  with  labour  do  we  find  the  things 
that  are  before  us  :  but  the  things  that  are  in  heaven  who  hath 
searched  out  ?  And  Thy  counsel  who  hath  known,  except 
Thou  give  wisdom,  and  send  Thy  Holy  Spirit  from  above  ?  " 

1  am  afraid  in  foresight  of  those  days  when  the  Mystery  of 
God  shall  be  finished.     In  my  fearful  and  great  strait  to  whom 
shall  I  flee  but  to  Thee,  O  Unchanging  Lord  Jesus,  Who  once 
for  us  men  and  for  our  salvation  saidst,  "  It  is  finished  "  ? 

Thou  Who  wast  straitened  till  Thy  Baptism  was  accomplished, 

Pity  us,  accomplish  Thy  Will  upon  us. 
Thou  Who  finishedst  the  work  Thy  Father  gave  Thee  to  do, 

Pity  us,  finish  Thy  work  by  us  and  in  us. 
Thou  Who  saidst  "  It  is  finished"  in  the  ending  of  Thine  Agony, 

Pity  us,  bring  us  to  a  good  end, 

Yea,  Lord  most  pitiful,  pity  us.     Amen. 

All  that  hath  begun  wasteth,  Plumbs  the  deep,  Fear  descending ; 

All  beneath  the  sun  hasteth  ;  Scales  the  steep,  Hope  ascending  ; 

Earth-notes  change  in  tune  Faith  betwixt  the  twain 

With  the  changeful  moon, .  Plies  both  goad  and  rein, 

Which  waneth  Half- fearing, 

While  earth's  chant  complaineth.  All  hopeful,  day  is  nearing. 

Those  words,  "The  Mystery  of  God  should  be  finished," 
suggest  two  events  :  first,  its  completion  so  far  as  it  is  a  dispensa 
tion  :  secondly,  its  disclosure  so  far  as  it  is  a  hidden  thing. 

Its  completion  is  final,  universal,  absolute.  Every  sanctified 
will  cannot  but  concur  in  it :  yet  is  it  independent  of  all 
created  wills,  equally  independent  of  their  concurrence  or 
demur.  The  trumpet-peal  of  the  blessed  Angel  shall  (so  to 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  283 

say)  keep  time  and  tune  with  it  ;  but  the  trumpet  waits  on  the 
mystery,  not  the  mystery  on  the  trumpet.  The  mystery  is  "  of 
God  "  and  its  "  times  "  are  in  His  hand. 

Its  disclosure  likewise  may  be  final,  absolute  ;  but  (assum- 
ably)  not  universal.  Almost  in  Abraham's  words  the  faithful 
are  constrained  to  protest  trembling  :  "  That  the  wicked  should 
be  as  the  righteous,  that  be  far  from  Thee."  Narrowing  my 
thoughts  to  humankind,  I  consider  :  Whereby  do  the  elect 
know  all  things?  By  "an  Unction  from  the  Holy  One." 
And  if  it  needs  This  for  knowledge  now,  how  shall  it  not  need 
This  for  knowledge  then  ? 

It  were  sad  for  such  as  I  am  to  remain  in  darkness  of 
ignorance  for  ever  and  ever.  If  then  for  me,  how  sad  and 
piteous  were  it  for  the  most  aspiring,  the  most  profound,  the 
keenest  of  insight,  the  most  luminously  intellectual ;  for  a 
multitude  whom  I  have  not  known  or  known  of;  for  some 
whom  I  have  known  and  have  loved  ! 

My  God,  Who  hast  known  us  all  and  loved  us  all ;  deliver 
us,  keep  us,  from  outer  darkness.  For  Christ's  sake.  Amen. 

8.  And  the  Voice  which  I  heard  from  lieaven  spake  unto 

me  again,  and  said,  Go  and  take  the  little  book  which 
is  open  in  the  hand  of  the  angel  which  standeth  upon 
the  sea  and  upon  the  earth. 

9.  And  I  went  unto  the  angel,  and  said  unto  him,  Give  me 

the  little  book.  And  he  said  unto  me,  Take  it,  and  eat 
it  up ;  and  it  shall  make  thy  belly  bitter,  but  it  shall 
be  in  thy  mouth  sweet  as  honey. 

St.  John  as  a  glorious  Apostle  and  as  a  goodly  Prophet  may 
under  either  aspect  appear  too  exalted  for  ordinary  imitation. 
Here,  however,  we  behold  him  instructed  step  by  step  what 
to  do,  whereupon  step  by  step  he  obeys.  Here  then  let  me 
not  exclaim,  Are  all  Apostles  ?  are  all  Prophets  ?  in  order  to 
screen  myself  while  doing  nothing :  let  me  rather  promptly 
imitate  an  imitable  obedience  by  myself  waiting  on  my  ministry, 
whatsoever  that  ministry  may  be. 

And  clearly  I  must  not  expect  to  be  spared  trouble  :  St. 
John  had  to  fetch  the  Book,  it  was  not  brought  to  him. 
Neither  must  I  shrink  from  what  is  formidable  :  the  Angel  was 
superhuman  of  aspect.  Neither  must  I  choose  my  instructor  : 
not  only  was  the  Voice  from  heaven  obeyed,  but  likewise  the 
angelic  injunction.  Neither  must  I  bemoan  myself  as  if  duties 
are  sure  to  be  irksome  :  the  little  book  tasted  sweet.  Neither 


284  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

must  I  cling  to  comfort,  not  even  to  spiritual  comfort :  the 
after  flavour  thereof  was  bitter. 
Lord,  help  us. 

10.  And  I  took  the  little  book  out  of  the  angel's  hand,  and 

ate  it  up  ;  and  it  was  in  my  mouth  sweet  as  honey : 
and  as  soon  as  I  had  eaten  it,  my  belly  was  bitter. 

To  sweet  souls  obedience  itself  is  sweet,  and  every  word  of 
God  acceptable.  The  ensuing  bitterness  may  have  sprung,  at 
least  in  part,  from  righteous  indignation  and  human  sympathy. 
Not  St.  John  in  his  own  person,  but  men  of  like  passions  with 
him  were  to  encounter  the  perils,  trials,  judgments,  about  to 
be  revealed. 

"  How  sweet  are  Thy  words  unto  my  taste  !  yea,  sweeter 
than  honey  to  my  mouth !  Through  Thy  precepts  I  get 
understanding :  therefore  I  hate  every  false  way." 

The  Angel  knew  of  that  sweetness  and  bitterness,  but  tasted 
neither  :  St.  John  tasted  both. 

To  know  without  experience  is  God-like.  To  know  by 
experience  is  Christ-like.  Christ  being  our  Head,  we  His 
members,  it  beseems  us  to  have  the  mind  of  Christ. 

Wherefore,  Lord  Jesus,  grant  that  sweetness  may  acquaint 
us  with  such  bitterness  as  Thou  approvest,  and  that  bitterness 
may  be  to  us  safeguard  not  destroyer  of  sweetness  :  until  the 
bitterness  of  death  pass,  and  the  sweetness  of  life  eternal 
ensue,  according  to  Thy  Will.  Amen. 

11.  And  he  said  unto  me,  Thou  must  prophesy  again  before 

many  peoples,  and  nations,  and  tongues,  and  kings. 

"  And  he  said  unto  me," — or  as  in  the  Revised  Version  : 
"  And  they  say  unto  me." — Herein  lies  a  difference,  not  a 
contradiction :  let  me  not  ignorantly  and  obstinately  insist  on 
confounding  differences  with  contradictions. 

The  earthly  Communion  of  Saints  tolerates  differences  but 
cannot  subscribe  to  contradictions. 

The  heavenly  Communion  of  Saints  knows  neither  differences 
nor  contradictions. 

"  I  believe  in  the  Communion  of  Saints." 

"  Thou  must  prophesy  again." — A  sorrowful  saying,  it  may 
be,  even  to  St.  John ;  who  already  having  entered  heaven  and 
rejoined  Christ,  found  that  he  had  still  to  turn  back  from  that 
beloved  Visible  Presence  and  revert  to  earth. 

Yet  thus  doing  he  became  the  more  Christ-like,  and  if  so 
surely  the  more  blessed.  Christ  had  Himself  left  heaven,  or 
ever  He  bade  His  disciple  leave  heaven.  He  put  him  forth 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  285 

indeed,  but  not  until  He  had  Himself  gone  before  him.  And 
now  the  disciple  of  Love  knowing  the  voice  of  Love  made 
ready  to  follow  it  whithersoever  it  might  send  him.  "  Hast 
thou  not  known  ?  hast  thou  not  heard,  that  the  everlasting 
God,  the  Lord,  the  Creator  of  the  ends  of  the  earth,  fainteth 
not,  neither  is  weary  ?  there  is  no  searching  of  His  under 
standing.  He  giveth  power  to  the  faint." 

St.  John's  example  of  patient  obedience  speaks  to  us  as  with 
the  precept  and  promise  of  St.  Paul :  "  Let  us  not  be  weary  in 
well-doing :  for  in  due  season  we  shall  reap,  if  we  faint  not." 

"Brethren,  be  not  weary  in  well-doing." 

Patience  wears  no  crown,  but  acts  as  a  crown  to  her  fellow- 
virtues.  Will  Patience  herself  never  be  crowned  ?  Not  until 
she  be  transfigured ;  and  transfigured,  Patience  will  no  longer 
appear  as  Patience. 

I  suppose  this  charge  to  prophesy  again  "before  many 
peoples,  and  nations,  and  tongues,  and  kings,"  though  partially 
fulfilled  by  word  of  mouth  during  St.  John's  after  life,  was 
further  and  in  ampler  measure  fulfilled  by  promulgation  of 
those  writings  which  throughout  the  remainder  of  time  prophesy 
to  the  Church  and  to  the  world,  to  high  and  low,  to  rich  and 
poor,  to  one  with  another.  Thus  he  being  dead  yet  speaketh  : 
thus  he  tarrieth  till  our  Lord  shall  come. 

And  thus  in  every  precept  of  duty  a  sequent  glory  is 
bound  up. 

The  great  things  we  are  forbidden  to  ask  for  ourselves  bear 
no  proportion  to  the  good  things  which  God  layeth  up  for  them 
that  love  Him.  So  lips  say  :  but  does  conduct  say  so  ? 

Lord,  if  not  hitherto,  henceforward.     Amen. 

Lord,  grant  us  eyes  to  see 
Within  the  seed  a  tree, 

Within  the  glowing  egg  a  bird, 

Within  the  shroud  a  butterfly : 
Till  taught  by  such,  we  see 
Beyond  all  creatures  Thee, 
And  hearken  for  Thy  tender  word 
And  hear  it,  "  Fear  not :  it  is  I." 


CHAPTER   XL 

1.  And  there  v/as  given  me  a  reed  like  unto  a  rod :  and 
the  angel  stood,  saying,  Rise,  and  measure  the  temple 
of  God,  and  the  altar,  and  them  that  worship  therein. 

When  Philip  the  Deacon  inquired,  "  Understandest  thou 
what  thou  reddest?"  the  Ethiopian  replied:  "How  can  I, 
except  some  man  should  guide  me  ? "  Yet  were  that  Bible 
student's  meditations  acceptable  and  profitable  even  before 
light  sprang  up.  Since  I  cannot  sit  at  the  feet  of  an  inspired 
interpreter,  I  may  at  least  essay  to  mount  the  chariot  of  devout 
meditative  ignorance,  which  went  forward  in  the  direction  of 
undiscovered  truth.  And  in  virtue  of  that  promise,  "  Man 
shall  not  live  by  bread  alone,  but  by  every  word  that  proceedeth 
out  of  the  mouth  of  God,"  I  will  doubt  not,  but  earnestly 
believe  that  the  mere  words  of  Holy  Writ  can  by  God's  grace 
avail  to  teach  the  teachable. 

"A  reed," — the  emblem  of  weakness,  becomes  consecrated 
as  the  measure  of  what  is  holy. 

Christ  accepts  our  weakness,  not  accounting  it  as  weakness, 
but  associating  it  with  His  own  Holiness  and  Strength.  Once 
He  held  a  reed  in  His  right  Hand,  making  it  the  sceptre  and 
visible  sign  of  His  invincible  patience  :  if  we  following  Him 
make  of  our  own  weakness  the  measure  of  our  patience,  it  will 
become  transmuted  into  strength.  Once  in  the  Almighty 
Strength  of  His  dying  weakness  He  accepted  vinegar  on  a 
reed :  if  in  our  weakness  we  give  but  a  cup  of  cold  water  for 
love  of  Him,  He  will  accept  this  also,  and  strengthen  and 
sanctify  us. 

When  we  shrink  appalled  from  the  holiness  of  our  calling, 
privileges,  vocation,  there  is  comfort  for  us  in  the  reed.  For 
not  the  strength  of  iron,  or  the  indestructibility  of  gold,  was 
employed  for  measurement  of  the  holy  place  and  people,  but 
the  frailty  of  a  reed.  Am  I  frailer  than  other  reeds,  verily  a. 
bruised  reed  ?  Yet  a  bruised  reed  will  He  not  break. 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  287 

"We  will  not  boast  of  things  without  our  measure;  but 
according  to  the  measure  of  the  rule  which  God  hath  distributed 
to  us." 

A  reed  shaken  with  the  wind  dwells  trembling  in  the  wilder 
ness.  Lord,  I  am  such.  But  King  Solomon  has  written: 
"  Who  is  this  that  cometh  up  from  the  wilderness,  leaning  upon 
her  Beloved?"  Lord,  is  it  I?  Lord,  is  it  not  I  ?  Amen. 

"A  reed  like  unto  a  rod." — "Hear  ye  the  rod,  and  Who 
hath  appointed  it."  Centuries  before  St.  John's  day  the 
Prophet  Ezekiel  records  how  "in  the  visions  of  God  .  .  . 
behold,  there  was  a  man,  whose  appearance  was  like  the 
appearance  of  brass,  with  a  line  of  flax  in  his  hand,  and  a 
measuring  reed  " — who  measured  the  holy  house  and  holy 
precincts ;  until  we  read  :  "  He  measured  it  by  the  four  sides  : 
it  had  a  wall  round  about,  five  hundred  reeds  long,  and  five 
hundred  broad,  to  make  a  separation  between  the  sanctuary 
and  the  profane  place." 

The  Temple,  not  the  Lord  of  the  Temple,  is  measurable ; 
the  Altar,  not  the  One  Sacrifice  upon  the  Altar.  The  measured 
worshippers  are  themselves  temples,  and  in  their  degree  sacri 
fices  ;  worshipping  in  spirit  and  in  truth,  for  the  Father  seeketh 
such  to  worship  Him.  "  In  His  Temple  doth  every  one  speak 
of  His  glory." 

The  practice  of  the  celestial  Temple  is  the  theory  of  each 
terrestrial  temple,  whether  of  hewn  stone  and  carved  work,  or 
of  flesh  and  blood.  There  is  one  temple  whereof  I  am  cus 
todian  and  votaress;  of  its  services,  devotions,  worship,  I  alone 
shall  have  to  render  an  account :  "  Know  ye  not  that  ye  are 
the  temple  of  God,  and  that  the  Spirit  of  God  dwelleth  in 
you?  If  any  man  defile  the  temple  of  God,  him  shall  God 
destroy;  for  the  temple  of  God  is  holy,  which  temple  ye  are." 

All  creatures  being  God's  servants,  any  at  His  behest  become 
His  messengers.  Yet  perhaps  we  may  think  that  God  as  God 
hath  eminently  angels  for  His  messengers,  whilst  as  Man  men ; 
although  under  the  Old  Dispensation  prophets  were  sent  as 
well  as  angels,  and  at  the  outset  of  the  New  Dispensation 
angels  as  well  as  apostles. 

Perhaps  the  Apostle  rather  than  the  Angel  was  commissioned 
to  measure  the  worshippers  of  St.  John's  present  vision,  in 
order  to  encourage  all  worshippers,  even  weepers  barely  within 
the  sacred  precincts,  and  tremblers  in  dread  of  final  expulsion, 
by  a  feeling  of  kinship. 

Assumably  St.  John  was  greater  than  those  worshippers 
whom  he  was  commanded  to  measure;  and  yet  to  do  so  he 


288  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

was  called  upon  to  "rise."  Each  act  of  dutiful  service,  though 
for  its  performance  the  elect  soul  abases  itself,  yet  raises  that 
soul  to  a  loftier  level  and  augments  its  glory.  So  long  as 
Christ  be  all  in  all,  to  descend  "upon  the  Son  of  Man"  is  as 
elevating  as  to  ascend.  Indeed,  neither  ascent  nor  descent 
comes  any  longer  into  question,  when  Christ  is  felt  to  be  that 
true  and  only  and  living  Centre  to  which  all  living  life 
gravitates. 

Alone  Lord  God,  in  Whom  our  trust  and  peace, 
Our  love  and  our  desire,  glow  bright  with  hope  j 
Lift  us  above  this  transitory  scope 

Of  earth,  these  pleasures  that  begin  and  cease, 

This  moon  which  wanes,  these  seasons  which  decrease : 
We  turn  to  Thee  ;  as  on  an  eastern  slope 
Wheat  feels  the  dawn  beneath  night's  lingering  cope, 

Bending  and  stretching  sunward  ere  it  sees. 

Alone  Lord  God,  we  see  not  yet  we  know  ; 

By  love  we  dwell  with  patience  and  desire, 
And  loving  so  and  so  desiring  pray  : 
Thy  Will  be  done  in  earth  as  heaven  to-day  ; 

As  yesterday  it  was,  to-morrow  so  ; 

Love  offering  love  on  love's  self-feeding  fire. 

2.  But  the  court  which  is  without  the  temple  leave  out, 
and  measure  it  not ;  for  it  is  given  unto  the  Gentiles : 
and  the  holy  city  shall  they  tread  under  foot  forty 
and  two  months. 

A  spur  to  missionary  zeal.  Fcr  of  these  excluded  Gentiles 
may  not  some  by  dint  of  brotherly  love  be  compelled  to  come 
in,  pending  the  "  forty  and  two  months  "  allowed  them  ? 

The  Gentiles  here  in  question  are  apparently  virulent  rebels 
within  reach  and  sound  of  the  truth.  What  they  tread  under 
foot  is  the  holy  city ;  what  they  inhabit  is  an  outskirt  of  the 
temple.  Their  case  appears  more  appalling  than  the  case  of 
any  who  being  without  a  preacher  sit  still  afar  off  in  the  region 
and  shadow  of  death,  and  may  in  some  sort  plead  :  No  man 
hath  hired  us.  The  more  appalling,  the  more  urgent. 

"  Forty  and  two  months  " — three  years  and  a  half.  Whether 
or  not  this  is  to  be  understood  literally,  it  doubtless  forms  a 
goodly  period  for  such  persons  as  by  patient  continuance  in 
well-doing  have  habituated  themselves  to  redeem  the  time. 
But  it  may  prove  a  fearfully  brief  period  into  which  to  crowd 
neglected  duties,  work  behindhand,  a  worthy  course  and  a 
good  end. 

Besides  :  although  the  extent  of  the  period  be  indicated,  I 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  289 

know  not  when  it  commences.  It  may  be  passing  away  whilst 
I  sit  waiting  for  it  to  begin. 

It  is  the  period  of  a  Woe,  or  perhaps  a  pause  between  two 
Woes  :  not  any  leisure  time  for  worldly  gaiety  or  worldly  care. 
It  is  the  period  preceding  a  Woe.  In  prospect  of  which  Woe, 
as  I  am  ignorant  when  it  begins,  I  shall  do  wisely  at  once  to 
rend  my  heart  if  not  my  garments,  and  turn  unto  the  Lord  my 
God ;  for  He  is  gracious  and  merciful,  slow  to  anger,  and  of 
great  kindness,  and  repenteth  Him  of  the  evil. 

From  our  Lord's  Ascension  to  the  end  of  time  is  holy  Church's 
season  of  Advent.  Each  Christian's  whole  life  then  is  one 
continuous  Advent  season. 

O  Lord  Almighty,  Who  by  Thy  Psalmist  hast  said  that  one 
day  in  Thy  courts  is  better  than  a  thousand,  grant  that  forty 
and  two  months  be  not  spent  there  altogether  in  vain ;  but  of 
Thine  inexhaustible  Goodness  save  souls,  though  it  be  as  brands 
snatched  from  the  burning.  For  our  Mercy's  sake,  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ's  sake.  Amen. 

3.  And  I  will  give  power  unto  My  two  witnesses,  and  they 
shall  prophesy  a  thousand,  two  hundred  and  threescore 
days,  clothed  in  sackcloth. 

It  has  been  conjectured  that  these  twain  are  Enoch  and 
Elias ;  who  not  having  hitherto  died  the  common  death  of  all 
men,  will  then  being  sent  back  to  earth  taste  of  death.  If  so,  in 
accordance  with  those  words  of  St.  Paul  :  "  By  one  man  sin 
entered  into  the  world,  and  death  by  sin  ;  and  so  death  passed 
upon  all  men,  for  that  all  have  sinned." 

If  Christ  had  not  died,  it  might  have  appeared  almost  the 
chief  of  human  exemptions  not  to  die  ;  but  since  Christ  elected 
to  die,  which  of  us  would  dare  choose  not  to  die  ? — as  though 
to  be  less  Christ-like  could  be  more  excellent. 

"And  I  will  give  power." — The  Speaker,  as  occurs  more 
than  once  in  this  Divine  Apocalypse,  seems  without  announce 
ment  to  have  changed.  Mighty  as  are  the  two  Witnesses,  yet 
could  even  they  have  no  power  at  all  except  it  were  given 
them  from  above.  So  Joseph  answered  Pharaoh  :  "  It  is  not 
in  me  :  God  shall  give  .  .  ." 

O  God  Almighty,  Who  to  them  that  have  no  might  increasest 
strength,  strengthen  us  to  do  and  suffer  Thy  good  Will  and 
pleasure.  For  the  honour  of  Jesus  Christ,  Thy  Blessed  Son, 
in  Whom  Thou  art  well  pleased.  Amen. 

"  One  thousand  two  hundred  and  threescore  days  "  amount 

T 


290  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

to  very  nearly  those  "  forty  and  two  months "  mentioned 
above  (ver.  2). 

"  Clothed  in  sackcloth." — They  are  sent  to  bear  witness  for 
God  in  a  world  which  lieth  in  wickedness.  Such,  however,  is 
the  daily  vocation  of  each  Christian  in  his  or  her  degree.  If 
then  we  put  not  on  actual  sackcloth  of  hair  outside  and  visibly 
to  all  men,  yet  let  us  beware  of  falling  short  of  that  very  faulty 
King  of  Israel,  who  wore  sackcloth  within  upon  his  flesh  ;  he 
literally,  we  at  the  least  in  spirit. 

"  Therefore  said  I,  Look  away  from  me  ;  I  will  weep  bitterly, 
labour  not  to  comfort  me,  because  of  the  spoiling  of  the 
daughter  of  my  people.  For  it  is  a  day  of  trouble,  and  of 
treading  down,  and  of  perplexity  by  the  Lord  God  of  hosts  in 
the  valley  of  vision.  .  .  .  And  in  that  day  did  the  Lord  God 
of  hosts  call  to  weeping,  and  to  mourning,  and  to  baldness, 
and  to  girding  with  sackcloth  :  and  behold  joy  and  gladness, 
slaying  oxen,  and  killing  sheep,  eating  flesh  and  drinking  wine  : 
let  us  eat  and  drink,  for  to-morrow  we  shall  die." 

From  a  seared  conscience,  good  Lord,  deliver  us. 

4.  These  are  the  two  olive  trees,  and  the  two  candlesticks 
standing  before  the  God  of  the  earth. 

A  marginal  reference  directs  me  to  the  fourth  chapter  of 
Zechariah  :  "  What  are  these  two  olive  trees  upon  the  right 
side  of  the  candlestick,  and  upon  the  left  side  thereof?  .  .  . 
What  be  these  two  olive  branches  which  through  the  two  golden 
pipes  empty  the  golden  oil  out  of  themselves?  .  .  .  These 
are  the  two  anointed  ones,  that  stand  by  the  Lord  of  the  whole 
earth." 

This  fourth  chapter  of  Zechariah  refers  to  the  building  of 
the  Second  Temple.  If  its  mysterious  revelation  of  "  the  two 
anointed  ones"  does  in  truth  (although  haply  in  a  subordinate 
sense)  correspond  with  the  Apocalyptic  "  two  witnesses,"  then 
I  fortify  hope  that  besides  those  worshippers  already  harboured 
within  the  sanctuary  (ver.  i),  some  living  stones  from  without 
may  even  during  the  forty-two  months  be  built  in  with  them. 
For  if  the  final  Temple  be  still  in  building,  "  yet  there  is  room." 

"  The  God  of  the  earth,"— or,  as  in  Zechariah,  "  The  Lord 
of  the  whole  earth."  The  two  phrases  correspond,  claiming 
all  men  by  right  for  God.  "Is  He  the  God  of  the  Jews  only? 
is  He  not  also  of  the  Gentiles  ?  Yes,  of  the  Gentiles  also  : 
seeing  it  is  one  God." 

My  God,  Who  hast  revealed  to  us  hope  as  a  most  opportune 
grace;  endow  us  with  it  as  our  own  anchor  of  the  soul  sure 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  291 

and  steadfast.  Keep  us  by  holy  hope  from  presumption,  as  it 
were  a  waterspout,  and  from  despair  as  it  were  a  quicksand,  that 
we  shipwreck  not  ourselves  by  the  one  or  in  the  other.  For 
Jesus  Christ's  sake.  Amen. 

5.  And  if  any  man  will  hurt  them,  fire  proceedeth  out  of 

their  mouth,  and  devoureth  their  enemies  :  and  if  any 
man  will  hurt  them,  he  must  in  this  manner  be  killed. 

6.  These  have  power  to  shut  heaven,  that  it  rain  not  in  the 

days  of  their  prophecy :  and  have  power  over  waters 
to  turn  them  to  blood,  and  to  smite  the  earth  with  all 
plagues,  as  often  as  they  will. 

Very  similarly  it  is  recorded  concerning  Elijah  in  his  contest 
with  evil :  "  Then  the  king  sent  unto  him  a  captain  of  fifty 
with  his  fifty.  And  he  went  up  to  him  :  and,  behold,  he  sat 
on  the  top  of  an  hill.  And  he  spake  unto  him,  Thou  man  of 
God,  the  king  hath  said,  Come  down.  And  Elijah  answered 
and  said  to  the  captain  of  fifty,  If  I  be  a  man  of  God,  then  let 
fire  come  down  from  heaven,  and  consume  thee  and  thy  fifty. 
And  there  came  down  fire  from  heaven,  and  consumed  him  and 
his  fifty.  Again  also  he  sent  unto  him  another  captain  of  fifty 
with  his  fifty.  And  he  answered  and  said  unto  him,  O  man  of 
God,  thus  hath  the  king  said,  Come  down  quickly,  mid  Elijah 
answered  and  said  unto  them,  If  I  be  a  man  of  God,  let  fire 
come  down  from  heaven,  and  consume  thee  and  thy  fifty. 
And  the  fire  of  God  came  down  from  heaven,  and  consumed 
him  and  his  fifty."  But  as  now  in  prophecy,  so  then  in  history, 
that  devouring  fire  touched  only  aggressors.  "  And  he  sent 
again  a  captain  of  the  third  fifty  with  his  fifty.  And  the  third 
captain  of  fifty  went  up,  and  came  and  fell  on  his  knees  before 
Elijah,  and  besought  him,  and  said  unto  him,  O  man  of  God, 
I  pray  thee,  let  ray  life,  and  the  life  of  these  fifty  thy  servants, 
be  precious  in  thy  sight.  Behold,  there  came  fire  down  from 
heaven,  and  burnt  up  the  two  captains  of  the  former  fifties 
with  their  fifties  :  therefore  let  my  life  now  be  precious  in  thy 
sight.  And  the  angel  of  the  Lord  said  unto  Elijah,  Go  down 
with  him  :  be  not  afraid  of  him.  And  he  arose,  and  went 
down  with  him  unto  the  king."  And  before  his  invocation  of 
fire,  Elijah  had  by  his  word  shut  and  reopened  the  floodgates 
of  heaven. 

The  turning  waters  to  blood,  and  smiting  with  all  plagues, 
recall  the  joint  mission  of  Moses  and  Aaron  to  Pharaoh. 

Elijah  stood  alone  :  his,  at  least  under  one  prominent  aspect, 
were  deeds  of  vengeance  in  a  day  of  vengeance.  Moses  and 


292  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

Aaron  wrought  together  :  theirs  was  primarily  a  work  of  re 
demption,  though  accomplished  at  all  costs ;  "  I  gave  Egypt 
for  thy  ransom." 

A  few  are  charged  to  do  judgment :  every  one  without  ex 
ception  is  charged  to  show  mercy.  I  may  doubt  whether  I 
am  one  of  a  feiv :  I  cannot  doubt  whether  I  am  one  of  every 
one.  A  clue  in  obscure  cases. 

"  Behold,  the  Lord  will  come  with  fire,  ...  to  render  .  .  . 
His  rebuke  with  flames  of  fire."  Already  by  the  word  of  His 
Scriptures,  of  His  priests,  of  my  own  conscience,  of  my  fellow- 
men,  and  especially  of  any  good  Christians,  the  Divine  word 
of  rebuke  comes  to  me. 

O  Merciful  Lord  Jesus,  grant  that  now  Thy  rebuke  may 
enlighten  and  enkindle  us,  lest  then  it  should  consume  us. 

Thou  Who  once  madest  Thyself  as  a  man  in  Whose  mouth 
are  no  reproofs,  rebuke  us,  but  with  judgment,  not  in  Thine 
anger,  lest  Thou  bring  us  to  nothing. 

Thou  Who  becamest  a  reproof  among  Thine  enemies  and 
Thy  neighbours,  save  us  from  the  reproof  of  him  that  would 
eat  us  up. 

Thou  Who  knowest  our  reproof,  our  shame  and  our  dis 
honour,  deliver  us  from  our  adversaries,  who  are  all  in  Thy 
sight.  Blessed  be  Thou.  Amen. 

"  The  exhortation  which  speaketh  unto  you  as  unto  children, 
My  son,  despise  not  thou  the  chastening  of  the  Lord,  nor  faint 
when  thou  art  rebuked  of  Him  :  for  whom  the  Lord  loveth 
He  chasteneth,  and  scourgeth  every  son  whom  He  receiveth." 
The  temper  I  should  cultivate  is  love,  which  endureth  all 
things.  "  Rebuke  a  wise  man,  and  he  will  love  thee."  St. 
Peter  loved  St.  Paul,  writing:  "Our  beloved  brother  Paul." 
The  influence  entrusted  to  me  I  cannot  choose  but  exert,  by 
it  promoting  and  countenancing,  directly  or  indirectly,  good  or 
else  evil.  "  He  that  saith  unto  the  wicked,  Thou  art  righteous  ; 
him  shall  the  people  curse,  nations  shall  abhor  him  ;  but  to 
them  that  rebuke  him  shall  be  delight,  and  a  good  blessing 
shall  come  upon  them."  No  extremity  stays  the  flow  of 
influence. 

"As  often  as  they  will." — Storm,  pestilence,  earthquake,  the 
sea,  lightning,  wild  beasts,  these  all  have  oftentimes  destroyed 
men.  It  is  yet  to  be  seen,  more  terrific  will  it  be  to  see,  saints 
wielding  all  weapons  of  destruction.  Saints  who  resemble  Christ. 

O  Christ,  the  Saint  of  saints,  Who  callest  us  to  be  saints  ; 
in  the  dire  day  of  destruction  save  us.  Christ  our  Refuge,  ex 
clude  us  not ;  our  Redeemer,  despise  us  not ;  our  Surety,  deny 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  293 

us  not;  our  Saviour,  destroy  us  not;  our  Brother,  abhor  us 
not ;  our  Friend,  forsake  us  not ;  our  All  in  all,  fail  us  not. 
Amen. 

7.  And  when  they  shall  have  finished  their  testimony,  the 
beast  that  ascendeth  out  of  the  bottomless  pit  shall 
make  war  against  them,  and  shall  overcome  them,  and 
kill  them. 

"But  we  have  this  treasure  in  earthen  vessels,  that  the  ex 
cellency  of  the  power  may  be  of  God,  and  not  of  us.  We  are 
troubled  on  every  side,  yet  not  distressed  ;  we  are  perplexed, 
but  not  in  despair;  persecuted,  but  not  forsaken;  cast  down, 
but  not  destroyed ;  always  bearing  about  in  the  body  the  dying 
of  the  Lord  Jesus,  that  the  life  also  of  Jesus  might  be  made 
manifest  in  our  body.  For  we  which  live  are  alway  delivered 
unto  death  for  Jesus'  sake,  that  the  life  also  of  Jesus  might  be 
made  manifest  in  our  mortal  flesh.  So  then  death  worketh 
in  us." 

An  overthrow  which  redounds  to  the  glory  of  God  is  not 
defeat,  but  victory.  Nor  indeed  is  such  an  overthrow  any 
genuine  overthrow ;  any  more  than  prostration  is  a  fall,  or  self- 
sacrifice  destruction.  Bear  witness,  Gethsemane  and  Calvary  ! 

I  being  weak  and  timid  would  fain  serve  God  without  great 
terrors  or  tortures  ;  but  I  comprehend  that  amongst  His  most 
noble  and  ardent  lovers  some  are  so  rapt  out  of  themselves  in 
Jesus  Christ  that  terrors  appal  them  not,  nor  tortures  abate 
their  spirit.  God  is  good  in  their  height,  and  in  my  lowness, 
accepting  the  one  and  not  having  rejected  the  other. 

As  flames  that  consume  the  mountains,  as  winds  that  coerce  the  sea, 

Thy  men  of  renown  show  forth  Thy  might  in  the  clutch  of  deatli  : 
Down  they  go  into  silence,  yet  the  Trump  of  the  Jubilee 

Swells  not  Thy  praise  as  swells  it  the  breathless  pause  of  their  breath. 
What  is  the  flame  of  their  fire,  if  so  I  may  catch  the  flame  ; 

What  the  strength  of  their  strength,  if  also  I  may  wax  strong? 
The  flaming  fire  of  their  strength  is  the  love  of  Jesu's  Name, 

In  Whom  their  death  is  life,  their  silence  utters  a  song. 

"  When  they  shall  have  finished  their  testimony  :" — and  not 
till  then.  "Lord,  now  lettest  Thou  Thy  servant  depart  in 
peace." 

"The  beast  that  ascendeth  out  of  the  bottomless  pit." — As 
said  the  Angel  to  Zechariah  :  "This  is  wickedness  " — knowing 
which  I  know  enough :  "  Wickedness  shall  be  broken  as  a 
tree." 

Curiosity  may  remain  as  to  aspect,  features,  mode  of  warfare ; 


294  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

but  happy  I  arn  inasmuch  as  I  cannot,  like  my  mother  Eve, 
gratify  my  curiosity.  For  what  once  I  know,  I  cannot  at  a 
wish  unknow ;  and  to  hanker  after  knowledge  of  wickedness 
seems  too  often  akin  to  hankering  after  wickedness. 

This  my  ignorance  being  Providential,  and  therefore  beyond 
cavil  safe  and  right,  teaches  me  that  to  gaze  at  sin  for  any 
purpose  except  learning  to  avoid  it,  has  a  dangerous  side.  It 
was  the  serpent  fascinated  Eve  when  they  met  face  to  face,  not 
Eve  the  serpent.  If  Elijah  complained:  "I  am  not  better 
than  my  fathers,"  well  may  I  acknowledge  as  much,  and  fear 
to  disport  myself  in  any  place  where  they  stumbled. 

Lord,  I  beseech  Thee,  deliver  and  preserve  us  from  sinful 
and  sympathetic  study  of  evil.  Evil  communications  corrupt 
good  manners  ;  awaken  us  to  righteousness  that  we  sin  no  more, 
but  be  made  of  Thee  blameless  and  acceptable  in  Jesus  Christ 
our  Redeemer.  Amen. 

8.  And  their  dead  bodies  shall  lie  in  the  street  of  the  great 
city,  which  spiritually  is  called  Sodom  and  Egypt, 
where  also  our  Lord  was  crucified. 

Our  Master  had  aforetime  declared:  "It  cannot  be  that  a 
prophet  perish  out  of  Jerusalem." 

Sodom,  Egypt,  Jerusalem  :  who  but  for  the  Inspired  Word 
had  dared  class  them  as,  under  any  aspect,  spiritual  equiva 
lents  ? 

The  Jerusalem  of  our  day  is  holy  Church,  the  outward  and 
visible  Church  Catholic.  A  net  she  is  full  of  good  and  bad, 
a  field  green  with  tares  and  wheat,  a  floor  laden  with  grain 
and  chaff.  In  her  the  not-good  are  bad,  the  not-wheat  are 
tares,  the  not-grain  is  chaff:  in  her  they  all  are,  but  some 
not  of  her ;  all  in  her  now,  but  some  not  always;  all  borne 
with  to-day,  but  some  not  to  be  borne  with  to-morrow.  Each 
one  of  us  inevitably  is  good  or  else  bad ;  is  wheat  or  else  a 
tare  ;  is  grain  or  else  chaff. 

According  to  another  similitude  we  all  are  either  sheep  or 
goats.  Now  mixed  together;  but  at  last  to  be  sorted  and 
severed,  and  to  depart  one  from  another.  Yet  those  millions 
of  souls  destitute  of  help,  who  have  never  so  much  as  known 
their  right  hand  from  their  left  :  what  of  them  ?  God  knoweth. 
We  read  that  even  the  hallowed  Passover  Lamb  might  be 
taken  out  either  from  the  sheep  or  from  the  goats  ;  the  kid, 
the  infant  goat,  being  thus  classed  with  the  lamb,  the  infant 
sheep,  and  proved  capable  of  Divine  acceptance. 

O  Lord  the  Good  Shepherd,  Whose  is  the  holy  flock ;  the 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  295 

cattle  upon  a  thousand  hills  are  also  Thine.  Thou  art  good 
and  gracious,  and  my  trust  is  in  Thy  word. 

"  Love  righteousness,  ye  that  be  judges  of  the  earth  :  think 
of  the  Lord  with  a  good  (heart),  and  in  simplicity  of  heart  seek 
Him.  For  He  will  be  found  of  them  that  tempt  Him  not ; 
and  sheweth  Himself  unto  such  as  do  not  distrust  Him." 

"Their  dead  bodies  shall  lie." — "But  though  the  righteous 
be  prevented  with  death,  yet  shall  he  be  in  rest.  For  honour 
able  age  is  not  that  which  standeth  in  length  of  time,  nor  that 
is  measured  by  number  of  years.  But  wisdom  is  the  gray  hair 
unto  men,  and  an  unspotted  life  is  old  age." 

Where  never  tempest  heaveth,  Where  never  shame  bewaileth, 

Nor  sorrow  grieveth,  Nor  serpent  traileth, 

Nor  death  bereaveth,  Nor  death  prevaileth, 

Nor  hope  deceiveth,  Nor  harvest  faileth, 
Sleep.  Reap. 

"  Where  also  our  Lord  was  crucified." — Following  Whom 
afar  off,  "  Blessed  are  they  which  are  persecuted  for  righteous 
ness'  sake  :  for  theirs  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven." 

It  is  "  our  Lord "  Who  was  crucified :  theirs,  and  equally 
ours  ;  theirs,  no  more  than  ours,  no  more  than  mine. 

O  our  Lord,  because  of  Thy  gracious  word  touching  the 
corn  of  wheat,  make  us  all,  make  me,  of  its  living  abundant 
fruit.  O  our  Lord,  because  Thou  hast  been  lifted  up  from  the 
earth,  fulfil  Thy  gracious  word  and  draw  all  men,  draw  me, 
unto  Thee. 

9.  And  they  of  the  people  and  kindreds  and  tongues  and 
nations  shall  see  their  dead  bodies  three  days  and  an 
half,  and  shall  not  suffer  their  dead  bodies  to  be  put  in 
graves. 

"  Why  do  ...  the  people  imagine  a  vain  thing  ?  .  .  .  The 
Lord  shall  have  them  in  derision." 

The  chief  priests  and  Pharisees,  Christ's  murderers,  remem 
bered  that  He  had  said:  "After  three  days  I  will  rise  again. 
...  So  they  went,  and  made  the  sepulchre  sure,  sealing  the 
stone,  and  setting  a  watch."  Now  on  the  contrary  these  mis 
creants  suffer  not  the  holy  bodies  to  be  hidden  out  of  sight, 
but  keep  an  eye  upon  them. 

If  this  be  the  lesson  they  learned  from  that  former  experi 
ence,  what  a  lesson  from  the  ways  and  works  of  God  ! 

Under  either  precaution  the  result  is  the  same.  Thus  of 
old  it  was  equally  possible  for  Samson  mured  up  in  Gaza  to 
arise  at  midnight  and  break  forth;  or  for  the  same  Samson 


296  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

openly  and  under  all  men's  eyes  in  Dagon's  temple  to  over 
throw  both  idol  and  idolaters. 

10.  And  they  that  dwell  upon  the  earth  shall  rejoice  over 
them,  and  make  merry,  and  shall  send  gifts  one  to 
another ;  because  these  two  prophets  tormented  them 
that  dwelt  on  the  earth. 

"  The  heart  of  fools  is  in  the  house  of  mirth.  It  is  better  to 
hear  the  rebuke  of  the  wise,  than  for  a  man  to  hear  the  song 
of  fools.  For  as  the  crackling  of  thorns  under  a  pot,  so  is  the 
laughter  of  the  fool  :  this  also  is  vanity." 

All  such  impious  sending  of  gifts  is  in  its  degree  as  when 
Pilate  "  sent "  our  Lord  to  Herod,  and  Herod  again  "  sent " 
Him  back  to  Pilate,  whereupon  the  two  were  made  friends. 
"  Though  hand  join  in  hand,  the  wicked  shall  not  be  un 
punished." 

They  that  dwelt  upon  the  earth  rejoiced  over  twain  who 
doubtless  were  well  content  no  longer  to  dwell  upon  such  an 
earth.  Short-sighted,  those  sinners  rejoiced  because  of  a 
cessation  of  torment,  a  lull  before  a  storm. 

To  slay  the  two  prophets  produced  at  the  utmost  a  pause  of 
torment.  Yet  might  those  tormented  sinners  have  clean 
escaped  if  they  would,  as  out  of  the  snare  of  the  fowler. 
Whereby?  By  ceasing  to  "dwell  upon  the  earth,"  and  trans 
ferring  conversation,  treasure,  heart,  to  heaven. 

As  then,  so  now,  so  always  while  the  day  of  grace  endures. 
Would  any  not  be  afraid  of  the  power?  Whoso  doeth  that 
which  is  good  shall  have  praise  of  the  same;  for  he  is  the 
minister  of  God  to  such  for  good. 

Toll,  bell,  toll.     For  hope  is  flying 

Sighing  from  the  earthbound  soul : 
Life  is  sighing,  life  is  dying  : 
Toll,  bell,  toll. 

Gropes  in  its  own  grave  the  mole 
Wedding  darkness,  undescrying, 
Tending  to  no  different  goal. 

Self-slain  soul,  in  vain  thy  sighing : 

Self-slain,  who  should  make  thee  whole? 
Vain  the  clamour  of  thy  crying  : 
Toll,  bell,  toll, 

Living  branches  are  borne  by  the  root,  and  through  the  root 
only  have  commerce  with  the  earth.  What  cannot  be  com 
passed  or  indulged  in  as  by  Christ's  member,  is  unfit  to  be 
compassed  or  indulged  in  at  all. 


THE   FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  297 

The  saints  are  strangers  and  pilgrims,  dwellers  in  tents, 
sojourners  as  all  our  fathers  were.  They  resemble  air  plants 
rather  than  earth  plants,  yet  are  by  no  means  tossed  about 
with  every  wind.  They  may  be  likened  to  birds  of  paradise, 
having  feet  as  well  as  pinions,  yet  pinions  more  conspicuous 
and  more  characteristic  than  feet. 

Yet  earth  was  very  good  in  days  of  old, 

And  earth  is  lovely  still  : 
Still  for  the  sacred  flock  she  spreads  the  fold, 

For  Sion  rears  the  hill. 

Mother  she  is  and  cradle  of  our  race, 

A  depth  where  treasures  lie, 
The  broad  foundation  of  a  holy  place, 

Man's  step  to  scale  the  sky. 

She  spreads  the  harvest-field  which  Angels  reap, 

And  lo  !  the  crop  is  white ; 
She  spreads  God's  Acre  where  the  happy  sleep 

All  night  that  is  not  night. 

Earth  may  not  pass  till  heaven  shall  pass  away, 

Nor  heaven  may  be  renewed 
Except  with  earth  :  and  once  more  in  that  day 

Earth  shall  be  very  good. 

11.  And  after  three  days  and  an  half  the  Spirit  of  life  from 
God  entered  into  them,  and  they  stood  upon  their 
feet;  and  great  fear  fell  upon  them  which  saw  them. 

"Three  days  and  an  half"  apparently  of  total  failure. 
"  Thou  hast  made  us  *as  the  oftscouring  and  refuse  in  the 
midst  of  the  people."  "We  are  made  as  the  filth  of  the  world, 
and  are  the  offscouring  of  all  things  unto  this  day."  Unto^ 
but  not  beyond.  "  If  a  man  die,  shall  he  live  again  ?  all  the 
days  of  my  appointed  time  will  I  wait,  till  my  change  come. 
Thou  shalt  call,  and  I  will  answer  Thee." 

I  may  or  may  not  be  numbered  amongst  those  who  with 
eyes  of  flesh  and  blood  shall  behold  when  the  Spirit  of  God 
entering  into  the  two  Witnesses  they  shall  stand  upon  their 
feet.  But  the  general  resurrection  all  must  see. 

The  rejoicers  in  iniquity  must  gaze  horror-struck.  The 
rejoicers  in  the  truth  may  indeed  gaze  with  "  great  fear  " ;  yet, 
please  God,  with  greater  hope ;  with  at  least  some  trembling 
joy  amid  the  general  lamentation  and  mourning  and  woe. 

That  so  (God  grant  it !),  that  so  it  may  assuredly  be  with  us 
in  that  day,  it  must  in  this  day  be  so  with  us  in  spirit,  will, 
strenuous  endeavour  :  by  our  siding  with  God  against  Satan, 
with  righteousness  against  sin,  with  truth  against  falsehood, 
with  law  against  revolt;  by  our  siding  with  those  against  these 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 


in  our  secret  aim,  heart ;  in  our  open  conduct ;  in  our  circle 
by  example,  influence ;  in  the  Church  by  loyalty,  consistency  ; 
in  the  world  by  courage,  zeal,  endurance. 

A  saint  or  a  sinner  :  one  or  other  each  must  come  to  light  in 
the  resurrection.  No  neutrals  then  :  therefore  no  neutrals  now. 

It  is  an  alarming  symptom  when  sympathy  leans  to  the 
wrong  side,  or  when  taste  and  curiosity  lie  beyond  the  pale. 
"  Remember  Lot's  wife." 

O  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  Who  being  Infinite  didst  for  our  sake 
deign  to  encompass  Thyself  with  limitations ;  curb  our  eyes, 
hearts,  wills,  imaginations,  desires  :  that  law  and  instruction 
may  be  our  ornament  of  grace  and  chains  of  dignity,  and  that 
Thy  service  may  be  our  perfect  freedom. 

12.  And  they  heard  a  great  voice  from  heaven  saying  unto 
them,  Come  up  hither.  And  they  ascended  up  to 
heaven  in  a  cloud ;  and  their  enemies  beheld  them. 

If  these  two  witnesses  be  Enoch  and  Elias,  then  is  their 
career  pre-eminently  Christ-like.  In  a  subordinate  sense,  they 
like  their  Master  first  came  down  from  heaven  to  earth  in 
order  to  die  \  and  having  died  and  risen  again,  they  afterwards 
re-ascended  to  heaven  in  a  cloud,  as  we  read  that  our  Lord 
Himself  ascended. 

"  Come  up  hither." — And  they  went  up. 

To  us  day  by  day  the  word  is  "Come."  "Come  unto  Me, 
all  ye  that  labour  and  are  heavy  laden,  and  I  will  give  you  rest." 
"  Come ;  for  all  things  are  now  ready."  "  Come  unto  the 
marriage."  Alas !  for  any  with  whom  the  Truth  is  pleading  : 
"  Ye  will  not  come  to  Me,  that  ye  might  have  life " ; — to 
whom  He  will  never  say  :  "  Come  up  hither." 

"  See  that  ye  refuse  not  Him  that  speaketh.  For  if  they 
escaped  not  who  refused  Him  that  spake  on  earth,  much  more 
shall  not  we  escape,  if  we  turn  away  from  Him  that  speaketh 
from  heaven." 

Lord,  this  blessed  day  while  Thou  commandest,  invitest, 
beseechest  us  to  come,  grant  us  grace  obediently  to  come  : 
lest  another  day  Thou  say  to  us,  Go,  depart ;  and  disobedient 
even  in  our  obedience  we  must  then  depart.  From  which 
utter  destruction  preserve  us,  Good  Lord  Jesus.  Amen. 

Lord,  grant  us  grace  to  mount  by  steps  of  grace 
From  grace  to  grace  nearer,  my  God,  to  Thee  : 
Not  tarrying  for  to-morrow 
Lest  we  lie  down  in  sorrow, 
And  never  see 
Unveiled  Thy  Face. 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  299 

Life  is  a  vapour  vanishing  in  haste  ; 

Life  is  a  day  whose  sun  grows  pale  to  set ; 
Life  is  a  stint  and  sorrow, 
One  day  and  not  the  morrow  ; 
Precious,  while  yet 
It  runs  to  waste. 

Lord,  strengthen  us  ;  lest  fainting  by  the  way 
We  come  not  to  Thee,  we  who  come  from  far  : 
Lord,  bring  us  to  that  morrow 
Which  makes  an  end  of  sorrow, 
Where  all  saints  are 
On  holy  day. 

Where  all  the  saints  rest  who  have  heard  Thy  call, 
Have  risen  and  striven  and  now  rejoice  in  rest  : 
Call  us  too  home  from  sorrow 
To  rest  in  Thee  to-morrow  ; 
In  Thee  our  Best, 
In  Thee  our  All. 

"And  their  enemies  beheld  them." — Not  (please  God)  that 
there  were  not  also  friends  left  on  earth  to  see  them ;  for 
besides  those  dead  in  Christ  who  will  rise  first,  St.  Paul 
particularizes  some  who  being  alive  at  His  coming  will  be 
caught  up  to  meet  Him  in  the  air. 

Hidden  saints  :  Mephibosheths  of  the  Better  David.  Yet 
as  *'  Open  rebuke  is  better  than  secret  love,"  we  must  by  a 
sort  of  parallel  be  on  our  guard  lest  any  "  hidden  "  aspect  of 
own  depend,  on  our  not  being  saints  at  all,  and  therefore 
and  for  that  reason  only  not  shining  to  the  glory  of  our 
Heavenly  Father.  Lest  in  lieu  of  dark  lanterns  lighted,  we  be 
simply  lightless  lanterns. 

"A  people  scattered  and  peeled  ...  a  people  terrible 
from  their  beginning  hitherto  ;  a  nation  meted  out  and  trodden 
under  footr>: — to  less  than  this,  even  at  her  very  least,  the 
Church  Militant  can  never  dwindle. 

13.  And  the  same  hour  was  there  a  great  earthquake,  and 

the  tenth  part  of  the  city  fell,  and  in  the  earthquake 

were  slain  of  men  seven  thousand :  and  the  remnant 

were  affrighted,  and  gave  glory  to  the  God  of  heaven. 

"  Ye  are  the  salt  of  the  earth,"  said  our  Blessed  Master  to 

His  disciples :  by  which  statement  we  recognize  Christians  as 

the  preservative  element  of  this  world.     So  Noah  barricaded 

the  old  world  against  the  Deluge,  until  he  was  shut  into  the 

Ark.     So  Lot  screened  the  cities  of  the  plain  from  fire,  until 

he  entered  into  Zoar.     So  now  the  earthquake  forbore,  until 

the  two  Witnesses  had  ascended.    So  to  the  very  end  earth 

cannot  perish,  until  the  last  saint  has  been  caught  up. 


3oo         THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP. 

Salt  pleases  not  every  palate,  nor  preaching  every  ear,  nor 
warning  every  temper.  If  it  be  possible,  as  much  as  lieth  in 
him,  each  Christian  is  charged  to  live  peaceably  with  all  men. 
Beyond  what  lieth  in  him  he  is  not  answerable  :  up  to  what 
lieth  in  him  he  is. 

One  who  aspires  to  teach  must  first  become  teachable. 
And  if  no  time  should  remain  afterwards  for  teaching  ?  Then 
like  a  Deacon  such  an  one  will  have  purchased  to  himself  a 
good  degree ;  good,  although  another  may  be  better  and 
higher. 

If  we  may  connect  the  overthrown  tenth  of  the  city  as  bearing 
a  traceable  arithmetical  proportion  to  the  seven  thousand 
slain  ;  then  the  full  number  of  inhabitants  was  seventy  thousand, 
of  whom  sixty-three  thousand  being  affrighted  glorified  God. 
So  far  this  dire  destruction  resembles  the  amputation  of  one 
limb  to  relieve  a  whole  body ;  as  one  says,  to  afford  one  last 
chance  for  life. 

The  sixty-three  thousand  presumably  included,  if  they  did 
not  altogether  consist  of,  a  remnant  of  those  outrageous  rebels 
of  whom  we  have  just  been  reading  as  revelling  and  rejoicing 
over  the  slain  Witnesses.  They  were  impressed,  aroused,  at 
the  least  momentarily  as  it  would  seem  brought  to  a  better 
nrnd,  by  the  death  of  seven  thousand  in  a  great  earthquake. 

I  myself  have  lived  in  a  period  though  not  in  a  region  of 
earthquakes.  Inhabited  places  have  fallen,  an  unknown 
number  of  my  fellow-creatures  have  perished.  I  have  been 
affrighted  and  I  have  been  spared. 

Now,  Lord  God  of  Heaven,  grant  me  grace  to  give  Thee 
glory ;  lest  it  had  been  better  for  me  to  be  cut  oft"  short,  not 
living  out  half  my  days.  Multiply  upon  us  Thy  mercy ; 
pleading  Jesus  Christ  I  multiply  my  prayer  for  every  soul  within 
the  possibility  of  Thine  infinite  mercy.  Amen. 

14.  The  second  woe  is  past;  and,  behold,  the  third  woe 
cometh  quickly. 

That  third  woe,  that  most  awful  woe  inasmuch  as  we  read 
not  that  it  passes  ! 

It  is  in  great  measure  with  the  contrary  source  of  grief  that 
we  are  for  the  present  familiar.  Half  earth's  sadness  takes  its 
rise  from  her  transitory  habit.  Spring  or  summer  might  satisfy 
a  light  heart,  if  only  they  could  abide.  Autumn  is  a  very 
parable  of  passing  away  and  sorrowfulness.  Only  winter  is 
cheered  by  our  foresight  of  its  coming  to  an  end ;  winter  the 
death  of  each  year. 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 


That  winter  which  will  be  the  death  of  Time  has  no 
promise  of  termination.  Winter  that  returns  not  to  spring, 
night  that  returns  not  to  day,  death  that  returns  not  to  life, 
woe  that  returns  not  to  bliss,  —  who  can  bear  it  ? 

Thou  Who  didst  endure  for  us  the  cold  night  of  Thy 
Passion  ;  deliver  us  from  the  winter,  the  night,  the  woe,  of 
eternal  death.  Thou  Who  didst  die  and  revive  for  us  ;  deliver 
us  from  the  fruitless  woeful  eternity  of  death. 

15.  And  the  seventh  angel  sounded  ;  and  there  were  great 
voices  in  heaven,  saying,  The  kingdoms  of  this  world 
are  become  the  kingdoms  of  our  Lord,  and  of  His 
Christ  ;  and  He  shall  reign  for  ever  and  ever. 

At  the  opening  of  the  seventh  seal  there  was  silence  in 
heaven  :  now  at  the  sounding  of  the  seventh  trumpet  there  are 
"  great  voices  in  heaven."  In  divers  manners  God  speaketh 
to  us. 

A  Woe  was  predicted  :  and  behold  !  joy  as  the  joy  of 
harvest,  and  as  when  men  rejoice  who  divide  the  spoil.  But 
the  Woe  is  bound  up  in  the  joy  ;  overthrow  introduces  the 
triumph. 

The  Woe  is  mentioned  first,  reminding  us  to  bear  each 
other's  burdens  while  we  may.  As  yet,  God  prospering  our 
poor  endeavour,  we  may  by  influence,  example,  sympathy,  a 
helping  hand,  intercession,  lighten  our  brethren's  load  :  even 
as  the  saints  by  holy  influence,  pious  example,  warm  hands 
stretched  out  to  help,  Christ-like  sympathy  and  intercession, 
spend  themselves  to  lighten  ours. 

"The  kingdoms  of  this  world"  are  those  which  are  to 
become  "the  kingdoms  of  our  Lord,  and  of  His  Christ." 
But  the  Revised  Version  in  each  clause  gives  the  singular 
instead  of  the  plural,  kingdom  instead  of  kingdojns. 

Since  I  know  not  which  translation  to  prefer,  it  seems 
lawful  to  learn  from  both. 

Strength  attaches  to  union,  resource  to  multiplicity.  The 
kingdom  of  death  (notwithstanding  that  death  is  dissolution) 
retains  strength  while  it  coheres  ;  for  our  Lord  Himself  de 
clared  that  were  Satan  divided  against  himself  his  kingdom 
could  not  stand.  How  much  more  would  the  kingdom  of 
life,  which  is  the  Church  Catholic,  wax  invincibly  strong  if  all 
Christendom  were  to  become  as  at  the  first  of  one  heart  and 
one  mind  !  Alas  !  for  the  offences  of  former  days  and  of  this 
day,  for  our  fathers'  offences  and  our  own,  which  have  torn  to 
shreds  Christ's  seamless  vesture. 


302  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

Nevertheless  inasmuch  as  multiplicity  is  allied  to  resource, 
let  us,  until  better  may  be,  make  capital  even  of  our  guilty 
disadvantage.  Let  us  be  provoked  to  good  works  by  those 
with  whom  we  cannot  altogether  agree,  yet  who  many  ways  set 
us  a  pattern.  Why  exclusively  peer  after  defects  while  virtues 
stare  us  in  the  face  ?  Cannot  we — I  at  least  can  learn  much 
from  the  devotion  of  Catholic  Rome,  the  immutability  of 
Catholic  Greece,  the  philanthropic  piety  of  Quakerism,  the 
zeal  of  many  a  "  protestant."  And  when  the  Anglican  Church 
has  acquired  and  reduced  to  practice  each  virtue  from  every 
such  source,  holding  fast  meanwhile  her  own  goodly  heritage 
of  gifts  and  graces,  then  may  those  others  likewise  learn  much 
from  her  :  until  to  every  Church,  congregation,  soul,  God  be 
All  in  all. 

This  present  dying  life  has  to  end  in  final  death  or  final  life. 
Time  must  be  superseded  by  eternity. 

Then  the  kingdom  will  pass  away  utterly  from  whatsoever  is 
not  "  of  our  Lord,  and  of  His  Christ." 

Death  will  abide  in  evil  unity,  the  lost  in  evil  multiplicity  : 
unity  of  impotence  not  of  strength,  multiplicity  of  antagonism 
not  of  alliance. 

Life,  created  but  immortal,  will  be  bound  up  as  one  in  that 
"bundle  of  life,"  the  love  of  God  ;  and  at  the  same  time  will 
be  what  "  no  man  could  number  "  in  its  offering  of  love  to 
God.  One  in  joy,  innumerable  in  pleasures ;  one  in  sancti- 
fication,  innumerable  in  graces. 

"And  He  shall  reign  for  ever  and  ever."     Amen. 

Marvel  of  marvels,  if  I  myself  shall  behold 

With  mine  own  eyes  my  King  in  His  city  of  gold  ; 

\Vhere  the  least  of  lambs  is  spotless  white  in  the  fold, 

Where  the  least  and  last  of  saints  in  spotless  white  is  stoled, 

Where  the  dimmest  head  beyond  a  moon  is  aureoled. 

O  saints  my  beloved,  now  mouldering  to  mould  in  the  mould, 

Shall  I  see  you  lift  your  heads,  see  your  cerements  unrolled, 

See  with  these  very  eyes?  who  now  in  darkness  and  cold 

Tremble  for  the  midnight  cry,  the  rapture,  the  tale  untold, 

"  The  Bridegroom  cometh,  cometh,  His  Bride  to  enfold." 

Cold  it  is,  my  beloved,  since  your  funeral  bell  was  tolled, 
Cold  it  is,  O  my  King,  how  cold  alone  on  the  wold. 

16.  And  the  four  and  twenty  elders,  which  sat  before  God 

on  their  seats,  fell  upon  their  faces,  and  worshipped 
God, 

17.  Saying,  We  give  Thee  thanks,  0  Lord  God  Almighty, 

which  art,  and  wast,  and  art  to  come  ;  because  Thou 
hast  taken  to  Thee  Thy  great  power,  and  hast  reigned. 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  303 

Judgment,  mercy,  salvation,  destruction,  all  elicit  worship 
from  the  citizens  of  heaven  ;  amongst  whom  we  here  behold 
the  four  and  twenty  elders  prostrate  themselves  in  adoration, 
thereby  enhancing  not  abating  their  proper  dignity.  Through 
out  this  Apocalypse  the  chorus  of  rapturous  praise  occurs  and 
recurs  ;  like  the  burden  of  that  i36th  Psalm  of  which  each 
verse,  whatever  it  recounts,  culminates  in  the  words  :  "  For  His 
mercy  endureth  for  ever."  God's  Goodness,  His  supremacy, 
His  marvellous  acts,  His  Wisdom  in  creation,  His  Providence, 
His  destruction  of  the  Egyptian  firstborn,  His  rescue  of 
enslaved  Israel,  His  wonders  at  the  Red  Sea,  His  longsuffering 
in  the  wilderness,  His  overthrow  of  hostile  kings,  His  bestowal 
of  the  promised  land,  His  faithful  remembrance,  His  ever- 
ready  help,  His  bounty, — all  called  forth  the  Psalmist's 
impartial  praise.  Which  chant  of  praise  from  his  day  to  our 
own  has  echoed  in  the  Church  generation  after  generation, 
and  echoes  still  and  still  will  echo  while  faith  remains  in  the 
earth. 

"Justice  and  judgment  are  the  habitation  of  Thy  Throne  ; 
mercy  and  truth  shall  go  before  Thy  face.  Blessed  is  the 
people  that  know  the  joyful  sound  :  they  shall  walk,  O  Lord, 
in  the  light  of  Thy  countenance." 

Lord;  make  us,  I  beseech  Thee,  like-minded  with  all  saints 
whether  on  earth  or  in  heaven ;  that  we  may  worship  Thee  as 
they  worship,  trust  Thee  as  they  trust,  rejoice  in  Thee  as  they 
rejoice,  love  Thee  as  they  love.  Even  for  the  sake  of  our 
Saviour  Jesus  Christ  the  Saint  of  saints.  Amen. 

"  O  Lord  God  Almighty,  Which  Art,  and  Wast,  and  Art  to 
come." — The  Revised  Version  omits  "  and  Art  to  come  "  :  thus 
setting  before  us  (by  suggestion)  that  perpetual  now  of  eternity 
which  ensues  from  the  unchanging  Perfection  of  the  Divine 
Being.  For  since  He  Whose  Name  is  Holy  "  inhabited! 
eternity,"  therefore  eternity  is  so  to  say  moulded  upon  Him  ; 
and  to  Him  in  his  own  Nature  there  exists  neither  past  nor 
future,  nothing  ended,  nothing  beginning.  "  Which  Wast " 
expresses  the  creature's  experience  throughout  time,  and  the 
creature's  mode  of  apprehending  that  eternity  which  (in  a 
sense)  preceded  time ;  while,  as  the  passage  under  consider 
ation  commemorates  the  transference  of  the  creature  out  of 
time  into  eternity,  the  text  stopping  short  (if  in  truth  it  does 
so  stop  short)  at  the  words  "  and  Wast,"  indicates  how  time 
has  at  length  passed  away  even  for  the  creatures  of  time,  who 
thenceforward  for  good  or  for  evil  are  conformed  to  the  law  of 
eternity. 


304  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

"  Thou  hast  taken  to  Thee  Thy  great  power,  and  hast 
reigned  " — as  it  were  responding  to  the  prayer  and  prophecy  : 
"  Awake,  awake,  put  on  strength,  O  arm  of  the  Lord ;  awake, 
as  in  the  ancient  days,  in  the  generations  of  old.  Art  thou 
not  it  that  hath  cut  Rahab,  and  wounded  the  dragon  ?  Art 
thou  not  it  which  hath  dried  the  sea,  the  waters  of  the  great 
deep ;  that  hath  made  the  depths  of  the  sea  a  way  for  the 
ransomed  to  pass  over  ?  Therefore  the  redeemed  of  the  Lord 
shall  return,  and  come  with  singing  unto  Zion  ;  and  everlasting 
joy  shall  be  upon  their  head  :  they  shall  obtain  gladness  and 
joy ;  and  sorrow  and  mourning  shall  flee  away." 

"  Thy  Throne,  O  God,  is  for  ever  and  ever :  the  sceptre  of 
Thy  kingdom  is  a  right  sceptre." 

18.  And  the  nations  were  angry,  and  Thy  wrath  is  come, 
and  the  time  of  the  dead,  that  they  should  be  judged, 
and  that  Thou  shouldest  give  reward  unto  Thy 
servants  the  prophets,  and  to  the  saints,  and  them 
that  fear  Thy  Name,  small  and  great ;  and  shouldest 
destroy  them  which  destroy  the  earth. 

St.  Paul  writes  :  "  Be  ye  angry,  and  sin  not :  let  not  the  sun 
go  down  upon  your  wrath  :  neither  give  place  to  the  devil." 

Here  at  the  sunset  of  time  the  nations  are  angry ;  and  God 
suffering  His  whole  displeasure  at  length  to  arise  destroys 
them  which  destroy  the  earth.  "  Thou  sattest  in  the  Throne 
judging  right.  Thou  hast  rebuked  the  heathen,  Thou  hast  de 
stroyed  the  wicked,  Thou  hast  put  out  their  name  for  ever  and 
ever.  O  thou  enemy,  destructions  are  come  to  a  perpetual  end." 

"  It  is  appointed  unto  men  once  to  die,  but  after  this  the 
judgment."  After  life,  death  :  after  death,  judgment :  after 
judgment,  life  everlasting  or  death  everlasting.  "  My  come 
liness  was  turned  in  me  into  corruption,  and  I  retained  no 
strength." 

So  brief  a  life,  and  then  an  endless  life 

Or  endless  death  : 
So  brief  a  life,  then  endless  peace  or  strife. 

Whoso  considereth 
How  man  but  like  a  flower 

Or  shoot  of  grass 
Blooms  an  hour, 

Well  may  sigh  "  Alas  !  " 

So  brief  a  life,  and  then  an  endless  grief 

Or  endless  joy : 
So  brief  a  life,  then  ruin  or  relief. 

What  solace,  what  annoy 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  305 

Of  Time  needs  dwelling  on  ? 

It  is,  it  was, 
It  is  done, 

While  we  sigh  "Alas!" 

Yet  saints  are  singing  in  a  happy  hope 

Forecasting  pleasure, 
Bright  eyes  of  faith  enlarging  all  their  scope. 

Saints  love  beyond  Time's  measure  : 
Where  love  is,  there  is  bliss 

That  will  not  pass  ; 
"Where  love  is, 

Dies  away  "  Alas  ! " 

O  Lord  Jesus,  Who  knowest  them  that  are  Thine ;  when 
Thou  rewardest  Thy  servants  the  prophets,  remember,  I 
beseech  Thee,  for  good  those  who  have  taught  me,  rebuked 
me,  counselled  me,  guided  me ;  and  in  that  day  show  them 
mercy. 

When  Thou  rewardest  the  saints,  remember,  I  beseech 
Thee,  for  good  those  who  have  surrounded  me  with  holy 
influences,  borne  with  me,  forgiven  me,  sacrificed  themselves 
for  me,  loved  me ;  and  in  that  day  show  them  mercy. 

When  Thou  rewardest  the  great  that  fear  Thy  Name,  re 
member,  I  beseech  Thee,  for  good  those  who  have  been  my 
patterns  of  any  virtue  or  grace,  of  repentance,  acknowledgment 
of  offences,  begging  of  pardon,  obedience,  patience,  persever 
ance  ;  and  in  that  day  show  them  mercy. 

When  Thou  rewardest  the  small  that  fear  Thy  Name, 
remember,  I  beseech  Thee,  for  good,  ignorant  disciples,  halting 
followers,  weak  cross-bearers,  the  kueelers  on  feeble  knees,  the 
faint  believers  who  faint  not  utterly;  and  in  that  day  show 
them  mercy. 

Nor  forget  any,  nor  forget  me;  but  in  that  day  show  us 
mercy.  Amen. 

I  think  of  the  saints  I  have  known,  and  lift  up  mine  eyes 

To  the  far-away  home  of  beautiful  Paradise, 

Where  the  song  of  saints  gives  voice  to  an  undividing  sea 

On  whose  plain  their  feet  stand  firm  while  they  keep  their  jubilee. 

As  the  sound  of  waters  their  voice,  as  the  sound  of  thunderings, 

\Vhile  they  all  at  once  rejoice,  while  all  sing  and  while  each  one  sings  ; 

Where  more  saints  flock  in,  and  more,  and  yet  more,  and  again  yet  more, 

And  not  one  turns  back  to  depart  thro'  the  open  entrance  door. 

O  sights  of  our  lovely  earth,  O  sound  of  our  earthly  sea, 

Speak  to  me  of  Paradise,  of  all  blessed  saints  to  me  ; 

Or  keep  silence  touching  them,  and  speak  to  my  heart  alone 

Of  the  Saint  of  saints,  the  King  of  kings,  the  Lamb  on  the  Throne. 

"  And  that  Thou  .  .  .  shouldest  destroy  them  which  destroy 

u 


306  THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP. 

the  earth" —  or  according  to  a  marginal  reading: — "which 
corrupt  the  earth  "  : — corrupting,  that  worst  method  of  de 
stroying  ;  and  which  sooner  or  later  draws  down  a  righteous 
retributive  destruction  penal  and  purgative,  as  was  foreshown 
in  the  days  of -Noah  :  "The  earth  also  was  corrupt  before 
God,  and  the  earth  was  filled  with  violence.  And  God  looked 
upon  the  earth,  and,  behold,  it  was  corrupt ;  for  all  flesh  had 
corrupted  his  way  upon  the  earth.  And  God  siid  unto  Noah, 
The  end  of  all  flesh  is  come  before  Me  ;  for  the  earth  is  filled 
wi'h  violence  through  them;  and,  behold,  I  will  destroy  them 
with  the  earth." 

And  even  as  Noah  kept  himself  unsuUied  by  the  antedi 
luvian  corruption ;  so  by  Divine  assistance  must  and  can  each 
living  soul  now  in  these  dangerous  days  by  sanctity  of 
innocence  or  sanctity  of  penitence  escape  the  corruption  that 
is  in  the  world  through  lust,  though  it  dwell  all  alone  without 
son  or  daughter,  and  as  holy  Job  speaking  of  himself  com 
plained  :  "  My  friends  scorn  me  :  but  mine  eye  poureth  out 
tears  unto  God." 

"  Whosoever  will  be  saved  "  must  so  do  :  I  who  would  be 
saved  must  so  do.  To  which  end  certain  Bible  texts  admonish 
me. 

The  Incarnate  Truth  H:mself  has  given  this  Counsel  of 
Prudence :  "  Sell  that  ye  have,  and  give  alms ;  provide 
yourselves  bags  which  wax  not  old,  a  treasure  in  the  heavens 
that  faileth  not,  where  no  thief  approacheth,  neither  moth 
corrupteth.  For  where  your  treasure  is,  there  will  your  heart 
be  also" — and  this  Instruction  of  Righteousness:  "Either 
make  the  tree  good,  and  his  fruit  good ;  or  else  make  the  tree 
corrupt,  and  his  fruit  corrupt :  for  the  tree  is  known  by  his 
fruit." 

And  holy  men  of  old  moved  by  the  Holy  Ghost  have  taught 
us  : — 

Eye  servants  are  men  pleasers  :  "  It  came  to  pass,  when  the 
judge  was  dead,  that  they  returned,  and  corrupted  themselves 
more  than  their  fathers." 

Misbelief  breeds  misdoing:  "The  fool  hath  said  in  his 
heart,  There  is  no  God.  They  are  corrupt,  they  have  done 
abominable  works,  there  is  none  that  doeth  good." 

Inward  defilement  exudes  :  "  They  are  corrupt,  and  speak 
wickedly  concerning  oppression  :  they  speak  loftily." 

Hold  fast  integrity  :  "  A  righteous  man  falling  down  before 
the  wicked  is  as  a  troubled  fountain,  and  a  corrupt  spring." 

Mercy  rejoices  against  judgment :  "  Ye  shall  know  that  I 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  307 

am  the  Lord,  when  I  have  wrought  with  you  for  My  Name's 
sake,  not  according  to  your  wicked  ways,  nor  according  to 
your  corrupt  doings." 

Make  a  covenant  with  the  eyes  :  "  Corrupt  in  her  inordinate 
love." 

Boast  not  thyself  as  if  thou  hadst  not  received  it :  "  Thine 
heart  was  lifted  up  because  of  thy  beauty,  thou  hast  corrupted 
thy  wisdom  by  reason  of  thy  brightness." 

There  is  an  evil  diligence  :  "  They  rose  early,  and  corrupted 
all  their  doings." 

Take  heed  what  ye  hear  :  "  Evil  communications  corrupt 
good  manners." 

Beware  of  false  teachers  :  "  Many,  which  corrupt  the  word 
of  God." 

Believe  not  every  spirit :  "  Lest  by  any  means,  as  the 
serpent  beguiled  Eve  through  his  subtilty,  so  your  minds  should 
be  corrupted  from  the  simplicity  that  is  in  Christ." 

What  we  sow  we  reap  :  "  He  that  soweth  to  his  flesh  shall 
of  the  flesh  reap  corruption." 

The  time  past  may  suffice  us  :  "  Put  off  concerning  the  former 
conversation  the  old  man,  which  is  corrupt  according  to  the 
deceitful  lusts." 

Curb  the  tongue  :  "  Let  no  corrupt  communication  proceed 
out  of  your  mouth." 

Be  not  wise  above  that  which  is  written  :  "  Perverse  dis- 
putings  of  men  of  corrupt  minds,  and  destitute  of  the  truth." 

Walk  not  in  the  counsel  of  the  ungodly  :  "  These  also  resist 
the  truth  :  men  of  corrupt  minds,  reprobate  concerning  the 
faith." 

Woe  to  him  that  coveteth  an  evil  covetousness  :  "  Your 
riches  are  corrupted." 

The  folly  of  presumption  :  "  These  .  .  .  speak  evil  of  the 
things  that  they  understand  not ;  and  shall  utterly  perish  in 
their  own  corruption." 

The  besottedness  of  folly  :  "  What  they  know  naturally,  as 
brute  beasts,  in  those  things  they  corrupt  themselves." 

"  They  are  all  grievous  revolters,  walking  with  slanders  : 
they  are  brass  and  iron ;  they  are  all  corrupters."  "  O  my 
soul,  come  riot  thou  into  their  secret ;  unto  their  assembly, 
mine  honour,  be  not  thou  united." 

19.  And  the  temple  of  God  was  opened  in  heaven,  and  there 
was  seen  in  His  temple  the  ark  of  His  testament :  and 
there  were  lightnings,  and  voices,  and  thunderings, 
and  an  earthquake,  and  great  hail. 


3o8  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

"  I  will  lift  up  mine  eyes  unto  the  hills,  from  whence  cometh 
my  help.  My  help  cometh  from  the  Lord,  which  made  heaven 
and  earth." 

From  this  opening  of  the  celestial  Temple  (whatever  of 
higher  and  deeper  it  may  signify)  I  venture  to  infer  a  promise 
of  future  insight :  so  that  what  I  know  not  now  I  may,  by 
following  on,  attain  to  know  hereafter.  And  because  the  Ark 
of  the  Testament  symbolizes  the  Divine  Son's  sacred  Humanity, 
I  trust  that  even  as  now  Christ  is  the  central  Mystery  revealed 
to  man  on  probation,  so  the  crowning  Mystery  revealed  to  man 
made  perfect  will  still  be  Christ :  Christ  in  Whom  dwelleth  all 
the  Fulness  of  the  Godhead  bodily ;  the  Son  Who  reveals  to 
whomsoever  He  will  the  Father ;  the  Son  Whom  to  have  seen 
is  to  have  seen  the  Father ;  the  Incarnate  Son  in  Whom  the 
Spirit  dwelleth  not  by  measure. 

O  Lord  God  Almighty,  Who  out  of  Thy  treasure  bringest 
things  new  and  old  for  man's  instruction,  let  nature  become  to 
us  a  parable  of  grace.  By  Thy  lightnings  enlighten  us  and 
consume  us  not,  by  Thy  thunders  awe  us  without  terror,  sit  we 
loose  to  that  earth  which  may  quake  and  must  depart,  shelter 
Thou  us  in  a  peaceable  habitation  when  it  shall  hail  coming 
down  on  the  forest,  and  this  world  shall  be  low  in  a  low  place. 
Let  voices  of  the  past  persuade  us  to  repentance  and  faith,  of 
the  present  to  amendment  and  hope,  of  the  revealed  future  to 
holiness  and  charity ;  yea,  let  all  voices  persuade  us  to  charity. 
Speak,  Lord,  for  Thy  servant  heareth.  Grant  us  grace  to  hear 
though  both  our  ears  tingle ;  and  to  obey,  though  taking  our 
life  in  our  hand.  For  His  sake,  Whose  merit  exceeds  our 
demerit,  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.  Amen. 

Tempest  and  terror  below  :  but  Christ  the  Almighty  above. 

Tho'  the  depth  of  the  deep  overflow,  tho'  fire  run  along  on  the  ground, 
Tho'  all  billows  and  flames  make  a  noise, — and  where  is  an  Ark  for  the 

dove  ? — 

Tho'  sorrows  rejoice  against  joys,  and  death  and  destruction  abound  : 
Yet  Jesus  abolisheth  death,  and  Jesus  Who  loves  us  we  love ; 

His  dead  are  renewed  with  a  breath,  His  lost  are  the  sought  and  the 

found. 
Thy  wanderers  call  and  recall,  Thy  dead  men  lift  out  of  the  ground  : 

O  Jesus,  Who  lovest  us  all,  stoop  low  from  Thy  Glory  above  : 
Where  sin  hath  abounded  make  grace  to  abound  and  to  superabound, 
Till  we  gaze  on  Thee  face  unto  Face,  and  respond  to  Thee  love  unto 
Love. 


CHAPTER   XII. 

1.  And  there  appeared  a  great  wonder  in  heaven;  a  woman 
clothed  with  the  sun,  and  the  moon  under  her  feet,  and 
upon  her  head  a  crown  of  twelve  stars  : 

The  Preacher,  the  son  of  David,  King  in  Jerusalem,  has  left 
on  record  :  "  I  know  that,  whatsoever  God  doeth,  it  shall  be 
for  ever  :  nothing  can  be  put  to  it,  nor  anything  taken  from  it ; 
and  God  doeth  it,  that  men  should  fear  before  Him.  That 
which  hath  been  is  now ;  and  that  which  is  to  be  hath  already 
been ;  and  God  requireth  that  which  is  past."  Thus  the  past 
which  v,Te  know,  presages  the  future  which  we  know  not. 

And  Greater  than  that  King  and  Wiser  than  that  Preacher, 
our  Lord  Himself  said  to  His  disciples  :  "  Have  ye  understood 
all  these  things?  They  say  unto  Him,  Yea,  Lord.  Then  said 
He  unto  them,  Therefore  every  scribe  which  is  instructed  unto 
the  kingdom  of  heaven  is  like  unto  a  man  that  is  an  house 
holder,  which  bringeth  forth  out  of  his  treasure  things  new  and 
old."  Now  as  every  Christian  "  is  instructed  unto  the  kingdom 
of  heaven,"  he  cannot  be  destitute  of  a  treasure  whence  to 
bring  forth  somewhat ;  new  it  may  be,  old  it  cannot  but  be. 

Of  this  Apocalypse  the  occult  unfulfilled  signification  will  be 
new ;  the  letter  is  old.  Old,  not  merely  because  these  eighteen 
hundred  years  it  has  warned  us  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to 
come;  but  also  because  each  figure  appeals  to  our  experi 
ence,  even  when  it  stands  for  some  object  unprecedented  or 
surpassing. 

A  rose  might  preach  beauty  and  a  lily  purity  to  a  receptive 
mind,  although  the  ear  had  not  yet  heard  tell  of  the  Rose  of 
Sharon  and  Lily  of  the  Valleys. 

"  A  woman  clothed  with  the  sun,  and  the  moon  under  her 
feet,  and  upon  her  head  a  crown  of  twelve  stars." — Whatever 
else  may  here  be  hidden,  there  stands  revealed  that  "  great 
wonder,"  weakness  made  strong  and  shame  swallowed  up  in 
celestial  glory.  For  thus  the  figure  is  set  before  our  eyes. 


3io  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 


Through  Eve's  lapse,  weakness  and  shame  devolved  on  woman 
as  her  characteristics,  in  a  manner  special  to  herself  and  unlike 
the  corresponding  heritage  of  man. 

And  as  instinctively  we  personify  the  sun  and  moon  as  he 
and  she,  I  trust  there  is  no  harm  in  my  considering  that  her 
sun-clothing  indicates  how  in  that  heaven  where  St.  John  in 
vision  beheld  her,  she  will  be  made  equal  with  men  and  angels  ; 
arrayed  in  all  human  virtues,  and  decked  with  all  communi 
cable  Divine  graces  :  whilst  the  moon  under  her  feet  portends 
that  her  sometime  infirmity  of  purpose  and  changeableness  of 
mood  have,  by  preventing,  assisting,  final  grace,  become  immu 
table  ;  she  has  done  all  and  stands  ;  from  the  lowest  place  she 
has  gone  up  higher.  As  love  of  his  Lord  enabled  St.  Peter  to 
tread  the  sea,  so  love  of  the  same  Lord  sets  weak  woman  im 
movable  on  the  waves  of  this  troublesome  world,  triumphantly 
erect,  despite  her  own  frailty,  made  not  "like  unto  a  wheel," 
amid  all  the  changes  and  chances  of  this  mortal  life. 

Eve's  temptation  and  fall  suggest  the  suitableness  and  safety 
of  much  (though  by  no  means  of  all)  ignorance,  and  the  whole- 
someness  of  studying  what  is  open  without  prying  into  what  is 
secret.  We  have  no  reason  to  doubt  that  the  forbidden  fruit 
was  genuinely  "  pleasant  to  the  eyes "  :  as  such  she  might 
innocently  have  gazed  upon  it  with  delight,  and  for  that  delight 
might  profitably  have  returned  thanks  to  the  Author  and  Giver 
of  all  good.  Not  till  she  became  wise  in  her  own  conceit,  dis 
regarding  the  plain  obvious  meaning  of  words,  and  theorizing 
on  her  own  responsibility  as  to  physical  and  intellectual  results, 
did  she  bring  sin  and  death  into  the  world.  The  Tree  of  the 
Knowledge  of  Good  and  Evil  was  as  it  were  a  standing 
prophet  ever  reiterating  the  contingent  sentence,  Thou  shall 
surely  die.  This  sentence,  plain  and  unmistakable,  she  con 
nived  at  explaining  away,  and  being  deceived,  was  undone. 

Eve  exhibits  one  extreme  of  feminine  character,  the  Blessed 
Virgin  the  opposite  extreme.  Eve  parleyed  with  a  devil :  holy 
Mary  "  was  troubled  "  at  the  salutation  of  an  Angel.  Eve 
sought  knowledge  :  Mary  instruction.  Eve  aimed  at  self-in 
dulgence  :  Mary  at  self-oblation.  Eve,  by  disbelief  and  dis 
obedience,  brought  sin  to  the  birth :  Mary,  by  faith  and 
submission,  Righteousness. 

And  yet,  even  as  at  the  foot  of  the  Cross,  St.  Mary 
Magdalene,  out  of  whom  went  seven  devils,  stood  beside  the 
"  lily  among  thorns,"  the  Mother  of  sorrows  :  so  (I  humbly 
hope  and  trust)  amongst  all  saints  of  all  time  will  stand  before 
the  Throne,  Eve  the  beloved  first  Mother  of  us  all.  Who  that 


THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP.  311 

has  loved  and  revered  her  own  immediate  dear  mother,  will 
not  echo  the  hope  ? 

Again  and  eminently,  the  heavenly  figure  under  consider 
ation  presents  an  image  of  the  Church  :  "  the  King  hath 
brought  me  into  His  chambers." 

"Who  is  she  that  looketh  forth  as  the  morning,  fair  as  the 
moon,  clear  as  the  sun,  and  terrible  as  an  army  with  banners  ?  " 
All  glorious  she  is  within  by  the  Indwelling  of  the  Holy  Spirit, 
and  effluent  glory  envelopes  her  as  with  the  sun  for  a  garment. 
The  moon,  set  below,  may  never  again  eclipse  the  sun ;  yet 
inasmuch  as  the  perfect  life  had  to  be  developed  out  of  the 
imperfect,  the  unchangeable  out  of  the  changeable,  therefore 
the  moon  abides  underlying  that  consummated  glory.  Twelve 
stars  compose  her  crown,  a  twelvefold  splendour.  I  have  seen 
the  Twelve  Apostles  suggested  as  the  interpretation  of  this 
symbol ;  and  well  may  it  direct  our  thoughts  to  their  glorious 
company,  the  illumination  of  their  doctrine,  the  shining  light 
of  their  example.  Perhaps  there  will  be  no  harm  in  an 
additional  gloss.  The  eternal  state  of  the  Church  Triumphant 
is  expressed  by  her  sun-vesture ;  the  moon  beneath  her  feet 
memorializes  her  temporal  probation  while  militant  in  this 
world  ;  the  twelve  stars  may — may  they  not  ?  for  earth's  day  is 
as  night  when  compared  with  heaven's  day — may  remind  us  of 
those  twelve  hours  in  the  day  during  which  she  was  bound  to 
walk  and  work  in  accordance  with  our  Lord's  own  words  and 
practice.  Thus  her  probation  issues  in  glory,  a  glory  all  the 
more  glorious  because  of  that  probation.  "  Give  her  of  the 
fruit  of  her  hands  ;  and  let  her  own  works  praise  her  in  the 
gates."  Or  if  stars  seem  too  incongruous  an  emblem  of  any 
daylight  hours ;  I  call  to  mind  both  that  there  shall  be  no  night 
there,  and  that  certain  benefactors  have  for  their  allotted 
dignity  to  shine  as  the  stars  for  ever  and  ever  :  whereby  stars 
take  rank  in  the  everlasting  day. 

Or  rather,  what  real  connection  is  there  between  stars  and 
night  more  than  between  stars  and  day  ?  Earth's  shadows  ap 
proach  them  not  in  their  high  places  ;  nor  so  far  as  we  can  trace, 
affect  them  in  any  way,  or  do  aught  in  their  regard  beyond  reveal 
ing  them  to  mortal  ken.  Our  perception  varies,  not  their  lustre. 

2.  And  she  being  with  child  cried,  travailing  in  birth,  and 
pained  to  be  delivered- 

Wending  my  way  amid  inscrutable  mysteries,  the  words  of 
each  verse  suggest  at  least  detached  matter  for  thought. 

The  8  ;th  Psalm  (i — 6  :  Prayer-book  version)  narrates  how 


3i2  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

"he"  was  born  in  divers  places  and  apparently  of  different 
parentages.  Which  comes  to  pass  concerning  Christ :  Who 
being  formed  in  each  elect  soul  of  whatever  kindred,  nation, 
people,  tongue,  locality,  is  thus  "  born "  wheresoever  such 
happy  souls  are  born ;  holy  Church  being  their  mother.  "  Her 
foundations  are  upon  the  holy  hills  :  the  Lord  loveth  the  gates 
of  Sion  more  than  all  the  dwellings  of  Jacob.  Very  excellent 
things  are  spoken  of  thee  :  thou  city  of  God.  I  will  think 
upon  Rahab  and  Babylon  :  with  them  that  know  me.  Behold 
ye  the  Philistines  also  :  and  they  of  Tyre,  with  the  Morians ; 
lo,  there  was  he  born.  And  of  Sion  it  shall  be  reported  that 
he  was  born  in  her:  and  the  Most  High  shall  stablish  her." 
Thus  out  of  Egypt  again  and  again  God  vouchsafes  to  call  His 
Son.  Thus  may  Philistia  a  thousand  times  be  glad  of  Him. 
Is  any  spot  excluded?  Nay:  "The  Lord  shall  rehearse  it 
when  He  writeth  up  the  people  :  that  He  was  born  there." 

Cries  and  travail  pangs  : — no  marvel  then  that  not  without 
effort,  suffering,  fear,  sometimes  agony,  missionaries  do  and  must 
do  their  work  of  travailing  for  souls.  But  they  shall  remember 
no  more  the  anguish  for  joy  of  the  birth  :  "  In  that  day  shall 
there  be  a  highway  out  of  Egypt  to  Assyria,  and  the  Assyrian 
shall  come  into  Egypt,  and  the  Egyptian  into  Assyria,  and  the 
Egyptians  shall  serve  with  the  Assyrians.  In  that  day  shall 
Israel  be  the  third  with  Egypt  and  with  Assyria,  even  a  blessing 
in  the  midst  of  the  land  :  whom  the  Lord  of  hosts  shall  bless, 
saying,  Blessed  be  Egypt  My  people,  and  Assyria  the  work  of 
My  hands,  and  Israel  Mine  inheritance." 

Eve,  the  representative  woman,  received  as  part  of  her 
sentence  "desire":  the  assigned  object  of  her  desire  being 
such  that  satisfaction  must  depend  not  on  herself  but  on  one 
stronger  than  she,  who  might  grant  or  might  deny.  Many 
women  attain  their  heart's  desire  :  many  attain  it  not.  Yet  are 
these  latter  no  losers  if  they  exchange  desire  for  aspiration,  the 
corruptible  for  the  incorruptible  :  "  Thou  shalt  no  more  be 
termed  Forsaken ;  neither  shall  thy  land  any  more  be  termed 
Desolate  :  but  thou  shalt  be  called  Hephzibah,  and  thy  land 
Beulah  :  for  the  Lord  delighteth  in  thee,  and  thy  land  shall  be 
married."  "  The  desolate  hath  many  more  children  than  she 
which  hath  an  husband."  "  Give  me  children,  or  else  I  die," 
was  a  foolish  speech  :  the  childless  who  make  themselves  nurs 
ing  mothers  of  Christ's  little  ones  are  true  mothers  in  Israel. 

O  Lord,  when  Thou  didst  call  me,  didst  Thou  know 
My  heart  disheartened  thro'  and  thro', 
Still  hankering  after  Egypt  full  in  view, 


THE  FACE   OF    THE  DEEP.  313 

Where  cucumbers  and  melons  grow  ? 

— "  Yea,  I  knew." — 

But,  Lord,  when  Thou  didst  choose  me,  didst  Thou  know 
How  marred  I  was  and  withered  too, 
Nor  rose  for  sweetness  nor  for  virtue  rue, 
Timid  and  rash,  hasty  and  slow  ? 
— "  Yea,  I  knew." — 

My  Lord,  when  Thou  didst  love  me,  didst  Thou  know 

How  weak  my  efforts  were,  how  few, 

Tepid  to  love  and  impotent  to  do, 

Envious  to  reap  while  slack  to  sow  ? 

— "Yea,  I  knew." — 

Good  Lord  Who  knowest  what  I  cannot  know 

And  dare  not  know,  my  false,  my  true, 

My  new,  my  old  ;  Good  Lord,  arise  and  do 
If  loving  Thou  hast  known  me  so. 
— "Yea,  I  knew." — 

3.  And  there  appeared  another  wonder  in  heaven:  and 
behold  a  great  red  dragon,  having  seven  heads  and  ten 
horns,  and  seven  crowns  upon  his  heads. 

A  wonder:  and  not  least  a  wonder  because  beheld  "in 
heaven."  The  monster  has  seven  heads,  which  perhaps  may 
be  viewed  as  indicating  pseudo-self-completeness  and  assump 
tion  of  independence  ;  ten  horns,  pseudo-strength  ;  seven  crowns, 
pseudo-supremacy.  For  these  seven  crowns  appear  (see  Revised 
Version)  to  be  correctly  translated  "  seven  diadems";  and  to 
be  consequently  not  wreaths  of  victory  but  insignia  of  dominion. 
Power  therefore  the  dragon  wields,  yet  only  under  sufferance 
and  until  it  be  reclaimed  from  him  :  victory  is  not  his,  nor  shall 
be.  He  is  that  "  swift "  to  whom  the  race  is  not,  that  "  strong  " 
to  whom  is  not  the  battle. 

Even  his  "red"  colour  may  possibly  express  a  pseudo- 
sanctity  :  for  of  the  Stronger  than  he  we  read  :  "  Wherefore 
art  Thou  red  in  Thine  apparel  ?  "  Thus  would  Satan  himself 
be  transformed  into  much  more  than  an  angel  of  light. 

And  at  the  present  day  when  so  open-mouthed  an  antagonism 
has  set  in  against  Christ  and  Revelation  ;  and  when  so  many 
"devout  and  honourable"  persons  (if  following  the  Inspired 
text  I  dare  call  them  so)  are  arrayed  against  the  truth  as  it  is 
in  Jesus  ;  and  when  signal  virtues  of  philanthropy,  with  self- 
spending  and  alacrity  in  being  spent,  take  the  field  like  Goliath 
the  Giant  in  defiance  of  the  armies  of  the  Living  God ;  I  think 
the  pseudo-Christ-like  aspect  of  error  becomes  prominently 
urged  upon  our  gravest  consideration  :  especially  as  of  necessity 
we  know  not  how  close  upon  us  may  already  be  the  actual 


314  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

personal  Antichrist  in  whom  human  wickedness  appears  to 
culminate;  that  Antichrist  v*ho  will,  it  seems,  be  a  foul  human 
agent  and  copy  of  the  old  original  Evil  one.  Let  us  pause  a 
moment  to  face  this  last  great  adversary,  who  not  as  our  open 
enemy  but  as  one  of  ourselves,  will  do  us  this  dishonour. 

Some  then  presage  in  the  Antichrist  a  pseudo-  or  mock- 
Christ.  And  that  his  adherents  will  be  not  rebels  merely,  but 
eminently  dupes,  St.  Paul  by  Inspiration  intimates  ;  when  touch 
ing  the  Second  Advent  and  the  awful  period  preceding  it,  he 
writes  :  "  Let  no  man  beguile  you  in  any  wise  :  for  it  will  not  be, 
except  the  falling  away  come  first,  and  the  man  of  sin  be  revealed, 
the  son  of  perdition,  he  that  opposeth  and  exalteth  himself 
against  all  that  is  called  God  or  that  is  worshipped  ;  so  that  he 
sitteth  in  the  temple  of  God,  setting  himself  forth  as  God.  .  .  . 
And  then  shall  be  revealed  the  lawless  one,  whom  the  Lord 
Jesus  shall  slay  with  the  breath  of  His  mouth,  and  bring  to 
nought  by  the  manifestation  of  His  coming;  even  he,  whose 
coming  is  according  to  the  working  of  Satan  with  all  power  and 
signs  and  lying  wonders,  and  with  all  deceit  of  unrighteousness 
for  them  that  are  perishing ;  because  they  received  not  the 
love  of  the  truth,  that  they  might  be  saved.  And  for  this 
cause  God  sendeth  them  a  working  error,  that  they  should 
believe  a  lie :  that  they  all  might  be  judged  who  believed  not 
the  truth,  but  had  pleasure  in  unrighteousness." 

I  have  here  quoted  the  Revised  Version  in  preference  to  the 
Authorized  because,  whilst  in  my  ignorance  of  Greek  I  can 
only  take  either  text  upon  trust,  I  note  some  difference  between 
the  two  renderings.  The  words  "  bring  to  nought  by  the  mani 
festation  of  His  coming,"  seem  pointedly  to  express  how  the 
simple  revelation  of  truth  must  supersede  and  abolish  error  : 
whereas  "destroy  with  the  brightness  of  His  coming  "  (Author 
ized  Version),  may  suggest  a  physical  destruction  as  by  fire  from 
heaven.  Again  :  "  all  deceit  of  unrighteousness  for  them  that 
are  perishing,"  is  perhaps  more  easy  to  be  understood,  than 
"  all  deceivablencss  of  unrighteousness  in  them  that  perish  " 
(Authorized  Version)  ;  and  by  suggesting  that  the  perishing 
persons  in  question  entertain  no  idea  of  their  death-struck 
condition,  the  phrase  recalls  those  piteous  words  of  Hosea 
concerning  Ephraim  :  "  Strangers  have  devoured  his  strength, 
and  he  knoweth  it  not :  yea,  gray  hairs  are  here  and  there  upon 
him,  yet  he  knoweth  not." 

4.  And  Ms  tail  drew  the  third  part  of  the  stars  of  heaven, 
and  did  cast  them  to  the  earth :  and  the  dragon  stood 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  315 

before  the  woman  which  was  ready  to  be  delivered,  for 
to  devour  her  child  as  soon  as  it  was  born. 

"  Yea,  the  stars  are  not  pure  in  His  sight."  "  How  is  the 
gold  become  dim!  how  is  the  most  fine  gold  changed!  the 
stones  of  the  sanctuary  are  poured  out  in  the  top  of  every 
street.  .  .  .  They  that  were  brought  up  in  scarlet  embrace 
dunghills." 

Temptation,  whatever  guise  it  assumes,  remains  essentially 
and  unalterably  base  :  not  even  the  head,  but  the  tail  of  the 
dragon  drew  and  cast  down  those  stars.  Temptation,  however 
urgent,  remains  powerless  to  compel:  the  stars  were  "drawn," 
not  swept  along,  their  free  will  being  seduced,  not  overborne. 
At  least,  they  preach  to  ourselves  by  such  a  parable  ;  to  ourselves 
who  are  free  to  stand  or  to  fall. 

"  He  that  dwelleth  in  the  secret  place  of  the  Most  High 
shall  abide  under  the  shadow  of  the  Almighty.  I  will  say  of 
the  Lord,  He  is  my  refuge  and  my  fortress  :  my  God  ;  in  Him 
will  I  trust.  .  .  .  Because  thou  hast  made  the  Lord,  which  is 
my  refuge,  even  the  Most  High,  thy  habitation ;  there  shall  no 
evil  befall  thee.  .  .  .  The  dragon  shalt  thou  trample  under 
feet.  Because  he  hath  set  his  love  upon  Me,  therefore  will  I 
deliver  him." 

As  to  this  dragon,  he  appears  to  be  that  "  murderer  from 
the  beginning,"  whom  our  Lord  thus  characterized  plainly  to 
His  hearers.  As  he  was,  so  he  is  ;  and  his  lusts  he  will  do  so 
lar  as  in  him  lies. 

Yet  is  God  Almighty  able  to  break  the  heads  of  the  dragons 
in  the  waters.  Meanwhile,  what  is  the  mind  of  the  saints? 
"  Our  heart  is  not  turned  back,  neither  have  our  steps  declined 
from  Thy  way ;  though  Thou  hast  sore  broken  us  in  the  place 
of  dragons,  and  covered  us  with  the  shadow  of  death." 

A  travailing  woman  and  a  new-born  babe  :  truly  these  might 
have  seemed  souls  destitute  of  help.  But  even  concerning 
doomed  Edom,  the  word  of  prophecy  saith  :  "  Leave  thy 
fatherless  children,  I  will  preserve  them  alive  ;  and  let  thy 
widows  trust  in  Me."  Not  fathoming  the  profound  significa 
tion,  let  me  be  thankful  for  the  encouragement  of  a  homely 
mercy.  If  my  song  cannot  be  of  "  mercy  and  judgment,"  it 
can  at  least  be  "  of  mercy  .  .  .  unto  Thee,  O  Lord,  will  1 
sing.  O  let  me  have  understanding  :  in  the  way  of  godliness." 

Behold  in  heaven  a  floating,  dazzling  cloud, 

So  dazzling  that  I  could  but  cry  Alas  ! 

Alas,  because  I  felt  how  low  I  was ; 
Alas,  within  my  spirit  if  not  aloud, 


316  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

Foreviewing  my  last  breathless  bed  and  shroud  : 

Thus  pondering,  I  glanced  downward  on  the  grass  ; 

And  the  grass  bowed  when  airs  of  heaven  would  pass, 
Lifting  itself  again  when  it  had  bowed. 
That  grass  spake  comfort  ;  weak  it  was  and  low. 

Yet  strong  enough  and  high  enough  to  bend 
In  homage  at  a  message  from  the  sky  : 
As  the  grass  did  and  prospered,  so  will  I : 
Tho'  knowing  little,  doing  what  I  know  ; 

And  strong  in  patient  weakness  till  the  end. 

Gracious  Lord  Jesus,  regard  Thy  creation  for  good  :  men,  to 
befriend  them ;  women,  to  protect  them ;  babes,  to  nurture 
them  ;  sufferers,  to  ease  them  ;  tremblers,  to  reassure  them  ; 
wanderers,  to  reclaim  them  ;  the  sick,  to  heal  them  ;  sinners,  to 
convert  them  ;  saints,  to  perfect  them  ;  the  dying,  to  receive 
them ;  the  dead,  to  keep  them.  Yea,  our  compassionate 
Saviour  :  Who  of  Thine  own  free  Will  and  for  our  sakes 
didst  become  an  Infant  of  days,  wast  born  of  a  woman,  didst 
grow  up  to  perfect  Manhood,  wert  pleased  to  share  human 
sufferings,  to  face  fear,  to  seek  the  lost,  to  heal  the  sick, 
to  forgive  sinners,  to  lead  saints,  to  open  Paradise  to  the 
dying,  and  there  Thyself  to  receive  the  dead.  Amen. 
Elijah  said  :  "  Thou  hast  asked  a  hard  thing." 
But  the  Lord  hath  said  :  "  Is  anything  too  hard  for  the 
Lord  ?  " 

5.  And  she  brought  forth  a  man  child,  who  was  to  rule  all 
nations  with  a  rod  of  iron :  and  her  child  was  caught 
up  unto  God,  and  to  His  Throne. 

Recalling  these  words  of  the  second  Psalm  :  "  I  will  declare 
the  decree  :  the  Lord  hath  said  unto  Me,  Thou  art  My  Son  ; 
this  day  have  I  begotten  Thee.  Ask  of  Me,  and  I  shall  give 
Thee  the  heathen  for  Thine  inheritance,  and  the  uttermost 
parts  of  the  earth  for  Thy  possession.  Thou  shalt  break  them 
with  a  rod  of  iron ;  Thou  shalt  dash  them  in  pieces  like  a 
potter's  vessel "  : —  an  appalling  prediction  ;  but  behold  as  it 
were  a  city  of  refuge  ! — "  Be  wise  now  therefore,  O  ye  kings  : 
be  instructed,  ye  judges  of  the  earth.  Serve  the  Lord  with 
fear,  and  rejoice  with  trembling.  Kiss  the  Son,  lest  He  be 
angry,  and  ye  perish  from  the  way,  when  His  wrath  is  kindled 
but  a  little.  Blessed  are  all  they  that  put  their  trust  in  Him." 

Behold,  Lord  Jesus  :  to  love  and  trust  Thee  is  our  place  of 

shelter.     Give  us  thankful  hearts  while  we  seek  Thee  by  such 

ways  of  pleasantness  and  paths  of  peace.     Yea,  Lord,  that  we 

may  please  Thee  and  abide  with  Thee  for  ever.     Amen. 

6.  And  the  woman  fled  into  the  wilderness,  where  she  hath 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  317 

a  place  prepared  of  God,  that  they  should  feed  her  there 
a  thousand  two  hundred  and  threescore  days. 

This  period  of  "a  thousand  two  hundred  and  threescore 
days,"  being  coextensive  with  that  already  assigned  for  the 
prophesying  of  the  two  Witnesses,  suggests  (by  no  means 
proves)  that  the  two  periods  are  in  fact  identical,  and  the  two 
groups  of  events  not  successive  but  simultaneous. 

If  so,  and  regarding  the  Woman  as  a  figure  of  the  Church, 
she  and  her  champions  compose  an  awful  harmony.  She  flees 
out  of  heaven  to  her  refuge  in  a  wilderness  :  they  (comparing 
as  before  Zechariah  iv.,  especially  ver.  14,  with  the  relevant  text) 
appear  to  emerge  from  the  Lord's  immediate  Presence  to  put 
on  sackcloth  and  bear  witness.  She  is  divinely  provided  for 
during  the  days  of  seclusion  ;  they  abide  impregnable  until  their 
testimony  is  completed.  Meanwhile  her  Child,  her  Represent 
ative,  the  Man  she  has  gotten  from  the  Lord,  hath  heaven  for 
throne  and  earth  for  footstool. 

So  great  a  King  and  Child  appears  to  be  a  figure  of  Christ, 
if  he  be  not  Christ  Himself. 

Lord  Jesus,  Accessible,  Gracious,  Winning,  Merciful ;  purge 
our  eyes  to  discern  Thee  wheresoever  as  the  morning  spread 
upon  the  mountains  Thou  showest  Thyself  unto  us.  And  if 
sometimes  we  think  to  recognize  Thee  where  not  so  much  as 
Thy  shadow  passeth  by,  pardon  our  error,  instruct  our  ignorance. 
Nevertheless,  because  whoso  goeth  up  into  heaven,  or  down 
into  hell,  or  on  wings  of  the  morning  betaketh  himself  to  the 
uttermost  parts  of  the  sea,  leaveth  Thee  not  but  still  encoun- 
tereth  Thee ;  grant  us  ever  to  be  as  Jacob  when  he  became 
aware  that  God  was  close  at  hand,  ever  as  St.  Mary  Magdalene 
in  the  garden  when  lo  !  the  Unknown  was  Thyself.  Amen. 

I  do  not  know  whether  it  isallowable  toconnect  texts  as  follows : 

We  are  expressly  certified  that  during  the  thousand  two 
hundred  and  threescore  days  the  Woman  was  to  be  fed.  But 
the  "  forty  and  two  months  "  of  Gentile  supremacy  slightly 
exceed  that  period.  So  also  does  the  time  allotted  to  the  two 
Witnesses,  if  the  "  three  days  and  an  half"  of  their  exposure  be 
added  to  the  term  of  their  mission.  Thus  supposing  all  three 
periods  to  be  simultaneous  (and  whether  computed  literally  or 
by  some  figurative  scale,  their  relative  proportion  amongst 
themselves  continues  apparently  unaffected),  a  brief  space 
remains  unaccounted  for  as  concerns  the  Woman  ;  which  brief 
space  is  not  apparently  furnished  with  food  ;  reminding  us  of 
the  words  of  Gabriel  the  Archangel  to  Daniel  the  Prophet : 


3i8  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

"  And  in  the  midst  of  the  week  " — a  half  week  being  equivalent 
to  three  days  and  a  half — "  He  shall  cause  the  sacrifice  and  the 
oblation  to  cease,  and  for  the  overspreading  of  abominations  He 
shall  make  it  desolate,  even  until  the  consummation,  and  that 
determined  shall  be  poured  upon  the  desolate." 

In  this  cessation  of  the  sacrifice  and  oblation  devout  insight 
has,  I  believe,  apprehended  a>cessation  of  the  Blessed  Sacra 
ment  of  Christ's  Body  and  Blood  :  if  so,  a  withdrawal  of  that 
very  Bread  of  Life  and  Cup  of  Blessing  which  are  the  Church's 
daily  Food  and  Drink. 

Whilst  It  abides  in  our  midst  God  grant  us  grace  to  partake 
of  It  to  life  eternal.  For  Jesus  Christ's  sake.  Amen. 

"  That  they  should  feed  her  there." — We  are  not  informed 
who  "  they  "  are.  Angels  ministered  to  Our  Lord  in  the  wilder 
ness  of  His  temptation,  an  Angel  in  the  Garden  of  His  Agony. 
Wilderness  and  Garden  appear  as  one  lot  in  the  same  fair  ground 
in  Isaiah's  lovely  words  of  promise  :  "  The  wilderness  and  the 
solitary  place  shall  be  glad  for  them  ;  and  the  desert  shall 
rejoice,  and  blossom  as  the  rose.  It  shall  blossom  abundantly." 

Or  if  this  fallen  world's  wilderness  never  rejoice,  nor  its 
desert  ever  blossom,  yet  wherever  holy  Church  abides  she  her 
self  is  "a  garden  inclosed";  where  even  one  holy  soul  sojourns 
there  blooms  a  "  lily  among  thorns." 

Any  wilderness  whither  God  sends  His  beloved  is  sure  to 
turn  out  a  place  of  safety  and  of  food  convenient,  if  not  of 
Mowers.  And  were  it  possible  for  the  whole  Church  or  for  one 
single  soul  to  take  up  its  abode  in  Heaven  against  the  Divine 
Will,  Heaven  itself  would  be  found  thenceforward  a  stronghold 
not  of  peace,  but  of  unrest.  There  is  no  peace  outside  "  the 
peace  of  God." 

7.  And  there  was  war  in  heaven :  Michael  and  his  angels 

fought  against  the  dragon ;  and  the  dragon  fought  and 
his  angels, 

8.  And  prevailed  not ;  neither  was  their  place  found  any 

more  in  heaven. 

9.  And  the  great  dragon  was  cast  out,  that  old  serpent 

called  the  Devil,  and  Satan,  which  deceiveth  the  whole 
world :  he  was  cast  out  into  the  earth,  and  his  angels 
were  cast  out  with  Mm. 

Whatever  other  and  subsequent  meaning  may  attach  to  this 
revelation,  thought  reverts  instinctively  to  that  occult  primitive 
sin  before  which  sin  was  not ;  that  primaeval  rebellion  which, 
though  long  ago  trodden  down,  has  not  yet  been  stamped  out. 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  319 

What  of  disorder  cannot  sin   achieve,  if  it  can  turn  heaven 
itself  into  a  battlefield  ? 

"  Michael  " — which  signifies,  Who  is  like  God  ?  a  name  of 
self-oblation,  of  self-obliteration.  Wherefore  all  holy  intelli 
gences  on  earth,  and  haply  all  holy  intelligences  in  heaven, 
may  discern  latent  in  that  old  name  the  new  name  of  one 
"  Who  is  like  God,"  inasmuch  as  he  glorified  not  himself. 

0  Lord  All  Holy  Almighty,  let  our  definition  be  that  we  are 
members  of  Christ,  and  our  praise  be  not  of  men  but  of  Thee, 
and  our  memorial  be  names  written  in  heaven.     For  His  sake 
\Vhose  Name  is  as  ointment  poured  forth,  Jesus.     Amen. 

1  speak  only  so  far  as  my  own  present  powers  of  apprehension 
are  concerned  : — the  mystery  inherent  in  evil  is  its  existence  ; 
not,  assuming  that  existence,  its  punishment. 

Absolute  darkness  engulfs  me  when  I  attempt  to  realize 
the  origin  of  evil.  Yet  even  in  that  darkness  which  may  be 
felt  and  which  I  feel,  one  point  I  dare  not  hesitate  to  hold  fast 
and  assert  :  evil  had  its  origin  in  the  free  choice  of  a  free  will. 
Without  free  will  there  can  be  neither  virtue  nor  vice  ;  without 
free  choice  neither  offence  nor  merit. 

The  authoritative  voice  of  Holy  Church  expounding  Holy 
Scripture  certifies  evil  to  be  positive,  not  merely  negative.  If 
ever  I  tend  to  question  this,  let  me  look  within  and  consider 
envy,  perhaps  at  first  sight  the  most  irretrievably  dead  of  the 
seven  deadly  sins  :  its  sepulchre  is  incapable  of  being  whited ; 
it  pretends  not  to  be  so  much  as  the  travestie  of  any  virtue. 
Envy,  surely,  is  positive  evil. 

From  gratuitous  envy,  as  of  the  serpent  who  without  gain  to 
himself  robbed  mankind  of  innocence  :  deliver  us,  O  Lord. 

From  reckless  envy,  as  when  to  ruin  man  he  aggravated  his 
own  doom  :  deliver  us,  O  Lord. 

From  far-reaching  envy,  as  when  he  defaced  a  perfection 
distinct  from  that  he  had  forfeited  :  deliver  us,  O  Lord. 

Yet  as  the  root  is  answerable  for  the  shoot,  not  the  shoot  for 
the  root ;  not  envy  but  pride,  the  deadly  root  of  the  other  six 
must  I  suppose  stand  first  in  the  hideous  array.  Pride  is  that 
one  of  the  seven  which  might  subsist  in  a  being  absolutely 
solitary,  a  being  constituting  (so  to  say)  its  own  universe.  The 
other  six  with  however  evil  an  eye  yet  do  look  out  of  self,  and 
have  regard  or  disregard  to  something  that  is  not  self :  pride, 
self-centred,  fears  not  God  neither  regards  man. 

Pride  worships  self  as  self  :  envy  hates  good  as  not-self. 

One  can  conceive  some  sort  of  affinity  between  anger 
and  zeal,  lust  and  love,  gluttony  and  appreciation  of  blessings, 


320  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

avarice  and  prudence,  sloth  and  contentment ;  even  between 
pride  and  self-respect ;  but  for  envy  there  seems  no  possible 
next  of  kin  except  a  devil. 

"  Pride  goeth  before  destruction,  and  an  haughty  spirit  before 
a  fall."  If  this  text  may  be  construed  as  conveying  a  double 
lesson  :  the  obvious  admonition  which  deters  from  particular 
sin  on  pain  of  consequent  disaster;  and  the  distinct  statement 
that  pride  it  is  which  entails  destruction,  and  an  haughty  spirit  it 
is  which  precedes  a  fall  ;  then  is  light  thrown  on  the  sin  and 
downfall  of  angels. 

"  Michael  and  his  angels,"  who  excel  in  strength,  overcame 
not  the  dragon  and  his  angels  but  by  dint  of  battle. 

The  strong  against  the  strong,  spirit  against  spirit,  then  :  the 
weak  against  the  strong,  flesh  and  blood  against  spirit,  now. 
Nevertheless  weakness  indomitable,  flesh  and  blood  invulner 
able,  when  they  come  "  to  the  help  of  the  Lord,  to  the  help  of 
the  Lord  against  the  mighty."  Alleluiah  !  Amen  ! 

If  not  with  hope  of  life,  Bleed  on  beneath  the  rod  ; 
Begin  with  fear  of  death  :  Weep  on  until  thou  see  ; 

Str'.ve  the  tremendous  lifelong  strife  Turn  fear  and  hope  to  love  of  God 
Breath  after  breath.  Who  loveth  thee. 

Turn  all  to  love,  poor  soul  ; 

Be  love  thy  watch  and  ward  ; 
Be  love  thy  starting-point,  thy  goal, 
And  thy  reward. 

As  to  the  fall  of  the  rebel  angels,  our  very  paucity  of  .know 
ledge  certifies  us  that  there  is  no  need  for  our  knowing  much. 
Unless  this  passage  of  the  Apocalypse  throws  light  upon  it,  its 
direct  history  is,  I  suppose,  not  on  record.  Yet  one  or  two 
passages  of  the  elder  prophecies  fulminated  against  human 
rebels,  seem  further  to  wake  a  mysterious  chord  out  of  incal 
culable  remoteness.  "How  art  thou  fallen  from  heaven,  O 
Lucifer,  son  of  the  morning  !  how  art  thou  cut  down  to  the 
ground,  which  didst  weaken  the  nations  !  For  thou  hast  said  in 
thine  heart,  I  will  ascend  into  heaven,  I  will  exalt  my  throne 
above  the  stars  of  God  :  I  will  sit  also  upon  the  mount  of 
the  congregation,  in  the  sides  of  the  north  :  I  will  ascend 
above  the  heights  of  the  clouds ;  I  will  be  like  the  Most 
High.  Yet  thou  shalt  be  brought  down  to  hell,  to  the  sides  of 
the  pit." — "Thou  sealest  up  the  sum,  full  of  wisdom,  and 
perfect  in  beauty.  Thou  hast  been  in  Eden  the  garden  of 
God ;  every  precious  stone  was  thy  covering,  the  sardius,  topaz, 
and  the  diamond,  the  beryl,  the  onyx,  and  the  jasper,  the 
sapphire,  the  emerald,  and  the  carbuncle,  and  gold  :  the  work- 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 


inanship  of  thy  tabrets  and  of  thy  pipes  was  prepared  in  thee  in 
the  day  that  thou  wast  created.  Thou  art  the  anointed  cherub 
that  covereth ;  and  I  have  set  thee  so  :  thou  wast  upon  the 
holy  mountain  of  God  ;  thou  hast  walked  up  and  down  in  the 
midst  of  the  stones  of  fire.  Thou  wast  perfect  in  thy  ways  from 
the  day  that  thou  wast  created,  till  iniquity  was  found  in  thee. 
...  I  will  cast  thee  as  profane  out  of  the  mountain  of  God  : 
and  I  will  destroy  thee,  O  covering  cherub,  from  the  midst  of 
the  stones  of  fire.  Thine  heart  was  lifted  up  because  of  thy 
beauty,  thou  hast  corrupted  thy  wisdom  by  reason  of  thy  bright 
ness  :  I  will  cast  thee  to  the  ground,  I  will  lay  thee  before 
kings,  that  they  may  behold  thee.  Thou  hast  defiled  thy 
sanctuaries  by  the  multitude  of  thine  iniquities  .  .  .  therefore 
will  I  bring  forth  a  fire  from  the  midst  of  thee,  and  I  will  bring 
thee  to  ashes  upon  the  earth  in  the  sight  of  all  them  that  behold 
thee.  All  they  that  know  thee  among  the  people  shall  be 
astonished  at  thee  :  thou  shalt  be  a  terror,  and  never  shalt  thou 
be  any  more." 

Whilst  studying  the  devil  I  must  take  heed  that  my  study 
become  not  devilish  by  reason  of  sympathy.  As  to  gaze  down 
a  precipice  seems  to  fascinate  the  gazer  towards  a  shattering  fall ; 
so  is  it  spiritually  perilous  to  gaze  on  excessive  wickedness,  lest 
its  immeasurable  scale  should  fascinate  us  as  if  it  were  colossal 
without  being  monstrous.  A  quotation  from  my  sister's  Shadow 
of  Dante  speaks  to  the  point  : — 

"  Some  there  are  who,  gazing  upon  Dante's  Hell  mainly  with 
their  own  eyes,  are  startled  by  the  grotesque  element  traceable 
throughout  the  Cantica  as  a  whole,  and  shocked  at  the  even 
ludicrous  tone  of  not  a  few  of  its  parts.  Others  seek  rather  to 
gaze  on  Dante's  Hell  with  Dante's  eyes ;  these  discern  in 
that  grotesqueness  a  realized  horror,  in  that  Indicrousness  a 
sovereign  contempt  of  evil.  .  .  .  They  remember  that  the 
Divine  Eternal  Wisdom  Himself,  the  Very  and  Infallible  Truth, 
has,  not  once  nor  twice,  characterized  impiety  and  sin  as  Folly  ; 
and  they  feel  in  the  depths  of  the  nature  wherewith  He  has 
•created  them  that  whatever  else  Folly  may  be  and  is,  it  is  none 
the  less  essentially  monstrous  and  ridiculous.  ...  A  sense  of 
the  utter  degradation,  loathsomeness,  despicableness  of  the 
soul  which  by  deadly  sin  besots  Reason  and  enslaves  Free  Will 
passes  from  the  Poet's  mind  into  theirs  ;  while  the  ghastly 
definiteness  and  adaptation  of  the  punishments  enables  them  to 
touch  with  their  finger  the  awful  possibility  and  actuality  of  the 
Second  Death,  and  thus  for  themselves  as  for  others  to  dread 
it  more  really,  to  deprecate  it  more  intensely.  Dante's  Lucifer 

x 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 


does  appear  '  less  than  Archangel  ruined/  immeasurably  less  ; 
for  he  appears  Seraph  wilfully  fallen.  No  illusive  splendour  is 
here  to  dazzle  eye  and  mind  into  sympathy  with  rebellious 
pride  ;  no  vagueness  to  shroud  in  mist  things  fearful  or  things 
abominable.  Dante's  Devils  are  hateful  and  hated,  Dante's 
reprobates  loathsome  and  loathed,  despicable  and  despised,  or 
at  best  miserable  and  commiserated.  .  .  .  Dante  is  guiltless  of 
seducing  any  soul  of  man  towards  making  or  calling  Evil  his 
Good." 

"  Which  deceiveth  the  whole  world  " — not,  thank  God,  the 
whole  Church.  And  already  it  behoves  us  to  walk  warily  if 
we  would  not  be  of  the  deceived  :  "  It  is  the  last  time  :  and 
as  ye  have  heard  that  antichrist  shall  come,  even  now  are  there 
many  antichrists  ;  whereby  we  know  that  it  is  the  last  time — "  ; 
and  to  lay  to  heart  our  dear  Lord's  own  words  of  prophetic 
warning :  "  Except  those  days  should  be  shortened,  there 
should  no  flesh  be  saved  :  but  for  the  elect's  sake  those  days 
shall  be  shortened.  Then  if  any  man  shall  say  unto  you,  Lo, 
here  is  Christ,  or  there  ;  believe  it  not.  For  there  shall  arise 
false  Christs,  and  false  prophets,  and  shall  shew  great  signs  and 
wonders  ;  insomuch  that,  if  it  were  possible,  they  shall  deceive 
the  very  elect." 

WORDS    AS    GOADS    AND    AS    NAILS. 

"When   anyone   heareth   the  word   of  the   kingdom,  and 

nnderstandeth  it  not,  then  cometh  the  wicked  one,  and  catcheth 

away  that  which  was  sown  in  his  heart." 

"  My  daughter  is  grievously  vexed  with  a  devil." 

"  A  man,  which  had  a  spirit  of  an  unclean  devil." 

"  Legion  :  because  many  devils  were  entered  into  him." 

"Satan  hath  desired  to  have  you,  that  he  may  sift  you  as  wheat.'1" 

"The  devil  having  now  put  into  the  heart  of  Judas  Iscariot, 

Simon's  son,  to  betray  Him  ....  After  the  sop  Satan  entered 

into  him." 

"Ananias,  why  hath  Satan   filled  thine  heart  to  lie  to  the 

Holy  Ghost,  and  to  keep  back  part  of  the  price  of  the  land?" 
"  O  full   of  all  subtilty  and  all  mischief,  thou  child  of  the 

devil,  thou  enemy  of  all  righteousness,  wilt  thou  not  cease  to 

pervert  the  right  ways  of  the  Lord  ?  " 

"  Lest  Satan  should  get  an  advantage  of  us  :  for  we  are  not 

ignorant  of  his  devices." 

"Satan    himself    is    transformed    into   an    angel    of    light. 

Therefore  it  is  no  great  thing  if  his  ministers  also  be  transformed 

as  the  ministers  of  righteousness." 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 


11  Neither  give  place  to  the  devil/' 

"  Put  on  the  whole  armour  of  God,  that  ye  may  be  able  to 
stand  against  the  wiles  of  the  devil." 

"  Now  the  Spirit  speaketh  expressly,  that  in  the  latter  times 
some   shall   depart   from    the   faith,  giving  heed   to  seducing 
spirits,  and  doctrines  of  devils  ;    speaking  lies  in  hypocrisy  ; 
having  their  conscience  seared  with  a  hot  iron." 
"  Some  are  already  turned  aside  after  Satan." 
"Him  that  hath  the  power  of  death,  that  is,  the  devil."   „ 
"  Resist  the  devil,  and  he  will  flee  from  you." 
"Be  sober,  be  vigilant;  because  your  adversary  the  devil, 
as  a  roaring  lion,  walketh  about,  seeking  whom  he  may  devour  : 
whom  resist  stedfast  in  the  faith." 

"He  that  committeth  sin  is  of  the  devil ;  for  the  devil 
sinneth  from  the  beginning.  ...  In  this  ...  are  manifest 
.  .  .  the  children  of  the  devil :  whosoever  doeth  not  righteous 
ness  is  not  of  God,  neither  he  that  loveth  not  his  brother." 

"  He  was  cast  out  into  the  earth,  and  his  angels  were  cast 
out  with  him." — Yet  is  not  humankind  given  over  for  a  prey 
unto  their  teeth.  For  He  Who  is  not  ashamed  to  call  us 
brethren,  saith  :  "  Behold  I  and  the  children  which  God  hath 
given  Me."  And  "hath  He  said,  and  shall  He  not  do  it?  or 
hath  He  spoken,  and  shall  He  not  make  it  good?" 

O  Lamb  of  God,  slain  from  the  foundation  of  the  world,  save  us. 
O  Lamb  of  God,  slain  for  us  men  and  for  our  salvation,  save  us. 
Thou  without  blemish  and  without  spot,  save  us. 
Thou  the  only  and  all-sufficient  Sacrifice,  save  us. 
O  Lamb  of  God,  the  Avenger  of  our  blood,  save  us. 

10.  And  I  heard  a  loud  voice  saying  in  heaven,  Now  is 

come  salvation,  and  strength,  and  the  kingdom  of  our 
God,  and  the  power  of  His  Christ :  for  the  accuser  of 
our  brethren  is  cast  down  which  accused  them  before 
our  God  day  and  night. 

11.  And  they  overcame  him  by  the  blood  of  the  Iamb,  and 

by  the  word  of  their  testimony ;  and  they  loved  not 
their  lives  unto  the  death. 

12.  Therefore  rejoice,  ye  heavens,  and  ye  that  dwell  in 

them.  Woe  to  the  inhabiters  of  the  earth  and  of  the 
sea!  for  the  devil  is  come  down  unto  you,  having 
great  wrath,  because  he  knoweth  that  he  hath  but  a 
short  time. 

If  I  may  still  ponder  the  text  as  bearing  any  reference  to 
that  fall  of  certain  angels  whereby  they  remade  themselves  as 
devils ;  by  preference  exchanging  glory  for  shame,  righteous- 


324  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

ness  for  guilt,  life  for  spiritual  death  ;  their  experience  as  here 
set  forth  teaches  me  (as  heretofore  I  was  taught)  how  absolute 
is  the  repulsion  between  good  as  good  and  evil  as  evil.  Ex 
clude  all  possibility  of  repentance,  and  sympathy  between  the 
twain  is  annihilated.  So  long  as  in  any  depth  of  degradation 
repentance  can  rear  its  ladder,  that  ladder  reaching  heaven 
may  become  a  very  pleasure-ground  of  celestial  spirits  jubilant 
over  each  penitent,  ministering  to  each  imperfect  perfectible 
soyl.  But  if  once  "  that  which  is  crooked  cannot  be  made 
straight ;  and  that  which  is  wanting  cannot  be  numbered,"  the 
recoil  becomes  mutual  and  final.  No  sweet  apparent  analogies 
of  this  present  temporal  world  must  mislead  me  :  in  the  eternal 
world  to  come,  the  world  of  the  Right  Hand  and  the  Left,  we 
read  nothing  of  intermediate  neutral  ground,  but  only  of  a 
great  gulf;  nothing  of  twilight,  but  only  of  outer  darkness  or 
else  of  a  city  where  is  no  night ;  nothing  of  mixed  characters. 
Perhaps  the  pit  is  revealed  to  us  as  bottomless,  that  we  may 
flee  from  it  as  from  a  place  of  boundless,  endless,  unarrestable 
downfall. 

More  awful  than  the  triumph  burst  of  Heaven  over  the 
expulsion  of  evil,  is  that  word  of  Incarnate  Love  when  Judas 
went  out  "and  it  was  night.  .  .  .  Now  is  the  Son  of  Man 
glorified,  and  God  is  glorified  in  Him." 
Whoso  loveth  God  will  also  trust  Him. 
Whoso  loveth  God  will  not  so  dwell  on  the  impending 
retribution  as  to  remain  cold  towards  the  accomplishment  of 
salvation,  indifferent  to  the  perfecting  of  strength,  reluctant 
that  God's  Kingdom  should  come,  unwilling  to  behold  the 
day  of  Christ's  power.  "  Thy  people  shall  be  willing  in  the 
day  of  Thy  power,  in  the  beauties  of  holiness." 

Nevertheless  "  O  Lord,  I  am  oppressed  ;  undertake  for  me. 
"What  shall  I  say?  He  hath  both  spoken  unto  me,  and  Him 
self  hath  done  it." 

"The  accuser  of  our  brethren  .  .  .  which  accused  them 
before  our  God  day  and  night." — As  when  Satan  accused  Job  : 
perhaps  also  as  when  in  the  vision  concerning  Joshua  the  High 
Priest,  Satan  "resisted"  before  the  Angel  of  the  Lord.  On  a 
third  occasion  the  Presence  Chamber  is  as  it  were  opened  to 
us ;  but  then  we  hear  no  accusing  voice ;  the  life  at  stake  is 
the  life  of  Ahab  whose  sins  are  his  crying  accusation. 

A  reprobate  spirit  accuses  the  brethren.  Sometimes  also  a 
saint  accuses  sinners;  for  as  to  certain  misbelievers  our  Blessed 
Lord  declared  :  "  There  is  one  that  accuseth  you,  even  Moses, 
in  whom  ye  trust." 


THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP.  325 

Thus  while  Satan  maliciously  accuses  the  saints,  those  very 
saints  cannot  but  righteously  arraign  sinners.  If  not  by  word 
or  by  writing,  yet  by  their  lives  and  deaths  they  testify  against 
the  ungodly.  The  mere  proverb,  What  man  has  done  man 
may  do,  condemns  defaulters  :  let  us  not  use  it  lightly  lest  it 
condemn  ourselves.  And  no  more  than  an  outer  accuser  can 
we  avoid  that  inner  tribunal  before  which  even  the  Gentiles 
are  set  by  St.  Paul  when  he  writes :  "  Their  conscience  also 
bearing  witness,  and  their  thoughts  the  meanwhile  accusing  or 
else  excusing  one  another." 

Not  the  Last  Day  alone  :  every  day  is  a  Judgment  Day. 

"Therefore  if  thou  bring  thy  gift  to  the  altar,  and  there 
rememberest  that  thy  brother  hath  ought  against  thee  ;  leave 
there  thy  gift  before  the  altar,  and  go  thy  way ;  first  be  recon 
ciled  to  thy  brother,  and  then  come  and  offer  thy  gift.  Agree 
with  thine  adversary  quickly,  whiles  thou  art  in  the  way  with 
him  ;  lest  at  any  time  the  adversary  deliver  thee  to  the  judge, 
and  the  judge  deliver  thee  to  the  officer,  and  thou  be  cast  into 
prison.  Verily  I  say  unto  thee,  Thou  shalt  by  no  means 
come  out  thence,  till  thou  hast  paid  the  uttermost  farthing." 

Day  and  night  the  Accuser  makes  no  pause, 
Day  and  night  protest  the  Righteous  Laws, 
Good  and  Evil  witness  to  man's  flaws : 
Man  the  culprit,  man's  the  ruined  cause, 
Man  midway  to  death's  devouring  jaws 
And  the  worm  that  gnaws. 

Day  and  night  our  Jesu  makes  no  pause, 
Pleads  His  own  fulfilment  of  all  laws, 
Veils  with  His  Perfections  mortal  flaws, 
Clears  the  culprit,  pleads  the  desperate  cause, 
Plucks  the  dead  from  death's  devouring  jaws 
And  the  worm  that  gnaws. 

If  from  this  passage  we  may  think  of  elect  Angels  as  in  any 
sense  overcoming  "  by  the  blood  of  the  Lamb,"  it  reminds  us 
that  the  Lamb  is  slain  from  the  foundation  of  the  world.  Not 
that  we  should  entertain  carnal  thoughts  on  so  sacred  a  mystery ; 
our  thoughts  should  ever  be  moulded  and  spiritualized  by  the 
Inspired  Word  :  "  Nor  yet  that  He  should  offer  Himself  often 
...  for  then  must  He  often  have  suffered  since  the  foundation 
of  the  world  :  but  now  once  in  the  end  of  the  world  hath  He 
appeared  to  put  away  sin  by  the  sacrifice  of  Himself." 

Of  "  their  testimony  "  we  know  one  word  :  "  Michael  "  Who 
is  like  God? 

Their  not  having  loved  "  their  lives  unto  the  death  "  must 
convey  a  far  different  meaning  from  what  the  same  phrase 


326  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

would  import  if  used  of  mortal  men  ;  but  the  true  death  being 
that  spiritual  death  which  to  man  is  the  second  death,  this 
latter  in  the  case  of  angels  may  be  glanced  at.  Thus  "  Michael 
and  his  angels  "  may,  like  Queen  Esther,  though  after  a  loftier 
fashion,  have  taken  their  life  in  their  hand  ;  even  whilst  by  any 
apparent  peril  they  braved,  they  entrenched  themselves  im- 
pregnably  within  the  Divine  safeguard.  For  hazard  of  life  or 
of  aught  else  in  God's  quarrel,  can  at  the  very  utmost  and  for 
any  creature  amount  to  no  more  than  a  surface  risk  :  "  He 
that  hateth  his  life  in  this  world  shall  keep  it  unto  life  eternal." 

Meanwhile,  however  skill  may  fail  me  to  work  out  such  a 
problem  in  matters  celestial,  in  matters  terrestrial  the  lesson  is 
obvious.  All  must,  I  must,  overcome  Satan  and  his  crew  "  by 
the  Blood  of  the  Lamb  "  ;  by  faith  in  His  Atonement,  and  by 
fast  hold  of  His  Strength  ever  accessible  to  us  in  the  Blessed 
Sacrament  of  His  Body  and  Blood  :  also,  according  to  our 
several  vocations,  by  the  word  of  our  testimony  ;  by  never 
denying  but  constantly  upholding  His  eternal  Verity;  and 
finally  by  not  loving  life  beyond  His  blessed  Will  for  us  either 
to  live  or  to  die. 

When  speculation  fails  resort  to  practice. 

Whatever  period  may  be  in  question,  "  Woe  "  is  denounced 
to  earth  and  sea.  Yet  the  declared  reason  of  this  woe  includes 
an  element  of  encouragement.  For  the  devil's  wrath  is  great 
"because  he  knoweth  that  he  hath  but  a  short  time." 

Courage  !  For  aught  we  know  courage  may  shorten  the 
short  time  :  as  when  David  "  hasted,  and  ran "  to  meet  the 
Philistine. 

"  Launch  out  into  the  deep,"  Christ  spake  of  old 
To  Peter  :  and  he  launched  into  the  deep  ; 
Strengthened  should  tempest  wake  which  lay  asleep, 
Strengthened  to  suffer  heat  or  suffer  cold. 
Thus,  in  Christ's  Prescience  :  patient  to  behold 
A  fall,  a  rise,  a  scaling  Heaven's  high  steep  ; 
Prescience  of  Love  which  deigned  to  overleap 
The  mire  of  human  errors  manifold. 
Lord,  Lover  of  Thy  Peter,  and  of  him 
Beloved  with  craving  of  a  humbled  heart 

"Which  eighteen  hundred  years  have  satisfied  ; 
Hath  he  his  throne  among  Thy  Seraphim 
"Who  love?  or  sits  he  on  a  throne  apart, 

Unique,  near  Thee,  to  love  Thee  human-eyed? 

13.  And  when  the  dragon  saw  that  he  was  cast  unto  the 
earth,  he  persecuted  the  woman  which  brought  forth 
the  man  child. 


THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 


327 


Did  I  not  fear  to  offend  by  bringing  a  railing  accusation,  I 
would  say  that  Satan  is  a  fool :  he  adds  sin  to  sin,  heaps  up 
wrath  against  the  day  of  wrath, — a  cowardly  fool  :  he  uses  his 
strength  to  persecute  the  weak, — an  incorrigible  fool  :  punish 
ment  exasperates  him.  "  Though  ihou  shouldest  bray  a  fool 
in  a  mortar  among  wheat  with  a  pestle,  yet  will  not  his  foolish 
ness  depart  from  him." 

14.  And  to  the  woman  were  given  two  wings  of  a  great 
eagle,  that  she  might  fly  into  the  wilderness,  into  her 
place,  where  she  is  nourished  for  a  time,  and  times, 
and  half  a  time,  from  the  face  of  the  serpent. 
Or  as  in  the  Revised  Version  "...  the  two  wings  of  the 
great  eagle."     Whatever  further  sense  may  attach  to  the  words, 
they  pointedly  convey  to  us  a  figure  of  the  succour  and  safe 
guard  of  God  ;  inasmuch  as  they  recall  a  passage  of  the  Son^ 
of  Moses:  "As  an  eagle  stirreth  up  her  nest,  fluttereth  over 
her  young,  spreadeth  abroad  her  wings,  taketh  them,  bearelh 
them  on  her  wings  :  so  the  Lord  alone  did  lead  him."     Thus 
in  her  wilderness  "  the  daughter  of  Jerusalem''  may  shake  her 
head  at  her  persecutor  and  sing  her  song  :  "  Bless  the  Lord,  O 
my  soul,  and  forget  not  all  His  benefits.  .  .  .    Who  redeemeth 
thy  life  from  destruction  j    Who  crowneth    thee  with  loving- 
kindness  and  tender  mercies ;  Who  satisfieth  thy  mouth  with 
good  things;  so  that  thy  youth  is  renewed  like  the  eagle's"  : — 
for  "  They  that  wait  upon  the  Lord  shall  renew  their  strength  ; 
they  shall  mount  up  with  wings  as  eagles ;  they  shall  run,  and 
not  be  weary ;  and  they  shall  walk,  and  not  faint." 

Salvation  is  of  grace  :  wings  are  given  to  the  Woman.  The 
soul  must  co-operate  with  grace  :  the  Woman  herself  has  to 
fly  with  the  wings. 

"  From  the  face  of  the  serpent "  : — he  keeping  his  malicious 
abominable  eye  still  upon  her.  As  when  of  old  "  the  enemy 
said,  I  will  pursue,  I  will  overtake,  I  will  divide  the  spoil ;  my 
lust  shall  be  satisfied  upon  them,"  and  perished  by  reason  of 
his  boast.  Or  as  when  ages  earlier  the  serpent  himself  eyed 
Eve,  and  she,  alas  !  fled  not. 

15.  And  the  serpent  cast  out  of  his  mouth  water  as  a  flood 

after  the  woman,  that  he  might   cause  her  to  be 
carried  away  of  the  flood. 

16.  And  the  earth  helped  the  woman,  and  the  earth  opened 

her  mouth,  and  swallowed  up  the  flood  which  the 
dragon  cast  out  of  his  mouth. 
For  unless  "the  faithful  city  become  an   harlot"  her  end 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 


shall  not  be  with  a  flood.  "  Thou  stretchest  out  Thy  right 
hand,  the  earth  swallowed  them." 

The  serpent  cast  that  flood  "  out  of  his  mouth."  From  such 
a  source  can  scarcely  issue  less  than  rank  poison  :  for  consider 
our  Lord's  words  as  to  what  may  proceed  out  of  even  a  man's 
mouth  :  "  Those  things  which  proceed  out  of  the  mouth  come 
forth  from  the  heart  ;  and  they  defile  the  man.  For  out  of 
the  heart  proceed  evil  thoughts,  murders,  adulteries,  forni 
cations,  thefts,  false  witness,  blasphemies." 

So  that,  at  least,  for  an  immediate  practical  purpose,  this 
pursuing  "  flood  "  may,  I  trust,  be  viewed  as  a  flood  of  tempta 
tions  ;  and  in  particular  of  such  temptations  as  are  best  coped 
with  by  flight.  Joseph  found  safety  in  flight,  before  the 
searching  and  strengthening  iron  had  entered  into  his  soul. 

No\v  because  "  righteousness  is  immortal  "  and  the  memorial 
of  virtue  immortal,  this  august  Woman,  if  we  may  regard  her  as 
a  figure  of  Mother  Church,  is  immortal  and  blessed.  Yet 
even  thus  there  remains  a  mortal  side  to  the  members  who- 
make  up  her  immortal  personality ;  and  since  "  the  earth 
opened  her  mouth,  and  swallowed  up  the  flood,"  we  are  re 
minded  that  the  flood  of  besetting  temptation  can  be  finally 
arrested  and  annulled  only  in  the  grave.  "  There  the  wicked 
cease  from  troubling ;  and  there  the  weary  be  at  rest."  "  For 
he  that  is  dead  is  freed  from  sin." 

A  holy  grave  is  the  true  bed  of  heartsease.  And  already  the 
flowers  appear  on  the  earth  although  the  winter  is  not  yet 
past. 

Lord,  grant  us  grace  to  rest  upon  Thy  word, 

To  rest  in  hope  until  we  see  Thy  Face  ; 
To  rest  thro'  toil  unruffled  and  unstirred, 
Lord,  grant  us  grace. 

This  burden  and  this  heat  wear  on  apace  : 
Night  comes,  when  sweeter  than  night's  singing  bird 
Will  swell  the  silence  of  our  ended  race. 

Ah,  songs  which  flesh  and  blood  have  never  heard 

And  cannot  hear,  songs  of  the  silent  place 
Where  rest  remains  !  Lord,  slake  our  hope  deferred, 
Lord,  grant  us  grace. 

17.  And  the  dragon  was  wroth  with  the  woman,  and  went 
to  make  war  with  the  remnant  of  her  seed,  which  keep 
the  commandments  of  God,  and  have  the  testimony  of 
Jesus  Christ. 

This  word  has  a  distinct  bearing  upon  all  future  time  until 
the  end.  Whoever  keeps  the  commandments  and  accepts  and 


THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP.  329 

champions  the  faith,  must  expect  and  will  one  way  or  other 
experience  not  peace  alone,  but  peace  and  a  sword. 

At  this  point,  ignorance  of  prophecy  need  not  deprive  the 
simplest  student  of  a  life  and  death  lesson. 

"The  testimony  of  Jesus  Christ." — By  this  I  hope  I  may 
understand  two  things  :  — 

That  testimony  which  each  Christian  bears  to  Christ  by 
conformity  of  life  and  death  to  his  dear  Master's  Life  and 
Death,— 

That  testimony  which  Jesus  Christ  bears  to  each  Christian 
by  endowing  him  with  gifts  superhuman  and  Divine  graces,  so 
that  no  Christian  can  be  accounted  for  on  a  merely  natural 
theory. 

Great  saints  by  spiritual  lustre  outshine  the  visible  lustre  of 
Moses.  But  every  Christian  is  in  his  or  her  degree  Veronica 
(true  Image)  of  Christ.  A  flower  we  name  veronica  springs  up 
here  and  there  without  will  or  culture  of  man,  lowly  and  lovely  ; 
its  small  blossom  is  celestial  blue,  its  leaf  and  seed-vessel  show 
something  cf  a  heart  shape. 

Christ-likeness  in  high  or  low  is  eloquent  witness  to  Christ. 

"  The  remnant  of  her  seed."— Is  there  not  a  forlorn  sound 
of  weakness  in  the  words  ?  yet  with  an  undertone  of  triumph. 
If  these  beleaguered  persons  are  only  a  remnant,  a  great 
concourse  of  the  same  family  may  be  looked  for  elsewhere  :  in 
Paradise. 

O  my  God,  to  Whom  have  gone  home  so  many  souls 
beloved  on  earth  and  in  heaven,  and  of  my  own  beloved,  I 
humbly  trust  not  a  few  :  grant  grace  to  us  who  are  the  present 
remnant  to  live  as  they  lived  and  die  as  they  died.  And  so 
grant  grace  to  remnant  after  remnant  through  all  generations 
for  ever,  until  it  please  Thee  to  make  an  end  in  righteousness. 
So  may  we  awake  and  sing  out  of  our  dust,  or  exult  when  in  a 
moment  our  change  comes,  and  give  Thee  thanks  world  with 
out  end,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.  Amen,  Amen. 


CHAPTER   XIII. 

1.  And  I  stood  upon  the  sand  of  the  sea,  and  saw  a  beast 
rise  up  out  of  the  sea,  having  seven  heads  and  ten 
horns,  and  upon  his  horns  ten  crowns,  and  upon  his 
heads  the  name  of  blasphemy. 

In  the  Revised  Version  the  opening  clause  of  this  chapter 
forms  on  the  contrary  the  final  clause  of  Chapter  xii.,  and  reads 
thus :  "  And  he  stood  upon  the  sand  of  the  sea  "  ;  thus  appar 
ently  referring  not  to  St.  John  but  to  the  dragon.  Whence  it 
ensues  that  at  this  point  I  remain  dubious  between  a  saint  and 
a  reprobate ;  and  by  a  sort  of  illustration  the  warning  of  the 
Parable  of  the  Tares  is  brought  home  to  me  :  "  Lest  while  ye 
gather  up  the  tares,  ye  root  up  also  the  wheat  with  them." 

My  God  Who  art  Love,  so  purge  our  hearts  by  love  that  we 
may  hate  implicitly  any  who  hate  Thee,  and  love  explicitly  all 
to  whom  Thou  givest  or  wilt  give  grace  to  love  Thee ;  yea,  all 
whom  Thou  lovest.  Through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.  Amen. 

This  "beast"  seems  in  some  sense  a  development  of  evil 
beyond  the  original  dragon.  Both  have  seven  heads  and  ten 
horns ;  but  the  diadems  of  the  dragon  were  seven,  encircling 
his  heads ;  those  of  the  beast  ten,  surmounting  his  doubly 
salient  horns.  Moreover  of  this  beast  only  do  we  read  that  he 
had  "  upon  his  heads  the  name  of  blasphemy  " ;  or  as  in  the 
Revised  Version  :  "and  upon  his  heads  names  of  blasphemy." 
And  as  we  shall  find  him  (ver.  2)  under  the  patronage  of  the 
dragon,  we  are  thus  reminded  of  our  Lord's  denunciation  of 
the  hypocritical  Scribes  and  Pharisees  :  "  Ye  compass  sea  and 
land  to  make  one  proselyte,  and  when  he  is  made,  ye  make 
him  twofold  more  the  child  of  hell  than  yourselves." 

The  beast  is  base :  he  rises  out  of  that  sea  whose  troubled 
waters  cast  up  mire  and  dirt.  "  He  maketh  the  deep  to  boil 
like  a  pot :  he  maketh  the  sea  like  a  pot  of  ointment."  Whilst 
we  fear,  it  befits  us  also  to  loathe  and  despise  him.  Never  let 


THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 


331 


us  forget  that  the  sea  hath  said  concerning  Wisdom  :  "It  is 
not  with  me." 

2.  And  the  beast  which  I  saw  was  like  unto  a  leopard,  and 
his  feet  were  as  the  feet  of  a  bear,  and  his  mouth  as 
the  mouth  of  a  lion :  and  the  dragon  gave  him  his 
power,  and  his  seat,  and  great  authority. 

This  Apocalyptic  beast  combines  in  its  one  aspect  features 
of  three  distinct  and  successive  beasts  of  Daniel's  vision  : 
"Behold,  the  four  winds  of  the  heaven  strove  upon  the  great 
sea.  And  four  great  beasts  came  up  from  the  sea,  diverse 
one  from  another.  The  first  was  like  a  lion,  and  had  eagle's 
wings  :  I  beheld  till  the  wings  thereof  were  plucked,  and  it 
was  lifted  up  from  the  earth,  and  made  stand  upon  the  feet  as 
a  man,  and  a  man's  heart  was  given  to  it.  And  behold  an 
other  beast,  a  second,  like  to  a  bear,  and  it  raised  up  itself  on 
one  side,  and  it  had  three  ribs  in  the  mouth  of  it  between  the 
teeth  of  it  :  and  they  said  thus  unto  it,  Arise,  devour  much 
flesh.  After  this  I  beheld,  and  lo  another,  like  a  leopard, 
which  had  upon  the  back  of  it  four  wings  of  a  fowl ;  the  beast 
had  also  four  heads ;  and  dominion  was  given  to  it.  After 
this  I  saw  in  the  night  visions,  and  behold  a  fourth  beast, 
dreadful  and  terrible,  and  strong  exceedingly ;  and  it  had  great 
iron  teeth  :  it  devoured  and  brake  in  pieces,  and  stamped  the 
residue  with  the  feet  of  it :  and  it  was  diverse  from  all  the 
beasts  that  were  before  it ;  and  it  had  ten  horns.  I  considered 
the  horns,  and,  behold,  there  came  up  among  them  another 
little  horn,  before  whom  there  were  three  of  the  first  horns 
plucked  up  by  the  roots  :  and,  behold,  in  this  horn  were  eyes 
like  the  eyes  of  man,  and  a  mouth  speaking  great  things." 

Daniel's  vision  has  been  expounded  as  concerning  the 
successive  empires  of  Babylon,  Persia,  Greece ;  personified 
respectively  as  lion,  bear,  leopard.  The  fourth  yet  more 
mysteriously  appalling  beast  stands  over  to  what  was  then  and 
may  still  be  the  future.  St.  John's  vision  may  haply  already 
concern  ourselves,  or  at  any  rate  will  concern  others  like  us. 
Its  lesson  is  for  all  and  is  for  me. 

Whatever  this  Apocalyptic  beast  may  prove  in  fulness  of 
time,  it  exhibits  some  likeness  to  that  world,  flesh,  devil,  which 
are  my  daily  antagonists ;  of  which  I  must  daily,  hourly, 
momentarily  beware. 

The  world  is  like  a  leopard.  Beautiful  but  spotted ;  soft, 
graceful,  sportive,  yet  a  devourer,  a  destroyer.  "  A  leopard 
shall  watch  over  their  cities."  Nor  can  the  leopard  change 


332  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

his  spots.  "  Love  not  the  world,  neither  the  things  that  are 
in  the  world.  If  any  man  love  the  world,  the  love  of  the 
Father  is  not  in  him.  For  all  that  is  in  the  world,  the  lust  of 
the  flesh,  and  the  lust  of  the  eyes,  and  the  pride  of  life,  is  not 
of  the  Father,  but  is  of  the  world.  And  the  world  passeth 
away,  and  the  lust  thereof:  but  he  that  doeth  the  Will  of  God 
abideth  for  ever." 

The  flesh  is  like  a  bear.  Its  hug  is  deadly.  "  How  long 
wilt  thou  sleep,  O  sluggard  ?  when  wilt  thou  arise  out  of  thy 
sleep?  Yet  a  little  sleep,  a  little  slumber,  a  little  folding  of 
the  hands  to  sleep  :  so  shall  thy  poverty  come  as  one  that 
travelleth,  and  thy  want  as  an  armed  man."  The  bear  treads 
with  his  whole  foot  upon  the  earth,  and  his  gross  aspect  is 
prominently  of  the  earth  earthy. 

The  devil  is  like  a  lion  :  as  a  roaring  lion  he  walketh  about 
seeking  whom  he  may  devour.  He  is  as  a  lion's  whelp  lurking 
in  secret  places.  "  Rescue  my  soul  from  their  destructions, 
my  darling  from  the  lions." 

World,  flesh,  devil,  comprise  all  sources  and  varieties  of  my 
temptations.  Repelling  these  three  wherever  found,  I  shall 
not  fail  to  repel  them  even  if  in  my  own  mortal  day  they  ap 
pear  concentrated  into  one  ghastly  head,  one  obscene  monster. 

On  the  other  hand  :  if  I  succumb  to  them  separately,  how 
shall  I  cope  with  them  should  they  rise  up  against  me  as  one? 

But  that  word  the  world  is  frequently  used  to  denote  a  great 
portion  of  the  human  race.  How  little  must  I  love  the  world  ? 
How  much  may  I  love  it? — Love  it  to  the  fulness  of  thy  heart's 
desire,  so  thou  love  it  with  self-sacrifice ;  for  thus  to  love  it  is 
after  the  Mind  of  God,  the  Pattern  of  Christ :  "  God  so  loved 
the  world,  that  He  gave  His  Only  Begotten  Son,  that  whoso 
ever  believeth  in  Him  should  not  perish,  but  have  everlasting 
life.  For  God  sent  not  His  Son  into  the  world  to  condemn 
the  world;  but  that  the  world  through  Him  might  be  saved." 

Love  is  alone  the  worthy  law  of  love  : 

All  other  laws  have  pre-supposed  a  taint  : 
Love  is  the  law  from  kindled  saint  to  saint, 

From  lamb  to  lamb,  from  tender  dove  to  dove. 

Love  is  the  motive  of  all  tilings  that  move 
Harmonious  by  free  will  without  constraint  : 
Love  learns  and  teaches  :  love  shall  man  acquaint 

With  all  he  lacks,  which  all  his  lack  is  love. 

Because  Love  is  the  fountain,  I  discern 

The  stream  as  love  :  for  what  but  love  should  flow 
From  fountain  Love  ?  not  bitter  from  the  sweet ! 
I  ignorant,  have  I  laid  claim  to  know  ? 

Oh  teach  me,  Love,  such  knowledge  as  is  meet 

For  one  to  know  who  is  fain  to  love  and  learn. 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  333 

This  world  is  not  my  orchard  for  fruit  or  my  garden  for 
flowers.  It  is  however  my  only  field  whence  to  raise  a  harvest. 

What  is  the  world  ?  Wherein  resides  its  harmfulness,  snare, 
pollution  ?  Left  to  itself  it  is  neither  harmful,  ensnaring,  nor 
polluting.  It  becomes  all  this  as  the  passive  agent,  passive 
vehicle  if  I  may  so  call  it,  of  the  devil,  man's  outside  tempter, 
and  of  the  flesh,  man's  inside  tempter.  There  is  no  inherent 
evil  in  cedar  and  vermilion,  horses  and  chariots,  purple  and 
fine  linen ;  nay,  nor  in  sumptuous  fare,  in  down,  silk,  apes, 
ivory,  or  peacocks.  St.  Peter  himself  objects  not  to  hair,  gold, 
apparel,  but  to  women's  misuse  of  them.  An  alabaster  box  of 
precious  ointment  becomes  good  or  bad  simply  according  to 
the  use  it  is  put  to.  Through  envy  of  the  devil  death  came 
into  the  world,  and  man  hath  sought  out  many  inventions  ; 
but  the  heavens  and  the  earth,  and  all  the  host  of  them  when 
made  and  finished  were  beheld  to  be  "  very  good." 

Lord  Jesus,  everywhere  and  always  inspire  us  to  refuse  the 
evil  and  to  choose  the  good ;  and  I  beseech  Thee,  give  us 
grace  never  to  judge  our  neighbour  rashly,  whilst  one  by  one 
we  ourselves  endeavour  to  learn  and  perform  Thy  Will. 

Christ  exchanged  heaven  for  earth  to  enable  man  to  exchange 
earth  for  heaven.  Hast  Thou  done  that  for  me,  and  will  I  not 
do  this  for  Thee  ? 

"  The  dragon  gave  him  his  power,  and  his  seat,  and  great 
authority  " — constituting  him,  so  to  say,  diabolical  viceroy. 
The  flesh  is  even  now  such  a  viceroy,  having  the  woild  for  a 
throne,  while  the  devil  keeps  out  of  sight  ruling  by  deputy. — 
Or  the  world  is  a  stage,  the  flesh  an  actor,  the  devil  prompter 
and  scene-shifter. 

3.  And  I  saw  one  of  his  heads  as  it  were  wounded  to  death; 
and  his  deadly  wound  was  healed :  and  all  the  world 
wondered  after  the  beast. 

Again  we  are  reminded  that  any  and  not  only  the  final  Anti 
christ  may  appear  as  a  pseudo-Christ.  This  death-wound  so 
healed  that  a  sort  of  life  survives,  seems  a  hideous  mockery  of 
the  All-Holy  Death  and  Resurrection.  "  Surely  in  vain  the 
net  is  spread  in  the  sight  of  any  bird." 

"All  the  world  wondered  after  the  beast." — What  go  they 
out  for  to  see?  If  a  reed,  a  broken  reed,  "the  staff  of  this 
bruised  reed  ...  on  which  if  a  man  lean,  it  will  go  into  his 
hand,  and  pierce  it."  If  a  man  clothed  in  soft  raiment,  a 
courtier  of  the  prince  of  this  world  ;  like  prince,  like  courtier. 
If  a  prophet,  less  than  a  prophet,  a  lying  prophet. 


334         THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP. 

"  A  wonderful  and  horrible  thing  is  committed  in  the  land  ; 
the  prophets  prophesy  falsely,  and  the  priests  bear  rule  by 
their  means ;  and  My  people  love  to  have  it  so  :  and  what  will 
ye  do  in  the  end  thereof?  " 

It  is  a  time-long  and  world-wide  curiosity,  time-long  at  least  so 
far  as  we  know  the  tendencies  of  fallen  human  nature,  this 
which  wonders  after  the  monstrous  and  the  inexplicable. 

I  must  beware  lest  my  own  curiosity  be  morbid,  perverse, 
unbridled.  To-day  the  monstrous  may  be  simply  abnormal, 
to-morrow  it  may  be  "  the  mystery  of  iniquity."  To-day  the 
inexplicable  may  be  a  secret  of  nature,  to-morrow  a  secret  of 
hell.  O  my  soul,  come  not  thou  into  such  a  secret !  "  All 
darkness  shall  be  hid  in  his  secret  places  :  a  fire  not  blown 
shall  consume  him  ;  it  shall  go  ill  with  him  that  is  left  in  his 
tabernacle.  The  heaven  shall  reveal  his  iniquity ;  and  the 
earth  shall  rise  up  against  him." 

Likewise  I  must  beware  lest  my  study  of  holy  subjects 
degenerate  into  curious  investigation  instead  of  pious  exercise. 
Lest  I  wonder  after  my  risen  Saviour  instead  of  adoring  Him. 
Which  God  for  His  gracious  sake  forbid  ! 

4.  And  they  worshipped  the  dragon  which  gave  power 
unto  the  beast :  and  they  worshipped  the  beast,  saying, 
Who  is  like  unto  the  beast  ?  who  is  able  to  make  war 
with  him? 

Once  more  a  point  of  distorted,  degraded  resemblance. 
"Who  is  like  unto  the  beast?"  as  it  were  the  "Michael"  of 
besotted  blasphemy. 

"  And  they  worshipped.  .  .  ." — This  impious  worship  seems 
to  be  worship  without  any  reference  to  goodness.  World  and 
devil  worship  paid  by  flesh  :  curiosity  and  comparative  weak 
ness  worshipping  unexplained  power.  "  Who  is  able  to  make 
war  with  him?"  In  a  like  spirit  spoke  Goliath  when  "he 
stood  and  cried  unto  the  armies  of  Israel,  and  said  unto  them, 
Why  are  ye  come  out  to  set  your  battle  in  array?  am  not  I  a 
Philistine,  and  ye  servants  to  Saul  ?  choose  you  a  man  for  you, 
and  let  him  come  down  to  me.  If  he  be  able  to  fight  with  me, 
and  to  kill  me,  then  will  we  be  your  servants  :  but  if  I  prevail 
against  him,  and  kill  him,  then  shall  ye  be  our  servants,  and 
serve  us.  And  the  Philistine  said,  I  defy  the  armies  of  Israel 
this  day ;  give  me  a  man,  that  we  may  fight  together." 

"Who  is  able  .  .  .  ?"  "Yea,  if  God  will,  things  which 
are  not  are  able  to  bring  to  nought  things  which  are.  Loving 
fear  befits  the  creature  "toward  the  Creator :  craven  fear  befits 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  335 

not  the  creature  toward  the  creature.  Ponder  Isaiah's  Divine 
message  :  "  I,  even  I,  am  He  that  comforteth  you  :  who  art 
thou,  that  thou  shouldest  be  afraid  of  a  man  that  shall  die,  and 
of  the  son  of  man  which  shall  be  made  as  grass  ;  and  forgettest 
the  Lord  thy  Maker,  that  hath  stretched  forth  the  heavens, 
and  laid  the  foundations  of  the  earth;  and  hast  feared  con 
tinually  every  day  because  of  the  fury  of  the  oppressor,  as  if 
he  were  ready  to  destroy?  and  where  is  the  fury  of  the 
oppressor?"  Ponder  Daniel's  prophecy  interpreted  touching 
Antiochus  Epiphanes,  that  Antichrist  of  the  elder  dispensation  : 
"And  in  the  latter  time  of  their  kingdom,  when  the  trans 
gressors  are  come  to  the  full,  a  king  of  fierce  countenance,  and 
understanding  dark  sentences,  shall  stand  up.  And  his  power 
shall  be  mighty,  but  not  by  his  own  power  :  and  he  shall 
destroy  wonderfully,  and  shall  prosper,  and  practise,  and  shall 
destroy  the  mighty  and  the  holy  people.  And  through  his 
policy  also  he  shall  cause  craft  to  prosper  in  his  hand  ;  and 
he  shall  magnify  himself  in  his  heart,  and  by  peace  shall  destroy 
many :  he  shall  also  stand  up  against  the  Prince  of  princes ; 
but  he  shall  be  broken  without  hand." 

5.  And  there  was  given  unto  him  a  mouth  speaking  great 
things  and  blasphemies;  and  power  was  given  unto 
him  to  continue  forty  and  two  months. 

Turning  for  a  moment  from  the  ultra-human  element  in 
these  appalling  revelations,  I  consider  the  parallel  case  of  a 
human  "excessive  sinner"  :  his  primary  gifts,  like  all  gifts,  are 
from  God.  His  mouth  might  speak  truly  great  things,  even 
the  Divine  praises.  With  his  power  he  might  like  Jacob 
prevail  to  work  wonders  by  prayer.  His  prefixed  period  he 
might  so  use  as  to  extend  it  into  the  long  life  for  ever  and 
ever.  To  deny  this  would  be  to  deny  his  free  will,  and  so  his 
accountability.  To  admit  it  shows  me  that  every  degree  of 
sin  is  a  step  in  that  direction  where  this  one  of  whom  we  now 
are  reading  occupies  an  advanced  station. 

"  Hazael  said,  But  what,  is  thy  servant  a  dog,  that  he  should 
do  this  great  thing?"  Nevertheless  "on  the  morrow"  he 
took  the  first  step. 

O  Lord  Jesus,  Who  knowest  the  number  of  our  sins  that 
they  are  more  in  number  than  the  hairs  of  our  head,  give  us 
grace  henceforward  to  walk  circumspectly,  not  as  fools,  but  as 
wise,  redeeming  the  time  because  the  days  are  evil. 

"Forty  and  two  months." — The  former  period,  the  same 
suggestion.  If  the  periods  be  successive,  how  long-drawn  is 


336         THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP. 

the  agony:  if  simultaneous,  how  do  the  "fat  bulls  of  Basan  " 
close  in  on  every  side  ! 

6.  And  he  opened  his  mouth  in  blasphemy  against  God,  to 
blaspheme  His  Name,  and  His  tabernacle,  and  them 
that  dwell  in  heaven. 

St.  Paul  writes  :  "  That  man  of  sin  ...  the  son  of  per 
dition  ;  who  opposeth  and  exalteth  himself  above  all  that  is 
called  God,  or  that  is  worshipped ;  so  that  he  as  God  sitteth 
in  the  temple  of  God,  shewing  himself  that  he  is  God." 

If  a  deep-seated  difference  may  be  traced  between  these 
closely-parallel  passages,  St.  John  perhaps  speaks  of  an  intel 
lectual,  spiritual  antagonism,  St.  Paul  of  a  self-worshipping 
atheism. 

He  who  blasphemes  God  does  to  his  own  destruction  recog 
nize  Him.  He  who  assumes  the  position  of  God  supersedes 
Him, — were  that  possible. 

God  Almighty  has  deigned  to  reveal  Himself  to  man's 
adoration  as  Three  in  One.  So  the  blasphemy  may  be 
regarded  as  both  one  and  threefold;  against  God  in  His  own 
Person  and  Nature ;  against  Him  in  that  sacred  Name  which 
Christ  the  Head  shares  with  His  members  ;  against  Him  in 
that  tabernacle  which  is  the  Church  indwelt  by  the  Holy  Spirit ; 
against  Him  in  that  Communion  of  Saints  whereby  already 
elect  souls,  whether  in  the  body  or  out  of  the  body,  sit  with 
Christ  in  heavenly  places,  and  have  their  conversation  in 
heaven. 

Devils  are  not  atheists :  we  are  emphatically  certified  that 
they  believe  and  tremble.  During  our  Lord's  earthly  ministry, 
devils  even  proclaimed  Him  in  the  audience  of  men. 

Atheism  appears  to  be  a  possibility  confined  to  a  lower 
nature.  A  body  seems  to  be  that  which  is  capable  of  blocking 
up  spirit  into  unmitigated  materialism.  "  No  man  hath  seen 
God  at  any  time  "  :  that  flesh  and  blood  which  cannot  inherit 
the  kingdom  of  God  may,  if  it  will,  deny  His  existence. 

Satan,  a  master  of  his  weapons,  brings  out  of  his  counterfeit 
treasure  things  new  and  old  :  his  own  blasphemy,  along  with 
worldly  deceits  and  carnal  obstructions. 

Alas  !  for  many  wise  after  the  flesh,  many  mighty,  many  noble  ; 
for  many  an  one  who  is  confident  of  being  a  guide  of  the  blind, 
an  instructor  of  the  foolish,  a  teacher  of  babes  !  "  He  feedeth 
on  ashes :  a  deceived  heart  hath  turned  him  aside,  that  he 
cannot  deliver  his  soul,  nor  say,  Is  there  not  a  lie  in  my  right 
hand?" 


THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP.  337 

From  knowledge  that  is  foolishness,  Good  Lord  deliver  us. 

From  ignorance  that  is  blindness,  Good  Lord  deliver  us. 

Words  are  chaff:  obedience  is  grain.  I  must  beware  of 
"  polished  corners  "  which  form  no  part  of  the  sole  Temple  ;  of 
fair-seeming  superstructures  which  are  not  founded  upon  the 
one  only  Rock  ;  of  spiritualism  which  is  not  spirituality ;  of 
philanthropy  divorced  from  dogma ;  of  socialism  in  lieu  of 
Christian  brotherhood  ;  of  indifferentism  to  truth  simulating 
charity  ;  of  charity  degraded  into  an  investment.  I  will  mistrust 
any  newfangled  name  for  an  old-established  Biblical  virtue  :  if 
such  modern  designations  mean  old  familiar  virtues,  I  love 
these  best  under  their  old  familiar  hallowed  names  ;  if  the  new 
word  means  less  or  more,  well  may  I  say,  "  The  old  is  better." 

7.  And  it  was  given  unto  him  to  make  war  with  the  saints, 
and  to  overcome  them :  and  power  was  given  him 
over  all  kindreds,  and  tongues,  and  nations. 

War  is  no  one-sided  matter.  Because  the  beast  makes  war, 
therefore  the  saints  on  their  side  are  waging  corresponding 
war.  The  whole  world  is  at  war,  the  whole  Church  at  war; 
the  battle  is  set  in  array  army  against  army. 

The  foregone  foretold  conclusion — "  It  was  given  unto  him 
...  to  overcome  them," — makes  no  difference  as  to  the  duty 
involved;  indeed,  it  enforces  the  duty.  If  the  saints  strove 
rot  they  could  not  be  overcome;  and  the  Divine  decree,  in 
scrutable  and  ever  venerable,  purports  that  they  shall  be  over 
come.  And  inasmuch  as  they  suffer  for  righteousness'  sake, 
happy  are  they :  whilst  they  die,  yet  by  that  very  sentence  of 
death,  as  by  every  other  word  proceeding  out  of  the  mouth  of 
•God,  they  live.  They  have  resisted  unto  blood  striving  against 
sin,  and  dear  shall  their  blood  be  in  His  sight. 

Slain  in  their  high  places  : — fallen  on  rest 
"Where  the  eternal  peace  lights  up  their  faces, 

In  God's  sacred  acre  breast  to  breast : — 
Slain  in  their  high  places. 

From  all  tribes,  all  families,  all  races, 
Gathered  home  together  ;  east  or  west 
Sending  home  its  tale  of  gifts  and  graces. 

Twine,  oh  twine,  heaven's  amaranth  for  their  crest, 
Raise  their  praise  while  home  their  triumph  paces  ; 

Kings  by  their  own  King  of  kings  confessed, 
Slain  in  their  high  places. 

By  a  heavenly  paradox  those  whom  the  beast  overcomes 
are  those  over  whom  he  has  no  power.  They  over  whom  he 

Y 


333  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

has  power  are  such  as  make  an  agreement  with  him  by  a 
present,  and  come  out  to  him  ;  and  truly  it  shall  be  until  one 
come  and  take  them  away,  but  not  to  any  desirable  land,  "even 
to  the  land  of  darkness  and  the  shadow  of  death ;  a  land  c  f 
darkness,  as  darkness  itself;  and  of  the  shadow  of  death,  with 
out  any  order,  and  where  the  light  is  as  darkness."  For: 
"Though  hand  join  in  hand,  the  wicked  shall  not  be  un 
punished." 

In  tempest  and  storm  blackness  of  darkness  for  ever, 

A  fire  unextinguishecl,  a  worm's  indestructible  swarm  ; 
Where  no  hope  shall  ever  be  more,  and  love  shall  be  never, 

In  tempest  and  storm  ; 

Where  the  form  of  all  things  is  fnshionless,  void  of  all  form  j 
Where  from  death  that  severeth  all,  the  soul  cannot  sever 

In  tempest  and  storm. 

8.  And  all  that  dwell  upon  the  earth  shall  worship  Mm, 
whose  names  are  not  written  in  the  Book  of  Life  of 
the  Lamb,  slain  from  the  foundation  of  the  world. 

In  the  Book  of  Life  :  or  not  in  the  Book  of  Life.  Once 
more,  no  neutral  book,  no  neutral  ground  :  no  names  "  written 
in  water,"  as  one  death-stricken  man  predicted  of  himself, 
presumably  with  reference  to  earthly  fame. 

"  Verily  I  say  unto  you,  This  generation  shall  not  pass  away, 
till  all  be  fulfilled.  Heaven  and  earth  shall  pass  away :  but 
My  words  shall  not  pass  away."  Such  are  our  Lord's  own 
words  when  He  prophesied  concerning  His  Second  Advent, 
and  the  end  of  the  world. 

Centuries  earlier  King  David  uses  the  word  generation  in  a 
broadly  comprehensive  sense  where  he  says  :  "  God  is  in  the 
generation  of  the  righteous  " — "  This  is  the  generation  of  them 
that  seek  Him." 

If  we  may  reverently  understand  our  Lord  also  as  speaking 
•not  exclusively  of  any  one  generation,  but  of  the  entire  human 
race  under  its  temporal  conditions, — even  as  the  wise  Preacher 
in  man's  very  transitoriness  seems  to  feel  a  sort  of  continuity : 
"  One  generation  passeth  away,  and  another  generation  cometh  : 
but  the  earth  abideth  for  ever" — then  perhaps  we  may  equally 
read  verses  of  another  Psalm,  with  an  additional  and  widened 
signification:  "Let  Satan  stand  at  his  right  hand.  .  .  .  Let  his 
posterity  be  cut  off;  and  in  the  generation  following  let  their 
name  be  blotted  out." 

Thus  understood,  "this  generation"  would  indicate  man 
throughout  time ;  "  the  generation  following  "  man  throughout 
eternity.  (Let  us  note  that  the  prayer  or  decree  imports  the 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  339 

extinction,  not  the  condemnation,  of  the  posterity.)  The  names 
recorded  in  the  Lamb's  Book  of  Life  are  those  of  the  Famous 
Men  who  shall  have  praise  of  God ;  the  names  not  there 
recorded  are  blotted  out  into  blackness  of  darkness. 

"  That  which  hath  been  is  named  already,  and  it  is  known 
that  it  is  man  :  neither  may  he  contend  with  Him  that  is 
mightier  than  he." 

It  is  the  Book  of  Life  of  the  Lamb,  slain  from  the  foundation 
of  the  world,  of  the  Lamb  slain  for  us,  in  which  our  names, 
yours,  mine,  will  or  will  not  be  found  written.  If  we  love 
ourselves  so  little  as  to  be  ready  to  slight  our  chance,  do  we 
love  Him  Who  loved  us  unto  death  so  little  as  to  be  ready  to 
slight  Him  ? 

Slain  for  man,  slain  for  me,  O  Lamb  of  God,  look  down  ; 

Loving  to  the  end,  look  down,  behold  and  see  : 
Turn  Thine  Eyes  of  pity,  turn,  not  on  us  Thy  frown, 

O  Lamb  of  God,  slain  for  man,  slain  for  me. 

Mark  the  wrestling,  mark  the  race  for  indeed  a  crown  ; 

Mark  our  chariots  how  we  drive  them  heavily ; 
Mark  the  foe  upon  our  track  blasting,  thundering  clown, 

O  Lamb  of  God,  slain  for  man,  sfain  for  me. 

Set  as  a  Cloudy  Pillar  against  them  Thy  frown, 
Thy  Face  of  Light  toward  us  gracious  utterly  ; 

Help  granting,  hope  granting,  until  Thou  grant  a  crown, 
O  Lamb  of  God,  slain  for  man,  slain  for  me. 

9.  If  any  man  have  an  ear,  let  him  hear. 

Have  interest,  attention,  flagged  ?  "  Awake,  thou  that 
sleepest."  If  we  be  not  less  than  men,  let  us  hear. 

O  Lord  God,  Who  knowest  that  every  warning,  opportunity, 
gift,  grace,  magnified!  Thy  Goodness  and  augmenteth  our 
responsibility ;  suffer  us  not  to  impoverish  ourselves  by  the 
overflow  of  Thy  bounty.  Nothing  have  we  except  of  Thy 
bestowal.  Along  with  Thy  call  supply  our  response,  with  Thy 
talent  our  increase,  with  Thy  Love  our  love.  So  shall  it  be 
well  with  us  all  the  days  of  our  life  in  the  Presence  of  Jesus 
Christ  our  Intercessor.  Amen. 

10.  He  that  leadeth  into  captivity  shall  go  into  captivity : 
he  that  killeth.  with  the  sword  must  be  killed  with  the 
sword.    Here  is  the  patience  and  the  faith  of  the  saints. 

The  Revised  Version  in  its  margin  defines  the  Greek  text  of 
this  verse  as  "somewhat  uncertain."  The  first  clause  in  that 
Version  runs :  "  If  any  man  is  for  captivity,  into  captivity  he 
goeth" — but  as  an  alternative  marginal  rendering  restores  it 


340  THE  FACE   OF   THE  PEEP. 

to  (apparently)  nearly  the  same  sense  as  that  adopted  by  the 
Authorized  Version,  I  betake  myself  simply  to  the  latter,  leaving 
all  complications  to  competent  students. 

Behold  the  Triumph  of  Evil  sweeping  by !  Wickedness 
laurelled  and  in  purple,  righteousness  despoiled  and  in  fetters. 

Nevertheless,  "The  Lord  hath  made  all  things  for  Himself: 
yea,  even  the  wicked  for  the  day  of  evil." 

That  triumph  is  itself  the  omen  of  ruin.  For  who  is  he 
that  shall  go  into  captivity?  he  that  leadeth  into  captivity. 
Who  is  he  that  must  be  killed  with  the  sword  ?  he  that  killeth 
with  the  sword. 

Not,  alas  !  that  all  Satan's  captives  have  promise  of  freedom  : 
the  captive  whose  will  consents  to  bondage  is  so  far  a  lawful 
captive,  and  incapable  of  enfranchisement.  St.  Paul  reads  an 
awful  lesson  to  both  men  and  women  whose  lot  is  cast  in  the 
perilous  times  of  the  last  days  :  "  For  men  shall  be  lovers  of 
their  own  selves,  covetous,  boasters,  proud,  blasphemous,  dis 
obedient  to  parents,  unthankful,  unholy,  without  natural  affec 
tion,  truce-breakers,  false  accusers,  incontinent,  fierce,  despisers 
of  those  that  are  good,  traitors,  heady,  high-minded,  lovers  of 
pleasure  more  than  lovers  of  God ;  having  a  form  of  godliness, 
but  denying  the  power  thereof.  .  .  .  For  of  this  sort  are  they 
which  creep  into  houses,  and  lead  captive  silly  women  laden 
with  sins,  led  away  with  divers  lusts,  ever  learning,  and  never 
able  to  come  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth.  .  .  .  These  also 
resist  the  truth :  men  of  corrupt  minds,  reprobate  concerning 
the  faith.  But  they  shall  proceed  no  further :  for  their  folly 
shall  be  manifest  unto  all  men." 

"He  that  killeth  with  the  sword  must  be  killed  with  the 
sword."  Whether  we  restrict  our  thoughts  to  the  proposition 
that  sword-takers  shall  perish  by  stroke  of  sword,  or  reflect 
further  that  they  who  have  recourse  to  the  sword  shall  perish 
.along  with  the  weapon  of  their  vain  reliance,  our  Lord's  own 
precious  words  to  St.  Peter  emphasize,  if  they  do  not  forestall, 
this  revelation  :  "Put  up  again  thy  sword  into  his  place:  for 
all  they  that  take  the  sword  shall  perish  with  the  sword." 

Christ  at  His  Ascension  led  captivity  captive.  Thence 
forward  voluntary  captivity  was  constituted  rebellion,  so  that 
not  even  towards  God  is  the  Christian  spirit  to  be  a  spirit  of 
bondage. 

Man  must  indeed  be  enamoured  of  rebellion !  Proclaim 
the  law  of  liberty,  and  he  hugs  his  chains  :  proclaim  the  blessed 
ness  of  freewill  obedience,  and  he  breaks  this  band  asunder. 

Chains  for  freemen  : — "  My  son,  hear  the  instruction  of  thy 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  341 

father,  and  forsake  not  the  law  of  thy  mother  :  for  they  shall 
be  an  ornament  of  grace  unto  thy  head,  and  chains  about  thy 
neck — •"  St.  Paul  said,  "For  the  hope  of  Israel  I  am  bound 
with  this  chain — ;"  "The  love  of  Christ  constraineth  us." 

O  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  Who  in  our  stead  wast  bound  on  the 
night  of  Thy  most  holy  Passion  ;  be  love  of  Thee  our  yoke, 
wisdom  from  Thee  our  rule,  hope  in  Thee  the  limit  of  our 
desire. 

"Here  is  the  patience  and  the  faith  of  the  saints." — O 
Gracious  God,  Whose  longsuffering  beareth  with  the  unthank 
ful  and  the  evil,  make  us  like-minded  with  Thee  :  so  shall  we 
wax  intolerant  of  no  sins  except  our  own.  Far  be  it  from  us 
suddenly  to  curse  our  brother's  habitation  :  in  our  prayers  and 
blessings  let  all  our  brethren  have  a  share.  So  may  we  inter 
cede  one  for  another,  and  do  good  one  to  another ;  and  edify 
ing  one  another  upbuild  ourselves  in  faith  and  patience.  For 
the  sake  of  Jesus  Christ  our  Intercessor  with  Thee.  Amen. 

"Thorns  also  and  thistles  shall  it  bring  forth  to  thee."  Let 
the  "  it "  in  question  be  my  allotment,  my  field,  my  garden  : 
"  I  said,  I  will  water  my  best  garden,  and  will  water  abundantly 
my  garden  bed."  Thorns  should  stir  up  my  faith  to  look  on 
Him  Whom  all  men  pierced,  Whom  I  pierced,  wearing  the 
Crown  of  Thorns  and  the  Purple  Robe.  Thistles  should 
exercise  me  in  patience ;  it  will  tax  patience  to  weed  out  what 
can  be  extirpated,  it  will  strain  patience  to  put  up  with  the 
remainder.  And  lo  !  the  lot  is  fallen  unto  me  in  a  fair  ground  : 
faith  is  cheaply  bought  by  many  a  thorn-wound,  and  patience 
by  many  a  thistle-prick. 

Grant  us,  O  Lord,  that  patience  and  that  faith  : 

Faith's  patience  imperturbable  in  Thee, 

Hope's  patience  till  the  long-drawn  shadows  flee, 
Love's  patience  unresentful  of  all  scathe. 
Verily  we  need  patience  breath  by  breath  ; 

Patience  while  faith  holds  up  her  glass  to  see, 

While  hope  toils  yoked  in  fear's  copartnery, 
And  love  goes  softly  on  the  way  to  death. 
How  gracious  and  how  perfecting  a  grace 

Must  patience  be  on  which  those  others  wait  : 
Faith  with  suspended  rapture  in  her  face, 

Hope  pale  and  careful  hand  in  hand  with  fear, 
Love — ah,  good  love,  who  would  not  antedate 

God's  Will,  but  saith,  Good  is  it  to  be  here. 

11.  And  I  beheld  another  beast  coming  up  out  of  the  earth ; 
and  he  had  two  horns  like  a  lamb,  and  he  spake  as  a 
dragon. 


342  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

Once  more  a  suggestion  that  Antichrist  may  wear  the  mask 
of  a  pseudo-Christ :  "  he  had  two  horns  like  a  lamb." 

Our  Lord  Himself,  in  His  Sermon  on  the  Mount,  forewarned 
-His  hearers  of  such  a  Satanic  device :  "  Beware  of  false 
prophets,  which  come  to  you  in  sheep's  clothing,  but  inwardly 
they  are  ravening  wolves.  Ye  shall  know  them  by  their  fruits. 
Do  men  gather  grapes  of  thorns,  or  figs  of  thistles  ?  Even  so 
every  good  tree  bringeth  forth  good  fruit,  but  a  corrupt  tree 
bringeth  forth  evil  fruit.  A  good  tree  cannot  bring  forth  evil 
fruit,  neither  can  a  corrupt  tree  bring  forth  good  fruit.  Every 
tree  that  bringeth  riot  forth  good  fruit  is  hewn  down,  and  cast 
into  the  fire.  Wherefore  by  their  fruits  ye  shall  know  them." 

Having  this  clue  we  are  inexcusable  if  we  use  it  not.  Even 
at  once  we  need  it ;  for  this  is  already  a  day  of  "  false  prophets," 
of  evil  veneered  with  good,  of  hollow  heights.  If  by  help  of 
grace  we  make  due  use  of  our  clue  to-day,  to-morrow  it  will 
not  fail  us,  though  the  danger  be  intensified,  the  crisis  final. 

'Alleged  ignorance  is  not  admitted  as  a  justifying  plea  if  thou 
save  not  another's  life ;  how  should  it  justify  thee  if  thou  save 
not  thine  own  soul  ?  "  If  thou  forbear  to  deliver  them  that 
are  drawn  unto  death,  and  those  that  are  ready  to  be  slain ;  if 
thou  sayest,  Behold,  we  knew  it  not ;  doth  not  He  that 
pondereth  the  heart  consider  it?  and  He  that  keepeth  thy 
soul,  doth  not  He  know  it  ?  and  shall  not  He  render  to  every 
man  according  to  his  works  ?  " 

But  my  reader  (if  I  have  one)  may  object :  By  treating 
figure  after  figure  as  Antichrist,  you  practically  deny  the  one 
revealed  final  individual  personal  Antichrist. 

I  earnestly  trust  I  have  not  done  so;  if  any  sentence  of 
mine  implies  such  error,  I  retract  and  repudiate  that  sentence. 
The  whole  subject  is  beyond  me  ;  the  prophecies  leave  me  in 
anxious  ignorance.  But  St.  John  himself  has  declared  that 
already  in  his  own  day  many  Antichrists  were  in  the  world ; 
if  it  was  so  then,  presumably  it  has  gone  on  so  ever  since,  and 
will  so  continue  to  the  end.  All  serpents  are  serpents,  however 
there  may  be  one  great  sea-serpent  most  of  all  to  be  feared 
and  fled.  (This  is  merely  for  illustration ;  not  alleged  as  a  fact 
of  natural  history.) 

The  dragon  fell  from  heaven,  the  first  beast  emerged  from 
the  sea.  This  second  beast,  as  "  coming  up  out  of  the  earth," 
feems  more  akin  to  humankind;  perhaps  we  are  thus  certified 
that  here  at  last  comes  the  literal  "man  of  sin."  Something 
he  exhibits  of  lamb,  something  of  dragon  :  but  the  lamb  is  on 
his  outside,  the  dragon  is  deep-seated  within. 


THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP.  343 

If  these  two  beasts  are  to  emerge  from  sea  and  earth — and 
to  come  out  thence  in  any  sense,  they  must  needs  first  be 
there  :  perhaps  already  they  lurk  there  potentially  and  in  em 
bryo—let  me  not  cling  too  fondly  to  the  earth  and  sea  I  love. 
"  Arise  ye,  and  depart ;  for  this  is  not  your  rest :  because  it  is 
polluted.  ..." 

Earth  is  a  race-course,  not  a  goal.  Instead  of  mansions  she 
pitches  tents.  Her  nearest  approach  to  a  permanent  abode  is 
the  grave.  "And  My  people  shall  dwell  in  a  peaceable  habit 
ation,  and  in  sure  dwellings,  and  in  quiet  resting  places;  when 
it  shall  hail,  coming  down  on  the  forest ;  and  the  city  shall  be 
low  in  a  low  place." 

Hail,  garden  of  confident  hope  ! 

Where  sweet  seeds  are  quickening  in  darkness  and  cold  : 

For  how  sweet  and  how  young  will  they  be 
When  they  pierce  thro'  the  mould. 
Balm,  woodbine,  and  heliotrope, 

There  watch  and  there  wait  out  of  sight  for  their  Sun  : 

While  the  Sun  which  they  see  not,  doth  see 
Each  and  all  one  by  one. 

12.  And  he  exerciseth  all  the  power  of  the  first  beast  before 

him,  and  causeth  the  earth  and  them  which  dwell 
therein  to  worship  the  first  beast,  whose  deadly  wound 
was  healed. 

"  Before  him  "  is  varied  in  the  Revised  Version  to  "  in  his 
sight "  •  so  that  the  two  monsters  appear  thus  to  be  acting  and 
reacting  in  presence  of  each  other,  and  for  a  while  if  not  to  the 
very  end  to  be  thenceforward  simultaneous. 

One  appears  to  act  as  vicegerent  of  the  other,  being  appar 
ently  the  same  as  "the  false  prophet"  mentioned  afterwards 
(ch.  xvi.  13).  Thus  he  claims  not  worship  for  himself,  but 
for  that  other. 

"Because  sentence  against  an  evil  work  is  not  executed 
speedily,  therefore  the  heart  of  the  sons  of  men  is  fully  set  in 
them  to  do  evil.  Though  a  sinner  do  evil  an  hundred  times, 
and  his  days  be  prolonged,  yet  surely  I  know  that  it  shall  be 
well  with  them  that  fear  God,  which  fear  before  Him  :  but  it 
shall  not  be  well  with  the  wicked,  neither  shall  he  prolong  his 
days,  which  are  as  a  shadow;  because  he  feareth  not  before 
God." 

13.  And  he  doeth  great  wonders,  so  that  he  maketh  fire 

come  down  from  heaven  on  the  earth  in  the  sight 
of  men, 
The  false  prophet,  as  it  were  the  Ellas  of  falsehood. 


344  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

If  reverently  I  may  think  so,  the  witness  of  fire  from  heaven, 
true  and  venerable  under  the  Jewish  dispensation,  seems  to  be 
withdrawn  or  actually  to  be  reversed  as  regards  the  Christian 
Church. 

Of  old  Elias  invoked  and  was  answered  by  fire  from  heaven. 
This  the  convened  prophets  of  Baal  having  clamoured  for  in 
vain,  they  were  cut  off  in  their  impotence.  But  when  St. 
James  and  St.  John,  sons  of  Zebedee,  quoted  and  would  have 
copied  the  example  of  Elias,  our  Lord  "turned,  and  rebuked 
them,  and  said,  Ye  know  not  what  manner  of  spirit  ye  are  of." 

And  now  the  same  St.  John  beholds  fire  brought  from 
heaven  by  a  liar  to  endorse  a  lie. 

Venomous  and  deadly  beyond  all  others  as  may  be  this  last 
false  prophet,  yet  has  he  from  time  to  time  been  foreshadowed 
by  evil  predecessors  more  or  less  like  him.  Former  generations 
of  the  elect  have  had  to  contend  with  such,  and  by  Divine 
grace  have  won  the  victory.  In  proportion  to  man's  peril  is 
God's  succour.  The  law  and  the  history  of  the  elder  Church 
constitute  a  treasury  of  wisdom  amassed  for  the  Church  of  the 
latter  days : — 

"  If  there  arise  among  you  a  prophet,  or  a  dreamer  of  dreams, 
and  giveth  thee  a  sign  or  a  wonder,  and  the  sign  or  the  wonder 
come  to  pass,  whereof  he  spake  unto  thee,  saying,  Let  us  go 
after  other  gods,  which  thou  hast  not  known,  and  let  us  serve 
them ;  thou  shalt  not  hearken  unto  the  words  of  that  prophet,. 
or  that  dreamer  of  dreams  :  for  the  Lord  your  God  proveth 
you ,  to  know  whether  ye  love  the  Lord  your  God  with  all  your 
heart  and  with  all  your  soul.  Ye  shall  walk  after  the  Lord 
your  God,  and  fear  Him,  and  keep  His  commandments,  and 
obey  His  voice,  and  ye  shall  serve  Him,  and  cleave  unto 
Him." 

'•  Mine  heart  within  me  is  broken  because  of  the  prophets. 
.  .  .  For  both  prophet  and  priest  are  profane;  yea,  in  My 
house  have  I  found  their  wickedness,  saith  the  Lord.  Where 
fore  their  way  shall  be  unto  them  as  slippery  ways  in  the  dark 
ness  :  they  shall  be  driven  on,  and  fall  therein  :  for  I  will  bring 
evil  upon  them,  even  the  year  of  their  visitation,  saith  the 
Lord." 

"  Hearken  not  ye  to  your  prophets,  nor  to  your  diviners,  nor 
to  your  dreamers,  nor  to  your  enchanters,  nor  to  your  sorcerers, 
which  speak  unto  you  ...  for  they  prophesy  a  lie  unto  you." 

"  There  is  a  conspiracy  of  her  prophets  in  the  midst  thereof, 
like  a  roaring  lion  ravening  the  prey ;  they  have  devoured 
souls." 


THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP.  345 

"The  days  of  visitation  are  come,  the  days  of  recompense 
are  come ;  Israel  shall  know  it :  the  prophet  is  a  fool,  the 
spiritual  man  is  mad,  for  the  multitude  of  thine  iniquity,  and 
the  great  hatred.  .  .  .  The  prophet  is  a  snare  of  a  fowler  in 
all  his  ways,  and  hatred  in  the  house  of  his  God." 

"  If  a  man  walking  in  the  spirit  and  falsehood  do  lie,  saying, 
I  will  prophesy  unto  thee  of  wine  and  of  strong  drink ;  he  shall 
even  be  the  prophet  of  this  people." 

"  Thus  saith  the  Lord  concerning  the  prophets  that  make 
my  people  err,  that  bite  with  their  teeth,  and  cry,  Peace ;  and 
he  that  putteth  not  into  their  mouths,  they  even  prepare  war 
against  him.  Therefore  night  shall  be  unto  you,  that  ye  shall 
not  have  a  vision ;  and  it  shall  be  dark  unto  you,  that  ye  shall' 
rot  divine ;  and  the  sun  shall  go  down  over  the  prophets,  and 
the  day  shall  be  dark  over  them.  Then  shall  the  seers  be 
ashamed,  and  the  diviners  confounded :  yea,  they  shall  all 
cover  their  lips  ;  for  there  is  no  answer  of  God." 

"  It  shall  come  to  pass  in  that  day,  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts, 
that  I  will  cut  off  the  names  of  the  idols  out  of  the  land,  and 
they  shall  no  more  be  remembered  :  and  also  I  will  cause  the 
prophets  and  the  unclean  spirit  to  pass  out  of  the  land." 

Our  neighbours'  gifts  invite  us  to  hope  :  our  own  to  fear. 
Graces  are  the  safest  gifts  to  rejoice  in  :  yet  even  as  to  graces 
joy  has  a  dangerous  side.  It  might  seem  safe  for  the  humble 
to  rejoice  over  his  humility;  but  then  the  humble  soul,  dis 
cerning  defect  where  others  observe  excellence,  is  of  all  men 
slow  to  exult  over  his  own  gifts. 

It  is  safer  to  rejoice  in  the  Giver  than  in  the  gift. 

To  value  our  neighbours'  gifts  in  such  a  manner  as  to 
sympathize  with  their  misuse,  is  so  far  to  share  in  the  misuse 
though  not  at  all  in  the  gifts.  It  is  to  go  halves  not  even  in  a 
bubble  investment,  but  simply  in  an  impending  bankruptcy. 

14.  And  deceiveth  them  that  dwell  on  the  earth  by  the 
means  of  those  miracles  which  he  had  power  to  do  in 
the  sight  of  the  beast ;  saying  to  them  that  dwell  on 
the  earth,  that  they  should  make  an  image  to  the 
beast,  which  had  the  wound  by  a  sword,  and  did  live. 

The  beast  evinces  no  relish  for  shame ;  his  wound  by  a 
sword  and  in  the  head  appears  in  the  sight  of  men  honourable. 

The  Crucifix  is  the  Image  made  to  our  dearest  Lord.  There 
heaven  and  earth  behold  His  Likeness  Almighty  in  weakness, 
All-glorious  in  shame ;  red  in  His  apparel  but  not  because  of 
woven  garments ;  Very  Life  while  tasting  death  for  every  man. 


346  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

As  said  a  Saint  of  old  :  Shall  I  wear  a  crown  of  roses,  while 
Thou  didst  wear  a  Crown  of  Thorns  ? 

"  'Tis  like  frnil  man  to  love  to  walk  on  high, 
But  to  be  lowly  is  to  be  like  God." 

"And  deceiveth  them.  .  .  ," — Wherein  consists  the  deceit? 
Not,  apparently,  in  the  actuality  of  the  miracles,  but  in  the 
inference  drawn  from  them. 

A  warning  to  sift  both  witness  borne  and  witness  bearer. 
Truth  may  be  wrested  to  endorse  a  lie. 

I  must  mistrust  the  impulse  which  answers,  "Charity  begins 
at  home,"  to  an  appeal ;  "  Prudence  is  the  better  part  of 
valour,"  to  an  alarum  of  conscience ;  "  Least  said,  soonest 
mended,"  when  duty  urges  to  speech;  "A  penny  saved  is  a 
penny  got,"  when  brotherly  kindness  demands  my  "two 
pence  "  and  marks  me  fumbling  for  a  mite,  when  I  might 
cast  in  much.  At  the  very  least  I  must  mistrust  such  impulses. 

History  repeats  itself,  is  a  familiar  adage,  and  true  doubtless 
in  a  measure  :  yet  it  repeats  itself  with  a  difference.  So  in  one 
sense  the  leaves  of  an  oak  are  similar ;  in  another,  no  two  may 
be  alike  :  its  twigs  tally,  yet  the  midsummer-shoot  stands  out 
distinct. 

Isaiah  centuries  ago  exposed  to  his  fellow-countrymen  the 
stupidity  no  less  than  the  guilt  of  their  idolatries  :  "They  that 
make  a  graven  image  are  all  of  them  vanity ;  and  their 
delectable  things  shall  not  profit;  and  they  are  their  own 
witnesses ;  they  see  not,  nor  know ;  that  they  may  be  ashamed. 
Who  hath  formed  a  god,  or  molten  a  graven  image  that  is 
profitable  for  nothing?  Behold,  all  his  fellows  shall  be 
ashamed.  .  .  .  The  smith  with  the  tongs  both  worketh  in 
the  coals,  and  fashioneth  it  with  hammers,  and  worketh  it  with 
the  strength  of  his  arms.  .  .  .  The  carpenter  stretcheth  out 
his  rule ;  he  marketh  it  out  with  a  line  ;  he  fitteth  it  with  planes, 
and  he  marketh  it  out  with  the  compass,  and  maketh  it  after 
the  figure  of  a  man,  according  to  the  beauty  of  a  man ;  that  it 
may  remain  in  the  house.  .  .  .  He  planteth  an  ash,  and  the 
rain  doth  nourish  it.  Then  shall  it  be  for  a  man  to  burn  :  for 
he  will  take  thereof,  and  warm  himself;  yea,  he  kindleth  it, 
and  baketh  bread ;  yea,  he  maketh  a  god,  and  worshippeth  it ; 
he  maketh  it  a  graven  image.  .  .  .  He  falleth  down  unto  it, 
and  worshippeth  it,  and  prayeth  unto  it,  and  saith,  Deliver  me ; 
for  thou  art  my  god.  .  .  .  And  none  considereth  in  his  heart, 
neither  is  there  knowledge  nor  understanding  to  say,  I  have 
burned  part  of  it  in  the  fire;  yea,  also  I  have  baked  bread 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  347 

upon  the  coals  thereof;  I  have  roasted  flesh,  and  eaten  it; 
and  shall  I  make  the  residue  thereof  an  abomination  ?  shall  I 
fall  down  to  the  stock  of  a  tree  ?  He  feedeth  on  ashes  :  a 
deceived  heart  hath  turned  him  aside,  that  he  cannot  deliver 
his  soul,  nor  say,  Is  there  not  a  lie  in  my  right  hand  ?  " 

The  image  thus  described  seems  by  its  unhelpfulness,  inertia, 
senselessness,  lifelessness,  an  embodiment  of  St.  Paul's  phrase : 
"  We  know  that  an  idol  is  nothing  in  the  world." 

15.  And  he  had  power  to  give  life  unto  the  image  of  the 
beast,  that  the  image  of  the  beast  should  both  speak, 
and  cause  that  as  many  as  would  not  worship  the 
image  of  the  beast  should  be  killed. 

This  outcome  of  idolatry  seems  to  go  beyond  all  that  pre 
ceded  it.  This  image  speaks,  originates,  to  all  appearance  wills. 
It  invades  that  prerogative  of  Almighty  God  which  even  an  un- 
sanctified  King  of  Israel  ascribed  to  Him  alone  when  "  he  rent 
his  clothes,  and  said,  Am  I  God,  to  kill  and  to  make  alive?" 

The  Prophet  Habakkuk  having  proclaimed  the  futility  of 
ordinary  idolatry,  goes  on  to  fulminate  "Woe"  against  a 
virulent  form  of  it :  "  What  profiteth  the  graven  image  that  the 
maker  thereof  hath  graven  it ;  the  molten  image,  and  a  teacher 
of  lies,  that  the  maker  of  his  work  trusteth  therein,  to  make 
dumb  idols  ?  Woe  unto  him  that  saith  to  the  wood,  Awake ; 
to  the  dumb  stone,  Arise,  it  shall  teach  !  Behold,  it  is  laid 
over  with  gold  and  silver,  and  there  is  no  breath  at  all  in  the 
midst  of  it." 

Setting  this  prophecy  over  against  St.  John's  vision,  the 
thought  arises  that  in  neither  case  may  there  be  genuine  life 
of  any  sort ;  so  that  not  even  dead-life  can  become  inherent  in 
the  image  of  the  beast :  such  life  perhaps  there  will  be  as  a 
devil-possessed  oracle  might  have  exhibited,  a  life  as  execrable 
as  that  ascribed  by  superstition  to  the  doubly  dead  vampire. 

Is  this  then,  is  this  hideous  spectacle  of  obscene  death  the 
legitimate  end  of  will  worship,  beauty  worship,  intellect  worship, 
humanity  worship,  creature  worship  whatsoever?  The  slow 
sifting  process  carried  on  age  after  age,  revelation  after  revela 
tion,  experience  after  experience,  seems  gradually  to  bring  more 
and  more  to  light  by  separation  two  and  only  two  possibilities  : 
God,  and  that  which  is  united  to  God ;  not-God,  even  all 
which  is  divorced  from  God. 

Hitherto  our  Fatherly  Creator  has  not  made  a  full  end  or 
suffered  His  whole  displeasure  to  arise.  If  so  He  please,  ever 
such  an  "ass"  may  still  wax  mighty  to  forbid  the  madness  of 


348  THE  PACK   OF  THE  DEEP. 

the  most  acute  towering  headlong  prophet.  Therefore  the 
least  or  last  to  whom  He  has  given  a  tongue  must  not  dare 
answer,  I  cannot,  or,  I  will  not,  should  He  deign  to  put  a 
word  in  such  a  mouth. 

16.  And  he  causeth  all,  both  small  and  great,  rich  and  poor, 

free  and  bond,  to  receive  a  mark  in  their  right  hand, 
or  in  their  foreheads : 

17.  And  that  no  man  might  buy  or  sell,  save  he  that  had 

the  mark,  or  the  name  of  the  beast,  or  the  number  of 
his  name. 

The  Revised  Version  restricts  the  mark  as  twofold :  " .  .  . 
the  mark,  even  the  name  of  the  beast  or  the  number  of  his 
name." 

"  He  causeth  all  ...  " — all  who  by  saving  their  lives  have 
lost  them.  Meanwhile  the  genuinely  alive  are  those  slain 
whose  silence  utters  a  song  emphasizing  the  words  of  holy  Job  : 
"Whence  then  cometh  wisdom?  and  where  is  the  place  of 
understanding?  Seeing  it  is  hid  from  the  eyes  of  all  living, 
and  kept  close  from  the  fowls  of  the  air.  Destruction  and 
death  say,  We  have  heard  the  fame  thereof  with  our  ears." 
"Weep  ye  not  for  the  dead,  neither  bemoan  him." 

As  to  the  others,  all  distinctions  are  levelled  to  the  dead 
level  of  present  evil  and  approaching  ruin.  The  evil  is  present, 
because  to  choose  being  present  with  them  they  choose  evil  t 
the  ruin  approaches,  because  bound  up  in  that  evil  they  have 
chosen  death. 

"  Because  to  every  purpose  there  is  time  and  judgment, 
therefore  the  misery  of  man  is  great  upon  him.  For  he 
knoweth  not  that  which  shall  be  :  for  who  can  tell  him  when 
it  shall  be?  There  is  no  man  that  hath  power  over  the  spirit 
to  retain  the  spirit ;  neither  hath  he  power  in  the  day  of  death  : 
and  there  is  no  discharge  in  that  war ;  neither  shall  wickedness 
deliver  those  that  are  given  to  it.  ...  Because  sentence 
against  an  evil  work  is  not  executed  speedily,  therefore  the 
heart  of  the  sons  of  men  is  fully  set  in  them  to  do  evil." 

Since  at  the  day  of  final  reckoning  insignificance  will  not 
screen  the  small,  or  importance  exempt  the  great,  or  gold 
ransom  the  rich,  or  penury  excuse  the  poor,  or  liberty  furnish 
an  escape  to  the  free,  or  chains  exonerate  the  bond,  all  these 
will  clearly  count  as  nothing  then ;  not  as  chaff  on  the  wind, 
not  as  dust  in  the  balance. 

From  appraising  molehills  as  mountains,  Good  Lord,  de 
liver  us. 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  349- 


"To  receive  a  mark" — To  receive  is  voluntary:  "They 
are  all  gone  aside,  they  are  altogether  become  filthy." 

" .  .  .  In  their  right  hand,  or  in  their  foreheads." — The 
right  hand  suggests  active,  practical  life  ;  \.\\Q  forehead  studious, 
intellectual.  Every  career  may  be  consecrated  or  desecrated, 
every  gift  used  or  abused. 

This  mark  seems  to  be  in  effect  a  diabolical  trading  licence, 
the  temptation  and  snare  into  which  persons  who  at  that  critical 
moment  will  be  rich,  fall.  Indeed,  not  mere  poverty,  but 
actual  destitution  appears  to  be  the  alternative  for  faithful 
souls,  who  in  the  sight  of  the  unwise  become  for  a  little  moment 
no  better  than  children  of  fools,  of  base  men,  viler  than  the 
earth  :  "  For  want  and  famine  they  were  solitary  ;  fleeing  into 
.the  wilderness  in  former  time  desolate  and  waste.  Who  cut 
up  mallows  by  the  bushes,  and  juniper  roots  for  their  meat. 
They  were  driven  forth  from  among  men,  (they  cried  after 
them  as  after  a  thief;)  to  dwell  in  the  cliffs  of  the  valleys,  in 
caves  of  the  earth,  and  in  the  rocks."  Yet  blessed  are  they 
if  cliffs  of  valleys  be  made  to  them  humility,  and  caves  self- 
denial,  and  rocks  a  sure  foundation. 

But  are  not  coming  events  already  casting  their  shadows 
before  ?  Glance  at  recent  troubles  in  Ireland  :  mark  boycot 
ting  and  its  results.  Look  at  home  ;  at  strikes  and  unions,  so 
far  as  any  terrorism  resorted  to  is  concerned.  God  in  His 
mercy  restrain  men  from  misusing  tremendous  edge-tools, 
launching  out  on  unfathomed  waters,  rehearsing  and  forestalling 
on  a  minor  scale  the  last  awful  days.  Man  is  a  microcosm  :  a 
microcosm  may  be  either  a  miniature  heaven  or  a  miniature  hell. 

18.  Here  is  wisdom.  Let  him  that  hath  understanding 
count  the  number  of  the  beast :  for  it  is  the  number 
of  a  man ;  and  his  number  is  six  hundred  threescore 
and  six. 

For  the  special  purpose  in  question,  he  "that  hath  under 
standing"  excludes,  I  should  surmise,  most  men,  and  very 
likely  all  women.  For  the  masses  Wisdom  resides  elsewhere, 
is  an  immediately  practical  grace,  and  is  far  more  readily 
accessible.  "  Happy  is  the  man  that  findeth  wisdom,  and 
the  man  that  getteth  understanding.  For  the  merchandise  of 
it  is  better  than  the  merchandise  of  silver,  and  the  gain  thereof 
than  fine  gold." 

"Behold,  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  that  is  wisdom;  and  to 
depart  from  evil  is  understanding." 

"  Multitude  of  years  should  teach  wisdom." 


350  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

"  The  month  of  the  righteous  speaketh  wisdom,  and  his 
tongue  talketh  of  judgment.  The  law  of  his  God  is  in  his 
heart;  none  of  his  steps  shall  slide." 

"The  Lord  giveth  wisdom  :  out  of  His  mouth  cometh  know 
ledge  and  understanding.  He  layeth  up  sound  wisdom  for 
the  righteous." 

" Wisdom  is  better  than  rubies;  and  all  things  that  may  be 
desired  are  not  to  be  compared  to  it.  I,  Wisdom,  dwell  with 
prudence." 

"The  fear  of  the  Lord  is  the  beginning  of  wisdom  :  and  the 
knowledge  of  the  Holy  is  understanding." 

"With  the  lowly  is  wisdom." 

"The  rod  and  reproof  give  wisdom." 

"God  giveth  to  a  man  that  is  good  in  His  sight  wisdom, 
and  knowledge,  and  joy." 

"  Christ  Jesus,  Who  of  God  is  made  unto  us  wisdom, 
and  righteousness,  and  sanctification,  and  redemption  :  that, 
according  as  it  is  written,  He  that  glorieth,  let  him  glory  in 
the  Lord." 

"  If  any  of  you  lack  wisdom,  let  him  ask  of  God,  that  giveth 
to  all  men  liberally,  and  upbraideth  not ;  and  it  shall  be  given 
him." 

I  must  beware  of  scrutinizing  any  text  of  Holy  Scripture  as 
if  it  were  a  puzzle  or  a  riddle.  I  must  beware  of  making 
guesses  at  what  is  withheld  from  me.  "  Blessed  are  the  poor 
in  spirit :  for  theirs  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven." 

St.  John  himself,  and  touching  his  own  future,  was  once 
contented  to  repeat  his  Lord's  precise  words  without  attempt 
at  elucidation. 

Whoever  by  loving  submission  turns  intellectual  poverty 
into  voluntary  spiritual  poverty,  has  discovered  a  super-excellent 
philosopher's  stone,  apt  to  transmute  ignorance  into  wisdom. 

"  Six  hundred,  threescore  and  six "  is  not  universally  set 
down  as  the  indicative  number  :  some  read  "  six  hundred  and 
sixteen." 

Lord,  give  me  grace 

To  take  the  lowest  place ; 

Nor  even  desire, 

Unless  it  be  Thy  Will,  to  go  up  higher. 

Except  by  grace, 

I  fail  of  lowest  place  ; 

Except  desire 

Sit  low,  it  aims  awry  to  go  up  higher. 


CHAPTER    XIV. 

1.  And  I  looked,  and,  lo,  a  Lamb  stood  on  the  mount  Sion, 
and  with  Him  an  hundred,  forty  and  four  thousand, 
having  His  Father's  Name  written  in  their  foreheads. 

"  Yet  have  I  set  My  King :  upon  My  holy  hill  of  Sion." 

"  For  the  gifts  and  calling  of  God  are  without  repentance." 
This  certainly  blessed  text,  rich  in  comfort  and  promise  (how 
ever  to  me  obscure)  seems  here  to  receive  an  illustrative  fulfil 
ment.  The  holy  hill  and  holy  city  of  Palestine  were  rejected, 
after  the  Jews'  rejection  of  Messiah  :  yet  now  we  behold  the 
Lamb  standing  on  a  spot  which  His  own  Blood  alone  could 
purge  from  the  crying  blood-guilt  of  His  crucifixion.  How 
beautiful  upon  that  mountain  are  those  Feet  which  bring  good 
tidings  of  good  !  For  although  this  be  a  celestial  and  not  any 
earthly  Sion,  surely  after  some  super-sensual  manner  it  still 
may  be  that  Sion,  whose  gates  the  Lord  loved  more  than 
ali  the  dwellings  of  Jacob. 

Whatever  angels  or  men  bent  on  self-destruction  may  do  or 
leave  undone,  yet  God  Almighty  suffereth  not,  nor  can  suffer 
loss.  The  lightnings  ever  answer  Him  "  Here  we  are,"  though 
Satan  as  lightning  be  fallen  from  heaven. 

"An  hundred,  forty  and  four  thousand  "  is  the  sum  of  those 
twelve  twelve-thousands  sealed  (chap,  vii.)  out  of  the  tribes  of 
Israel.  If  in  both  chapters  these  be  the  same  blessed  persons, 
a  double  light  is  thus  thrown  on  their  beatitude  :  if  they  be 
different^  then  with  Solomon  we  see  the  Church  "  the  Shula- 
mite,  as  it  were  the  company  of  two  armies." 

With  Solomon,  sounds  a  bold  proposition  f  yet  above  Solo 
mon,  need  not  be  over-bold ;  for  he  at  his  highest  and  holiest 
could  but  belong  to  that  company  of  prophets  and  kings  who 
desired  to  see  the  things  which  Christians  see. 

"Having  His  Father's  Name  written  in  their  foreheads" — 
or  according  to  the  Revised  Version,  "  Having  His  Name, 
and  the  Name  of  His  Father,  written  .  .  .  ."  This  inscription, 


352  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

perhaps,  discloses  in  what  the  sealing  (chap,  vii.)  consisted  ; 
and  so  far  may  suggest  that  the  two  elect  companies  are  in 
fact  the  same.  It  corresponds  also  in  great  measure  with  that 
promise  to  him  that  overcometh,  in  which  the  charge  to  the 
Church  of  Philadelphia  culminates  (chap.  iii.  12). 

2.  And  I  heard  a  voice  from  heaven,  as  the  voice  of  many 

waters,  and  as  the  voice  of  a  great  thunder :  and  I 
heard  the  voice  of  harpers  harping  with  their  harps  : 

3.  And  they  sung  as  it  were  a  new  song  before  the  Throne, 

and  before  the  four  beasts,  and  the  elders :  and  no  man 
could  learn  that  song  but  the  hundred  and  forty  and 
four  thousand,  which  were  redeemed  from  the  earth. 

The  voice  is  (so  to  say)  the  saint's  self,  the  harp  is  his  pos 
session  ;  the  voice  is  what  he  had  to  train,  the  harping  what 
he  had  to  acquire  :  all  that  he  has,  and  all  that  he  is,  make 
up  his  perpetual  offering  "  before  the  Throne."  To  present 
this  offering  is  his  inexhaustible  contentment,  his  rapture. 
Even  on  earth,  who  that  sings  or  plays  well  on  an  instrument 
knows  not  the  joy  of  waking  music?  Merely  to  listen  often 
times  moves  to  tears,  to  light-heartedness,  to  longings,  to  feel 
ings  one  would  not  or  could  not  utter.  What  will  it  be  in 
heaven  to  be  singer,  musician,  listener ;  to  be  one  voice  in  a 
harmony,  yet  as  individually  listened  to,  approved,  commended, 
as  if  summoned  to  sing  all  alone  in  heaven's  half-hour  of  silence  ? 

Under  one  aspect  hearing,  although  stirring  and  thrilling 
the  heart  depths,  seems  the  least  sensual  of  the  five  senses. 
Touch,  taste,  even  smell,  demand  contact  grosser  or  more 
subtle,  as  the  case  may  be :  sight,  though  eschewing  contact, 
yet  takes  cognizance  of  what  might  be  touched.  Hearing  is 
addressed  by  the  intangible  and  invisible. 

Heaven  is  revealed  to  earth  as  the  home-land  of  music :  of 
music,  thus  remote  from  what  is  gross  or  carnal ;  exhibiting  like 
wise  an  incalculable  range  of  variety,  which  rebukes  and 
silences  perverse  suggestions  of  monotonous  tedium  in  the 
final  beatitude.  If  we  desired  a  reassuring  figure  of  variety, 
could  we  devise  one  more  apt  and  more  refined  than  music? 

"  Sing,  O  heavens  ;  and  be  joyful,  O  earth." 

As  the  voice  of  many  waters  all  saints  sing  as  one, 

As  the  voice  of  an  unclouded  thundering  ; 
Unswayed  by  the  changing  moon  and  unswayed  by  the  sun, 

As  the  voice  of  many  waters  all  saints  sing. 

Circling  round  the  rainbow  of  their  perfect  ring 
Twelve  thousand  times  twelve  thousand  voices  in  unison 
Swell  the  triumph,  swell  the  praise  of  Christ  the  King. 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  353 

Where  raiment  is  white  of  blood-steeped  linen  slowly  spun, 
Where  crowns  are  golden  of  Love's  own  largessing, 

Where  eternally  the  ecstasy  is  but  begun, 
As  the  voice  of  many  waters  all  saints  sing. 

Before,  when  the  Living  Creatures  and  the  Elders  sung  a 
new  song,  the  words  of  their  anthem  were  set  down  (chap.  v. 
8 — 10  :  unless  it  be  possible  to  understand  that  the  Elders 
alone  sang) :  while  of  this  second,  "  as  it  were  a  new  song," 
the  words  are  not  revealed  ;  at  least,  if  at  all,  not  in  this  place. 
And  as  we  are  certified  that  no  man  but  the  singers  themselves 
"  which  were  redeemed  from  the  earth  "  could  learn  this  song, 
if  we  aspire  to  know  somewhat  of  its  meaning  it  seems  our 
hopeful  course  to  study  reverently  and  copy  affectionately  the 
characteristics  of  the  choice  ones  of  her  that  bare  them. 

4.  These  are  they  which,  were  not  defiled  with  women  ;  for 

they  are  virgins.  These  are  they  which  follow  the 
Lamb  whithersoever  He  goeth.  These  were  redeemed 
from  among  men,  being  the  firstfruits  unto  God  and 
to  the  Lamb. 

5.  And  in  their  mouth  was  found  no  guile :  for  they  are 

without  fault  before  the  Throne  of  God. 
Mother  Church  has  appropriated  this  beatitude  to  her 
beloved  Holy  Innocents.  On  their  Feast  Day  we  behold  the 
unspotted  little  souls,  guiltless  of  actual  sin,  drooping  for  a 
moment  with  the  drooping  grace  of  a  snowdrop,  subdued  for 
a  moment  with  the  subdued  lustre  of  pearls.  "  Their  Lord 
and  Lover,"  Who  gave  His  life  in  ransom  of  all  lives,  is  exalt 
ing  these  babes  to  give  their  lives  in  ransom  of  His  life. 
Speech  was  scarcely  in  their  mouths,  much  less  guile.  On 
earth  their  feet  could  barely  have  trotted  or  tottered  after  a 
literal  lamb.  Thus  Rachel  beheld  them,  and  weeping  for  her 
children  refused  to  be  comforted.  "  Refrain  thy  voice  from 
weeping,  and  thine  eyes  from  tears."  Who  now  beholds  them 
sees  them  "follow  the  Lamb  whithersoever  He  goeth."  Hath  He 
gone  up  to  glory?  so  have  they  :  to  dominion  and  power?  so 
have  they.  Their  grace  is  eternized,  their  lustre  eternized  ;  their 
feet  rank  with  wings,  their  speech  has  become  song.  Alleluia  ! 

Unspotted  lambs  to  follow  the  one  Lamb, 

Unspotted  doves  to  wait  on  the  one  Dove  ; 
To  whom  Love  saith,  "Be  with  Me  where  I  am," 

And  lo  !  their  answer  unto  Love  is  love. 
For  tho'  I  know  not  any  note  they  know, 

Nor  know  one  word  of  all  their  song  above, 
I  know  Love  speaks  to  them,  and  even  so 

I  know  the  answer  unto  Love  is  love. 

Z 


354  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

I  think  not  to  infringe  obedience  by  considering  how  much 
of  this  blessedness,  secured  as  it  were  by  birthright  (though 
none  the  less  by  grace)  to  innocence,  may  also  permanently 
abide  within  the  reach  of  penitence.  To  me,  to  most  of  us, 
the  heritage  of  penitence  is  of  more  practical  importance  than 
the  heritage  of  innocence. 

Innocence  we  cannot  recover,  but  purity  and  guilelessness 
we,  by  God's  help,  may ;  and  if  these  graces  have  led  the 
innocent  to  glory,  us  also  they  may  yet  lead  to  glory.  Inno 
cence  walks  with  God  on  earth,  and  follows  Him  in  heaven : 
purity  and  guilelessness  tread  on  earth  in  the  steps  of  Jesus 
Christ ;  and  they  who  follow  Him  to  the  gate  of  heaven  will 
assuredly  not  be  forbidden  to  follow  Him  through  and  within 
that  gate. 

Let  us  encourage  ourselves.  We  may  say  either  that  we 
follow  Him,  or  that  He  leads  us ;  for  the  two  propositions  are 
practically  the  same.  And  if  it  is  unimaginable  that  one  who 
has  followed  Him  below  will  not  care  to  follow  Him  above, 
much  more  is  it  unimaginable — it  were  blasphemous  to  imagine 
that  our  Leader  out  of  great  tribulation  will  fail  to  lead  us 
hereafter  beside  the  waters  of  comfort. 

Whatever  else  is  conjecturable,  this  is  certain  :  these  hundred 
and  forty  and  four  thousand  sanctified  persons  whom  St.  John 
beheld,  were  "  first  fruits  "  of  the  human  family  unto  God  and 
to  the  Lamb.  And  since,  as  St.  Paul  avers,  "  If  the  firstfruit 
be  holy,  the  lump  is  also  holy,"  it  becomes  clear  that  nothing 
unholy  can  find  place  in  the  final  harvest-home. 

I  dare  not  then  say  simply,  Penitence  may : — I  am  driven 
to  say  with  self-mistrust  and  trembling,  Penitence  imist>  on 
pain  of  ultimate  rejection,  recover  purity  and  guilelessness. 

Can  peach  renew  lost  bloom, 

Or  violet  lost  perfume  ; 

Or  sullied  snow  turn  white  as  overnight  ? 

Man  cannot  compass  it,  yet  never  fear  : 

The  leper  Naaman 

Shows  what  God  will  and  can  ; 

God  Who  worked  there  is  working  here  ; 

Wherefore  let  shame,  not  gloom,  betinge  thy  brow, 

God  Who  worked  then  is  working  now. 

6.  And  I  saw  another  angel  fly  in  the  midst  of  heaven, 

having  the  everlasting  gospel  to  preach  unto  them 
that  dwell  on  the  earth,  and  to  every  nation,  and 
kindred,  and  tongue,  and  people, 

7.  Saying  with  a  loud  voice,  Fear  God,  and  give  glory  to 

Him ;   for  the  hour  of  His  judgment  is  come :    and 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  355 

worship  Him  that  made  heaven,  and  earth,  and  the 
sea,  and  the  fountains  of  waters. 

An  angel,  as  his  title  imports,  is  a  messenger.  If  this  be  a 
literal  winged  Angel  visibly  traversing  the  local  heaven,  the 
prophecy  appears  hitherto  unfulfilled.  Meanwhile  the  Church 
has  her  own  consecrated  Gospel  messengers,  the  Bishops, 
Priests,  Deacons  of  the  Apostolical  Succession :  and  their 
mission  in  great  measure  assimilates  them  to  this  Angel. 

Though  their  person  is  human,  their  vocation  is  superhuman  : 
their  home  is  heaven  rather  than  earth.  But  no  sluggish 
heaven  of  dreams  and  premature  repose ;  heaven  where  they 
"fly"  on  a  definite  urgent  errand,  as  the  Archangel  Gabriel 
flew  swiftly  (literally,  "with  weariness")  on  his  embassy  to 
Daniel.  "  In  the  midst  of  heaven  "  must  their  path  be,  in 
clining  neither  to  the  right  hand  nor  to  the  left ;  without  par 
tiality,  without  respect  of  persons,  preaching  the  self-sime 
Divine  Will  and  Word  to  all  alike.  As  in  matters  of  this 
world  we  say,  "  Bird's-eye  view,"  because  a  bird  poised  aloft 
looks  down  upon,  and  so  can  estimate  the  point  it  aims  at ;  so 
with  an  enhanced  elevated  meaning,  let  us  say  "Angel's-eye 
view"  of  those  who  watch  for  our  souls,  as  they  who  must 
give  account,  and  from  a  habitual  heaven  appraise  earth.  In 
heart  and  hand  they  carry  the  Everlasting  Gospel,  that  word 
which  passeth  not  away,  though  heaven  and  earth  pass  away  ; 
which  word  they  proclaim,  commanding  all  men  everywhere 
to  repent,  and  in  Christ's  stead  beseeching  them  :  "  How  long, 
ye  simple  ones,  will  ye  love  simplicity?  and  the  scorners 
delight  in  their  scorning,  and  fools  hate  knowledge  ?  Turn 
you  at  My  reproof:  behold,  I  will  pour  out  My  Spirit  unto 
you,  I  will  make  known  My  words  unto  you."  For  they  know 
that  it  is  the  last  time,  and  that  the  Judge  standeth  before  the 
•door,  even  while  they  know  not  the  day  or  the  hour  of  His 
coming.  They  cry  aloud  to  all  people  of  all  languages  :  He 
Who  made  all  demands  and  will  accept  from  all  fear,  glory, 
worship.  He  Who  made  heaven  and  earth,  the  sea,  and  the 
fountains  of  waters,  He  it  is  Who  gives  all  blessings,  Who 
gives,  and  Who  can  take  away  :  "  In  Whose  hand  is  the  soul 
of  every  living  thing,  and  the  breath  of  all  mankind."  They 
cry  aloud,  they  spare  not,  they  lift  up  the  voice  like  a  trumpet, 
.and  show  the  people  their  transgression  and  theif  sins.  Yet 
must  they  not  glory  in  themselves,  but  cultivate  the  temper 
of  St.  Paul  when  he  wrote  :  "  For  though  I  preach  the  gospel, 
I  have  nothing  to  glory  of:  for  necessity  is  laid  upon  me;  yea, 


356  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

woe  is  unto  me,  if  I  preach  not  the  gospel !  For  if  I  do  this 
thing  willingly,  I  have  a  reward  :  but  if  against  my  will,  a 
dispensation  of  the  gospel  is  committed  unto  me." 

In  functions  spiritual  the  clergy  occupy  the  heights,  the  laity 
the  levels.  Yet  as  the  Church  at  large  is  "  a  royal  priesthood," 
even  the  least  and  last  of  us  may  win  something  practical 
by  contemplating  an  angelic  preacher  traversing  heaven. 

"Now  there  are  diversities  of  gifts,  but  the  same  Spirit. 
And  there  are  differences  of  administrations,  but  the  same 
Lord.  And  there  are  diversities  of  operations,  but  it  is  the 
same  God  which  worketh  all  in  all." 

"  The  everlasting  Gospel  " — unaltered,  unalterable.  To  its 
immutability  St.  Paul  bears  witness  :  "Though  we,  or  an  .angel 
from  heaven,  preach  any  other  gospel  unto  you  than  that  which 
we  have  preached  unto  yon,  let  him  be  accursed.  As  we  said 
before,  so  say  I  now  again,  If  any  man  preach  any  other 
gospel  unto  you  than  that  ye  have  received,  let  him  be 
accursed." — A  text  for  my  times  and  for  myself. 

"For  the  hour  of  His  judgment  is  come." — Yet  notwith 
standing,  and  indeed  therefore  ("for"),  men  being  summoned 
to  fear  God  are  further  called  upon  to  give  Him  glory ;  wor 
shipping  Him  as  the  Creator.  The  Lord's  hand  is  not  short 
ened  that  it  cannot  save  :  it  is  man's  eleventh  hour ;  Achan 
may  yet  appease  Him  in  death  Whom  in  life  he  provoked ;  the 
Thief  extirpated  from  earth  may  yet  sit  down  in  Paradise. 

O  my  God,  regard  man  at  his  last  chance  ;  regard  man 
setting  himself  to  make  his  final  choice  ;  regard  man  in  the 
poised  balance  which  must  dip.  By  Thy  dear  Son's  last 
agony,  by  His  giving  up  the  Ghost,  regard,  regard  man  for 
whom  He  died,  and  suffer  him  not  for  ever  to  say  Thee  nay. 

When  the  end  of  all  things  is  at  hand,  it  is  a  comfort  to  be 
reminded  that  heaven,  earth,  sea,  fountains  of  waters,  over 
whelmed  as  they  are  about  to  be  by  awful  judgments,  are  yet 
all  of  them  God's  work,  and  therefore  good.  Let  me  not  be 
more  perverse  than  the  clay,  which  saith  not  to  the  potter, 
Why  hast  thou  made  me  thus? 

8.  And  there  followed  another  angel,  saying,  Babylon  is 
fallen,  is  fallen,  that  great  city,  because  she  made 
all  nations  drink  of  the  wine  of  the  wrath  of  her 
fornication. 

Some  have  thought  to  identify  the  site  and  structure  of  a 
local  "  Babylon."  As  to  me,  who  can  by  no  means  identify 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  357 

them,  I  think  not  I  need  therefore  miss  my  practical  lesson 
from  her  greatness  and  her  fall. 

Wherefore  fell  she  ?  The  Angel  declares,  because  of  what 
she  drd ;  not  otherwise  because  of  what  she  was.  Let  me  (if 
I  may)  consider  her  as  that  World,  which  in  some  sort  seems 
to  form  common  ground,  a  point  of  contact,  a  link,  a  conductor, 
between  flesh  and  devil. 

Long  ago  Satan  boasted  to  Christ's  very  Face  that  "  all  the 
kingdoms  of  the  world,  and  the  glory  of  them  "  were  delivered 
unto  him ;  nor  did  the  Truth  then  and  there  give  the  lie  to 
the  father  of  lies.  If,  then,  we  may  assume  an  ingredient  of 
truth  in  the  assertion,  that  element  of  truth  supplies  a  clue  to 
the  fascination  and  domination  of  the  world;  a  fascination 
which  is  deadly,  a  domination  which  is  tyrannous.  For  Satan 
is  the  showman  of  her  goodly  show  :  he  who  can  himself 
appear  as  an  angel  of  light  understands  how  to  inflate  her  scale, 
tint  her  mists  and  bubbles  with  prismatic  colours,  hide  her 
thorns  under  roses  and  her  worms  under  silk.  He  can  paint 
her  face,  and  tire  her  head,  and  set  her  on  a  wall  and  at  a 
window,  as  the  goal  of  a  vain  race,  and  the  prize  of  a  vain  victory. 
David,  superb  in  his  kingliness,  made  to  himself  instruments 
of  music  ;  and  so  has  she  her  men  singers  and  women  singers, 
her  brazen  wind  instruments  and  her  hollow  drums.  She 
spreads  a  feast :  first  her  best,  afterwards  that  which  is  worse ; 
apples  of  Sodom  to  follow  forbidden  fruit.  And  as  to  her 
cup,  "  all  nations  "  have  not  unwarned  drunk  of  it :  "  Look 
not  thou  upon  the  wine  when  it  is  red,  when  it  giveth  his 
colour  in  the  cup,  when  it  moveth  itself  aright.  At  the  last 
it  biteth  like  a  serpent,  and  stingeth  like  an  adder.  Thine 
eyes  shall  behold  strange  women,  and  thine  heart  shall  utter 
perverse  things."  If  this  be  true  of  earth's  vintage,  how  ten 
fold  true  of  the  world's  ! 

The  City  and  Woman  appear  so  indistinguishable  in  the 
Apocalyptic  vision  as  to  justify  (I  trust)  my  confusion  of  per 
sonification.  Temptation,  by  a  common  instinct,  seems  to  be 
personified  as  feminine  :  let  us  thence  derive  courage  ;  the 
symbol  itself  insinuating  that  as  woman  is  weaker  than  man, 
so  temptation  is  never  so  strong  as  the  individual  assailed. 
"  There  hath  no  temptation  taken  you  but  such  as  is  common 
to  man  :  but  God  is  faithful,  Who  will  not  suffer  you  to  be 
tempted  above  that  ye  are  able ;  but  will  with  the  temptation 
also  make  a  way  to  escape,  that  ye  may  be  able  to  bear  it." 

We  daughters  of  Eve  may  beyond  her  sons  be  kept  humble 
by  that  common  voice  which  makes  temptation  feminine. 


358  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

Woman  is  a  mighty  power  for  good  or  for  evil.  She  con 
strains  though  she  cannot  compel.  Potential  for  evil,  it  be 
comes  her  to  beware  and  forbear  ;  potential  for  good,  to  spend 
herself  and  be  spent  for  her  brethren.  In  the  Bible  the, word 
tempt  (or  its  derivatives)  is  used  in  a  good  or  in  an  evil  sense, 
according  to  the  agent,  or  to  the  object  aimed  at. 

The  wisest  of  three  wrote  :  "  Women  are  strongest " ;  and 
said  :  "  Many  also  have  perished,  have  erred,  and  sinned,  for 
women." 

"  Babylon  is  fallen,"  saith  the  Angel :  he  saith  not,  Is  cast 
down.  Though  she  be  cast  down,  yet  is  the  impulse  of  her 
casting  down  in  herself;  she  hath  undermined  herself.  Sin 
is  the  essential  destroyer  :  the  sinner  is  self-destroyed.  Drunken 
ness  especially  sets  this  truth  as  in  a  picture  before  our  eyes ; 
drunkenness  being  the  example  of  a  general  rule,  not  its 
exception. 

Taking  physical  corruption  as  the  foul  image  of  sin,  we  see 
how  it  consists  not  with  stability,  permanence ;  but  dissolves, 
disintegrates  its  prey.  It  turns  bone  to  dust,  muscle  as  it  were 
to  pulp  :  we  loathe  to  look  upon  it  in  a  body ;  who  shall  bear 
to  look  upon  it  in  a  soul  ? 

9.  And  the  third  angel  followed  them,  saying  with  a  loud 
voice,  If  any  man  worship  the  beast  and  his  image, 
and  receive  his  mark  in  his  forehead,  or  in  his  hand, 

10.  The  same  shall  drink  of  the  wine  of  the  wrath  of  God, 

which  is  poured  out  without  mixture  into  the  cup  of 
His  indignation ;  and  he  shall  be  tormented  with  fire 
and  brimstone  in  the  presence  of  the  holy  angels,  and 
in  the  presence  of  the  Lamb  : 

11.  And  the  smoke  of  their  torment  ascendeth  up  for  ever 

and  ever  :  and  they  have  no  rest  day  nor  night,  who 
worship  the  beast  and  his  image,  and  whosoever  re- 
ceiveth  the  mark  of  his  name. 

"  I  have  seen  the  wicked  in  great  power,  and  spreading  him 
self  like  a  green  bay  tree.  Yet  he  passed  away,  and,  lo,  he 
was  not  :  yea,  I  sought  him,  but  he  could  not  be  found." 

Before  when  we  read  of  these  beast  and  image  worshippers 
they  appeared,  as  David  beheld  their  predecessors,  flourishing 
and  exalted.  But  alas !  it  is  only  as  regards  earth  that  such 
pass  away  and  cannot  be  found  :  "  in  the  presence  of  the  holy 
angels,  and  in  the  Presence  of  the  Lamb  "  they  reappear ;  but 
tormented,  smoking,  without  rest,  without  apparent  help  or 
hope. 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  359 

Nor  perhaps  does  it  clearly  transpire  when  it  is  that  their 
interminable  unrest  begins  :  whether  before,  or  consequent 
upon  the  decree  of  judgment.  As  later  on  we  shall  read  of 
darkness  pervading  the  kingdom  of  the  beast,  while  apparently 
it  continues  as  yet  to  be  a  kingdom  ;  so  now  haply  the  rest 
lessness  begins  even  before  it  writhes  impotently  amid  the  fire, 
brimstone,  smoke. 

This  retribution  is  "  in  the  Presence  of  the  Lamb "  ;  by 
which  awful  word  I  discern  not  whether  there  be  implied  the 
finishing  sting  of  all  agony,  or  some  lessening  of  horror.  Ytt 
is  not  "  Depart  from  Me  "  a  more  overwhelming  sentence  than 
even  this?  To  be  "clean  forgotten"  seems  a  desperateness 
of  forlornness. 

"  The  wine  of  the  wrath  of  God,  which  is  poured  out  without 
mixture  into  the  cup  of  His  indignation." — Indignation  is 
ominous  of  justice:  is  His  mercy  clean  gone  for  ever?  We 
see  not  our  tokens. 

"  They  have  no  rest  day  nor  night,  who  worship  the  beast 
and  his  image." — Another  worship  there  is  carried  on  elsewhere, 
there  is  another  company  of  worshippers  of  whom  we  read 
(chap.  iv.  8),  that  "  they  rest  not  day  and  night."  But  (if 
having  no  power  to  study  the  original  text,  I  may  dwell  on  the 
wording  of  the  translation)  an  absolute  contrast  is  suggested 
by  the  two  statements.  Not  to  rest,  is  voluntary  :  to  have  no 
rest,  is  involuntary.  The  Beatified  rest  not  from  adoration, 
because  adoration  is  the  joy  of  their  hearts,  the  breath  of  their 
nostrils :  rest  (could  such  a  dispensation  be  conceived)  would 
inflict  on  them  the  restlessness  as  it  were  of  a  pent-up  con 
flagration  ;  to  keep  silence  from  their  good  words  would  be 
not  rest,  but  pain  and  grief  to  them.  The  accursed  have  and 
can  have  no  rest,  because  they  abide  at  enmity  with  Him  by 
Whose  grace  there  remaineth  rest  for  His  people. 

12.  Here  is  the  patience  of  the  saints :  here  are  they  that 
keep  the  commandments  of  God,  and  the  faith  of 
Jesus. 

"  Here  " — where  ?  Wherever  else,  "  in  the  Presence  of  the 
Lamb." 

That  Presence  indeed  is  everywhere;  and  all  saints  clad 
in  patience,  keeping  the  commandments,  and  cleaving  to  the 
faith,  inhabit  the  all-embracing  Presence.  A  shadowed  life  is 
no  hardship  to  loving  souls  consciously  abiding  under  the 
shadow  of  the  Almighty  ;  weary  indeed  would  this  world's  land 
be  without  the  shadow  of  that  Great  Rock  ! 


360  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

Patience  is  an  advanced  grace.  In  children  we  try  to  fore 
stall  reason  by  faith,  and  by  early  habit  to  constitute  obedience 
their  second  nature ;  but  patience  we  wish  not  to  characterize 
them  at  the  outset.  Of  course  nothing  contrary  to  patience 
can  we  desire  for  them  at  any  period ;  but  we  remember  that 
"tribulation  worketh  patience,"  and  if  we  can  we  shelter  our 
harmless  little  ones  awhile  from  tribulation. 

At  this  point  of  the  Revelation,  after  so  many  Fatherly 
Lovingkindnesses  and  terrors  of  the  Lord  have  been  laid  bare 
— for  amid  unfathomable  mystery  the  great  Love  wherewith 
God  loves  us,  and  the  tremendous  woe  from  which  He  would 
fence  us,  stand  out  as  clear  as  day — at  this  point,  patience  once 
more  meets  the  pilgrim  soul.  All  I  have  read,  then,  is  to  lead 
me  up  to  patience  :  patience  under  ignorance,  patience  under 
fear,  patience  under  hope  deferred,  patience  so  long  as  free 
will  entails  the  terrific  possibility  of  self-destruction ;  patience 
until  (please  God)  my  will  freely,  finally,  indefectibly,  becomes 
one  with  the  Divine  Will.  Pending  which  beatific  moment,  it 
ought  to  be  with  each  of  us  according  to  St.  Paul's  description  : 
*'  Being  justified  by  faith,  we  have  peace  with  God  through  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ :  by  Whom  also  we  have  access  by  faith 
into  this  grace  wherein  we  stand,  and  rejoice  in  hope  of  the 
glory  of  God.  And  not  only  so,  but  we  glory  in  tribulations 
also  :  knowing  that  tribulation  worketh  patience ;  and  patience, 
experience ;  and  experience,  hope :  and  hope  maketh  not 
ashamed,  because  the  love  of  God  is  shed  abroad  in  our  hearts 
by  the  Holy  Ghost  which  is  given  unto  us." 

"Who  is  there  among  you  of  all  His  people?  The  Lord 
his  God  be  with  him,  and  let  him  go  up." 

Obedience  is  the  fruit  of  faith ;  patience,  the  bloom  upon 
the  fruit. 

Sweetness  of  rest  when  Thou  sheddest  rest, 

Sweetness  of  patience  till  then  ; 
Only  the  Will  of  our  God  is  best 

For  all  the  millions  of  men  : 

For  all  the  millions  on  earth  to-day, 

On  earth  and  under  the  earth  ; 
Waiting  for  earth  to  vanish  away, 

Waiting  to  come  to  the  birth. 

13.  And  I  heard  a  voice  from  heaven  saying  unto  me, 
Write,  Blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in  the  Lord 
from  henceforth-  Yea,  saith  the  Spirit,  that  they 
may  rest  from  their  labours;  and  their  works  do 
follow  them. 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  361 

In  an  earlier  age  the  prophet  Isaiah,  speaking  as  in  the 
Person  of  Christ,  proclaimed  comfort  to  the  living  faithful : 
"The  Spirit  of  the  Lord  God  is  upon  Me;  because  the  Lord 
hath  anointed  Me  to  preach  good  tidings  unto  the  meek ;  He 
hath  sent  Me  to  bind  up  the  broken-hearted,  to  proclaim 
liberty  to  the  captives,  and  the  opening  of  the  prison  to  them 
that  are  bound ;  to  proclaim  the  acceptable  year  of  the  Lord, 
and  the  day  of  vengeance  of  our  God ;  ...  to  appoint  unto 
them  that  mourn  in  Zion,  to  give  unto  them  beauty  for  ashes, 
the  oil  of  joy  for  mourning,  the  garment  of  praise  for  the  spirit 
of  heaviness  ;  that  they  might  be  called  trees  of  righteousness, 
the  planting  of  the  Lord,  that  He  might  be  glorified.''  And 
now  God  Almighty  Himself  comforts  the  faithful  dead.  In 
deed  I  think  both  the  former  and  the  latter  message  may 
reverently  and  affectionately  be  delighted  in  as  conveying  hope 
and  solace  to  living  and  dead  together. 

"  The  acceptable  year  of  the  Lord,  and  the  day  of  vengeance 
of  our  God,"  may  (may  they  not?)  be  viewed  as  the  period  of 
the  final  supreme  restitution  of  all  things,  as  well  as  of  the 
Gospel  dispensation;  the  one  sense  not  excluding  but  pre 
ceding  the  other.  Good  will  be  those  tidings  to  the  meek, 
which  summon  them  to  inherit  and  occupy  the  everlasting 
earth  wherein  dwelleth  righteousness.  The  broken-hearted 
will  be  bound  up,  when  mourners  are  comforted  never  to 
mourn  again.  Liberty  will  come  to  light,  the  iron  prison-door 
will  stand  ready  to  open  of  his  own  accord,  while  holy  souls 
rejoicing  in  their  beds,  reach  forward  to  regain  their  resurrec 
tion  bodies.  Then  will  ashes  resume  beauty,  and  the  face  of 
mourning  shine,  and  praise  obliterate  reproach ;  even  self-re 
proach.  Already  God's  Acre  abounds  in  trees  of  righteousness 
planted  by  Him,  and  waiting  to  spring  up  skywards  to  His 
glory.  "  Is  it  not  yet  a  very  little  while,  and  Lebanon  shall 
be  turned  into  a  fruitful  field,  and  the  fruitful  field  shall  be 
esteemed  as  a  forest  ?  " 

And  now  once  more  St.  John  hears,  and  we  hear  without  any 
ambiguity,  a  Voice  from  heaven  :  "  Blessed  are  the  dead  which 
die  in  the  Lord  from  henceforth."  Blessed  year  after  year, 
blessed  century  after  century,  blessed  be  the  death  what  it 
may,  whereby  one  by  one  the  long  not  half-recorded  series  of 
the  elect  die  in  the  Lord :  martyrs  on  death-beds  of  torture, 
or  in  winding-sheets  of  flame  ;  confessors  upraised  in  loneliness 
against  the  world  ;  virgins  unflinching  in  self-oblation  ;  workers 
wearing  out  inch  by  inch  ;  the  sick  wrung  by  agony  or  burdened 
with  long-drawn  weariness ;  men  suffering  the  more  because 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 


strength  holds  out ;  women  the  more  because  weakness  shrinks; 
children  in  their  degree  but  spared  foresight. 

We  understand  at  a  glance  that  blessed  it  is  for  these,  and 
such  as  these,  to  die  "in  the  Lord." 

Yea,  and  blessed  also  is  it  for  these,  and  such  as  these,  to 
live  :  life  is  their  work-day,  and  their  works  will  follow  them. 
The  slothful  servant  desires  to  rest  without  labour ;  the  good 
and  faithful  servant  after  labour. 

"  Labours  .  .  .  works/' — There  is  such  a  thing  as  unpro 
ductive  labour,  strenuously  to  be  eschewed  on  pain  of  having 
no  "  works  "  at  the  critical  moment.  "  Wherefore  do  ye  spend 
.  .  .  your  labour  for  that  which  satisfieth  not?"  Thus  did 
the  slothful  servant  in  the  Parable  of  the  Talents :  he  hid  his 
talent  in  the  earth,  although  nought  else  would  he  do  with  it. 

Labour  not  for  the  world :  "  I  made  me  great  works ;  I 
builded  me  houses ;  I  planted  me  vineyards :  I  made  me 
gardens  and  orchards,  and  I  planted  trees  in  them  of  all  kind 
of  fruits :  I  made  me  pools  of  water,  to  water  therewith  the 
wood  that  bringeth  forth  trees  :  I  got  me  servants  and  maidens, 
and  had  servants  born  in  my  house ;  also  I  had  great  posses 
sions  of  great  and  small  cattle  above  all  that  were  in  Jerusalem 
before  me  :  I  gathered  me  also  silver  and  gold,  and  the  peculiar 
treasure  of  kings  and  of  the  provinces  :  I  gat  me  men  singers 
and  women  singers,  and  the  delights  of  the  sons  of  men,  as 
musical  instruments,  and  that  of  all  sorts.  So  I  was  great, 
and  increased  more  than  all  that  were  before  me  in  Jerusalem  : 
also  my  wisdom  remained  with  me.  And  whatsoever  mine 
eyes  desired  I  kept  not  from  them,  I  withheld  not  my  heart 
from  any  joy;  for  my  heart  rejoiced  in  all  my  labour:  and 
this  was  my  portion  of  all  my  labour.  Then  I  looked  on  all 
the  works  that  my  hands  had  wrought,  and  on  the  labour  that 
I  had  laboured  to  do  :  and,  behold,  all  was  vanity  and  vexation 
of  spirit,  and  there  was  no  profit  under  the  sun." 

Labour  not  for  the  flesh  :  "  All  the  labour  of  man  is  for  his 
mouth,  and  yet  the  appetite  is  not  filled." 

"  But,  beloved,  we  are  persuaded  better  things  of  you,  and 
things  that  accompany  salvation.  .  .  .  For  God  is  not  un 
righteous  to  forget  your  work  and  labour  of  love,  which  ye 
have  showed  toward  His  Name,  in  that  ye  have  ministered  to 
the  saints,  and  do  minister.  And  we  desire  that  every  one  of 
you  do  show  the  same  diligence  to  the  full  assurance  of  hope 
unto  the  end  :  that  ye  be  not  slothful,  but  followers  of  them 
who  through  faith  and  patience  inherit  the  promises." 

Labour  with  and  in  God :    "  Every  man  shall  receive  his 


THE  FACE    OF   THE  DEEP.  563 

own  reward  according  to  his  own  labour.  For  we  are  labourers 
together  with  God."  "  Be  ye  steadfast,  unmovable,  always 
abounding  in  the  work  of  the  Lord,  forasmuch  as  ye  know 
that  your  labour  is  not  in  vain  in  the  Lord." 

So  shall  Christians  render  thanks  for  one  another :  "  We 
give  thanks  to  God  always  for  you  all,  ....  remembering  with 
out  ceasing  your  work  of  faith,  and  labour  of  love,  and  patience 
of  hope  in  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 

Lord,  that  afterwards  we  may  rest,  give  us  grace  at  once  to 
labour;  that  at  last  works  may  follow  us,  enable  us  now  to 
work  Thy  works  Who  sendest  us,  in  the  Strength  of  Jesus 
Christ,  Whose  Name  we  plead.  Amen. 

Without  hazarding  conjecture  beyond  my  depth,  the  verse 
under  consideration  reminds  me  of  the  Manifestation  of  the 
Divine  Trinity  at  our  Lord's  Baptism,  and  again  (?)  at  His 
Transfiguration.  Now  "  a  Voice "  speaks,  as  it  were  the 
Paternal  Fountain-head  of  Blessing;  and  refers  that  Blessing 
to  union  with  the  Son,  the  Spouse  of  souls ;  finally,  "  the 
Spirit  "  ratines  and  seals  all. 

"  The  Spirit  Itself  beareth  witness  with  our  spirit,  that  we 
are  the  children  of  God  :  and  if  children,  then  heirs  ;  heirs  of 
God,  the  joint-heirs  with  Christ ;  if  so  be  that  we  suffer  with 
Him,  that  we  may  be  also  glorified  together." 
14.  And  I  looked,  and  behold  a  white  cloud,  and  upon  the 
cloud  one  sat  like  unto  the  Son  of  Man,  having  on  His 
head  a  golden  crown,  and  in  His  hand  a  sharp  sickle. 

Both  in  chap.  i.  13,  ante,  where  the  same  words  occur,  and 
here,  R.V.  has  a,  not  the  "  Son  of  Man  "  :  in  each  instance, 
however,  supplying  the  as  an  alternative  marginal  reading. 
As  "  the  Son  of  Man  "  I  adore  my  Lord  as  Head  indeed 
of. the  race,  but  as  so  separate  from  sinners  that  Him  alone 
it  befits  to  be  constituted  Judge  of  human-kind.  As  "a 
Son  of  Man  "  I  worship  Him  as  the  Representative  Man  in 
Whose  perfect  Will  all  sanctified  human  wills  concur,  Whose 
righteous  Acts  all  holy  souls  approve. 

If  reverently  I  may  assume  this  "White  Cloud"  to  be  that 
awful  Cloud  which  intimates  the  Presence  of  God  the  Holy 
Spirit,  the  Cloud  apparently  of  the  Transfiguration,  the  Cloud 
haply  of  the  Ascension  ;  then  I  behold  the  Two  Comforters, 
the  Two  Advocates  of  mankind,  now  concurring  in  that 
supreme  judgment  to  which  mercy  and  justice  have  led  up. 
Pauseless  Intercession,  groanings  unutterable,  dew  of  grace, 
inspirations  of  sanctity,  have  fulfilled  their  day,  done  their 


364  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

work,   accomplished  their  mission.     And  this,  whether  souls 
have  or  have  not  responded  to  the  saving  call. 

The  done  is  done  once  and  for  ever.  The  undone  remains 
undone  and  past  doing.  The  eleventh  hour  of  man's  long 
working-day  closes :  that  day  was  the  preparation,  and  the 
Sabbath  draws  on.  Let  us  not  lose  heart  even  while  contem 
plating  the  end  of  all  things  as  at  hand:  "If  thou  .  .  .  call 
the  Sabbath  a  delight,  the  holy  of  the  Lord,  honourable;  and 
shalt  honour  Him,  not  doing  thine  own  ways,  nor  finding  thine 
own  pleasure,  nor  speaking  thine  own  words :  then  shalt  thou 
delight  thyself  in  the  Lord." 

"  For  My  thoughts  are  not  your  thoughts,  neither  are  your 
ways  My  ways,  saith  the  Lord.  For  as  the  heavens  are  higher 
than  the  earth,  so  are  My  ways  higher  than  your  ways,  and 
My  thoughts  than  your  thoughts.  For  as  the  rain  cometh 
down,  and  the  snow  from  heaven,  and  returneth  not  thither, 
but  watereth  the  earth,  and  maketh  it  bring  forth  and  bud, 
that  it  may  give  seed  to  the  sower,  and  bread  to  the  eater :  so 
shall  My  word  be  that  goeth  forth  out  of  My  mouth :  it  shall 
not  return  unto  Me  void,  but  it  shall  accomplish  that  which  I 
please,  and  it  shall  prosper  in  the  thing  whereto  I  sent  it." 

"On  His  Head  a  golden  crown." — "We  see  Jesus,  Who 
was  made  a  little  lower  than  the  angels  for  the  suffering  of 
•death,  crowned  with  glory  and  honour."  For  love  of  us  Christ 
once  abased  Himself  to  wear  "  a  corruptible  crown,"  the 
Crown  of  Thorns,  that  with  Him  we  might  eternally  wear 
incorruptible  crowns  of  glory.  It  seems  a  very  simple,  natural 
thing,  yet  does  it  foreshadow  a  mystery  when  we  read  of 
Ahasuerus :  "  The  king  loved  Esther  .  .  .  and  she  obtained 
grace  and  favour  in  his  sight  ...  so  that  he  set  the  royal 
crown  upon  her  head." 

Sharp  though  it  be,  our  dear  Lord  holds  a  sickle,  not  a 
scythe :  He  mows  not,  but  reaps.  With  a  mower  it  is  far 
otherwise ;  but  the  reaper  embraces  and  draws  to  his  bosom 
that  good  grain  which  he  cuts  down. 

15.  And  another  angel  came  out  of  the  temple,  crying  with 

a  loud  voice  to  Him  that  sat  on  the  cloud,  Thrust  in 
Thy  sickle,  and  reap :  for  the  time  is  come  for  Thee 
to  reap  ;  for  the  harvest  of  the  earth  is  ripe. 

16.  And  He  that  sat  on  the  cloud  thrust  in  His  sickle  on 

the  earth ;  and  the  earth  was  reaped. 

"  Another  angel "  does  not  perhaps  carry  us  back  to  the 
preceding  verse,  but  to  one  more  remote :  the  last  individual 


THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP.  36 5, 

angel  clearly  mentioned  was  at  ver.  9.  But  I  take  this 
opportunity  of  calling  attention  to  my  ignorance  of,  sometimes, 
a  very  critical  point  in  the  text  on  which  I  venture  to  meditate  ; 
and  if  in  consequence  I  misrepresent  the  person  of  the 
speaker  or  the  word  spoken,  I  ask  pardon  for  my  involuntary 
error.  Only  should  I  have  readers,  let  me  remind  them  that 
what  I  write  professes  to  be  a  surface  study  of  an  unfathom 
able  depth  :  if  it  incites  any  to  dive  deeper  than  I  attain  to, 
it  will  so  far  have  accomplished  a  worthy  work.  My  sug 
gestions  do  not  necessarily  amount  to  beliefs;  they  may  be 
no  more  than  tentative  thoughts  compatible  with  acknow 
ledged  ignorance. 

Our  Lord  said  :  "  Whoso  shall  swear  by  the  temple,  svveareth 
by  it,  and  by  Him  that  dwelleth  therein."  Whence  it  appears 
that  this  Angel  came  forth  from  the  immediate  Presence  of 
God  Almighty  to  utter  his  exhortation.  Straight  from  that 
Presence  he  doubtless  spake  the  Divine  words  and  Will.  And 
because  concerning  such  a  day  and  hour  as  this  of  the  supreme 
harvest  our  Lord  had  once  declared  that  not  the  Angels  in 
heaven  at  that  moment  knew  the  prefixed  period  ;  this  Angel 
by  now  announcing  the  time  as  come,  suggests  that  accessions 
of  knowledge  are  possible  in  the  case  of  Angels ;  and  thereby 
further  suggests  that  man  in  consummated  perfection  made 
equal  to  the  Angels,  may  like  them  remain  open  to  the  delight 
of  increasing  knowledge.  I  think  a  study  of  the  final  beatitude 
resembles  so  far  a  study  of  precious  stones  :  the  more  we 
ponder  on  the  heavenly  beatitude,  the  wider  seems  to  expand 
the  field  of  ever-multiplying  possibilities  of  bliss ;  similarly, 
to  read  even  a  little  about  jewels  discloses  how  many  different 
colours  and  shades  of  colour  may  vary  and  adorn  gems  which 
we  commonly  assume  to  be  of  one  fixed  colour ;  for  the  ruby 
need  not  be  red,  nor  the  sapphire  blue,  nor  need  the  diamond 
be  colourless.  "  O  Lord,  how  manifold  are  Thy  works  !  in 
wisdom  hast  Thou  made  them  all." 

"Thrust  in  Thy  sickle"—"  He  ...  thrust  in  His  sickle." 
— The  Revised  Version  gives  (and  similarly  at  vers.  18,  19)  : 
"  Send  forth  Thy  sickle  "— "  He  ...  cast  His  sickle."  If 
this  be  the  more  accurate  rendering,  may  it  not  convey  a 
modified  meaning  ?  According  to  the  Authorized  Version  we 
seem  to  behold  the  Divine  Lord  of  the  harvest  reap. with  His 
own  Hand;  whilst  the  Revised  Version  by  treating  the  sickle 
rather  as  an  agent  than  as  a  mere  implement  brings  the 
passage  into  more  obvious  harmony  both  with  one  point  in 
our  Master's  Parable  of  the  Wheat  and  the  Tares,  and  with  the 


366  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

corresponding  portion  of  His  subsequent  key  to  its  meaning : 
"In  the  time  of  harvest  I  will  say  to  the  reapers,  Gather  ye 
together  first  the  tares,  and  bind  them  in  bundles  to  burn  them  : 
but  gather  the  wheat  into  My  barn.  .  .  .  The  harvest  is  the 
end  of  the  world  ;  and  the  reapers  are  the  angels.  As  there 
fore  the  tares  are  gathered  and  burned  in  the  fire ;  so  shall  it 
be  in  the  end  of  this  world.  The  Son  of  Man  shall  send  forth 
His  angels,  and  they  shall  gather.  .  .  ." 

"  For  the  harvest  of  the  earth  is  ripe  " — or  "  over-ripe  " 
according  to  the  Revised  Version,  or  "  dried  up  "  given  there 
marginally  as  the  literal  Greek.  Thus  long  hath  God  waited  ! 
So  of  old  He  spake  unto  Abram  :  "In  the  fourth  generation 
they  shall  come  hither  again  :  for  the  iniquity  of  the  Amorites 
is  not  yet  full."  Meanwhile  pious  souls  on  both  sides  of  the 
veil  (it  may  be)  call  out  of  the  deep  :  "  As  the  hart  panteth 
after  the  water  brooks,  so  panteth  my  soul  after  Thee,  O  God. 
My  soul  thirsteth  for  God,  for  the  Living  God  :  when  shall  I 
come  and  appear  before  God  ?  " 

That  is  a  very  wonderful  rule  (if  it  may  be  deemed  a  rule) 
which  sweetly  ordering  both  nature  and  grace,  oftentimes  for 
the  moment  appears  to  postpone  the  righteous  to  the  wicked  : 
so  that  the  ninety-nine  are  left  in  the  wilderness  for  the  sake  of 
one,  and  that  one  no  more  after  all  than  contingently  recover 
able.  "  If  so  be  that  he  find  it.  -.  .  ." 

Imperfectly  good  people  may  feel  such  postponement  a 
keen  trial ;  whether  it  befall  them  immediately  by  direct 
Providences,  or  mediately  by  (for  instance)  ruinous  lifelong 
family  sacrifices  to  save  a  vicious  child.  St.  James  has  left  an 
encouraging  exhortation  and  a  warning  suited  to  such  un 
finished  Christians  :  "  Be  patient  therefore,  brethren,  unto  the 
coining  of  the  Lord.  Behold,  the  husbandman  waiteth  for 
the  precious  fruit  of  the  earth,  and  hath  long  patience  for  it, 
until  he  receive  the  early  and  latter  rain.  Be  ye  also  patient ; 
stablish  your  hearts  :  for  the  coming  of  the  Lord  draweth  nigh. 
Grudge  not  one  against  another,  brethren,  lest  ye  be  con 
demned  :  behold,  the  Judge  standeth  before  the  door."  And 
the  spirit  if  not  the  letter  of  the  Parable  of  the  Prodigal 
Son  invites  them  with  the  elder  son  to  triumph  over  self: 
"  And  he  was  angry,  and  would  not  go  in  :  therefore  came  his 
father  out,  and  intreated  him.  And  he  answering  said  to  his 
father,  Lo,  these  many  years  do  I  serve  thee,  neither  transgressed 
I  at  any  time  thy  commandment :  and  yet  thou  never  gavest  me 
a  kid,  that  I  might  make  merry  with  my  friends  :  but  as  soon 
as  this  thy  son  was  come,  which  hath  devoured  thy  living 


THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP.  367 

with  harlots,  thou  hast  killed  for  him  the  fatted  calf.  And  he 
said  unto  him,  Son,  thou  art  ever  with  me,  and  all  that  I  have  is 
thine.  It  was  meet  that  we  should  make  merry,  and  be  glad  : 
for  this  thy  brother  was  dead,  and  is  alive  again  ;  and  was 
lost,  and  is  found." 

"  And  the  earth  was  reaped  " — at  last.  Not  as  yet  do  we 
discern  the  unearthly  reapers,  the  flying  sickle  ;  but  we  are 
forewarned  of  their  imminence.  If  then  by  watching  as  well 
as  by  prayer  we  desire  to  make  ready  against  the  moment  of 
their  actual  inevitable  arrival,  let  us  strive  to  rise  above  our 
natural  and  high  above  our  present  level :  for  the  farthest  view 
is  from  the  loftiest  standpoint.  Doves  at  windows  command 
a  much  wider  horizon  than  moles  on  hillocks  :  whilst  a  mole 
who  takes  his  ease  or  grubs  inside  a  hillock,  what  chance  has 
he  of  seeing  ? 

17.  And  another  angel  came  out  of  the  temple  which  is  in 

heaven,  he  also  having  a  sharp  sickle. 

18.  And  another  angel  came  out  from  the  altar,  which  had 

power  over  fire  ;  and  cried  with  a  loud  cry  to  him 
that  had  the  sharp  sickle,  saying,  Thrust  in  thy  sharp 
sickle,  and  gather  the  clusters  of  the  vine  cf  the 
earth ;  for  her  grapes  are  fully  ripe. 

At  first  sight  there  seems  a  striking  likeness,  on  further 
observation  a  marked  distinction,  between  that  reaping  of  the 
earth  and  this  vintage  of  the  clusters  of  her  vine.  In  both 
cases  the  authoritative  judicial  sentence  is  pronounced  as  from 
the  Temple ;  but  the  angel  of  the  harvest  invokes  One  Who 
41  sitteth  upon  the  circle  of  the  earth,  and  the  inhabitants  thereof 
are  as  grasshoppers;  that  stretcheth  out  the  heavens  as  a 
curtain,  and  spreadeth  them  out  as  a  tent  to  dwell  in  "  :  while 
the  Angel  of  the  vintage,  apparently  a  minister  of  the  Altar, 
calls  upon  a  fellow  Angel  (for  so  the  sequence  of  verses  at 
least  suggests),  who  sickle  in  hand  has  issued  from  the  Temple, 
to  execute  his  office. 

Such  a  resemblance  harmonizing  with  such  a  difference  , 
suggests  that  though  harvest  and  vintage  are  congruous  figures, 
they  yet  are  not  here  employed  simply  and  absolutely  as 
equivalents ;  whence  arises  a  further  suggestion :  that  the 
corn  corresponds  with  the  general  human  race,  the  vine  with 
the  Church.  A  like  distinction,  but  in  reverse  order,  seems  at 
least  conjecturable  between  the  Servants  in  the  Parable  of  the 
Talents  and  the  Sheep  and  Goats  in  the  Prophecy  of  the  Doom 
{see  St.  Matt.  xxv.  14 — 46). 


368  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

Our  Lord  expressly  claimed  the  Vine  as  a  figure  of  the 
Church  made  one  with  and  in  Himself:  "I  am  the  Vine,  ye 
are  the  branches."  So  in  the  Old  Testament  the  Jewish 
Church,  so  far  as  comported  with  that  dispensation,  appears 
under  the  same  symbol:  "Thou  hast  brought  a  vine  out  of 
Egypt.  .  .  .  Look  down  from  heaven,  and  behold,  and  visit 
this  vine  "  : — "  Yet  I  had  planted  thee  a  noble  vine,  wholly  a 
right  seed  :  how  then  art  thou  turned  into  the  degenerate  plant 
of  a  strange  vine  unto  Me  ?  " 

When  our  Lord  employs  the  figure  of  corn  it  is  (at  least 
sometimes)  without  any  restrictive  stamp  of  unity :  "  The 
harvest  truly  is  plenteous — "  ;  "Lift  up  your  eyes,  and  look 
on  the  fields;  for  they  are  white  already  to  harvest."  Even 
when  He  deigns  to  symbolize  Himself  by  "  a  com  of  wheat," 
the  characteristic  stated  is  not  simple  expansion,  but  multiplica 
tion  :  "If  it  die,  it  bringeth  forth  much  fruit."  And  though 
(blessed  be  His  Holy  Name)  this  much  fruit  is  self-evidently  His 
death-bought  Church,  it  yet  remains  true  that  one  obvious 
lesson  from  the  corn  is  neither  exclusion  nor  unity,  but  likeness. 
The  function  of  each  branch  is  to  abide  in  the  vine  :  the 
function  of  each  grain  in  the  ear  is  to  do  like  the  parent  seed. 

To  return  to  our  text,  if  I  may  thus  consider  it.  He  Who 
reaps  the  corn  reaps  it  not  from  the  Temple,  but  seated  at  large  in 
the  open  firmament  of  heaven  ;  that  heaven  which  canopies  the 
whole  earth,  the  evil  and  the  good,  the  just  and  the  unjust. 
"  The  heavens  declare  the  glory  of  God ;  and  the  firmament 
sheweth  His  handywork.  Day  unto  day  uttereth  speech,  and 
night  unto  night  sheweth  knowledge.  There  is  no  speech  nor 
language,  where  their  voice  is  not  heard.  Their  line  is  gone  out 
through  all  the  earth,  and  their  words  to  the  end  of  the  world." 
Every  man,  woman,  child,  must  undergo  the  judgment :  whence 
it  ensues  that  every  one,  whatever  the  issue,  was  created  sus 
ceptible  of  salvation  ;  less  than  this  St.  Paul  in  the  universal 
brotherhood  of  his  zealous  heart  does  surely  not  imply  :  "  The 
righteous  judgment  of  God  ;  Who  will  render  to  every  man 
.according  to  his  deeds  :  to  them  who  by  patient  continuance 
in  welldoing  seek  for  glory  and  honour  and  immortality, 
eternal  life  :  but  unto  them  that  are  contentious,  and  do  not 
obey  the  truth,  but  obey  unrighteousness,  indignation  and 
wrath,  tribulation  and  anguish,  upon  every  soul  of  man  that 
doeth  evil,  of  the  Jew  first,  and  also  of  the  Gentile ;  but  glory, 
honour,  and  peace,  to  every  man  that  worketh  good,  to  the 
Jew  first,  and  also  to  the  Gentile  :  for  there  is  no  respect  of 
persons  with  God.  For  as  many  as  have  sinned  without  law 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  369 

shall  also  perish  without  law  :  and  as  many  as  have  sinned 
in  the  law  shall  be  judged  by  the  law;  ...  in  the  day  when 
God  shall  judge  the  secrets  of  men  by  Jesus  Christ."  And 
perhaps  I  may  without  rashness  notice  how  in  this  Apocalyptic 
vision  the  last  word  concerning  earth's  harvest  is  that  it  "  was 
reaped  " ;  nothing  further  do  we  here  read  of  wheat  or  tares, 
barn  or  fire ;  reminding  us  of  St.  Paul's  words  to  his  Cor 
inthian  converts  :  "  What  have  I  to  do  to  judge  them  also 
that  are  without?  .  .  .  Them  that  are  without  God  judgeth." 

As  to  the  vine,  wide  is  the  difference.  The  armed  messenger 
of  judgment  comes  forth  from  the  Temple ;  and  the  exhorting 
Angel  from  as  it  were  the  very  heart  of  the  temple,  the  Altar 
if  not  the  Fire  of  the  Altar.  From  the  days  of  Isaiah  the  elect 
vine  was  forewarned  of  the  inevitable  future  reckoning,  each 
intermediate  judgment  prefiguring  that  final  judgment  which 
is  to  be  without  appeal :  "  My  Well-Beloved  hath  a  vineyard 
in  a  very  fruitful  hill :  and  He  fenced  it,  and  gathered  out  the 
stones  thereof,  and  planted  it  with  the  choicest  vine,  and  built 
a  tower  in  the  midst  of  it,  and  also  made  a  winepress  therein  : 
and  He  looked  that  it  should  bring  forth  grapes,  and  it  brought 
forth  wild  grapes.  .  .  .  What  could  have  been  done  more  to 
My  vineyard,  that  I  have  not  done  in  it  ?  wherefore,  when  I 
looked  that  it  should  bring  forth  grapes,  brought  it  forth  wild 
grapes  ?  And  now  go  to  ;  I  will  tell  you  what  I  will  do  to  My 
vineyard  :  I  will  take  away  the  hedge  thereof,  and  it  shall  be 
eaten  up  ;  and  break  down  the  wall  thereof,  and  it  shall  be 
trodden  down  :  and  I  will  lay  it  waste."  And  in  the  passage  of 
the  Apocalypse  under  consideration,  now  that  the  final  judg 
ment  is  come  (for  so  it  seems  to  be),  I  suppose  we  may 
parallel  the  clusters  of  fully  ripe  grapes  with  the  "  wild  grapes  " 
of  the  former  provocation ;  observing  that  at  the  utmost  they 
apparently  rank  no  higher  than  barren  branches,  both  alike 
being  doomed  to  severance  from  the  root  of  their  only  life. 
Degenerate  clusters,  they  have  left  their  wine  which  cheereth 
God  and  man,  and  have  made  themselves  like  the  vine  of 
God's  enemies  whose  "vine  is  of  the  vine  of  Sodom,  and  of 
the  fields  of  Gomorrah  :  their  grapes  are  grapes  of  gall,  their 
clusters  are  bitter :  their  wine  is  the  poison  of  dragons,  and  the 
cruel  venom  of  asps." 

"  Fully  ^ripe." — Not  (so  far  as  either  the  translated  text  or 
the  margin  informs  me)  either  dried  up  or  over  ripe:  such 
excess  befell  the  corn,  as  if  this  had  been  "made  to  wait  on 
the  vine.  Even  so  the  world  is  tolerated  until  the  number  of 
the  elect  be  fulfilled. 

A  A 


370  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

19.  And  the  angel  thrust  in  his  sickle  into  the  earth,  and 

gathered  the  vine  of  the  earth,  and  cast  it  into  the 
great  winepress  of  the  wrath  of  God. 

20,  And  the  winepress  was  trodden  without  the  city,  and 

blood  came  out  of  the  winepress,  even  unto  the  horse 
bridles,  by  the  space  of  a  thousand  and  six  hundred 
furlongs. 

As  to  the  harvest  we  are  told  nothing  further  than  that  it 
was  reaped  ;  but  plainly  are  we  told  what  befalls  the  con 
demned  clusters  of  this  awful  vine.  So  are  all  Christians 
warned  of  what  awaits  unworthy  Christians :  "  If  we  sin 
wilfully  after  that  we  have  received  the  knowledge  of  the  truth, 
there  remaineth  no  more  sacrifice  for  sins,  but  a  certain  fearful 
looking  for  of  judgment  and  fiery  indignation,  which  shall 
devour  the  adversaries.  He  that  despised  Moses'  law  died 
without  mercy  under  two  or  three  witnesses  :  of  how  much 
sorer  punishment,  suppose  ye,  shall  he  be  thought  worthy,  who 
hath  trodden  under  foot  the  Son  of  God,  and  hath  counted 
the  Blood  of  the  covenant,  wherewith  he  was  sanctified,  an 
unholy  thing,  and  hath  done  despite  to  the  Spirit  of  grace  ? 
For  we  know  Him  that  hath  said,  Vengeance  belongeth  unto 
?vle,  I  will  recompense,  saith  the  Lord.  And  again,  The  Lord 
shall  judge  His  people.  It  is  a  fearful  thing  to  fall  into  the 
hands  of  the  Living  God." 

These  "  clusters  "  are  men,  for  they  yield  blood,  and  their 
winepress  is  the  wrath  of  God.  Such  are  they  who  once  trod 
under  foot  the  Son  of  God,  that  very  Saviour  Who  for  their 
sakes  trod  the  winepress  alone  :  now  are  they  ground  as  it 
were  to  powder  under  His  wrath  Whom  they  outraged.  They 
despised  and  rejected  His  saving  Blood  :  now  must  their  own  be 
as  dung  on  the  face  of  the  field.  They  went  not  forth  unto  Him 
without  the  camp  bearing  His  reproach  :  now  are  they  them 
selves  crushed  without  the  city.  They  did  despite  to  the 
Spirit  of  grace  ;  and  now  there  remaineth  no  more  sacrifice  for 
sins.  "  Put  ye  in  the  sickle,  for  the  harvest  is  ripe  :  come  get 
you  down  ;  for  the  press  is  full,  the  fats  overflow ;  for  their 
wickedness  is  great." 

God's  righteous  vengeance,  even  v»  hen  He  maketh  a  way  to 
His  indignation  and  spareth  not  souls  from  death,  is  propor 
tioned,  due,  not  in  excess  :  the  horses  are  bridled,  the  area  is 
circumscribed. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

1.  And  I  saw  another  sign  in  heaven,  great  and  marvellous, 

seven  angels  having  the  seven  last  plagues ;  for  in  them 
is  filled  up  the  wrath  of  God. 

Twice  b  fore  (ch.  xii.)  St.  John  saw  a  "  wonder  " ;  or  as  the 
Revised  Version  in  each  instance  translates  the  word,  a  "  sign  "  ; 
in  heaven.  First,  when  he  beheld  there  "  the  King's  Daughter  " 
all  glorious  without  as  well  as  within,  made  indomitable  in 
weakness.  Secondly,  when  he  beheld  there  a  great  red  dragon, 
God's  adversary  and  hers,  at  work  yet  baffled  in  his  evil  purpose. 
Now  thirdly  (if  I  may  assume  the  Greek  word  still  to  be  the 
same),  when  Seven  Angels  appear  having  the  Seven  last  Plagues 
wherein  is  filled  up  the  wrath  of  God. 

Many  points  as  I  may  miss,  I  perceive  'the  marvel  of  "  a 
woman  "  (for  such  is  the  figure,  whatever  may  be  the  signification) 
appearing  as  the  centre  of  such  concurrent  glories  :  I  readily 
perceive  the  marvel  of  a  rebel  working  wickedness  and  waging 
war  in  heaven  itself.  But  angels  being  (so  to  say)  natives  of 
heaven,  and  St.  John  having  already  mentioned  as  present  there 
ten  thousand  times  ten  thousand  and  thousands  of  thousands, 
the  third  marvel  seems  not  to  consist  in  Seven  Angels  thence 
confronting  us,  but  rather  in  their  being  the  bearers  of  Seven 
Plagues.  This  is  the  third  and  last  Seven  of  the  Apocalypse, 
"for  in  them  is  filled  up  the  wrath  of  God."  The  previous 
Sevens  were  the  Seals  and  the  Trumpets  ;  and  however  the  three 
series  may  have  to  be  viewed  in  historical  sequence,  yet  to  any 
uninstructed  reader  they  convey  with  one  voice  one  reiterated 
warning  to  love  righteousness  and  hate  iniquity  and  flee  from 
the  wrath  to  come. 

11  The  wrath  of  God  "  admits  of  being  filled  up  :  nowhere  do 
we  read  of  His  mercy  being  filled  up.  Equally,  "  seven  last 
plagues  "  are  here  defined  ;  but  nowhere  seven  last  blessings. 

2.  And  I  saw  as  it  were  a  sea  of  glass  mingled  with  fire  ; 

and  them  that  had  gotten  the  victory  over  the  beast,  and 


372  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

over  Ms  image,  and  over  his  mark,  and  over  the 
number  of  his  name,  stand  on  the  sea  of  glass,  having 
the  harps  of  God. 

If  I  may  venture  to  assume  this  sea  to  be  the  same  as  that 
which  St.  John  originally  beheld  "  before  the  Throne  ...  of 
glass  like  unto  crystal  "  (ch.  iv.  6),  a  fresh  point  of  glory  has 
now  been  added  to  its  former  glory  ;  or  if  not  truly  added,  has 
yet  been  added  so  far  as  our  knowledge  is  concerned. 

The  former  vision  magnified  God  as  Creator.  Of  that 
vision  the  sea  appeared  pure,  perfect,  unbroken,  unperturbed  ;  it 
spread  double  against  that  overarching  sky  which  is  strong  and 
as  a  molten  looking-glass.  Itself  flawless,  there  could  occur  no 
flaw  in  its  reflection  of  the  firmament. 

Now  fire  is  added  not  to  consume,  but  "mingled  "  with  that 
sea  to  illuminate,  flash,  augment  beauty ;  even  as  the  fiery 
milky  opal  would  not  be  half  itself  without  its  spark.  For 
Redemption  now  excels  Creation  ;  and  the  fiery  trial  through 
which  the  elect  have  pressed  after  Christ,  being  past  as  a 
trial  endures  as  a  perpetual  splendour.  None  but  victors  stand 
upon  that  sea  "  having  the  harps  of  God,"  for  "  he  that  is  feeble 
among  them  at  that  day  shall  be  as  David."  "Awake,  awake, 
utter  a  song  :  arise  .  .  .  and  lead  thy  captivity  captive." 

Jerusalem  of  fire 

And  gold  and  pearl  and  gem, 
Saints  flock  to  fill  thy  choir, 
Jerusalem. 

Lo,  thrones  thou  hast  for  them  ; 
Desirous  they  desire 
Thy  harp,  thy  diadem, 

Thy  bridal  white  attire, 

A  palm  branch  from  thy  stem  : 
Thy  holiness  their  hire, 
Jerusalem. 

Though  the  sea  be  "of  glass  mingled  with  fire,"  yet  if  we  may 
regard  it  as  in  any  sense  equivalent  to  a  sea  of  water  thus 
mingled,  we  immediately  recognize  and  revere  two  conspicu 
ous  types  of  God  the  Holy  Spirit ;  and  we  discern  as  in  a  glass 
darkly  how  it  is  His  Presence,  Gift,  Grace,  which  sustains  the 
Church  universal.  The  Altar  has  clearly  reappeared  in  the 
celestial  Temple  :  now  (if  I  may)  I  behold  the  Font  also,  that 
"  womb  of  the  morning,"  whence  as  Christ's  members  we 
derive  the  dew  of  immortal  birth. 

"  0  Lord,  how  manifold  are   Thy  works  !  in  wisdom  hast 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  373 

Thou  made  them  all  :  the  earth  is  full  of  Thy  riches.     So  is 
the  great  and  wide  sea." 

An  alternative  reading  (Revised  Version)  makes  these  more 
than  conquerors  stand  not  on  but  by  the  glassy  sea  ;  thus  supply 
ing  us  with  an  additional  thought  by  contrasting  the  Church 
Triumphant  for  evermore  with  sometime  the  Church  Militant  : 
"  By  the  rivers  of  Babylon,  there  we  sat  down,  yea,  we  wept, 
when  we  remembered  Zion.  We  hanged  our  harps  upon  the 
willows  in  the  midst  thereof.  .  .  .  How  shall  we  sing  the 
Lord's  song  in  a  strange  land  ?  " 

3.  And  they  sing  the  song1  of  Moses  the  servant  of  God,  and 
the  song  of  the  Lamb,  saying,  Great  and  marvellous 
are  Thy  works,  Lord  God  Almighty,  just  and  true  are 
Thy  ways,  Thou  King  of  saints. 

"  Consider  the  Apostle  and  High  Priest  of  our  profession, 
Christ  Jesus  ;  Who  was  faithful  to  Him  that  appointed  Him,  as 
also  Moses  was  faithful  in  all  His  house.  .  .  And  Moses 
verily  was  faithful  in  all  His  house,  as  a  servant.  .  .  .  But 
Christ  as  a  Son  over  His  own  house."  Hence  it  appears  how 
wide  and  not  to  be  bridged  over  is  the  gulf  between  Son  and 
servant ;  yet  Christ  setting  aside  that  inequality  is  pleased  to 
combine  with  Himself  Moses  His  friend  in  a  song  of  triumph, 
ennobling  with  transcendent  significance  Solomon's  proverb  : 
"  A  wise  servant  .  .  .  shall  have  part  of  the  inheritance  among 
the  brethren." 

Surely  this  also  is  a  sign  and  a  great  wonder  brought  to  light 
in  heaven. 

The  Passion  Flower  hath  sprung  up  tall, 

Hath  east  and  west  its  arms  outspread  , 

The  heliotrope  shoots  up  its  head 
To  clear  the  shadow  of  the  wall : 
Down  looks  the  Passion  Flower, 

The  heliotrope  looks  upward  still, 
Hjur  by  hour 

On  the  heavenward  hill. 

The  Passion  Flower  blooms  red  or  white, 

A  shadowed  white,  a  cloudless  red  ; 

Caressingly  it  droops  its  head, 
Its  leaves,  its  tendrils,  from  the  light : 
Because  that  lowlier  flower 

Looks  up,  but  mounts  not  half  so  high, 
Hour  by  hour 

Tending  toward  the  sky. 

On  earth  long  ages  before  Moses  had  had  his  triumph  and 
his  song  of  triumph  when  Israel  stood  safe  on  the  further  shore  of 


374  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

the  Red  Sea  :  so  that  in  heaven  it  is  no  new  thing  for  him  to 
sing  unto  the  Lord  because  He  hath  triumphed  gloriously. 
Throughout  the  Gospel,  on  the  contrary,  no  trace  appears  of  any 
triumph  song  "  of  the  Lamb,"  unless  it  be  that  Hymn  which 
He  sang  with  His  disciples  while  He  stood  on  the  brink  of 
deep  waters  whose  floods  were  presently  to  run  over  Him. 
Moses  had  said,  "  Fear  ye  not,  stand  still  and  see  the  salvation 
of  the  Lord,"  when  a  type  of  supreme  salvation  was  about  to  be 
enacted ;  and  Christ  said,  ".Be  of  good  cheer ;  I  have  over 
come  the  world,"  when  He  was  about  with  His  own  right  hand 
and  with  His  holy  arm  to  get  Himself  the  victory. 

Lord  Jesus,  there  is  none  like  unto  Thee,  none  beside  Thee. 

This  "  Song  "  is  rendered  somewhat  differently  in  the  Revised 
Version — 

"  Great  and  marvellous  are  Thy  works,  O  Lord  God,  the 
Almighty  ;  righteous  and  true  are  Thy  ways,  Thou  King  of  the 
ages  [margin,  "nations"].  Who  shall  not  fear,  O  Lord,  and 
glorify  Thy  Name  ?  for  Thou  only  art  Holy  ;  for  all  the  nations 
shall  come  and  worship  before  Thee ;  for  Thy  righteous  acts 
have  been  made  manifest." 

4.  Who  shalt  not  fear  Thee,  0  Lord,  and  glorify  Thy  Name  ? 
for  Thou  only  art  Holy :  for  all  nations  shall  come  and 
worship  before  Thee ;  for  Thy  judgments  are  made 
manifest. 

O  Lord  God  Almighty,  All  Holy,  Whom  we  fear,  Whom  we 
trust,  Whose  Name  we  desire  to  glorify  ;  Thou  Who  hast 
vouchsafed  to  constitute  man  not  least  amongst  Thy  marvellous 
works  ;  on  wings  of  grace  enable  us  like  Thine  Angel  of  old  to 
do  wondrously,  ascending  spiritually  from  the  rock  of  faith  and 
altar  of  obedience  in  the  flame  of  love.  O  King  of  saints,  of 
nations,  of  the  ages,  Thou  Whose  ways  are  just  and  true  ;  Thou 
Unapproachable  Who  callest  us  unto  Thee,  Thou  Inimitable 
Who  requirest  us  to  become  like  unto  Thee ;  grant  us  grace 
ever  worshipping  to  follow  Thee  by  justice  and  truth.  In  this 
age  of  probation  prepare  Thou  generation  after  generation  for 
the  eternal  ages  of  perfected  sanctity ;  until  the  knowledge  of 
Thy  glory  shall  till  the  earth  as  the  waters  cover  the  sea,  and 
all  saints  shall  be  co-extensive  with  all  nations.  Father,  Son, 
Holy  Spirit,  Co-Eternal  Trinity  in  Unity,  we  plead  the  Merits 
of  Jesus  Christ.  Amen. 

5.  And  after  that  I  looked,  and  behold,  the  temple  of  the 

tabernacle  of  the  testimony  in  heaven  was  opened  : 

6.  And  the  seven  angels  came  out  of  the  temple,  having 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  375 

the  seven  plagues,  clothed  in  pure  and  white  linen,  and 
having  their  breasts  girded  with  golden  girdles. 

Surely  this  also  is  a  time  appointed,  a  solemn  feast  day. 
Because  to  the  saints  it  is  meat  and  drink  to  do  the  Will  of 
God  and  to  finish  His  work  :  if  to  do  it,  likewise  to  suffer  it ;  if 
to  finish  it,  likewise  to  behold  it  finished.  "  He  that  is  our  God 
is  the  God  of  salvation ;  and  unto  God  the  Lord  belong  the 
issues  from  death." 

Yet  of  old  far  different  was  that  procession  which  the  sweet 
Psalmist  of  Israel  contemplated  when  he  uplifted  heart  and 
voice  in  the  Divine  praises  :  "  They  have  seen  Thy  goings,  O 
God  :  even  the  goings  of  my  God,  my  King,  in  the  sanctuary. 
The  singers  went  before,  the  players  on  instruments  followed 
after ;  among  them  were  the  damsels  playing  with  timbrels." 
Then  the  thousands  of  the  chosen  nation  flocked  up  to  the 
earthly  Tabernacle  of  the  Mercy  Seat ;  now  from  the  heavenly 
Temple  of  the  Tabernacle  of  the  Testimony  emerge  the  minis 
ters  of  Judgment.  Song,  music,  mirth,  befitted  that  interlude 
of  time  :  awe,  silence,  this  prelude  of  eternity. 

Time  lengthening,  in  the  lengthening  seemeth  long  : 

But  ended  Time  will  seem  a  little  space, 
A  little  while  from  morn  to  evensong, 

A  little  while  that  ran  a  rapid  race  ; 
A  little  while,  when  once  Eternity 

Denies  proportion  to  the  other's  pace. 
Eternity  to  be  and  be  and  be. 

Ever  beginning,  never  ending  still, 
Still  undiminished  far  as  thought  can  see  ; 

Farther  than  thought  can  see,  by  dint  of  will 
Strung  up  and  strained  and  shooting  like  a  star 

Past  utmost  bound  of  everlasting  hill : 
Eternity  unswaddled,  without  bar, 

Finishing  sequence  in  its  awful  sum  ; 
Eternity  still  rolling  forth  its  car, 

Eternity  still  here  and  still  to  come. 

At  the  sounding  of  the  Seventh  Trumpet  (ch.  xi.  15,  19), 
"  the  Temple  of  God  was  opened  in  heaven,  and  there  was 
seen  in  His  Temple  the  Ark  of  His  Testament."  Now  once 
more  "the  Temple  of  the  Tabernacle  of  the  Testimony  in 
heaven  was  opened,"  but  no  word  indicates  that  the  Stronghold 
of  Mercy  and  Comfort  was  again  revealed  to  sight.  There, 
doubtless,  It  abode  ;  but  hidden,  it  may  be,  as  when  the  Cloudy 
Pillar  of  Fire  turned  unbroken  darkness  against  Pharaoh  and 
his  host. 

So  likewise  Moses,  that  luminous  type  of  Christ,  answered 


3?6  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

Pharaoh  who  in  his  hardheartedness  made  himself  a  type  of  all 
obstinate  rebels  : — "  Pharaoh  said  unto  him,  Get  thee  from 
me,  take  heed  to  thyself,  see  my  face  no  more.  .  .  .  And 
Moses  said,  Thou  hast  spoken  well,  I  will  see  thy  face  again 
no  more." 

"Clothed  in  pure  and  white  linen" — in  the  Revised 
Version:  "Arrayed  with  precious  stone,  pure  and  bright." — 
This  latter  translation,  strange  to  my  unlearned  ears,  set  me 
to  search  whether  I  could  find  in  the  Authorized  Version  any 
other  instance  of  an  angel  being  described  in  so  many  words, 
and  beyond  question  as  clad  in  linen:  I  have  failed  to  find 
one,  and  though  this  may  merely  prove  my  ignorance  it 
suggests  a  thought. 

In  the  Prophecy  of  Ezekiel  (xxviii.  13,  &c.)  the  King  of 
Tyrus  is  twice  designated  by  the  word  cherub,  and  in  the  same 
passage  we  read  concerning  him  :  "  Every  precious  stone  was 
thy  covering,  the  sardius,  topaz,  and  the  diamond,  the  beryl, 
the  onyx,  and  the  jasper,  the  sapphire,  the  emerald,  and  the 
carbuncle,  and  gold."  Robed  in  these  or  in  such  as  these, 
including  gold  ("girded  with  golden  girdles"),  it  may  haply 
be  that  these  seven  angels  came  forth ;  themselves  and  their 
vestments  alike  in  the  flawless  perfection  of  direct  Divine 
workmanship,  upright,  unimpaired,  as  at  the  beginning.  Even 
so  was  it  with  the  first  Tables  of  the  Law :  "  The  tables  were 
the  work  of  God,  and  the  writing  was  the  writing  of  God, 
graven  upon  the  tables." 

If  thus  we  may  deem  of  elect  Angels,  it  leaves  linen  for  the 
appropriate  vestment  of  redeemed  men.  Christ  wears  it,  for 
He  is  not  ashamed  to  call  us  brethren  ;  and  after  Him  and 
with  Him  all  saints  wear  it.  Linen  differs  essentially  from 
jewels  inasmuch  as  it  is  a  manufacture,  needing  human  agency 
whereby  to  be  steeped  and  bleached  and  wrought  finely,  and 
to  have  harshnesses  and  coarsenesses  discarded  from  the  web 
as  this  grows  into  beauty.  God  indeed  provides  the  flax,  the 
skill,  the  patience,  and  all  else  that  comes  into  requisition  ;  but 
still  man  it  is  who  must  sow  and  reap,  steep  and  bleach,  weave 
and  finish  that  fine  linen  which  is  the  righteousness  of  saints. 

If  Angels  who  inherit  no  weak  points  need  girding  for  their 
work ;  how  much  more  man  who  is  made  up  of  weak  points, 
and  who  has  for  incitement  to  gird  himself  and  run  Christ's 
All-Holy  Example  :  "  Righteousness  shall  be  the  girdle  of  His 
loins,  and  faithfulness  the  girdle  of  His  reins."  Truth  is  man's 
girdle,  "Stand  therefore,  having  your  loins  girt  about  with 
truth " ;  gold  the  Angels' :  by  faith  man  apprehends  and 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  377 

cleaves  to  truth,  and  comparing  faith  with  gold,  St.  Peter 
awards  the  preference  to  faith  :  "  The  trial  of  your  faith,  being 
much  more  precious  than  of  gold  that  perisheth,  though  it  be 
tried  with  fire." 

Now  the  gold  of  that  land  we  know  is  good,  while  what  it 
may  signify  we  know  not ;  and  well  we  know  that  man  in  his 
mortality  ranks  lower  than  angels.  Yet  weighing  the  precious- 
ness  of  his  allotted  girdle  here  below,  he  may  well  lift  up  his 
heart  unto  the  Lord,  and  thanking  God  take  courage  :  "  For 
thou  hast  girded  me  with  strength  unto  the  battle." 

7.  And  one  of  the  four  beasts  gave  unto  the  seven  angels 

seven  golden  vials  full  of  the  wrath  of  God,  Who  liveth 
for  ever  and  ever. 

"  Wisdom  is  justified  of  all  her  children." 

Every  celestial  creature  subserves  the  Will  of  its  Creator, 
approves  His  decree,  executes  His  behest,  forwards  His  work. 
So  faithfully  do  the  elect  reproduce  His  Image,  that  to  fall  into 
their  hands  becomes  a  fearful  thing  to  any  to  whom  it  is  fearful 
to  fall  into  His  hands.  Point  after  point  in  this  awful  Reve 
lation  presses  home  the  conviction  that,  cost  what  it  may,  and 
to  whom  it  may,  God  and  His  elect  will  in  heaven  be  of  one 
heart,  and  one  mind,  and  one  will.  Implicitly  it  has  been  so 
in  time,  explicitly  it  will  be  so  in  eternity. 

Man's  perversity  has  made  gold  the  occasion  and  instrument 
of  so  much  sin,  that  no  wonder  it  one  day  reappears  as  vials 
full  of  Divine  wrath.  Happy  will  he  be  at  the  last  who  with 
St.  Peter  has  had  neither  silver  nor  gold,  with  St.  Paul  has 
coveted  no  man's  gold ;  he  miserable  who  made  gold  his  hope, 
or  against  whom  hire  fraudulently  kept  back  crieth. 

From  sordid  self-ruin,  Good  Lord,  deliver  us. 

Seven  vials  hold  Thy  wrath  :  but  what  can  hold 

Thy  mercy  save  Thine  own  Infinitude 

Boundlessly  overflowing  with  all  good, 
All  lovingkindness,  all  delights  untold  ? 
Thy  Love,  of  each  created  love  the  mould  J 

Thyself,  of  all  the  empty  plenitude  ; 

Heard  of  at  Ephrata,  found  in  the  Wood, 
For  ever  One,  the  Same,  and  Manifold. 
Lord,  give  us  grace  to  tremble  with  that  dove 

Which  Ark-bound  winged  its  solitary  way 

And  overpast  the  Deluge  in  a  day, 

Whom  Noah's  hand  pulled  in  and  comforted  : 
For  we  who  much  more  hang  upon  Thy  Love 

Behold  its  shadow  in  the  deed  he  did. 

8.  And  the  temple  was  filled  with  smoke  from  the  glory  of 


378  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

God,  and  from  His  power;  and  no  man  was  able  to 
enter  into  the  temple,  till  the  seven  plagues  of  the 
seven  angels  were  fulfilled. 

When  the  Mosaic  Tabernacle  was  finished  and  set  up, 
"Then  a  Cloud  covered  the  tent  of  the  congregation,  and 
the  Glory  of  the  Lord  filled  the  Tabernacle.  And  Moses  was 
not  able  to  enter  into  the  tent  of  the  congregation,  because  the 
Cloud  abode  thereon,  and  the  Glory  of  the  Lord  filled  the 
Tabernacle."  So  likewise  at  the  Dedication  of  Solomon's 
Temple :  "  It  came  to  pass,  when  the  priests  were  come  out 
of  the  Holy  Place,  that  the  Cloud  filled  the  house  of  the  Lord, 
so  that  the  priests  could  not  stand  to  minister  becau:e  of  the 
Cloud :  for  the  Glory  of  the  Lord  had  filled  the  house  of  the 
Lord." 

If  these  two  historical  incidents  may  be  viewed  as  prefiguring 
this  of  which  we  read  in  St.  John's  vision  :  "The  Temple  was 
filled  with  smoke  from  the  Glory  of  God,  and  from  His  power; 
and  no  man  was  able  to  enter  into  the  Temple.  .  .  .  "  :  then 
perhaps  without  rashness  I  may  here  think  to  discern  a  token 
of  Christ  being  pleased  in  His  own  good  time  to  fulfil  and  end 
His  Mediatorial  Kingdom,  His  perpetual  Intercession.  For 
not  only  (ver.  5)  has  "the  Temple  of  the  Tabernacle  of  the 
Testimony  "  been  opened,  without  the  Ark  of  the  Testament 
(so  far  as  is  stated)  becoming  visible;  but  that  "no  man" 
should  be  able  to  enter  into  the  Temple  suggests  that  Christ 
Himself  has  ceased  or  is  nigh  ceasing  to  appear  in  the  Presence 
of  God  for  incorrigible  offenders ;  so  that  thenceforward,  to 
quote  St.  Paul's  phrase,  God  (as  God)  wills  to  be  All  in  All. 

That  such  a  termination  impends  seems  certain.  That  the 
point  has  been  reached  in  St.  John's  Revelation  appears  con- 
jecturable  when,  as  now  by  looking  forward,  we  mark  one 
unbroken  course  of  punitive  judgments  untempered  by  any 
answering  sign  of  repentance.  Of  this  we  have  an  appalling 
type  in  the  history  of  Joshua's  war  against  the  accursed  nations: 
"  It  was  of  the  Lord  to  harden  their  hearts,  that  they  should 
come  against  Israel  in  battle,  that  he  might  destroy  them 
utterly,  and  that  they  might  have  no  favour,  but  that  he  might 
destroy  them."  Yet  first  doubtless  they  had  hardened  them 
selves,  according  to  the  inspired  Proverb :  "He,  that  being 
often  reproved  hardeneth  his  neck,  shall  suddenly  be  destroyed, 
and  that  without  remedy." 

"  A  certain  man  had  a  fig-tree  planted  in  his  vineyard  ;  and 
he  came  and  sought  fruit  thereon,  and  found  none.  Then  said 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  379 


he  unto  the  dresser  of  his  vineyard,  Behold,  these  three  years  I 
come  seeking  fruit  on  this  fig  tree,  and  find  none  :  cut  it  down  ; 
why  cumbereth  it  the  ground  ?  And  he  answering  said  unto 
him,  Lord,  let  it  alone  this  year  also,  till  I  shall  dig  about  it, 
and  dung  it :  and  if  it  bear  fruit,  well :  and  if  not,  then  after 
that  thou  shalt  cut  it  down." 

"  Every  man  in  his  own  order :  Christ  the  firstfruits ;  after 
ward  they  that  are  Christ's  at  His  coming.  Then  cometh  the 
end,  when  He  shall  have  delivered  up  the  kingdom  to  God, 
even  the  Father ;  when  He  shall  have  put  down  all  rule  and 
all  authority  and  power.  For  He  must  reign,  till  He  hath  put 
all  enemies  under  His  feet.  The  last  enemy  that  shall  be 
destroyed  is  death.  For  He  hath  put  all  things  under  His 
feet.  But  when  He  saith,  all  things  are  put  under  Him,  it  is 
manifest  that  He  is  excepted,  which  did  put  all  things  under 
Him.  And  when  all  things  shall  be  subdued  unto  Him,  then 
shall  the  Son  also  Himself  be  subject  unto  Him  that  put  all 
things  under  Him,  that  God  may  be  all  in  all." 

"And  the  Temple  was  filled  with  smoke.  .  .  ."  If  this 
"Smoke"  corresponds  with  the  Ineffable  Cloud  of  the  Divine 
Presence,  then  we  surmise  here  an  intimation  of  the  Double 
Procession  of  God  the  Holy  Spirit,  "  Who  proceedeth  from  the 
Father  and  the  Son "  :  inasmuch  as  the  Smoke  proceeded 
from  "  the  Glory  of  God  "  and  from  "  His  Power." 

And  one  step  further.  If  simultaneously  with  a  plenary 
Effusion  of  the  Holy  Spirit  the  day  of  grace  will  terminate,  we 
are  thus  reminded  of  that  most  awful  declaration  :  "Verily  I 
say  unto  you,  All  sins  shall  be  forgiven  unto  the  sons  of  men, 
and  blasphemies  wherewith  soever  they  shall  blaspheme :  but 
he  that  shall  blaspheme  against  the  Holy  Ghost  hath  never 
forgiveness,  but  is  in  danger  of  eternal  damnation." 

Thank  God,  that  when  the  Seven  Plagues  are  over,  the 
Temple  shall  be  reopened  to  man  :  where  Christ  is,  there  shall 
also  His  servant  be.  "  When  Thou  hadst  overcome  the  sharp 
ness  of  death  :  Thou  didst  open  the  Kingdom  of  Heaven  to  all 
believers." 


CHAPTER   XVI. 

1.  And  I  heard  a  great  voice  out  of  the  temple  saying  to 

the  seven  angels,  Go  your  ways,  and  pour  out  the  vials 
of  the  wrath  of  God  upon  the  earth. 

"  Now  is  the  end  come  upon  thee,  and  I  will  send  Mine 
anger  upon  thee,  and  will  judge  thee  according  to  thy  ways, 
and  will  recompense  upon  thee  all  thine  abominations.  And 
Mine  eye  shall  not  spare  thee,  neither  will  I  have  pity :  but  I 
will  recompense  thy  ways  upon  thee,  and  thine  abominations 
shall  be  in  the  midst  of  thee :  and  ye  shall  know  that  I  am  the 
Lord.  Thus  saith  the  Lord  God ;  An  evil,  an  only  evil, 
behold,  is  come.  An  end  is  come,  the  end  is  come :  it 
watcheth  for  thee ;  behold,  it  is  come." 

Seven  offences  had  not  sufficed  to  draw  down  this  sevenfold 
judgment,  nay,  nor  seventy  times  seven,  had  man  but  turned 
and  said,  I  repent.  For  certainly  God  All-Holy  proposeth 
not  to  any  a  higher  standard  than  His  own  (see  St.  Matt,  xviii. 
21,  22). 

Nor  may  I  so  frame  my  thoughts  as  to  represent  God  as 
like  the  forgiving  man :  it  is  the  forgiving  man  who  faintly, 
feebly,  inadequately,  amid  flaws  and  shortcomings  is  in  his 
degree  like  God.  The  antitype  determines  the  type,  not  this 
that.  If  such  a  distinction  might  seem  purposeless,  I  come  to 
perceive  its  purpose  when  (for  instance)  Divine  Truths  having 
first  been  confounded  with  heathen  myths  are  interpreted  as  on 
a  par  with  them ;  as  if  all  alike  symbolized  various  processes, 
phases,  of  nature.  It  is  pious  to  contemplate  autumn,  winter, 
spring,  summer,  as  emblematical  of  our  dear  Lord's  death, 
burial,  resurrection,  ascended  glory;  but  to  treat  these  as  if 
they  were  a  parable  of  those,  is  to  deny  the  faith. 

2.  And  the  first  went,  and  poured  out  his  vial  upon  the 

earth ;  and  there  fell  a  noisome  and  grievous  sore  upon 
the  men  which  had  the  mark  of  the  beast,  and  upon 
them  which  worshipped  his  image. 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  381 

O  Lord,  correct  us,  but  with  judgment;  not  in  Thine  anger, 
lest  Thou  bring  us  to  nothing. 

If  Thou  smite  us,  let  it  be  with  the  sores  of  holy  Job  unto 
amendment  and  perfection  :  not  with  the  sores  of  obstinate 
Egypt,  or  of  reprobation.  By  pain  bring  back  our  pleasure. 

3.  And  the  second  angel  poured  out  Ms  vial  upon  the  sea ; 

and  it  became  as  the  blood  of  a  dead  man :  and  every 
living  soul  died  in  the  sea. 

If  thou  curse  our  blessings,  let  it  be  that  losing  less  we  may 
gain  more ;  that  in  exchange  for  bitterness  we  may  inherit 
sweetness,  and  for  sterility  fruit.  By  death  instruct  us  unto 
life. 

4.  And  the  third  angel  poured  out  his  vial  upon  the  rivers 

and  fountains  of  waters ;  and  they  became  blood. 

If  Thou  assure  us  not  water  nor  give  us  bread,  grant  us 
grace  by  hungering  and  thirsting  after  righteousness  to  feast 
in  famine,  in  destitution  to  have  enough.  By  want  enrich  us. 

5.  And  I  heard  the  angel  of  the  waters  say,  Thou  art 

righteous,   0  Lord,   which  art,  and  wast,  and  shalt 
be,  because  Thou  hast  judged  thus. 

6.  For  they  have  shed  the  blood  of  saints  and  prophets, 

and  Thou  hast  given  them  blood  to  drink ;  for  they  are 
worthy. 

Deliver  us  from  blood-guiltiness,  O  God,  Thou  that  art  the 
God  of  our  health  :  that  with  Angels  and  Archangels  and  all 
the  company  of  heaven  our  tongue  may  laud  and  magnify  Thy 
Glorious  Name,  evermore  praising  Thee -and  Thy  Righteous 
ness.  Be  reproofs  of  instruction  to  us  the  way  of  life. 

7.  And  I  heard  another  out  of  the  altar  say,  Even  so,  Lord 

God  Almighty,  true  and  righteous  are  Thy  judgments. 

Grant  us  to  be  of  one  mind  with  Thine  Angel  of  the  Altar, 
and  with  Abraham  Thy  friend,  who  bear  witness  that  the  Judge 
of  all  the  earth  doech  right.  So  may  we  trust  Thee  though 
Thou  slay  us.  By  Thy  loving  correction  make  us  great. 

8.  And  the  fourth  angel  poured  out  his  vial  upon  the  sun ; 

and  power  was  given  unto  him  to  scorch  men  with 
fire. 

9.  And  men  were  scorched  with  great  heat,  and  blasphemed 

the  Name  of  God,  which  hath  power  over  these  plagues : 
and  they  repented  not  to  give  Him  glory. 

Though  the  sun  smite  us  by  day  and  the  moon  by  night,  yet 


382  THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP. 

to  us  let  the  Sun  of  Righteousness  arise  with  healing  in  His 
wings.  Though  Thou  destroy  our  flesh,  save  our  spirit.  Be 
the  seven  times  heated  furnace  of  affliction  our  upper  chamber 
wherein  to  adore  the  Son  of  God,  and  by  repentance  to  glorify 
His  Name.  Walk  with  us  in  the  fire,  Good  Lord. 

10.  And  the  fifth  angel  poured  out  his  vial  upon  the  seat 

of  the  beast ;  and  his  kingdom  was  full  of  darkness  ; 
and  they  gnawed  their  tongues  for  pain, 

11.  And  blasphemed  the  God  of  heaven  because  of  their 

pains  and  their  sores,  and  repented  not  of  their  deeds. 

Not  unto  us  the  outer  darkness,  not  unto  us  the  gnashing  of 
teeth.  Deliver  us  from  penal  darkness,  from  darkness  which 
may  be  felt,  from  paralyzing  darkness  forbidding  us  to  arise 
and  go  to  our  Father.  Be  our  pangs  schoolmasters  to  bring 
us  to  Christ. 

12.  And  the  sixth  angel  poured  out  his  vial  upon  the  great 

river  Euphrates ;  and  the  water  thereof  was  dried 
up,  that  the  way  of  the  kings  of  the  east  might  be 
prepared. 

If  Thou  change  the  elements  by  a  kind  of  harmony  making 
dry  land  where  was  water  ;  bringing  upon  us  evil,  and  not 
good  as  once  by  the  Red  Sea  or  the  beloved  Jordan,  but 
gloom  from  the  sun-rising  and  terror  from  afar,  yet  support  us 
though  Thou  rescue  us  not.  As  to  Thee,  so  to  us,  be  darkness 
and  light  both  alike. 

13.  And  I  saw  three  unclean  spirits  like  frogs  come  out  of 

the  mouth  of  the  dragon,  and  out  of  the  mouth  of 
the  beast,  and  out  of  the  mouth  of  the  false  prophet. 

14.  For  they  are  the  spirits  of  devils,  working  miracles, 

which  go  forth  unto  the  kings  of  the  earth  and  of 
the  whole  world,  to  gather  them  to  the  battle  of  that 
great  day  of  God  Almighty. 

If  all  wickedness  spread  nets  for  our  feet  or  set  the  battle 
in  array  against  us,  strengthen  us  to  shake  our  head  at  the 
adversary  and  laugh  him  to  scorn,  although  he  work  miracles 
and  stir  up  the  earth  and  the  whole  world,  O  Lord  God,  against 
Thee  and  Thine.  Bring  forth  the  spear,  and  stop  the  way 
against  them  that  persecute  us :  say  unto  our  soul,  I  am  thy 
salvation.  Out  of  weakness  make  us  strong. 

15.  Behold,  I  come  as  a  thief.    Blessed  is  he  that  watcheth, 

and  keepeth  his  garments,  lest  he  walk  naked,  and 
they  see  his  shame. 


THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP.  383 

Until  Thou  comest,  kindle  our  desires  to  go  forth  to  meet 
Thee,  our  watchfulness  to  rehearse  Thy  welcome.  Be  purity 
our  veil,  obedience  our  walk,  Thyself  our  righteousness.  Yea, 
be  Thyself  our  all  in  all. 

16.  And  he  gathered  them  together  into  a  place  called  in 

the  Hebrew  tongue  Armageddon. 

Lord,  to  Whom  the  gathering  of  the  people  shall  be,  Lord 
Most  Mighty,  Me  st  Holy,  Most  Merciful  j  when  summoned 
without  appeal  multitudes  stand  before  Thee  in  the  Valley  of 
Decision,  set  us  not  on  Thy  Left  Hand  of  rejection  but  on 
Thy  Right  Hand  of  acceptance.  Turn  not  Thy  Face  from  us 
poor  men. 

17.  And  the  seventh  angel  poured  out  his  vial  into  the  air; 

and  there  came  a  great  voice  out  of  the  temple  of 
heaven,  from  the  Throne,  saying,  It  is  done. 

When  an  end  is  come,  the  end  is  come,  the  endless  end, 
the  end  which  is  the  final  beginning  ;  when  every  eye  sees,  and 
all  kindreds  of  the  earth  wail,  and  the  undone  cannot  be  done, 
neither  the  done  undone  ;  be  Thy  word  to  each  of  us,  Come. 
In  us  see  of  the  travail  of  Thy  Soul,  and  be  satisfied. 

18.  And  there  were  voices,  and  thunders,  and  lightnings ; 

and  there  was  a  great  earthquake,  such  as  was  not 
since  men  were  upon  the  earth,  so  mighty  an  earth 
quake,  and  so  great. 

When  earth  is  passing  away  with  a  great  noise,  and  there  is 
trembling  in  the  field,  in  the  host,  and  among  all  the  people, 
and  the  earth  quakes,  so  that  it  is  a  very  great  trembling  ;  put 
us  in  the  clift  of  Thy  Rock,  in  the  place  by  Thee,  O  Lord 
Thou  Rock  of  Ages.  Defer  not  for  Thine  own  sake,  O  our 
God  :  for  behold,  Thou  hast  it  by  Thee. 

19.  And  the  great  city  was  divided  into  three  parts,  and 

the  cities  of  the  nations  fell :  and  great  Babylon 
came  in  remembrance  before  God,  to  give  unto  her 
the  cup  of  the  wine  of  the  fierceness  of  His  wrath. 

When  woe  is  to  them  who  have  coveted  an  evil  covetous- 
ness  to  their  house,  and  the  stone  is  crying  out  of  the  wall,  and 
the  beam  out  of  the  timber  is  answering  it ;  and  the  mourners 
go  about  the  streets  because  mankind  is  going  to  its  long 
home,  for  good  or  for  evil  to  its  long  home,  for  life  or  for 
death  to  its  long  home;  then  be  our  remembrance  a  sweet 
savour  unto  Thee,  O  God.  Find  Thou  a  ransom. 


384  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

20.  And  every  island  fled  away,  and  the  mountains  were 

not  found, 

When  all  faileth  save  Thou,  fail  us  not  Thou ;  Thou  Who 
never  failest  them  that  seek  Thee.  Lord,  Lord,  give  us  grace 
to  seek  and  find  Thee. 

21.  And  there  fell  upon  men  a  great  hail  out  of  heaven, 

every  stone  about  the  weight  of  a  talent :  and  men 
blasphemed  God  because  of  the  plague  of  the  hail ; 
for  the  plague  thereof  was  exceeding  great. 

Suffer  us  not  to  fall  into  desperateness,  suffer  us  not  to  curse 
Thee  and  die.  Suffer  us  not  by  despairing  of  mercy  to  forfeit 
mercy.  Are  we  stronger  than  Thou  ?  Nay,  Good  Lord.  O 
be  Thou  our  help  in  trouble,  for  vain  is  the  help  of  man, 

We  plead  Jesus  Christ,  having  a  good  hope  because  of  Thy 
word.  Amen. 

"A  noisome  and  grievous  sore."— Recalling  the  "boil 
breaking  forth  with  blains  upon  man  .  .  .  throughout  all  the 
land  of  Egypt,"  which  plague  came  in  answer  to  ashes  of 
the  furnace  sprinkled  toward  heaven  by  Moses,  as  though  at 
that  moment  the  provocation  of  earth  went  up  visibly  toward 
heaven.  "  A  people  that  provoketh  Me  to  anger  continually 
to  My  Face.  .  .  .  These  are  a  smoke  in  My  nose,  a  fire  that 
burneth  all  the  day."  But  to  St.  John's  vision  no  stated 
challenge  from  earth  then  and  there  calls  down  heaven's 
vengeance,  which  rather  seems  a  pouring  out  of  that  wrath  which 
human  wickedness  has  treasured  up  unto  itself  against  the  day 
of  wrath  ;  which  overflows  and  cannot  but  overflow  at  length  ; 
which  can  no  longer  be  shut  up  with  doors,  or  obscured  in 
cloudy  garment,  or  swaddled  in  thick  darkness.  "The 
morning  is  come  unto  thee,  O  thou  that  dwellest  in  the  land  : 
the  time  is  come,  the  day  of  trouble  is  near,  and  not  the 
sounding  again  of  the  mountains.  Now  will  I  shortly  pour 
out  my  fury  upon  thee,  and  accomplish  Mine  anger  upon 
thee :  and  I  will  judge  thee  according  to  thy  ways,  and  will 
recompense  thee  for  all  thine  abominations.  And  Mine  eye 
shall  not  spare,  neither  will  I  have  pity  :  I  will  recompense 
thee  according  to  thy  ways  and  thine  abominations  that  are  in 
the  midst  of  thee  ;  and  ye  shall  know  that  I  am  the  Lord  that 
smiteth." 

Tremble,  thou  earth,  at  the  Presence  of  the  Lord 

Whose  Will  conceived  thee  and  brought  thee  to  the  birth, 

Always  everywhere  thy  Lord  to  be  adored  : 
Tremble,  thou  earth. 


THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP.  385 

Wilt  thou  laugh  time  away  in  music  and  mirth  ? 
Time  hath  days  of  pestilence,  hath  days  of  a  sword, 
Hath  days  of  hunger  and  thirst  in  desolate  dearth. 

Till  eternity  wake  up  the  multicord 

Thrilled  harp  of  heaven  and  oreathe  full  its  organ's  girth 
For  joy  of  harvest  and  infinite  reward, 

Tremble,  thou  earth. 

"  The  sea  ;  and  it  became  as  the  blood  of  a  dead  man." — 
Fresh  water  too  will  be  turned  into  blood  ;  but  of  the  sea 
alone  is  it  said  that  it  became  "  as  the  blood  of  a  dead  man," 
or  that  in  it  "  every  living  soul  died."  Perhaps  this  prominent 
connection  of  the  sea  with  death  prepares  us  for  its  mysterious 
exclusion  from  the  new  heaven  and  new  earth  (ch.  xxi.  i). 

"  The  rivers  and  fountains  of  waters ;  and  they  became 
blood." — This  seems  at  first  sight  almost  identical  with  the 
corresponding  Egyptian  plague  :  "  Take  thy  rod,  and  stretch 
out  thine  hand  upon  the  waters  of  Egypt,  upon  their  streams, 
upon  their  rivers,  and  upon  their  ponds,  and  upon  all  their 
pools  of  water,  that  they  may  become  blood  ;  and  that  there 
may  be  blood  throughout  all  the  land  of  Egypt,  both  in  vessels 
of  wood,  and  in  vessels  of  stone.  .  .  .  And  he  lifted  up  the 
rod,  and  smote  the  waters  that  were  in  the  river  .  .  .  and  all 
the  waters  that  were  in  the  river  were  turned  to  blood.  And 
the  fish  that  was  in  the  river  died  ;  and  the  river  stank,  and 
the  Egyptians  could  not  drink  of  the  water  of  the  river ;  and 
there  was  blood  throughout  all  the  land  of  Egypt.  .  .  .  And 
all  the  Egyptians  digged  round  about  the  river  for  water  to 
drink  ;  for  they  could  not  drink  of  the  water  of  the  river." 

Yet  a  difference  may  be  observed.  In  the  case  of  Egypt 
the  "  fountains  of  waters  "  are  not  particularized  ;  so  that  if 
the  digging  Egyptians  succeeded  in  finding  springs  independent 
of  the  Nile,  such  springs  may  (so  far  as  is  stated)  have  gushed 
forth  in  intact  purity,  and  have  served  instead  of  the  transmuted 
waters. 

St.  John,  on  the  contrary,  beheld  the  springs  and  all  the 
waters  contaminated  ;  so  that  the  Angel  of  the  waters  extolling 
the  Divine  Equity  names  "  blood "  as  the  drink  of  those 
murderers.  Whereupon  another  out  of  the  Altar  responds 
with  like  lauds.  The  Revised  Version  however  translates  as 
if  not  an  Angel  from  the  Altar  but  the  Altar  itself  uttered 
praises  :  reminding  us  of  our  Lord's  emphatic  saying,  "  The 
stones  would  immediately  cry  out," — thus  the  very  Altar,  the 
stronghold  of  reconciliation,  would  at  length  condemn  the 
ungodly. 

B  B 


386  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

"  I  will  also  water  with  thy  blood  the  land  wherein  thou 
swimmest,  even  to  the  mountains ;  and  the  rivers  shall  be  full 
of  thee." 

"  Because  thou  hast  had  a  perpetual  hatred,  and  hast  shed 
the  blood  of  the  children  of  Israel  by  the  force  of  the  sword 
in  the  time  of  their  calamity,  in  the  time  that  their  iniquity 
had  an  end  :  therefore,  as  I  live,  saith  the  Lord  God,  I  will 
prepare  thee  unto  blood,  and  blood  shall  pursue  thee :  sith 
thou  hast  not  hated  blood,  even  blood  shall  pursue  thee." 

"  Upon  the  sun." — At  the  Fourth  Trumpet  the  light  of  the 
sun  was  abridged  (ch.  viii.  12).  At  the  Fourth  Vial  its  heat  is 
intensified  so  as  to  scorch  yet  not  to  consume.  Combining 
in  thought  the  two  phases,  we  see  in  emblem  the  outer  dark 
ness  of  hell  no  way  lit  up  by  the  unquenchable  fire,  and  that 
fire  ever  feeding  upon  without  devouring  its  prey. 

But  the  sun  is  earth's  vivifier,  benefactor,  guardian,  friend. 
Even  so.  It  will  not  be  otherwise,  alas !  with  any  lost  soul 
which  at  length  makes  of  Mercy  an  enemy. 

Without  pressing  every  word,  I  think  these  two  prophecies 
may  be  harmonized  as  at  least  a  dim  allegory  touching  the 
mystery  of  Redemption. 

The  Sun  oftentimes  symbolizes  Christ.  Here  in  a  figure 
we  behold  Christ  by  voluntary  Self-abasement  and  Self-sacrifice 
first  taking  upon  Himself  the  plagues  due  to  us,  before  He 
suffers  us  to  be  touched  by  them.  At  the  Fourth  Trumpet 
the  Sun  itself  is  smitten.  On  the  Sun  itself  the  Fourth  Vial 
of  Wrath  is  poured  out,  or  ever  the  wrath  descends  to  mankind 
at  large  :  yet  is  it  the  Sun  and  none  other  which  at  length 
smites.  Of  the  elect  we  read  elsewhere,  but  not  here.  Of 
the  incorrigible  we  are  reading,  and  their  personal  rankling 
raging  hatred  of  God  in  Christ  persists  in  venting  blasphemy 
and  abhorring  repentance.  Could  they,  would  they  repent, 
they  might  .  .  .  yea,  so  surely  as  God  Almighty  is  Faithful  and 
True,  they  must  up  to  and  beyond  the  eleventh  hour  go  home 
out  of  the  horrible  pit  to  Paradise.  Thus  did  one  Malefactor, 
but  not  (so  far  as  is  recorded)  the  other. 

"  And  blasphemed  .  .  .  and  they  repented  not  to  give  Him 
glory." — Far  below  Achan,  who  through  the  grave  and  gate  of 
temporal  death  was  (please  God !)  delivered  from  death  eternal : 
"  Joshua  said  unto  Achan,  My  son,  give,  I  pray  thee,  glory  to 
the  Lord  God  of  Israel,  and  make  confession  unto  Him;  and 
tell  me  now  what  thou  hast  done  ;  hide  it  not  from  me.  And 
Achan  answered  Joshua,  and  said,  Indeed  I  have  sinned 
against  the  Lord  God  of  Israel,  and  thus  and  thus  have  1  done." 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  387 

[But  darest  thou  when  reading  of  impenitence,  once  and 
again  urge  penitence? 

Yea ;  because  impenitence  is  set  before  us  to  that  very  end 
that  we  should  repent.] 

O  Loving  Lord  Jesus,  Who  revealest  hell  that  we  may  flee 
to  heaven,  and  lest  we  should  loose  hold  on  Thee  warnest  us 
that  souls  may  fall  away ;  Thou  Who  on  the  Cross  didst  love 
saint  and  sinner,  and  on  Thy  Throne  of  Intercession  lovest 
saints  and  sinners  still ;  there  is  nothing  but  Thy  Love  or 
some  fruit  of  Thy  Love  which  we  can  plead  with  Thee.  Such 
I  plead.  Amen. 

Well  spake  that  soldier  who  being  asked  what  he  would  do 
if  he  became  too  weak  to  cling  to  Christ,  answered,  "  Then  I 
will  pray  Him  to  cling  to  me." 

"  The  seat  of  the  beast ;  and  his  kingdom  was  full  of  dark 
ness." — Prefigured  but  only  faintly  by  the  three  days'  darkness 
in  Egypt :  for  at  that  time  Moses  was  within  reach,  within 
hearing ;  Moses,  type  of  Christ,  still  accessible  to  Pharaoh. 
Three  days,  and  then  presumably  renewal  of  light.  And  as 
we  expressly  read  :  "  Neither  rose  any  from  his  place  for  three 
days  "  (in  strong  contrast  with  those  blinded  men  of  doomed 
Sodom  who  wearied  themselves  to  find  the  door),  it  suggests 
that  the  door  of  repentance  continued  open  :  for  considering 
that  three  days'  darkness  by  way  of  a  spiritual  parab'e,  and 
connecting  it  with  our  Lord's  figurative  declaration  :  "  If  the 
blind  lead  the  blind,  both  shall  fall  into  the  ditch,"  we  are 
invited  humbly  to  hope  that  the  Egyptian  darkness  was  by  no 
means  necessarily  outer  darkness  ;  but  rather  in  the  case  of 
impressionable  souls  that  it  shut  such  up  awhile  in  a  corner  of 
safety,  affording  them  leisure  to  consider  their  ways  and 
become  wise  ;  to  purge  themselves  from  such  blindness  as  by 
misleading  or  misfollowing  falls  into  the  ditch  ;  and  to  watch 
for  the  morning  with  eyes  apt  and  anxious  to  see,  should  God 
of  His  bounty  rekindle  light  and  sight. 

"  They  gnawed  their  tongues  for  pain,  and  blasphemed  .  .  . 
because  of  their  pains  and  their  sores." — To  harden  heart  and 
stiffen  neck  under  any  chastisement  predisposes  towards  final 
virulence  of  misery  and  impotence  of  hatred.  The  consummated 
horrible  end  appears  as  if  a  scorpion  hedged  in  by  fire  stung  it 
self  and  could  not  die.  "  Death  and  life  are  in  the  power  of 
the  tongue  :  and  they  that  love  it  shall  eat  the  fruit  thereof." 
The  power  of  choice  is  limited  to  time  :  the  consequences  who 
shall  limit  ? 

Bitter  it  is  to  long  for  life  and  die ;  more  bitter  to  .long  for 


388  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

death  and  it  cometh  not.  Christ  in  His  boundless  mercy 
preserve  us  through  bitterness  of  life  and  from  bitterness  of 
death. 

Bitterness  that  may  turn  to  sweetness  is  better  than  sweetness 
that  must  turn  to  bitterness. 

Nothing  which  can  end  is  unbearable. 

The  lost  must  not  shift  their  perdition  off  their  own  shoulders 
on  to  Satan's :  their  own  load  they  must  bear.  Though  the 
wretched  persons  of  our  text  were  subjects  and  confederates  of 
the  beast,  yet  they  themselves  gnawed  their  own  tongues  and 
plied  their  own  tongues  in  blasphemy  :  themselves,  not  he. 

Satan  is  guilty,  and  none  the  less  each  soul  is  guilty,  of  that 
same  soul's  death  ;  guilt  being  like  flame,  capable  of  communi 
cation  not  of  transference. 

"  And  repented  not  of  their  deeds." — At  the  Fourth  Vial, 
and  now  again  at  the  Fifth,  but  not  previously,  impenitence  is 
clearly  alleged  as  one  sin  of  those  sinners.  At  the  Fourth  it 
seems  characteristically  a  revolt  of  will  against  faith  :  "  Men  .  .  . 
blasphemed  the  Name  of  God,  which  hath  power  over  these 
plagues :  and  they  repented  not  to  give  Him  glory."  At  the 
Fifth  it  seems  characteristically  a  rebellion  of  flesh  (the  lower 
nature)  against  spirit :  "  They  .  .  .  blasphemed  the  God  of 
heaven  because  of  their  pains  and  their  sores,  and  repented  not 
of  their  deeds."  The  result  of  such  obduracy  is  differently 
stated  in  each  case  :  first  it  refuses  glory  to  God,  thereby  shut 
ting  the  door  of  heaven  against  man ;  afterwards  it  bereaves 
man  of  his  last  vestige  of  hope,  even  of  the  bare  wish  to 
amend. 

"  And  even  as  they  did  not  like  to  retain  God  in  their  know 
ledge,  God  gave  them  over  to  a  reprobate  mind,  to  do  those 
things  which  are  not  convenient.  .  .  .  Who  knowing  the 
judgment  of  God,  that  they  which  commit  such  things  are 
worthy  of  death,  not  only  do  the  same,  but  have  pleasure  in 
them  that  do  them.'' 

Lord,  I  believe,  help  Thou  mine  unbelief: 

Lord,  I  repent,  help  mine  impenitence  : 

Hide  not  Thy  Face  from  me,  nor  spurn  me  hence, 
Nor  utterly  despise  me  in  my  grief ; 
Nor  say  me  nay,  who  worship  with  the  thief 

Bemoaning  my  so  long  lost  innocence  : — 

Ah  me  !  my  penitence  a  fresh  offence, 
Too  tardy  and  too  tepid  and  too  brief. 
Lord,  must  I  perish,  I  who  look  to  Thee  ? 

Look  Thou  upon  me,  bid  me  live,  not  die  ; 

Say  "  Come,"  say  not  "  Depart,"  tho'  Thou  art  just  : 

Yea,  Lord,  be  mindful  how  out  of  the  dust 


THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP.  389 

I  look  to  Thee  while  Thou  dost  look  on  me, 
Thou  Face  to  face  with  me  and  Eye  to  eye. 

Euphrates  flowed  out  of  Eden,  and  (at  least  in  its  fountain 
head,  if  not  after  being  parted  into  one  of  four)  its  first  recorded 
use  was  to  water  Paradise.  Its  last  recorded  use  is  negative  : 
to  be  dried  up  and  afford  a  free  passage. 

Euphrates  in  Eden  was  congruous  with  sinless  Adam  :  one 
watered,  the  other  tilled,  both  obeyed. 

Euphrates  in  the  end  of  the  world  is  congruous  with  many 
sons  of  Adam  :  both  parched,  both  done  away  with. 

Dost  thou  deplore  the  fate  of  high-born  Euphrates  ?  Deplore 
rather  the  fate  of  multitudes  of  higher  born  men.  Deplore 
what  thou  hast  made  thyself :  deprecate  what  thou  mayest  yet 
make  thyself. 

I  can  alone  destroy  myself :  from  myself,  Good  Lord,  deliver 
me. 

If  the  way  to  destruction  lie  open  before  me ;  from  that  way, 
Good  Lord,  deliver  me. 

Though  they  that  be  better  than  I  destroy  themselves ;  from 
self-destruction,  Good  Lord,  deliver  me. 

From  following  a  multitude  to  do  evil,  from  apostasy,  from 
depravity  ;  Good  Lord,  deliver  me. 

From  angels  executing  wrath  ;  Good  Lord,  deliver  me. 

From  Thyself  my  Judge,  to  Thyself  my  Saviour,  I  appeal. 
Good  Lord,  deliver  me.  Amen. 

"  The  kings  of  the  east  "—Revised  Version  :  "  The  kings  that 
come  from  the  sun  rising." — With  whom,  whatever  their  pur 
pose,  the  Wise  Men  from  the  east  will  rise  up  in  the  Judgment 
together. 

"I  saw  under  the  sun  the  place  of  judgment,  that  wickedness 
was  there  ;  and  the  place  of  righteousness,  that  iniquity  was 
there.  I  said  in  mine  heart,  God  shall  judge  the  righteous  and 
the  wicked  :  for  there  is  a  time  there  for  every  purpose  and 
for  every  work." 

"We  must  prevent  the  sun  to  give  Thee  thanks,  and  at  the 
day  spring  pray  unto  Thee." 

"Three  unclean  spirits  like  frogs  ...  are  the  spirits  of 
devils,  working  miracles,  which  go  forth  unto  the  kings  of  the 
earth."  —  Contemptible  as  well  as  formidable:  "frogs;  yea 
even  in  their  kings'  chambers."  Long  before,  "the  magicians 
.  .  .  with  their  enchantments  .  .  .  brought  up  frogs  upon  the 
land  of  Egypt  "—brought  them  up,  but  presumably  lacked 
power  to  suppress  them,  for  Moses  it  was  who  by  intercession 
delivered  Pharaoh  from  that  plague. 


300         THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP. 

The  likeness  of  these  unclean  spirits  to  frogs  recalls  our 
Lord's  mysterious  declaration  :  "  The  unclean  spirit  .  .  .  walketh 
through  dry  places,  seeking  rest,  and  findeth  none."  Now 
however,  they  seek  not  rest  in  a  dry  place,  but  go  forth  to  stir 
up  war. 

Vile  emissaries  befit  vile  potentates.  Are  all  the  kingdoms 
of  the  world  and  the  glory  of  them  to  be  mustered  against  God 
Almighty  at  the  summons  of  three  frogs  ?  "  The  harvest  of  the 
river  is  her  revenue ;  and  she  is  a  mart  of  nations.  Be  thou 
ashamed,  O  Zidon," 

"  Hold  thy  peace  at  the  presence  of  the  Lord  God  :  for  the 
day  of  the  Lord  is  at  hand :  for  the  Lord  hath  prepared  a 
sacrifice,  He  hath  bid  His  guests.  And  it  shall  come  to  pass 
in  the  day  of  the  Lord's  sacrifice,  that  I  will  punish  the  princes, 
and  the  king's  children,  and  all  such  as  are  clothed  with  strange 
apparel.  In  the  same  day  also  will  I  punish  all  those  that  leap 
on  the  threshold,  which  fill  their  masters'  houses  with  violence 
and  deceit." 

Because  these  unclean  spirits  come  "out  of  the  mouth  "  of 
dragon,  beast,  false  prophet,  it  should  set  me  on  my  guard 
against  all  words  whereby  a  pernicious  tongue  may  offend. 
"  Why  boastest  thou  thyself,  thou  tyrant,  that  thou  canst  do 
mischief;  whereas  the  goodness  of  God  endureth  yet  daily? 
Thy  tongue  imagineth  wickedness,  and  with  lies  thou  cuttest 
like  a  sharp  razor.  Thou  hast  loved  unrighteousness  more  than 
goodness,  and  to  talk  of  lies  more  than  righteousness.  Thou 
hast  loved  to  speak  all  words  that  may  do  hurt,  O  thou  false 
tongue.  Therefore  shall  God  destroy  thee  for  ever  :  He  shall 
take  thee,  and  pluck  thee  out  of  thy  dwelling,  and  root  thee 
out  of  the  land  of  the  living." 

Lord,  grant  us  grace  to  make  Thy  Goodness  our  trust : 
shutting  our  hearts  against  pride,  our  mouths  against  evil  words, 
our  ears  against  foul  knowledge  ;  and  using  Thy  gifts  to  the 
promotion  of  Thy  Glory  and  of  man's  salvation.  For  His  Blessed 
sake  in  Whom  we  have  all  and  are  full  and  abound,  Jesus 
Christ.  Amen. 

"  Behold,  I  come  as  a  thief." — This  or  a  kindred  expression 
our  Blessed  Master  and  after  Him  His  Apostles  and  Evangelist? 
have  employed  repeatedly  in  reference  to  the  Second  Advent 
and  ensuing  Judgment  Day.  SS.  Matthew  and  Luke  record  in 
great  measure  the  same  Divine  words,  although  spoken  (it  seems) 
on  two  separate  occasions  :  "  Watch  therefore  :  for  ye  know 
not  what  hour  your  Lord  doth  come.  But  know  this  ;  that  if 
the  goodman  of  the  house  had  known  in  what  watch  the  thief 


THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP.  391 

would  come,  he  would  have  watched,  and  would  not  have 
suffered  his  house  to  be  broken  up.  Therefore  be  ye  also 
ready :  for  in  such  an  hour  as  ye  think  not  the  Son  of  Man 
cometh."  St.  Paul  reminds  the  Thessalonians  :  "  Yourselves 
know  perfectly  that  the  day  of  the  Lord  so  cometh  as  a  thief  in 
the  night.  .  .  .  But  ye,  brethren,  are  not  in  darkness,  that  that 
day  should  overtake  you  as  a  thief."  St.  Peter  forewarns  the 
Church  Catholic  :  "  But  the  day  of  the  Lord  will  come  as  a 
thief  in  the  night." 

Still  more  striking  is  the  likeness  of  our  present  text  to  part 
of  our  Lord's  message  to  the  Church  in  Sardis  (ch.  iii.  3,  4) : 
"  If  therefore  thou  shalt  not  watch,  I  will  come  on  thee  as  a 
thief,  and  thou  shalt  not  know  what  hour  I  will  come  upon 
thee.  Thou  hast  a  few  names  even  in  Sardis  which  have  not 
defiled  their  garments  ;  and  they  shall  walk  with  Me  in  white." 

Blessed  indeed  then  is  he  that  watcheth  !  he  shall  escape 
overwhelming  shame  :  yea,  much  more,  he  shall  abide  in  eternal 
fellowship  with  Christ. 

Solomon  most  glorious  in  array 

Put  not  on  his  glories  without  care  : — 
Clothe  us  as  Thy  lilies  of  a  day, 
As  the  lilies  thou  accountest  fair, 
Lilies  of  Thy  making, 
Of  Thy  love  partaking, 
Filling  with  free  fragrance  earth  and  air : 
Thou  Who  gatherest  lilies,  gather  us  and  wear. 

"  Armageddon  " — is,  I  see,  interpreted  "  The  destruction  of 
the  troops,"  and  (on  the  same  authority)  is  supposed  to  allude 
to  the  overthrow  of  Sisera  and  his  hosts  before  Barak  and  his 
ten  thousand  (see  Judges  iv.  14,  15  ;  v.  19 — 21). 

"  And  the -seventh  angel  poured  out  his  vial  into  the  air." — 
I  trust  that  since  modern  accuracy  has  not  yet  forbidden  our 
speaking  of  sunrise  and  sunset,  we  may  also  venture  on  occasion 
to  revive  the  Four  Elements  of  my  youth. 

Three  elements  have  in  turn  been  smitten  ;  earth  by  the 
first  vial,  water  by  the  second  and  third,  fire  (the  sun)  by  the 
fourth.  Then  recommencing  the  series  ;  earth  (perhaps,  the 
world)  by  the  fifth  ;  water  (Euphrates)  by  the  sixth  :  but  fire  (if 
the  dragon  and  the  spirits  of  devils  may  be  assumed  to  represent 
it)  musters  on  the  contrary  its  rebellious  force  apparently  for  a 
final  effort ;  not  recking  that  the  kingdom  and  the  battle  and 
the  great  day  are  all  alike  "  of  God  Almighty." 

The  seventh  vial  is  poured  out "  into  the  air,"  that  element 
which  may  be  termed  the  vital  breath  both  of  man  and  of  fire  : 
and  we  are  reminded  of  St.  Paul's  phrase  :  "  The  prince  of  the 


$92  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

power  of  the  air,  the  spirit  that  now  worketh  in  the  children  of 
disobedience." 

"  And  there  came  a  great  Voice  out  of  the  Temple  of  heaven." 
— I  do  not  know  whether  I  perceive  or  merely  fancy  a  distinction. 
In  previous  passages  (ch.  xi.  19;  xiv.  17;  xv,  5)  the  Temple 
is  spoken  of  as  in  heaven,  the  context  having  reference  to  God 
the  Son,  man's  Redeemer  and  Judge.  In  this  passage,  "the 
Temple  of  heaven  "  (harmonizing  with  the  words,  "  The  heaven 
is  My  Throne  ")  might  seem  to  speak  of  heaven  at  large  as 
being  itself  that  Temple  ;  and  to  do  so  at  this  point  of  the 
Revelation  because  the  imminent  Judgment  and  consummation 
will  affect  much  more  than  humankind  only.  The  Revised 
Version,  however,  by  omitting  the  words  "  of  heaven  "  precludes 
any  such  notion. 

"It  is  done." — "God  requireth  that  which  is  past." 
Holy  fear  incites  faith  to  humility,  hope  to  prudence,  love  to 
obedience.  Faith  without  humility  presumes,  hope  without 
prudence  misleads,  love  without  obedience — there  is  no  genuine 
love  without  obedience.  "  He  that  hath  My  commandments, 
and  keepeth  them,  he  it  is  that  loveth  Me,"  saith  the  Sole 
Fountain  of  Truth  and  Love. 

Fear,  Faith,  and  Hope  have  sent  their  hearts  above  : 

Prudence,  Obedience,  and  Humility 

Climb  at  their  call,  all  scaling  heaven  toward  Love. 
Fear  hath  least  grace  but  great  expediency  ; 

Faith  and  Humility  show  grave  and  strong  ; 

Prudence  and  Hope  mount  balanced  equally. 
Obedience  marches  marshalling  their  throng, 

Goes  first,  goes  last,  to  left  hand  or  to  right  ; 

And  all  the  six  uplift  a  pilgrim's  song. 
By  day  they  rest  not,  nor  they  rest  by  night : 

While  Love  within  them,  with  them,  over  them, 

Weans  them  and  woos  them  from  the  dark  to  light. 
Each  plies  for  staff  not  reed  with  broken  stem, 

But  olive  branch  in  pledge  of  patient  peace  ; 

Till  Love  being  theirs  in  New  Jerusalem, 
Transfigure  them  to  Love,  and  so  they  cease. 

Love  is  the  sole  beatitude  above  : 

All  other  graces,  to  their  vast  increase 
Of  glory,  look  on  Love  and  mirror  Love. 

"  A  great  earthquake,  such  as  was  not  since  men  were  upon 
the  earth." — The  latter  clause  is  perhaps  a  saving  clause, 
reserving  pre-Adamite  convulsions  of  which  geology  (if  I  am  not 
mistaken)  appears  to  detect  tremendous  indications. 

O  Lord  God  Only  Wise,  keep  us  or  deliver  us,  I  beseech 
Thee,  from  ignorant  assertions  and  ignorant  denials,  from  con 
fusing  probabilities  with  certainties  and  opinions  with  beliefs. 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  393 

So  be  it  to  Thy  Glory  and  our  salvation,  for  the  honour  of 
Jesus  Christ.     Amen. 

"  And  the  great  city  was  divided  into  three  parts." — If  we 
may  understand  by  this  division  not  simply  one  material  result 
of  the  earthquake,  but  also  internal  dissension  and  a  splitting 
asunder  into  parties,  then  the  "  three  parts "  may  perhaps 
correspond  with  the  dragon  (devil),  beast  (world  ?),  false  prophet 
(man) :  and  we  behold  as  in  a  picture  that  mutual  hatred, 
inextinguishable  ire,  reviling,  loathing,  in  which  must  end  the 
cajoleries,  befoolments,  besottedness,  of  any  congregation  and 
assembly  whose  bond  of  union  is  evil  deliberately  chosen  and 
finally  adhered  to. 

"Because  ye  have  said,  We  have  made  a  covenant  with 
death,  and  with  hell  are  we  at  agreement.  .  .  .  Your  cove 
nant  with  death  shall  be  disannulled,  and  your  agreement  with 
hell  shall  not  stand." 

Whatever  the  secondary  cause,  a  bitter  foretaste  of  such 
mutual  damage  befell  the  Philistines  when  of  old  the  Lord 
saved  Israel  by  the  hand  of  Jonathan  and  his  armour-bearer  : 
"  And  there  was  trembling  in  the  host,  in  the  field,  and  among 
all  the  people :  the  garrison,  and  the  spoilers,  they  also 
trembled,  and  the  earth  quaked  :  so  it  was  a  very  great  tremb 
ling.  .  .  .  And,  behold,  the  multitude  melted  away,  and  they 
went  on  beating  down  one  another.  .  .  .  And,  behold,  every 
man's  sword  was  against  his  fellow,  and  there  was  a  very  great 
discomfiture." 

If  our  Lord's  "parable"  spoken  to  certain  impious  Scribes 
and  Pharisees  conveyed  a  prophecy  as  well  as  a  lesson,  may 
not  this  passage  of  the  Apocalypse  be  reverently  studied  in 
connection  with  it? — "If  a  kingdom  be  divided  against  itself, 
that  kingdom  cannot  stand.  And  if  a  house  be  divided  against 
itself,  that  house  cannot  stand.  And  if  Satan  rise  up  against 
himself,  and  be  divided,  he  cannot  stand,  but  hath  an  end." 

"And  great  Babylon  came  in  remembrance  before  God,  to 
give  unto  her  the  cup  of  the  wine  of  the  fierceness  of  His 
wrath." — Great  Babylon  incurs  but  the  greater  destruction  : 
better  was  it  for  "  little  "  Zoar  than  for  its  neighbour  cities  in 
the  day  of  retribution.  Ill  fares  it  with  him  that  layeth  up 
treasure  for  himself  and  is  not  rich  toward  God. 

"  And  every  island  fled  away,  and  the  mountains  were  not 
found." — "  I  beheld  the  earth,  and,lo,  it  was  without  form,  and 
void ;  and  the  heavens,  and  they  had  no  light.  I  beheld  the 
mountains,  and,  lo,  they  trembled,  and  all  the  hills  moved 
lightly.  I  beheld,  and,  lo,  there  was  no  man,  and  all  the  birds 


394  THE   FACE   OF   THE   DEEP 


of  the  heavens  were  fled.  I  beheld,  and,  lo,  the  fruitful  place 
was  a  wilderness,  and  all  the  cities  thereof  were  broken  down 
at  the  presence  of  the  Lord,  and  by  His  fierce  anger." 

"  And  there  fell  upon  men  a  great  hail  out  of  heaven  .  .  . 
and  men  blasphemed  God." — Jeremiah  dwelling  on  the  pro 
longed  agony  which  in  his  day  wrung  Jerusalem,  declared  : 
"  The  punishment  of  the  iniquity  of  the  daughter  of  my  people 
is  greater  than  the  punishment  of  the  sin  of  Sodom,  that  was 
overthrown  as  in  a  moment,  and  no  hands  stayed  on  her."  In 
comparably  great  is  the  woe  beheld  by  St.  John,  when  extension 
of  time  is  abused  to  enhance  provocation  :  for  in  Jeremiah's 
experience  some  men  even  in  extremity  may  so  have  numbered 
their  days  as  to  apply  their  hearts  unto  saving  wisdom. 

This  crushing  hail  recalls  the  corresponding  Egyptian  plague  : 
but  then  a  shelter  was  provided ;  not  so  now. 

Man's  extremity  is  God's  opportunity  :  so  long  as  this 
proverb  holds  good  true  extremity  has  not  been  reached.  But 
Wisdom  has  forewarned  man  of  such  extremity :  ''•  Because  I 
have  called,  and  ye  refused ;  I  have  stretched  out  My  hand, 
and  no  man  regarded;  but  ye  have  set  at  nought  all  My 
counsel,  and  would  none  of  My  reproof:  I  also  will  laugh  at 
your  calamity ;  I  will  mock  when  your  fear  cometh  ;  when 
your  fear  cometh  as  desolation,  and  your  destruction  cometh 
as  a  whirlwind  ;  when  distress  and  anguish  cometh  upon  you. 
Then  shall  they  call  upon  Me,  but  I  will  not  answer ;  they 
shall  seek  Me  early,  but  they  shall  not  find  Me  :  for  that  they 
hated  knowledge,  and  did  not  choose  the  fear  of  the  Lord  : 
they  wou'd  none  of  My  counsel  :  they  despised  all  My  reproof. 
Therefore  shall  they  eat  of  the  fruit  of  their  own  way,  and  be 
filled  with  their  own  devices." 

Divine  gifts  are  called  by  our  Master  "  talents."  Every  gift 
must  turn  to  the  recipient's  impoverishment.,  unless  it  be  so 
used  as  to  secure  the  true  riches  :  of  goodly  talents  misused 
noth'ng  will  at  last  remain  but  as  it  were  the  avenging  weight. 
First,  gift ;  afterwards,  reward  or  penalty  :  they  all  equally 
come  "  out  of  heaven." 

"  Every  stone  about  the  weight  of  a  talent  "  : — of  a  talent  I 
have  done  amiss  with,  or  done  nothing  with.  God  forbid. 

"  Thus  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts  :  Consider  your  ways.  Ye 
have  sown  much,  and  bring  in  little ;  ye  eat,  but  ye  have  not 
enough ;  ye  drink,  but  ye  are  not  filled  with  drink  ;  ye  clothe 
you,  but  there  is  none  warm ;  and  he  that  earneth  wages, 
earneth  wages  to  put  it  into  a  brig  with  holes.  Thus  saith  the 
Lcrd  of  hosts ;  Consider  your  ways." 


CHAPTER   XVII. 

1.  And  there  came  one  of  the  seven  angels  which  had  the 

seven  vials,  and  talked  with  me,  saying  unto  me, 
Come  hither;  I  will  shew  unto  thee  the  judgment  of 
the  great  whore  that  sitteth  upon  many  waters  : 

2.  With  whom  the  kings  of  the  earth  have  committed  for 

nication,  and  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth  have  been 
made  drunk  with  the  wine  of  her  fornication. 

As  to  its  subject,  the  vision  of  this  chapter  does  not  in  order 
of  time  appear  to  follow  passages  which  more  or  less  remotely 
precede  it;  but  rather  to  be  at  least  partially  simultaneous, 
elucidatory,  and  so  to  say  parenthetical.  The  very  words 
"  Babylon  is  fallen "  (ch.  xiv.  8),  "  Great  Babylon  came  in 
remembrance"  (ch.  xvi.  19),  show  that  her  existence  antedates 
either  mention  of  her.  So  far  then  it  becomes  conjecturable 
that  this  present  chapter  will  exhibit  a  traceable  connection 
with  previous  portions  of  the  Apocalypse ;  will,  as  it  were,  fit 
into  what  we  have  already  studied. 

Lord,  Who  by  Thy  Most  Holy  Spirit  hast  inspired  Thy 
Prophets  to  speak  and  to  wiite  Thy  word,  grant  us  by  help  of 
the  Same  Spirit  to  study  that  blessed  word  which  for  each  of 
us  contains  an  individual  lesson.  Give  us  one  by  one  grace 
to  learn  our  own  lesson,  neither  vexing  nor  envying  one  an 
other  :  but  so  imbued  with  wisdom  that  we  may  become  pure, 
peaceable,  gentle,  easy  to  be  intreated,  full  of  mercy  and  good 
fruits,  void  of  partiality  and  hypocrisy,  sowing  righteousness  in 
peace  while  we  make  peace.  For  our  Peacemaker's  sake, 
Jesus  Christ.  Amen. 

Isaiah  instructs  us  how  profitably  to  contemplate  God's 
judgments,  while  putting  our  whole  trust  in  Him  and  honour 
ing  His  Holy  Name  and  His  word  :  "  Thou  wilt  keep  him  in 
perfect  peace,  whose  mind  is  stayed  on  Thee  :  because  he 
trusteth  in  Thee.  Trust  ye  in  the  Lord  for  ever :  for  in  the 
Lord  Jehovah  is  everlasting  strength.  For  He  bringeth  down 


396  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

them  tliat  dwell  on  high ;  the  lofty  city,  He  layeth  it  low  ;  He 
layeth  it  low,  even  to  the  ground ;  He  bringeth  it  even  to  the 
dust.  .  .  .  Yea,  in  the  way  of  Thy  judgments,  O  Lord,  have 
we  waited  for  Thee ;  the  desire  of  our  soul  is  to  Thy  Name, 
and  to  the  remembrance  of  Thee.  With  my  soul  have  I 
desired  Thee  in  the  night ;  yea,  with  my  spirit  within  me  will 
I  seek  Thee  early  :  for  when  Thy  judgments  are  in  the  earth, 
the  inhabitants  of  the  world  will  learn  righteousness." 

Far  from  being  necessarily  an  insurmountable  disadvantage, 
I  think  that  ignorance  of  the  historical  drift  of  prophecy  may 
on  occasion  turn  to  a  humble  but  genuine  profit.  Such  ignor 
ance  entails  (or  wisely  utilized  might  entail)  that  a  general 
lesson,  a  fundamental  principle,  essence  not  accident,  will  be 
elicited  from  the  abstruse  text.  Further  : — instead  of  attention 
being  directed  to  the  ends  of  the  earth,  our  eye  must  be  turned 
within  ;  elsewhere  at  a  future  moment  additional  light  will 
doubtless  be  vouchsafed,  but  for  the  present  the  message  is 
delivered  pointedly  to  ourselves ;  as  when  "  there  fell  a  voice 
from  heaven,  saying,  O  king  Nebuchadnezzar,  to  thee  it  is 
spoken " ; — and  could  no  more  be  evaded  than  could  that 
other  message  ;  "  I  have  an  errand  to  thee,  O  captain.  .  .  . 
Unto  which  of  all  us  ?  ...  To  thee." 

Wherefore  "  one  of  the  Seven  Angels  "  talks  with  me,  say 
ing  :  "  Come  hither ;  I  will  shew  unto  thee.  .  .  ."  And  what 
he  shows  me  (at  any  rate)  amounts  to  the  vileness  and  ruinous- 
ness  of  idolatrous  defection  in  every  form  subtle  or  gross. 
Assume  what  shape  it  may,  its  nature  remains  the  same :  kings 
may  idolize  all  the  kingdoms  of  the  world  and  the  glory  of 
them  ;  whilst  subjects  bow  down  to  wealth,  influence,  fame, 
genius,  beauty,  or  even  to  success.  But  under  one  aspect  or 
other  the  sin  infects  "  kings  of  the  earth  "  and  "  inhabitants  of 
the  earth  "  ;  and  whilst  mighty  men  shall  be  mightily  tormented, 
the  meaner  sort  cannot  go  unpunished. 

The  First  and  Second  Commandments  concur  to  forbid 
idolatry :  misplaced  preference  breaks  the  First,  misdirected 
worship  the  Second.  The  first  holds  out  neither  threat  nor 
promise,  neither  reward  nor  punishment :  it  is  one,  simple, 
featureless,  absolute  ;  and  being  equally  incumbent  upon  all 
rational  beings,  addresses  man  on  his  spiritual  side,  not  taking 
account  of  the  earthy.  The  Second  commands,  but  it  also 
reasons:  it  sets  before  man  his  own  interest,  adjures  him  for 
his  children's  sake,  deters  him  by  a  threat,  allures  him  by  a 
promise  ;  remembers  whereof  he  is  made,  and  appeals  to  him 
both  as  flesh  and  as  spirit.  Perhaps  even  the  Fifth  Command- 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  397 

ment  is  less  persuasively  formulated  than  the  Second  :  the 
Fifth  guarantees  a  contingent  blessing  to  ourself,  the  Second 
to  our  cherished  a  thousands."  And  even  in  the  appalling 
entail  of  contingent  judgment  "upon  the  children,  unto  the 
third  and  fourth  generation,"  a  door  of  hope,  howbeit  of  a 
trembling  hope,  remains  open,  when  we  turn  to  a  Divine 
exposition  of  mercy  and  judgment ;  for  by  the  mouth  of 
Ezekiel  the  Lord  God  deigned  to  refute  the  Jewish  proverb, 
"  The  fathers  have  eaten  sour  grapes,  and  the  children's  teeth 
are  set  on  edge,"  and  to  declare  concerning  a  hypothetical 
heinous  offender :  "  Now,  lo,  if  he  beget  a  son,  that  seeth  all 
his  father's  sins  which  he  hath  done,  and  considereth,  and 
doeth  not  such  like,  that  .  .  .  hath  executed  My  judgments, 
hath  walked  in  My  statutes  ;  he  shall  not  die  for  the  iniquity  of 
his  father,  he  shall  surely  live."  Thus  the  second  generation 
can  by  righteous  obedience  in  some  measure  retrieve  the  error 
of  the  first,  thereby  recovering  mercy  as  an  inheritance  to  his 
posterity  ;  so  that  (may  we  not  hope  ?)  even  the  visiting  upon 
them  of  their  more  remote  forefathers'  sins  will  be  so  far 
reversed  as  to  help  them,  if  they  choose,  to  walk  humbly.  To 
the  next  of  kin  appertained  a  twofold  office  :  as  avenger  of 
blood  he  executed  judgment,  as  nearest  in  blood  he  filled  the 
vacant  place.  Moreover  though  the  fathers  may  not,  yet  may 
the  children  take  courage  and  rejoice  in  their  grievous  liability 
because  of  Christ-likeness  :  for  Christ  was  born  for  this  very 
end,  that  on  Him  might  be  visited  the  iniquity  of  father  Adam 
and  of  all  mankind. 

I  suppose  it  is  no  exaggeration  to  say  that  every  sin,  fleshly 
or  spiritual,  is  a  sin  of  idolatry,  inasmuch  as  it  is  the  preference 
of  some  object  tangible  or  intangible  to  God  All  Good  :  indeed 
further  reflection  recognizes  sin  as  simply  the  preference  of 
self  to  God ;  self-pleasing,  self-will,  self-indulgence,  self  in  a 
word,  being  the  universal  lure.  St.  Paul  brands  covetousness 
as  idolatry  :  thus  the  First,  Second  and  Tenth  Commandments 
concur  in  forbidding  idolatry  ;  whilst  to  break  any  of  the 
remaining  seven  involves  a  breach  of  the  spirit  common  to  all. 

If  three  Commandments  out  of  Ten  be  explicit,  and  if  the 
other  seven  implicit  against  one  and  the  same  wickedness,  let 
us  pray  to  be  delivered  and  evermore  kept  safe  from  the  wide 
spread  snare  without  and  from  the  foolhardy  traitor  within  : — 

From  love  that  cleaveth  not  to  Thee, 
From  worship  that  waiteth  not  on  Thee, 
From  a  tongue  that  extolleth  not  Thet , 
From  labour  and  rest  that  serve  not  Thee, 


393  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

From  defrauding  Thy  representatives  of  honour, 

From  defacing  Thine  image, 

From  defiling  Thy  temple, 

From  misappropriating  Thy  gifts, 

From  perverting  Thy  truth, 

From  lust  of  that  which  shall  pass  away, 

Good  Lord,  deliver  us. 
Wanderings  of  heart,  * 
Crookedness  of  intention, 
Unsanctified  speech, 
Vain  labour,  slothful  rest, 
Disrespect  and  stubbornness, 
Hasty  spirit  and  hasty  hand, 
Corrupt  eye, 
Graspinj  fingers, 
False  tongue, 
Evil  covetousness, 

Forgive  to  us,  O  Lord.     Good  Lord,  amend  us.     Amen. 

What  would  move  me  to  love  one  who  loved  me  ? — If  he 
sacrificed  himself  for  me,  changed  places  with  me  that  I  might 
be  safe,  impoverished  himself  to  discharge  my  ruinous  debts, 
preferred  me  at  every  turn  to  himself,  bore  and  shared  my 
griefs,  planned  and  wrought  for  my  happiness,  earned  and 
laid  up  treasure  for  me,  remembered  me  when  I  forgot  him 
and  myself,  put  me  on  the  best  robe  when  I  had  shamed  him, 
and  a  ring  after  I  had  deserted  him,  won  back  for  me  alienated 
friends,  released  me  from  bonds  on  his  own  suretyship,  sought 
me  where  I  was  straying  among  quicksands,  found  me,  carried 
me,  rejoiced  over  me. 

What  can  withhold  me  from  loving  such  an  One  Who 
loveth  me  ? 

Lord,  give  me  love  that  I  may  love  Thee  much, 
Yea,  give  me  love  that  I  may  love  Thee  more, 
And  all  for  love  may  worship  and  adore 

And  touch  Thee  with  love's  consecrated  touch. 

I  halt  to-day  ;  be  love  my  cheerful  crutch, 
My  feet  to  plod,  some  day  my  wings  to  soar : 
Some  day  ;  but,  Lord,  not  any  day  before 

Thou  call  me  perfect  having  made  me  such. 

This  is  a  day  of  love,  a  day  of  sorrow, 
Love  tempering  sorrow  to  a  sort  of  bliss  ; 
A  day  that  shortens  while  we  call  it  long  : 

A  longer  day  of  love  will  dawn  to-morrow, 
A  longer,  brighter,  lovelier  day  than  this, 
Endless,  all  love,  no  sorrow,  but  a  song. 

3.  So  he  carried  me  away  in  the  spirit  into  the  wilderness  : 
and  I  saw  a  woman  sit  upon  a  scarlet-coloured  beast, 
full  of  names  of  blasphemy,  having  seven  heads  and 
ten  horns. 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  399 

He  who  exhibits  is  an  angel,  and  he  who  inspects  is  a  saint  : 
yet  does  this  exalted  pair  betake  themselves  into  "  the  wilder 
ness,"  there  and  not  elsewhere  to  set  themselves  face  to  face 
with  an  impersonation  of  abominable  wickedness.  So  likewise 
did  their  and  our  Divine  Master  do  when  He  deigned  to  con 
front  Satan.  And  if  the  Standard  Bearer  among  ten  thousand, 
and  if  the  flower  of  His  armies  did  thus,  it  leaves  us  an  example 
that  we  should  tread  in  their  steps. 

Some  innocent  souls  there  are  who  from  cradle  to  grave 
remain  as  it  were  veiled  and  cloistered  from  knowledge  of  evil. 
As  pearls  in  their  native  deep,  as  flower-buds  under  Alpine  snow, 
they  abide  unsullied  :  the  lot  has  fallen  unto  them  in  a  fair 
ground.  But  for  most  persons  contact  with  evil  and  conse 
quent  knowledge  of  evil  being  unavoidable,  is  clearly  so  far 
ordained  :  they  must  achieve  a  more  difficult  sanctity,  touching 
pitch  yet  continuing  clean,  enduring  evil  communications  yet 
without  corruption  of  good  manners. 

To  each  such  imperilled  soul,  Angel  and  Apostle  here  set  a 
pattern.  If  we  too  would  gaze  unscathed  and  undefiled  on 
wickedness,  let  us  not  seek  for  enchantments,  but  set  our  face 
toward  the  wilderness.  Strip  sin  bare  from  voluptuousness 
of  music,  fascination  of  gesture,  enhancement  of  the  stage, 
rapture  of  poetry,  glamour  of  eloquence,  seduction  of  imagina 
tive  emotion  ;  strip  it  of  every  adornment,  let  it  stand  out  bald 
as  in  the  Ten  stern  Commandments.  Study  sin,  when  study  it 
we  must,  not  as  a  relishing  pastime,  but  as  an  embittering 
deterrent.  Lavish  sympathy  on  the  sinner,  never  on  the  sin. 
Say,  if  we  will  and  if  we  mean  it,  Would  God  I  had  died  for 
thee  :  nevertheless  let  us  flee  at  the  cry  of  such,  lest  the  earth 
swallow  us  up  also. 

Wherever  the  serpent  is  tolerated  there  is  sure  to  be  dust  for 
his  pasture  :  he  finds  or  he  makes  a  desolate  wilderness  of 
what  was  as  the  Garden  of  Eden.  Only  an  illusion,  a  mirage, 
can  cause  a  barren  desert  to  appear  in  our  eyes  as  a  city  of 
palaces,  an  orchard  of  fruits. 

This  woman  Babylon  sits  upon  a  scarlet  beast,  it  appears 
not  whether  as  upon  a  throne  or  as  upon  a  chariot  :  if  a  throne, 
steadfast  in  evil  ;  if  a  chariot,  swift  unto  perdition.  Moreover, 
in  a  former  verse  we  read  of  her  as  sitting  "  upon  many 
waters  "  :  a  point  to  be  noted  further  on. 

The  woman  and  the  beast  by  a  foul  congruity  seem  to  make 
up  a  sort  of  oneness,  after  the  fashion  of  a  snail  and  its  shell. 
If  she  removes  he  is  the  motor;'  she  is  lifted  aloft  to  the 
extent  of  his  height ;  her  stability  depends  on  his.  In  semblance 
lie  is  her  slave,  in  reality  her  master. 


400         THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP. 

4.  And  the  woman  was  arrayed  in  purple  and  scarlet 

colour,  and  decked  with  gold  and  precious  stones  and 
pearls,  having  a  golden  cup  in  her  hand  full  of  abomin 
ations  and  filthiness  of  her  fornication  : 

5.  And  upon  her  forehead  was  a  name  written,  Mystery, 

Babylon  the  Great,  The  Mother  of  Harlots  and  Abomin 
ations  of  the  Earth. 

The  beast  is  scarlet,  and  the  woman  wears  scarlet.  He  is 
full  of  names  of  blasphemy,  and  her  names  are  of  the  same 
sort. 

He  is  scarlet  as  sin.  She  is  both  scarlet  and  particoloured, 
decked  with  such  gauds  as  St.  Paul  warns  us  women  against. 
As  it  seemed  possible  to  study  the  sun-clothed  exalted  Woman 
(ch.  xii.)  as  a  figure  of  the  all-glorious  destiny  awaiting  the 
Virtuous  Woman,  so  now  I  think  this  obscene  woman  may  (on 
the  surface)  be  studied  as  illustrating  the  particular  foulness, 
degradation,  loathsomeness,  to  which  a  perverse  rebellious 
woman  because  feminine  not  masculine  is  liable. 

Execrable,  for  aught  we  know,  as  any  devil,  beast,  man,  of 
them  all,  the  resources  and  so  to  say  the  tactics  of  Babylon 
differ  from  theirs  :  she  and  they  proceed  to  a  common  goal  by 
distinct  paths.  They  have  (such  as  it  is)  counsel  and  strength 
for  war :  she  less  astute  in  counsel,  less  hardy  in  war,  makes  of 
her  own  self  a  trap,  a  bait,  a  ruinous  prize.  She  seduces,  not 
coerces.  She  tyrannizes  by  influence,  not  by  might.  Filthy 
she  is,  but  she  proffers  filthiress  in  a  golden  cup.  No  heart 
of  husband  safely  trusts  in  her,  no  children  arise  up  and  call 
her  blessed  :  vile  mother  is  she  of  vile  daughters,  all  alike  be 
dizened,  perfumed,  debased  to  hell ;  all  alike  blood-suckers, 
as  we  read  :  "  The  horseleach  hath  two  daughters,  crying, 
Give,  give." 

Some  have  opined  that  a  woman's  wickedness  even  exceeds 
that  of  a  man  ;  as  Jezebel  stirred  up  Ahab,  and  Herodias  out 
stripped  Herod  on  feet  swift  to  shed  blood.  But  this  point 
must  stand  over  for  decision  to  the  Judgment  of  that  Only 
Judge  to  whom  each  and  all  of  us  will  one  day  stand  or  fall. 
Solomon  meanwhile  by  warning  man  against  woman  has  vir 
tually  warned  woman  against  herself:  "When  wisdom  entereth 
into  thine  heart,  and  knowledge  is  pleasant  unto  thy  soul;  dis 
cretion  shall  preserve  thee,  understanding  shall  keep  thee.  .  .  . 
To  deliver  thee  from  the  strange  woman,  even  from  the 
stranger  which  flattereth  with  her  words ;  which  forsaketh  the 
guide  of  her  youth,  and  forgetteth  the  covenant  of  her  God. 
For  her  house  inclineth  nnto  death,  and  her  paths  unto  the 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  401 

dead.  None  that  go  unto  her  return  again,  neither  take  they 
hold  of  the  paths  of  life  "  : — "  The  lips  of  a  strange  woman 
drop  as  an  honeycomb,  and  her  mouth  is  smoother  than  oil : 
but  her  end  is  bitter  as  wormwood,  sharp  as  a  two-edged 
sword.  Her  feet  go  down  to  death ;  her  steps  take  hold  on 
hell.  Lest  thou  shouldest  ponder  the  path  of  life,  her  ways 
are  moveable,  that  thou  canst  not  know  them": — "A  foolish 
woman  is  clamourous  :  she  is  simple,  and  knoweth  nothing. 
For  she  sitteth  at  the  door  of  her  house,  on  a  seat  in  the  high 
places  of  the  city,  to  call  passengers  who  go  right  on  their 
ways  :  Whoso  is  simple,  let  him  turn  in  hither.  .  .  .  But  he 
knoweth  not  that  the  dead  are  there ;  and  that  her  guests  are 
in  the  depths  of  hell." 

Our  Mothers,  lovely  women  pitiful  ; 

Our  Sisters,  gracious  in  their  life  and  death  ; 

To  us  each  unforgotten  memory  saith  : 
"  Learn  as  we  learned  in  life's  sufficient  school, 
Work  as  we  worked  in  patience  of  our  rule, 

Walk  as  we  walked  much  less  by  sight  than  faith, 

Hope  as  we  hoped  despite  our  slips  and  scathe, 
Fearful  in  joy  and  confident  in  dule." 
I  know  not  if  they  see  us  or  can  see  : 

But  if  they  see  us  in  our  painful  day, 

How  looking  back  to  earth  from  Paradise 
Do  tears  not  gather  in  those  loving  eyes  ? — 

Ah,  happy  eyes  !  whose  tears  are  wiped  away 
Whether  or  not  you  bear  to  look  on  me. 

"  Upon  her  forehead  was  a  name  written,  Mystery  .  .  .  " — '• 
The  mystery  is  announced  to  all ;  but  is  not  explained  to  all, 
if  to  any. 

Intelligence  may  be  required  of  some  :  faith  is  required  of 
all. 

Is  it  disappointing  to  be  restricted  to  faith?  Faith,  the 
grace,  is  a  higher  endowment  than  intelligence,  the  gift. 

A  revealed  unexplained  mystery  is  (as  it  were)  my  Tree  of 
Knowledge  accessible  whilst  forbidden  ;  a  theme  for  prayer,  not 
a  bait  for  curiosity.  Ignorance  by  virtue  of  good  will  takes 
rank  as  a  part  of  obedience. 

To  be  of  one  mind  with  God  is  universal  knowledge  in 
embryo. 

6.  And  I  saw  the  woman  drunken  with  the  blood  of  the 

saints,  and  with  the  blood  of  the  martyrs  of  Jesus  :  and 

when  I  saw  her,  I  wondered  with  great  admiration. 

Whatever   evil   power    confronts   us   under    this   figure  of 

Babylon,  she,  in  some  degree,  corresponds  in  temper  with  such 

c  c 


402  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

rich  men  as  St.  James  addresses ;  which  correspondence  as 
with  a  redoubled  alarum  urges  whosoever  will  be  saved  to 
choose  if  not  actual  poverty  at  least  not  riches  :  "  Go  to  now, 
ye  rich  men,  weep  and  howl  for  your  miseries  that  shall  come 
upon  you.  Your  riches  are  corrupted,  and  your  garments  are 
motheaten.  Your  gold  and  silver  is  cankered ;  and  the  rust 
of  them  shall  be  a  witness  against  you,  and  shall  eat  your 
flesh  as  it  were  fire.  Ye  have  heaped  treasure  together  for  the 
last  days.  ...  Ye  have  lived  in  pleasure  on  earth,  and  been 
wanton  ;  ye  have  nourished  your  hearts,  as  in  a  day  of  slaughter. 
Ye  have  condemned  and  killed  the  just;  and  he  doth  not 
resist  you.  Be  patient  therefore,  brethren,  unto  the  coming  of 
the  Lord." 

Crimson  as  the  rubies,  crimson  as  the  roses, 

Crimson  as  the  sinking  sun, 
Singing  on  his  crimsoned  bed  each  saint  reposes, 

Fought  his  fight,  his  battle  won  ; 
Till  the  rosy  east  the  day  of  days  discloses 

All  his  work  save  waiting  done. 

Far  above  the  stars  while  underneath  the  daisies, 

Resting  for  his  race  is  run, 
Unto  Thee  his  heart  each  quiet  saint  upraises, 

God  the  Father,  Spirit,  Son  ; 
Unto  Thee  his  heart,  unto  Thee  his  praises, 

O  Lord  God  the  Three  in  One. 

St.  John  "  wondered  with  great  admiration "  at  what  he 
beheld. 

Deliver  us,  I  beseech  Thee,  Good  Lord  Jesus,  from  indif- 
ferentism,  superciliousness,  shallow  judgments,  crooked  judg 
ments;  from  curiosity  without  faith,  superstition  instead  of 
faith,  opinions  subversive  of  faith.  For  whatsoever  is  not  of 
faith  is  sin,  and  without  faith  it  is  impossible  to  please  God. 
To  Whom,  O  Lord,  in  Thine  all-gracious,  well-beloved  Self, 
bring  us  near  and  make  us  well  pleasing.  Amen. 

7.  And  the  Angel  said  unto  me,  Wherefore  didst  thou. 
marvel?  I  will  tell  thee  the  mystery  of  the  woman, 
and  of  the  beast  that  carrieth  her,  which  hath  the 
seven  heads  and  ten  horns. 

The  voice  of  conscience  echoing  the  angelic  question,  asks 
reader  after  reader,  Wherefore  didst  thou  marvel  ?  Athenian 
curiosity  of  old  was  eager  to  hear  some  new  thing,  and  readily 
inquired  concerning  "  certain  strange  things,"  promulgated  by 
inspired  lips ;  but  in  the  end  some  mocked,  some  postponed 
investigation,  few  it  seems  were  converted  and  clave  to  the 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  403 

truth.  Of  these  timely  wise  few  we  know  one  man  by  name, 
Dionysius,  the  Areopagite,  and  one  woman,  Damaris  :  and  to 
this  very  day  the  Word  of  God,  quick,  and  powerful,  and 
sharper  than  any  two-edged  sword,  divides  the  new  man  from 
the  old  man,  Dionysius  and  Damaris  from  their  fellows. 

Thou  art  or  ait  not  as  Dionysius  :  I  am  or  am  not  as 
Damaris.  God  Most  Merciful,  imbue  us  with  such  love  of  the 
truth,  that  being  likeminded  we  may  have  the  same  love,  and 
desiring  the  sincere  milk  of  the  word  may  grow  thereby.  For 
Christ's  sake.  Amen. 

God  reveals  what  He  pleases,  as  much  as  He  pleases,  no 
more  than  He  pleases.  The  faithful  soul  is  as  Issachar  :  he 
sees  that  the  land  is  pleasant,  and  bowing  down  rests  between 
his  burdens. 

8.  The  beast  that  thou  sawest  was,  and  is  not ;  and  shall 
ascend  out  of  the  bottomless  pit,  and  go  into  perdition : 
and  they  that  dwell  on  the  earth  shall  wonder,  whose 
names  were  not  written  in  the  book  of  life  from  the 
foundation  of  the  world,  when  they  behold  the  beast 
that  was,  and  is  not,  and  yet  is. 

(If  I  may  venture  so  far  out  of  my  depth — )  This  seems  by 
various  indications  to  be  the  very  beast  which  St.  John  saw 
rise  up  out  of  the  sea  (ch.  xiii.).  If  it  be  the  same,  in  the 
present  chapter  (ver.  3)  for  the  first  time  is  its  colour  defined 
as  scarlet  :  yet  since  at  its  former  appearing  the  red  dragon 
gave  it  "  his  power,  and  his  seat,  and  great  authority,"  it  seems 
not  incongruous  to  surmise  that  such  foul  dominion  may  have 
been  expressed  by  the  imperial  scarlet  colour. 

If  it  be  the  same  beast,  then  we  discern  how  the  woman  can 
sit  at  once  on  the  sea  beast  and  on  "many  waters"  (ver.  i). 
Though  all  be  symbolic,  the  symbols  may  presumably  har 
monize.  (It  follows  not,  however,  that  I  can  harmonize  them.) 

Moreover  the  "  woman "  whom  now  of  a  sudden  we  en 
counter  :  have  we  under  a  different  aspect  already  met  her  ? 
Chapter  xiii.  exhibits  various  points  of  apparent  correspondence 
with  the  present  chapter.  Besides  the  sea  beast,  it  clearly 
mentions  the  dragon,  and  an  earth  beast  :  which  three  monsters 
(assuming  the  earth  beast  to  be  identical  with  the  false  prophet 
of  ch.  xix.  20)  are  destroyed  further  on  (ch.  xix.  20 ;  xx.  10), 
and  thus  are  accounted  for  and  done  with.  With  them,  like 
them,  yet  not  the  same  as  any  of  them,  appears  "  an  image  " 
(ch.  xiii.  14,  15)  of  the  sea  beast,  itself  instinct  with  at  least  a 
semblance  of  hideous  life,  endowed  with  the  faculty  of  speech, 


404  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

moved  apparently  by  an  impious  and  perhaps  an  independent 
volition.  Can  this  image  be  a  diverse  presentment  of  the 
woman  ?  So  much  in  the  kingdom  of  darkness  seems  an 
awful  mockery  of  the  Divine  Kingdom,  that  I  think  the  image 
and  woman  assume  a  possible  interchangeableness  when  we 
recall  St.  Paul's  sentence  :  "  A  man  ...  is  the  image  and 
glory  of  God  :  but  the  woman  is  the  glory  of  the  man." 

That  this  woman  does  in  an  appreciable  degree  resemble 
the  beast  which  carries  her  has,  I  think,  transpired.  And 
whilst  the  end  of  the  image,  as  such,  is  not  revealed,  that  of 
the  woman  is  made  abundantly  clear. 

Each  symbol  suggests  thought,  however  the  veiled  reality 
may  elude  discovery.  Interpretation  is  the  gift  of  some, 
thought  of  all.  Lack  of  interpretation  dispenses  not  from 
the  duty  of  thought. 

"And  shall  ascend  out  of  the  bottomless  pit,  and  go  into 
perdition." — The  Revised  Version  expresses  with  vividness 
imminence  and  movement :  "And  is  about  to  come  up  out  of 
the  abyss,  and  to  go  into  perdition."  St.  John  witnessed  such 
a  rising  out  of  the  sea  as  before  narrated,  whether  or  not  both 
passages  refer  to  the  same  incident.  If  the  same,  the  sub 
stance  of  this  present  vision  seems  authoritatively  displaced 
from  its  apparent  order  of  time. 

"And  they  that  dwell  on  the  earth  shall  wonder."— Re 
calling  the  words  of  Habakkuk  as  quoted  by  St.  Paul : 
"  Behold,  ye  despisers,  and  wonder,  and  perish." 

"  Whose  names  were  not  written  in  the  Book  of  Life  from 
the  foundation  of  the  world  "  : —  or  as  in  the  Revised  Version  : 
"  They  whose  name  hath  not  been  written  in  the  Book  of  Life 
from  the  foundation  of  the  world."  —  Although  the  two 
translations  can  (I  think)  be  understood  in  precisely  the  same 
sense,  I  yet  feel  or  fancy  a  possible  difference  betwixt  them : 
the  Authorized  Version  conveying  the  idea  of  election  and 
predestination  once  for  all  and  irreversible  ;  the  Revised,  of  a 
period  of  probation  and  contingent  election  from  the  foun 
dation  of  the  world  onwards. 

"  The  beast  that  was,  and  is  not,  and  yet  is." — 

O  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  Who  changest  not,  but  art  the  Same 
yesterday  and  to-day  and  for  ever,  support  us  in  all  dangers 
and  carry  us  through  all  temptations.  From  open  and  secret 
foes,  from  snares  and  pitfalls,  Good  Lord,  deliver  us. 

9.  And  here  is  the  mind  which  hath  wisdom.    The  seven 
heads  are  seven  mountains,  on  which  the  woman  sitteth. 


THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP.  405 

So  teach  us  to  number  our  days  that  we  may  apply  our 
hearts  unto  wisdom  ;  that  we  may  receive  the  instruction  of 
wisdom,  justice  and  judgment  and  equity.  O  Lord,  Who 
givest  wisdom,  Who  layest  up  sound  wisdom  for  the  righteous  ; 
teach  us  in  the  way  of  wisdom,  lead  us  in  right  paths.  Furnish 
our  lips  with  wisdom  :  let  us  not  die  for  want  of  wisdom. 
Grant  us  wisdom  with  the  just,  the  lowly,  the  well  advised  ; 
that  with  the  prudent  we  may  understand  our  way,  and  ceasing 
from  our  own  wisdom  may  learn  of  Thee,  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
our  Wisdom.  Amen. 

The  Virtuous  Woman  whose  price  is  far  above  rubies 
"openeth  her  mouth  with  wisdom  ;  and  in  her  tongue  is  the 
law  of  kindness."  Wisdom,  then,  associates  with  kindness  : 
to  cultivate  kindness  is  to  frequent  the  society  of  wisdom.  A 
clue  especially  vouchsafed  to  us  women. 

I  observe  that  while  to  Moses  celestial  patterns  were 
displayed  and  on  him  was  poured  the  radiance  of  direct 
revelation;  and  that  whereas  "  Bezaleel  and  Aholiab,  and 
every  wise-hearted  man,  in  whom  the  Lord  put  wisdom  and 
understanding  to  know  how  to  work  all  manner  of  work  for 
the  service  of  the  sanctuary,"  so  wrought :  "  all  the  women 
that  were  wise-hearted  did  spin  with  their  hands,  and  brought 
that  which  they  had  spun,  both  of  blue,  and  of  purple,  and  of 
scarlet,  and  of  fine  linen.  And  all  the  women  whose  heart 
stirred  them  up  in  wisdom  spun  goats'  hair."  Thus  coverings, 
curtains,  veils,  were  assigned  to  the  women  :  to  the  men  those 
sacred  things  enshrined  beneath  and  within. 

So  long  as  he  or  she  who  "  standeth  without "  can  hear  the 
Bridegroom's  Voice,  surely  it  is  joy  fulfilled. 

"The  seven  heads  are  seven  mountains,  on  which  the 
woman  sitteth." — The  interpretation  lies  above  and  beyond 
my  range  :  the  symbol  conveys  a  lesson. 

Mortal  life  is,  so  to  say,  a  tissue  of  sevens ;  and  each  seven 
must  be  guarded  against  the  fascination  of  that  World  whereof 
"the  woman"  (be  she  ultimately  what  she  may)  exhibits 
characteristics. 

Guard,  so  far  as  in  thee  lieth,  innocence  in  infancy,  reverence 
in  childhood,  holiness  in  youth,  aspiration  in  maturity,  patience 
on  the  decline,  perseverance  in  age,  hope  in  death.  Is  it  too 
late  for  thyself?  Then  guard  them  in  others :  and  as  to 
thyself,  at  least  redeem  the  remaining  time  from  waste  and 
snatch  thy  grave  from  desecration.  Guard  others  and  thyself 
against  that  world  which  defiles  innocence  by  contact,  substi 
tutes  foolhardiness  and  false  shame  for  reverence,  violates 


406  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

holiness,  paralyzes  aspiration ;  which  breeds  selfishness  instead 
of  patience,  frivolity  instead  of  perseverance ;  which  is  too 
corrupt,  too  dead,  too  twice  dead  for  hope  in  death.  And 
whilst  the  seven  stages  of  life  compose  thus  a  sort  of  week, 
each  stage  is  itself  composed  of  weeks  of  days,  seven  within 
seven,  seven  after  seven,  each  and  all  needing  the  Gift  of 
Sevenfold  Grace  to  consecrate  labours  and  hallow  rest. 

Yet  as  St.  Paul  exhorts  not  his  converts  to  go  out  of  the 
world,  but  to  act  rightly  in  it ;  and  much  more  as  our  Divine 
Master  offering  up  His  High  Priestly  Prayer  spake,  saying  : 
"  1  pray  not  that  Thou  shouldest  take  them  out  of  the  world, 
but  that  Thou  shouldest  keep  them  from  the  evil," —  let  us 
not  be  afraid  of  her  terror,  but  sanctify  the  Lord  God  in  our 
hearts.  We  cannot  prevent  the  World's  besetting,  haunting, 
overshadowing  us  :  only  let  us  not  suffer  her  to  sit  down. 

Dante  in  the  Divina  Commedia  (see  my  sister's  A  Shadow 
of  Dante}  tells  us  how  he  "  dreamed  of  a  woman  stammering, 
squinting,  lame  of  foot,  maimed  of  hands,  and  ashy  pale.  He 
gazed  on  her,  and  lo  !  under  his  gaze  her  form  straightened, 
her  face  flushed,  her  tongue  loosed  to  the  Siren's  song." 

Foul  is  she  and  ill-favoured,  set  askew  : 
Gaze  not  upon  her  till  thou  dream  her  fair, 
Lest  she  should  mesh  thee  in  her  wanton  hair, 

Adept  in  arts  grown  old  yet  ever  new. 

Her  heart  lusts  not  for  love,  but  thro'  and  thro' 
For  blood,  as  spotted  panther  lusts  in  lair ; 
No  wine  is  in  her  cup,  but  filth  is  there 

Unutterable,  with  plagues  hid  out  of  view. 

Gaze  not  upon  her ;  for  her  dancing  whirl 
Turns  giddy  the  fixed  gazer  presently  : 
Gaze  not  upon  her,  lest  thou  be  as  she 
When  at  the  far  end  of  her  long  desire 

Her  scarlet  vest  and  gold  and  gem  and  pearl 
And  she  amid  her  pomp  are  set  on  fire. 

"  Seven  heads  .  .  .  seven  mountains  " — seven  deadly  sins : 
these  sustain  the  World,  and  the  World  fosters  these.  High 
crested  Pride,  volcanic  Anger,  smooth  sloped  Lust,  overhanging 
Envy,  undermined  Avarice,  swine  pasturing  Gluttony,  landslip 
Sloth.  A  dark  continent  of  spiritual  geography. 

10.  And  there  are  seven  kings :  five  are  fallen,  and  one  is 
and  the  other  is  not  yet  come ;  and  when  he  cometh, 
he  must  continue  a  short  space. 

From  evil  rulers  and  pernicious  laws,  from  obeying  man  by 
disobeying  God,  from  misusing  our  short  space,  for  short  is  our 
space,  Good  Lord,  save  us : 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  407 

Lest  we  become  as  a  plant  that  buds  not,  as  a  bud  that 
blows  not,  as  a  flower  that  fruits  not,  in  our  short  space  until 
the  harvest,  our  only  space. 

11.  And  the  beast  that  was,  and  is  not,  even  he  is  the 

eighth,  and  is  of  the  seven,  and  goeth  into  perdition. 

From  comradeship  with  devils  and  disciples  of  devils,  from 
persisting  in  sin  and  passing  away  into  perdition, 
Good  Lord,  save  us  : 

Lest  it  had  been  better  for  us  never  to  have  been  born, 
never  to  have  known  the  way  of  life,  never  to  have  heard  of 
Thee  by  the  hearing  of  the  ear.  never  to  have  beheld  the 
Kingdom  of  Heaven  set  open  to  all  believers. 

12.  And  the  ten  horns  which  thou  sawest  are  ten  kings, 

which  have  received  no  kingdom  as  yet ;  but  receive 
power  as  kings  one  hour  with  the  beast. 

From  selling  our  birthright  for  a  mess  of  pottage,  from 
bartering  eternity  for  one  hour, 

Good  Lord,  save  us  : 

Lest  we  receive  our  good  things  in  this  life,  and  after  that  be 
tormented. 

13.  These  have  one  mind,  and  shall  give  their  power  and 

strength  unto  the  beast 

From  the  counsel  and  deed  of  them, 

Good  Lord,  save  us  : 

Lest  we  spend  money  for  that  which  is  not  bread,  and  our 
labour  for  that  which  satisfieth  not. 

14.  These  shall  make  war  with  the  Lamb,  and  the  Lamb 

shall  overcome  them:  for  He  is  Lord  of  lords,  and 
King  of  kings:  and  they  that  are  with  Him  are 
called,  and  chosen,  and  faithful 

From  choosing  the  evil  and  refusing  the  good,  from  setting 
ourselves  in  no  good  way,  from  the  tactics  of  Balak  and  the 
end  of  Balaam,  Good  Lord,  save  us : 

Lest  we  who  are  dust  set  ourselves  in  the  balance  against 
Thee  :  and  lo  !  we  are  dust  in  the  balance. 

15.  And  he  saith  unto  me,  The  waters  which  thou  sawest, 

where  the  whore  sitteth,  are  peoples,  and  multitudes, 
and  nations,  and  tongues. 

From  following  a  multitude  to  do  evil,  from  sinful   COTI- 
pliances,  from  saving  our  life  but  not  with  Thy  salvation, 
Good  Lord,  save  us  : 


408  THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP. 

Lest  amid  multitudinous  glory  and  pomp  and  rejoicing  we 
be  put  to  open  shame  and  perish  together. 

16.  And  the  ten  horns  which  thou  sawest  upon  the  beast, 

these  shall  hate  the  whore,  and  shall  make  her 
desolate  and  naked,  and  shall  eat  her  flesh,  and  burn 
her  with  fire. 

From  such  hatred  of  sin  as  is  not  love  of  righteousness, 
from  hating  not  sin   but  sinners,  from  casting  the  stone  of 
condemnation  whereby  we  condemn  ourselves, 
Good  Lord,  save  us  : 

Lest  out  of  our  own  mouth  we  be  condemned  where  there  is 
no  respect  of  persons. 

17.  For  God  hath  put  in  their  hearts  to  fulfil  His  will, 

and  to  agree,  and  give  their  kingdom  unto  the  beast, 
until  the  words  of  God  shall  be  fulfilled. 

From  fulfilling  a  Divine  behest  in  the  spirit  of  rebellious 
Absalom,  apostate  Jeroboam,  bloodthirsty  Edom,  Caiaphas 
harder  than  flint, 

Good  Lord,  save  us  : 

Lest  in  us  be  fulfilled  that  other  word  also  :  "  Depart  from 
Me,  ye  cursed,  into  everlasting  fire,  prepared  for  the  devil  and 
his  angels." 

18.  And  the  woman  which  thou  sawest  is  that  great  city, 

which  reigneth  over  the  kings  of  the  earth. 

From  the  lust  of  the  flesh  and  the  lust  of  the  eyes  and  the 
pride  of  life,  from  foreheads  of  brass  and  hearts  of  stone, 
Good  Lord,  save  us  : 

Lest  in  the  end  we  be  past  renewing  unto  salvation,  and 
there  be  none  to  save  us. 

Yea,  Good  Lord,  save  us.     Amen. 

"And  there  are  seven  kings." — The  Revised  Version  pre 
serves  this  reading  marginally,  whilst  the  text  gives :  "  And 
they  [/.  e.  the  '  mountains '  mentioned  in  the  previous  verse] 
are  seven  kings."  Suggesting  a  many-sided  significance  in  at 
least  one  of  the  images  employed  :  if  in  one,  perhaps  in 
others.  For  here  the  original  figure  is  "seven  heads": 
mountains  and  kings  alike  belong  to  the  angelic  interpretation. 

"  And  the  beast  .  .  .  even  he  is  the  eighth,  and  is  of  the 
seven  "  : — in  the  Revised  Version :  "...  is  himself  also  an 
eighth, .  .  .  " — As  moral  goodness  or  depravity  finds  expression 
in  the  face,  whilst  the  seat  of  life  is  the  heart  j  so  a  seven- 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  409 

headed  monster  may  infuse  into  every  head  his  own  hideous 
vitality,  whilst  each  head  acts  independently  of  its  fellows  as 
mouthpiece  and  intelligent  agent  to  the  abominable  animating 
principle.  Perhaps  the  beast's  being  "  also  an  eighth  "  may 
inspire  a  dread  that  in  the  final  death-struggle  of  Satan  against 
Christ,  wickedness  superhuman  or  subhuman  (whichever  it 
should  be  termed)  will  take  the  field  openly  and  visibly ;  and 
will  act  in  person,  as  well'  as  through  the  instrumentality  of  its 
miserable  mortal  allies. 

The  seven  heads  have  not  only  the  beast  for  a  basis,  but 
have  moreover  the  seated  woman  for  a  superincumbent  load : 
the  one  detaches  them  from  earth,  the  goodness  of  nature;  the 
other  blocks  them  out  from  the  sky,  the  goodness  of  grace. 

I  think  not  as  interpretation  but  as  meditation  such  thoughts 
may  spring  from  the  text. 

Have  we  sought  great  things  for  ourselves  ?  Seek  them  not. 
Ten  kings  receive  authority,  but  it  is  with  the  beast,  and  for  one 
hour.  "Yea,  even  like  as  a  dream  when  one  awaketh." 

"The  Lamb  shall  overcome  them  :  for  He  is  Lord  of  lords, 
and  King  of  kings." — Although  both  the  Lion  and  the  Lamb 
are  titles  belonging  to  our  Lord,  here  in  the  day  of  battle  we 
read  of  Him  as  the  Lamb,  not  as  the  Lion.  Whatever  inscrut 
able  reasons  there  may  be  for  this  choice  of  a  designation,  one 
or  two  obvious  ones  suggest  themselves.  Thus  is  accomplished 
one  of  the  Beatitudes  :  "  Blessed  are  the  meek  :  for  they  shall 
inherit  the  earth."  Thus  Christ  in  His  own  adorable  Person 
heads  the  army  of  those  who  "out  of  weakness  were  made 
strong,  waxed  valiant  in  fight,  turned  to  flight  the  armies  of 
the  aliens."  Thus  "the  weakness  of  God"  stands  forth  as 
"stronger  than  men."  "Not  by  might,  nor  by  power,  but  by 
My  Spirit,  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts."  And  thus  also  by  a  con 
descension  of  grace,  Jael,  a  certain  woman  (see  Judges  ix.  53), 
Esther,  Judith,  become  figures  illustrative  of  like  truth. 

Weakness,  however,  is  not  as  weakness  this  more  than 
conqueror.  Our  Redeemer's  weakness  was  rather  the  triumph 
of  His  strength,  because  to  become  weak  and  work  mightily 
through  weakness  He  laid  aside  His  strength  and  kept  it  in 
abeyance.  Our  weakness,  if  it  is  to  win  a  victory,  must  include 
a  voluntary  element ;  at  the  least  so  far  as  to  will  in  concert 
with  the  Divine  Will,  and  never  to  have  recourse  to  illicit 
weapons. 

And  I  think  that  in  these  days  of  women's  self-assertion  and 
avowed  rivalry  with  men,  I  do  well  to  bear  in  mind  that  in  a 
contest  no  stronger  proof  of  superiority  can  be  given  on  either 


4io  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

side  than  the  not  bringing  into  action  all  available  force.  As 
yet,  I  suppose,  we  women  claim  no  more  than  equality  with 
our  brethren  in  head  and  heart :  whilst  as  to  physical  force,  we 
scout  it  as  unworthy  to  arbitrate  between  the  opposed  camps. 
Men  on  their  side  do  not  scout  physical  force,  but  let  it  be. 

Does  either  man  or  woman  doubt  where  superiority  resides, 
when  at  chess  one  player  discards  a  pawn  in  favour  of  the 
other? 

Society  may  be  personified  as  a  human  figure  whose  right 
hand  is  man,  whose  left  woman ;  in  one  sense  equal,  in 
another  sense  unequal.  The  right  hand  is  labourer,  acquirer, 
achiever :  the  left  hand  helps,  but  has  little  independence,  and 
is  more  apt  at  carrying  than  at  executing.  The  right  hand 
runs  the  risks,  fights  the  battles :  the  left  hand  abides  in 
comparative  quiet  and  safety ;  except  (a  material  exception) 
that  in  the  mutual  relations  of  the  twain  it  is  in  some  ways  far 
more  liable  to  undergo  than  to  inflict  hurt,  to  be  cut  (for 
instance)  than  to  cut. 

Rules  admit  of  and  are  proved  by  exceptions.  There  are 
left-handed  people,  and  there  may  arise  a  left-handed  society ! 

Content  to  come,  content  to  go, 
Content  to  wrestle  or  to  race, 
Content  to  know  or  not  to  know, 
Each  in  his  place  ; 

Lor  1,  grant  us  grace  to  love  Thee  so 
That  glad  of  heart  and  glad  of  face 
At  last  we  may  sit  high  or  low 
Each  in  his  place  : 

Where  pleasures  flow  as  rivers  flow, 
And  loss  has  left  no  barren  trace, 
And  all  that  are,  are  perfect  so 
Each  in  his  place. 

"And  they  that  are  with  Him  are  called,  and  chosen,  and 
faithful "  : — or  according  to  the  Revised  Version  :  "  And  they 
also  shall  overcome  that  are  with  Him,  called  and  chosen  and 
faithful "  :— thus,  towards  the  end,  sending  thought  back  to 
the  beginning,  to  the  ever-recurring  "overcometh"  of  the 
Messages  to  the  Seven  Churches,  that  "  overcometh  "  on  which 
depends  each  consummating  benediction. 

God  of  His  free  Love  calls  and  chooses :  man's  faithfulness 
certifies  the  call,  until  by  overcoming  he  crowns  all  by  final 
perseverance. 

Lord  Jesus,  give  us  hearing  ears,  responsive  wills,  some  fear, 
much  faith,  much  hope,  most  love. 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  411 

"The  waters  .  .  .  where  the  whore  sitteth,  are  peoples,  and 
multitudes,  and  nations,  and  tongues." — "  Raging  waves  of  the 
sea,  foaming  out  their  own  shame." 

"  The  ten  horns  which  thou  sawest  upon  the  beast,  these 
shall  hate  the  whore." — The  Revised  Version  supplies  a  notice 
able  variation  :  "  The  ten  horns  .  .  .  and  the  beast,  these  shall 
hate  .  .  .  ,"  thus  uniting  a1!  in  one  close  confederacy,  as  in 
ver.  13  ante:  "These  have  one  mind,  and  shall  give  their 
power  and  strength  unto  the  beast." 

Whatever  further  the  wise  may  elicit  from  this  passage  and 
its  sequel,  even  the  foolish  may  deduce  somewhat.  The 
kingdom  of  the  beast  is  essentially  unalterably  a  kingdom  of 
hatred,  hatred  underlying  any  and  every  appearance  of  its 
spurious  love :  sift  such  love,  and  the  residuum  will  be  hatred. 
In  the  day  of  her  foul  attractiveness  the  lost  woman  was  idol, 
mistress,  plaything:  in  the  day  of  her  decay  she  becomes  a 
prey,  and  there  is  none  to  help  her.  The  drunken  with  blood 
must  herself  be  devoured. 

Evil  may  subserve  evil,  yet  be  overruled  for  good.  Thus 
the  horns  spring  from  the  beast,  and  in  their  turn  give  their 
kingdom  unto  the  beast :  wherefore  ?  because  "  God  hath  put 
in  their  hearts  to  fulfil  His  Will." 

"  The  woman  ...  is  that  great  city,  which  reigneth  over 
the  kings  of  the  earth." — "Without  controversy"  who  then, 
what  then,  is  she? 

She  seems  to  include  or  invite  all  which  tempts  man  at  his 
earthly  proudest  and  mightiest :  ambition  shedding  blood  as 
water,  with  garments  rolled  in  blood  scarlet  as  her  array ; 
enervating  luxury,  as  she  herself  sits  inert  on  her  scarlet  beast ; 
sensual  excess  foul  as  her  cup ;  licence  that  is  not  liberty,  but 
is  chains  and  fetters  like  her  bravery  of  gold  and  pearls  and 
precious  stones.  Woe  to  her  dupes !  "  Lo,  this  is  the  man 
that  made  not  God  his  strength ;  but  trusted  in  the  abundance 
of  his  riches,  and  strengthened  himself  in  his  wickedness." 

Such  as  this,  then,  is  she.  From  all  this  and  from  whatso 
ever  besides  she  may  be,  may  we  every  one  of  us  great  or  small 
be  delivered  Amen. 


CHAPTER   XVIII. 

1.  And  after  these  things  I  saw  another  angel  come  down 

from  heaven,  having  great  power ;  and  the  earth  was 
lightened  with  his  glory. 

If  chapter  xvii.  may  be  treated  as  parenthetical,  the  present 
chapter  appears  to  supply  a  sequel  to  chapter  xvi.,  and 
particularly  to  ver.  19  of  that  chapter. 

St.  John  beheld  and  recognized  a  frequent  recurrence  of 
Angels :  here  one,  there  seven,  there  again  ten  thousand  times 
ten  thousand,  and  thousands  of  thousands.  What  he  records 
affords  a  presumption  of  what  may  encompass  or  cross  my  own 
path  any  day,  any  hour.  I  ought  not  to  imagine  omens  or 
supernatural  indications  with  rashness ;  yet  neither  ought  I 
to  feel  positive  that  the  rainbow  I  discern  has  no  connection 
with  an  Angel  I  discern  not,  or  that  the  blaze  which  appears 
to  be  lightning  may  not  dart  from  a  descending  Angel. 

Great  St.  John  knew ;  and  unfolds  his  knowledge  in  order 
that  others  should  reverently  surmise  things  they  know  not. 
"  That  which  had  not  been  told  them  shall  they  see ;  and  that 
which  they  had  not  heard  shall  they  consider." 

2.  And  he   cried  mightily  with  a   strong  voice,  saying, 

Babylon  the  great  is  fallen,  is  fallen,  and  is  become 
the  habitation  of  devils,  and  the  hold  of  every  foul 
spirit,  and  a  cage  of  every  unclean  and  hateful  bird. 

Compare  "  The  burden  of  Babylon,  which  Isaiah  the  son  of 
Amoz  did  see.  .  .  .  Babylon,  the  glory  of  kingdoms,  the  beauty 
of  the  Chaldees'  excellency,  shall  be  as  when  God  overthrew 
Sodom  and  Gomorrah.  It  shall  never  be  inhabited,  neither 
shall  it  be  dwelt  in  from  generation  to  generation  :  neither 
shall  the  Arabian  pitch  tent  there ;  neither  shall  the  shepherds 
make  their  fold  there.  But  wild  beasts  of  the  desert  shall  lie 
there ;  and  their  houses  shall  be  full  of  doleful  creatures ;  and 
owls  shall  dwell  there,  and  satyrs  shall  dance  there.  And  the 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  413 

wild  beasts  of  the  islands  shall  cry  in  their  desolate  houses,  and 
dragons  in  their  pleasant  palaces  :  and  her  time  is  near  to 
come,  and  her  days  shall  not  be  prolonged." 

Is  not  this  great  Babylon  ?  is  it  not  also  a  hell  ?  For  what 
but  a  hell  can  be  "  the  habitation  of  devils  ?  "  If  they  find  not 
a  hell  they  make  one. 

The  Revised  Version  writes  "  hold  "  (a  second  time)  instead 
of  "  cage " ;  and  as  a  marginal  alternative  proposes  in  each 
instance  "prison":  according  to  which  it  might  appear  that 
even  foul  spirits  and  unclean  and  hateful  birds  consort  with 
the  fallen  mother  of  luxury  not  of  free  will  but  by  constraint. 
Devils  (Revised  Version :  "  demons ")  her  inhabitants  are 
perhaps  at  home  in  her. 

Shall  I  choose  my  good  things  here  ?  or  hereafter  ? 

Shall  I  choose  sweet  that  turns  to  bitterness?  or  bitter  that 
turns  to  sweetness  ? 

Shall  I  choose  life  that  leads  to  death  ?  or  death  that  leads 
to  life  ? 

Shall  I  choose  .  .  .  nay :  what  am  I  choosing  ? 

I  peered  within,  and  saw  a  world  of  sin  : 

Upward,  and  saw  a  world  of  righteousness  : 
Downward,  and  saw  darkness  and  flame  begin 
Which  no  man  can  express. 

I  girt  me  up,  I  gat  me  up  to  flee 

From  face  of  darkness  and  devouring  flame  : 
And  fled  I  had,  but  guilt  is  loading  me 
With  dust  of  death  and  shame. 

Yet  still  the  light  of  righteousness  reams  pure, 

Beams  to  me  from  the  world  of  far-off  day  : — 
Lord,  Who  hast  called  them  happy  that  endure, 
Lord,  make  me  such  as  they. 

3.  For  all  nations  have  drunk  of  the  wine  of  the  wrath  of 
her  fornication,  and  the  kings  of  the  earth  have  com 
mitted  fornication  with  her,  and  the  merchants  of  the 
earth  are  waxed  rich  through  the  abundance  of  her 
delicacies. 

"All  nations  .  .  .  kings  .  .  .  merchants." — Her  spell  has 
been  cast  upon  them  all. 

So  far,  then,  all  are  alike :  yet  it  may  be  that  in  guilt  they 
are  not  altogether  alike.  The  first  class,  nations  (which  indeed 
includes  both  kings  and  merchants),  have  more  or  less  "as 
natural  brute  beasts "  succumbed  to  her  seductions.  Kings, 
in  the  position  to  exercise  a  royally  untrammelled  choice,  have 
of  free  will  and  voluntary  preference  wallowed  in  her  company. 


414         THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP. 

Merchants  substituting  gain  for  godliness  have  trafficked  in  her 
gauds,  dealt  in  her  poisons,  filled  their  purses  by  help  of  her 
abominations  ;  and  thus  ruining  others,  have  ruined  themselves 
both  at  first  and  at  second  hand. 

The  national  sin  illustrates  what  nature  may  lapse  to 
divorced  from  grace.  The  regal  sin,  how  far  more  perilous 
it  is  to  sit  high  than  to  sit  low.  The  sordid  sin,  how  easily 
those  who  will  be  rich  fall  into  temptation  and  a  snare. 
"  Corrupt  are  they,  and  have  done  abominable  iniquity  :  there 
is  none  that  doeth  good.  God  looked  down  from  heaven  upon 
the  children  of  men,  to  see  if  there  were  any  that  did  under 
stand,  that  did  seek  God.  Every  one  of  them  is  gone  back  : 
they  are  altogether  become  filthy;  there  is  none  that  doeth 
good,  no,  not  one." 

4.  And  I  heard  another  voice  from  heaven,  saying,  Come 

out  of  her,  My  people,  that  ye  be  not  partakers  of  her 
sins,  and  that  ye  receive  not  of  her  plagues. 

5.  For  her  sins  have  reached  unto  heaven,  and  God  hath 

remembered  her  iniquities. 

"Woe  to  her  that  is  filthy  and  polluted,  to  the  oppressing 
city  !  She  obeyed  not  the  voice ;  she  received  not  correction." 

A  "Voice  from  heaven." — Alas!  that  oftentimes  I  have  not 
heard,  have  not  heeded,  have  not  obeyed,  have  not  returned 
thanks.  Lord,  forgive  me. 

"  Come  out  of  her." — Alas  !  that  oftentimes  I  have  sat  still, 
have  looked  back,  have  not  escaped  for  my  life,  have  not  fled 
to  the  mountain,  have  not  praised  the  Lord  for  His  Goodness. 
Lord,  forgive  me. 

"  My  people." — Alas  !  that  when  Thou  hast  chosen  me,  many 
times  I  have  not  chosen  Thee.  Lord,  forgive  me. 

"  That  ye  be  not  partakers  of  her  sins." — Alas  !  that  I  have 
ere  now  if  not  now  walked  in  the  counsel  of  the  ungodly,  have 
stood  in  the  way  of  sinners,  have  sat  in  the  seat  of  the  scornful. 
Lord,  forgive  me. 

"That  ye  receive  not  of  her  plagues." — Alas!  that  I  have 
been  afraid  where  no  fear  was,  that  I  have  fled  when  no  man 
pursued,  but  have  not  put  my  whole  trust  in  God,  nor  honoured 
Thee  my  Father,  nor  feared  Thee  my  Master.  Lord,  forgive 
me. 

"  Her  sins  have  reached  unto  heaven." — Alas !  that  when 
Thou  hast  looked  for  judgment,  behold  oppression ;  for  right 
eousness,  behold  a  cry.     Lord,  forgive  us. 
.    "  God  hath  remembered  her  iniquities." — Alas,  Lord  !     Ac* 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  415 

cording  to  Thy  lovingkindnesses,  according  unto  the  multitude 
of  Thy  tender  mercies,  blot  out  our  transgressions,  blot  out  all 
our  iniquities.  Lord,  forgive  us. 

God  the  Father,  God  the  Son,  God  the  Holy  Spirit,  forgive 
us.  I  plead  the  Blood  of  Jesus  Christ  Who  took  away  the 
handwriting  that  was  against  us,  nailing  it  to  His  Cross. 
Amen. 

6.  Reward  her  even  as  she  rewarded  you,  and  double  unto 
her  double  according  to  her  works  :  in  the  cup  which  she 
hath  filled  fill  to  her  double. 

The  Revised  Version  furnishes  a  variation  of  the  first  clause  : 
"  Render  unto  her  even  as  she  rendered."  By  thus  omitting 
the  pronoun  you,  the  precept  seems  no  longer  so  pointedly 
addressed  to  the  once  persecuted  faithful,  but  simply  to  form 
part  of  a  sentence  of  condemnation  which  the  Strong  Lord  God 
Alone  pronounces  upon  her  directly  from  Himself  without 
specification  of  secondary  agency. 

I  write  under  correction, — but  whilst  I  recollect  that  Angels 
are  mentioned  as  executing  final  Divine  Judgment  on  human 
kind,  I  recollect  not  that  men  are  thus  unequivocally  mentioned 
in  regard  to  their  fellow-men;  although  the  saints  are  to  judge 
the  world  and  to  judge  angels,  as  St.  Paul  intimates  to  the 
Corinthian  Church.  All  saints  are  to  sympathize  indeed  with 
the  triumph  of  good  over  evil,  but  not  with  their  own  hands  (?) 
to  set  fire  to  the  great  pile.  "  He  shall  take  them  away  as  with 
a  whirlwind,  both  living,  and  in  His  wrath.  The  righteous 
shall  rejoice  when  he  seeth  the  vengeance  :  he  shall  wash  his 
feet  in  the  blood  of  the  wicked.  So  that  a  man  shall  say, 
Verily  there  is  a  reward  for  the  righteous  :  verily  He  is  a  God 
that  judgeth  in  the  earth." 

A  secondary  human  agent  indeed  there  is,  a  human  second 
cause  in  every  man's  penalty :  the  selfsame  man  himself. 

For  similarly  :  what  reward  is  the  foul  woman  to  receive  ? 
such  as  she  gave.  Her  own  works  are  to  be  doubled  unto  her, 
her  own  cup  is  to  be  filled  double  to  her. 

Obstinate  disobedience  sifted,  meted,  weighed,  is  the  un 
erring  measure  of  that  vengeance  which  God  measures  to  it. 

Utmost  obedience  is  no  measure  of  that  blessing  wherewith 
God  overfills  and  overflows  any  measure. 

"  Wherefore  doth  a  living  man  complain,  a  man  for  the 
punishment  of  his  sins  ?  Let  us  search  and  try  our  ways,  and 
turn  again  to  the  Lord.  Let  us  lift  up  our  heart  with  our 
hands  unto  God  in  the  heavens." 


416  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

7.  How  much  she  hath  glorified  herself,  and  lived  delici- 

ously,  so  much  torment  and  sorrow  give  her :  for  she 
saith  in  her  heart,  I  sit  a  queen,  and  am  no  widow,  and 
shall  see  no  sorrow. 

8.  Therefore  shall  her  plagues  come  in  one  day,  death,  and 

mourning,  and  famine  ;  and  she  shall  be  utterly  burned 
with  fire :  for  strong  is  the  Lord  God  Who  judgeth 
her. 

Because  this  type  of  transcendent  wickedness  is  presented 
under  the  feminine  aspect,  doubtless  we  women  may  elicit 
thence  our  own  appropriate  lesson.  When  we  behold  gauds 
and  frivolities  go  up  toward  heaven  in  smoke  of  hell,  they 
become  a  beacon  fire  to  warn  us  from  making  shipwreck  be  it 
on  a  mudbank  of  vileness  or  on  a  curious  reef  of  luxury. 
Scant  comfort  would  it  be  to  perish,  though  on  a  very  miracle 
of  beauty. 

"  Moreover  the  Lord  saith,  Because  the  daughters  of  Zion 
are  haughty,  and  walk  with  stretched  forth  necks  and  wanton 
eyes,  walking  and  mincing  as  they  go,  and  making  a  tinkling 
with  their  feet.  .  .  .  The  Lord  will  take  away  the  bravery  of 
their  tinkling  ornaments  about  their  feet,  and  their  cauls,  and 
their  round  tires  like  the  moon,  the  chains,  and  the  bracelets, 
and  the  mufflers,  the  bonnets,  and  the  ornaments  of  the  legs, 
and  the  headbands,  and  the  tablets,  and  the  earrings,  the  rings, 
and  nose  jewels,  the  changeable  suits  of  apparel,  and  the 
mantles,  and  the  wimples,  and  the  crisping  pins,  the  glasses, 
and  the  fine  linen,  and  the  hoods,  and  the  vails.  And  it  shall 
come  to  pass,  that  instead  of  sweet  smell  there  shall  be  stink ; 
and  instead  of  a  girdle  a  rent ;  and  instead  of  well  set  hair 
baldness  ;  and  instead  of  a  stomacher  a  girding  of  sackcloth  ; 
and  burning  instead  of  beauty." 

"  How  much  she  hath  glorified  herself.  .  .  ." — On  the  other 
hand,  who  would  choose  to  live  and  die  inglorious  ?  and  who 
shall  glorify  us,  if  we  ourselves  achieve  not  glory.  No  mere 
surface  glory  though  it  stream  down  from  heaven  can  abide  : 
were  Coniah  the  signet  upon  God's  right  hand,  yet  would 
wickedness  pluck  him  thence.  Moses  in  his  sanctity  illustrates 
the  difference  between  outward  albeit  genuine  glory,  and  glory 
everlasting,  assimilated,  inalienable  :  he  comes  forth  from  the 
earthly  Tabernacle  of  the  Divine  Presence,  and  the  glory  of  his 
countenance  fades  away ;  he  reappears  from  the  unseen  world 
"  in  glory"  on  the  Mount  of  the  Transfiguration,  changed  from 
glory  to  glory,  clothed  upon  with  glory.  The  all  glorious 


THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP.  417 

within  can  afford  to  wait  patiently  for  clothino-  of  wrought 
gold. 

O  Soul  insatiable  of  glory,  covet  earnestly  the  best  gifts, 
pursue  them  along  the  more  excellent  way.  Barter  not  for 
Cleopatra's  dissolving  pearl  the  pearls  which  are  entrance-gates 
to  New  Jerusalem;  for  Dives's  sumptuous  daily  fare  the 
marriage-supper  of  eternity;  for  black  tents  of  Kedar  the 
curtains  of  Solomon  ;  for  Nabal  to-day,  David  to-morrow ;  for 
what  hath  been  told  us,  that  whereof  the  half  hath  not  been 
told  us;  for  sight  of  eye,  and  hearing  of  ear,  and  heart's 
present  desire,  that  which  eye  hath  not  seen  nor  ear  heard, 
neither  hath  entered  into  the  heart  of  man. 

Crouch  lowest  to  spring  highest.  Disperse  abroad  and  give 
to  the  poor,  so  shall  thy  riches  make  themselves  wings  and  fly 
away  as  eagles  toward  heaven.  Strip  off  thine  ornaments  now, 
that  they  may  become  chains  about  thy  neck  hereafter.  To 
night  turn  from  the  west  in  its  fading  purple,  and  set  thy  face 
steadfastly  toward  the  east,  where  out  of  darkness  golden  glory 
and  roses  of  a  dawn  that  sets  not  will  be  revealed. 

Dear  Brother,  dear  Sister,  God  grant  thee  such  grace,  and 
deny  it  not  to  me.  For  Jesus'  sake.  Amen. 

"  In  one  day,  death,  and  mourning,  and  famine."— At  once 
corpse  and  mourner :  a  famishing  corpse.  It  recalls  Zechariah's 
awful  prediction  :  "And  this  shall  be  the  plague  wherewith  the 
Lord  will  smite  all  the  people  that  have  fought  against  Jerusa 
lem  ;  Their  flesh  shall  consume  away  while  they  stand  upon 
their  feet,  and  their  eyes  shall  consume  away  in  their  holes,  and 
their  tongue  shall  consume  away  in  their  mouth." 

"  I  sit  a  queen,  and  am  no  widow,  and  shall  see  no  sorrow  "— 
Yea,  scarlet  woman,  to-day  :  but  not  yea  at  all  to-morrow. 
Scarlet  queen  on  a  scarlet  throne  all  to-day  without  sorrow, 
Bethink  thee  :  to-day  must  end  ;  there  is  no  end  of  to-morrow. 

O  Strong  Lord  God,  Who  judgest  her  and  wilt  judge  all 
mankind,  grant  to  the  exalted  humility,  to  the  desolate  thank 
fulness,  to  the  happy  sympathy  with  sorrow ;  that  so  earthly 
eminence  may  become  a  stepping-stone  to  heavenly  heights, 
and  loneliness  may  introduce  to  the  full  communion  of  saints' 
and  joy  blossoming  in  time  may  bear  eternal  fruit.  Be  we  high 
or  low,  prosperous  or  depressed,  wheresoever,  whatsoever  we 
be,  make  us  and  evermore  keep  us  well  pleasing  in  Thy  sight. 
Through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.  Amen. 

9.  And  the  kings  of  the  earth,  who  have  committed  fornica 
tion  and  lived  deliciously  with  her,  shall  bewail  her, 

D  D 


4i 8  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

and  lament  for  her,  when  they  shall  see  the  smoke  of 
her  burning, 
10.  Standing  afar  off  for  the  fear  of  her  torment,  saying, 

Alas,  alas,  that  great  city  Babylon,  that  mighty  city ! 

for  in  one  hour  is  thy  judgment  come. 

"  It  is  better  to  trust  in  the  Lord  than  to  put  confidence  in 
man.  It  is  better  to  trust  in  the  Lord  than  to  put  confidence 
in  princes." 

"  Put  not  your  trust  in  princes,  nor  in  the  son  of  man,  in 
whom  there  is  no  help."  Least  of  all  in  wicked  men  can  there 
be  any  help. 

Adam  seems  not  to  have  found  one  word  to  plead  for  Eve  in 
the  terrible  hour  of  judgment. 

To-day  is  the  day  of  helpfulness  :  the  Day  of  Doom  will  be 
a  day  of  helplessness.  Moreover,  the  relative  attitude  of  the 
righteous  and  the  wicked  as  now  it  exists  will  then  be 
reversed. 

Now  they  are  the  wicked  who  stand  callous  amidst  the  fears, 
torments,  miseries  of  others  ;  not  investigating  human  claims, 
not  mourning  with  them  that  mourn,  not  moving  burdens  with 
one  of  their  fingers,  not  heeding  the  burning  questions  of  their 
day,  neighbourhood,  nay  sometimes  of  their  own  hearths. 
Now  they  are  the  righteous  who  quake  in  horrible  fear  for  the 
ungodly,  and  all  but  enter  within  the  vortex  of  evil  in  rescue 
work,  and  cry  out,  Alas  the  pity  of  it !  over  perishing  souls, 
and  with  Christ-like  tears  bewail  the  impenitent ;  saying,  How 
often  would  I,  and  ye  would  not. 

Then  it  will  be  the  obdurate  wicked  who  weep  and  lament, 
having  reached  the  end  of  softness  and  sweetness,  beholding 
the  lap  of  their  luxury  set  on  fire,  foretasting  in  that  perdition 
their  own  perdition.  Then  it  will  be  the  righteous  who  of  one 
mind,  will,  desire,  with  God  All-Holy,  at  the  execution  of  His 
sentence  become  as  it  were  "  Yea  and  Amen  "  to  His  Glory  : 
of  old  all  His  promises  have  been  unto  His  glory  and  unto 
them  "  Yea  and  Amen  "  in  Christ ;  and  now  they  themselves 
shine  forth  and  glow  as  reflections  of  the  Just  Judge,  renewed 
in  His  image,  perfected  in  His  likeness. 

STANDING  AFAR  OFF  FOR  THE  FEAR  OF  HER  TORMENT. 

Is  this  the  end  ?  is  there  no  end  but  this  ? 

Yea,  none  beside  : 

No  other  end  for  pride 
And  foulness  and  besottedness. 


THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP.  419 

Hath  she  no  friend  ?  hath  she  no  clinging  friend  ? 

Nay,  none  at  all  : 

Who  stare  upon  her  fall, 
Quake  for  themselves  with  hair  on  end. 
Will  she  be  done  away?  vanish  away? 

Yea,  like  a  dream  ; 

Yea,  like  the  shades  that  seem 
Somewhat,  and  lo  !  are  nought  by  day. 
Alas  for  her  amid  man's  helpless  moan, 

Alas  for  her  ! 

She  hath  no  comforter  : 
In  solitude  of  fire  she  sits  alone. 

"In  one  hour  is  thy  judgment  come." — "Sit  thou  silent,  and 
get  thee  into  darkness,  O  daughter  of  the  Chaldeans :  for  thou 
shall  no  more  be  called,  The  lady  of  kingdoms.  .  .  .  And 
thou  saidst,  I  shall  be  a  lady  for  ever  :  so  that  thou  didst  not 
lay  these  things  to  thy  heart,  neither  didst  remember  the  latter 
end  of  it.  Therefore  hear  now  this,  thou  that  art  given  to 
pleasures,  that  dwellest  carelessly,  that  sayest  in  thine  heart,  I 
am,  and  none  else  beside  me ;  I  shall  not  sit  as  a  widow, 
neither  shall  I  know  the  loss  of  children  :  but  these  two  things 
shall  come  to  thee  in  a  moment  in  one  day,  the  loss  of  children, 
and  widowhood  :  they  shall  come  upon  thee  in  their  perfection 
for  the  multitude  of  thy  sorceries,  and  for  the  great  abundance 
of  thine  enchantments." — "  Flee  out  of  the  midst  of  Babylon, 
and  deliver  every  man  his  soul :  be  not  cut  off  in  her  iniquity; 
for  this  is  the  time  of  the  Lord's  vengeance ;  He  will  render 
urfto  her  a  recompence.  Babylon  hath  been  a  golden  cup  in 
the  Lord's  hand,  that  made  all  the  earth  drunken  :  the  nations 
have  drunken  of  her  wine ;  therefore  the  nations  are  mad. 
Babylon  is  suddenly  fallen  and  destroyed  :  howl  for  her ;  take 
balm  for  her  pain,  if  so  be  she  may  be  healed.  We  would 
have  healed  Babylon,  but  she  is  not  healed  :  forsake  her,  and 
let  us  go  every  one  into  his  own  country :  for  her  judgment 
reacheth  unto  heaven,  and  is  lifted  up  even  to  the  skies." 

11.  And  the  merchants  of  the  earth  shall  weep  and  mourn 
over  her ;  for  no  man  buyeth  their  merchandise  any 
more. 

Those  kings  did  at  least  bewail  Babylon  for  herself :  these 
merchants  bewail  her  because  of  their  own  impoverishment. 
They  all  alike  are  "  of  the  earth,"  yet  is  there  a  finer  and  a 
coarser  clay. 

Only  I  must  beware  of  reckoning  that  sympathy  with  evil 
in  itself  is  nobler  than  sympathy  with  evil  in  its  effects.  Neither 
is  nobler  :  one  may  be  baser.  From  both,  O  Lord,  deliver  us. 


420  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

12.  The  merchandise  of  gold,  and  silver,  and  precious  stones, 

and  of  pearls,  and  fine  linen,  and  purple,  and  silk,  and 
scarlet,  and  all  thyine  wood,  and  all  manner  vessels 
of  ivory,  and  all  manner  vessels  of  most  precious  wood, 
and  of  brass,  and  iron,  and  marble, 

13.  And  cinnamon,  and  odours,  and  ointments,  and  frankin 

cense,  and  wine,  and  oil,  and  fine  flour,  and  wheat, 
and  beasts,  and  sheep,  and  horses,  and  chariots,  and 
slaves,  and  souls  of  mer. 

"  A  man's  life  consisteth  not  in  the  abundance  of  the  things 
which  he  possesseth."  We  know  that  it  is  so  now  :  we  shall 
see  that  it  is  so  then.  If  either,  his  death  rather  than  his  life 
consisteth  in  such. 

"Brethren,  the  time  is  short:  it  remaineth,"  that  they  that 
buy  be  "  as  though  they  possessed  not ;  and  they  that  use  this 
world,  as  not  abusing  it :  for  the  fashion  of  this  world  passeth 
away." 

Yet  on  the  same  principle  that  we  are  bidden  redeem  the 
time  because  the  days  are  evil,  Christians  find  ways  to  redeem 
these  other  creatures  despite  their  evil  tendency.  Gold  and 
silver  they  lend  unto  the  Lord  :  He  will  pay  them  again. 
Precious  stones  and  pearls  they  dedicate  to  the'  service  of  His 
Altar.  With  fine  linen,  purple,  silk,  scarlet,  they  invest  His 
Sanctuary;  and  fragrant  " thyine "  wood  they  carve  delicately 
for  its  further  adornment.  Vessels  of  ivory,  of  most  precious 
wood,  of  brass,  iron,  marble,  are  refined  to  serve  as  lavers, 
ennobled  to  become  alms  coffers  or  alms  dishes.  They  burn 
cinnamon,  odours  (the  Revised  Version  for  "odours*  gives 
"  spice  and  incense  "),  frankincense,  for  a  sweet  savour  in  the 
Divine  Presence.  Wine,  fine  flour,  wheat,  constitute  their  most 
pure  Oblation.  With  ointments  and  oil  they  comfort  Christ  in 
His  beloved  sick  members.  With  beasts  and  sheep  they 
spread  a  feast  for  His  poor.  On  horses  and  in  chariots  they 
carry  His  Gospel  afar.  And  ministering  rather  than  being 
ministered  unto,  they  tend  bodies  and  travail  for  souls.  (For 
"  slaves  "  the  margin  gives  as  literal  "  bodies.") 

"  The  glory  of  the  Lord  shall  endure  for  ever :  the  Lord 
shall  rejoice  in  His  works." 

\Vhoso  has  the  spirit  of  Elijah,  though  his  horse  and  chariot 
have  come  up  out  of  Egypt,  yet  shall  they  receive  virtue  as  "  of 
fire "  to  forward  him  on  his  heavenward  course.  And  this 
despite  a  horse  being  but  a  vain  thing  to  save  a  man. 

14.  And  the  fruits  that  thy  soul  lusted  after  are  departed 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  421 

from  thee,  and  all  things  which  were  dainty  and 
goodly  are  departed  from  thee,  and  thou  shalt  find 
them  no  more  at  all. 

Or  according  to  the  Revised  Version  :  "  And  the  fruits 
which  thy  soul  lusted  after  are  gone  from  thee,  and  all  things 
that  were  dainty  and  sumptuous  are  perished  from  thee,  and 
men  shall  find  them  no  more  at  all "  : —  reminding  us  of  St. 
Paul's  words  to  the  Colossians  :  "  .  .  .  The  rudiments  of  the 
world  .  .  .  (Touch  not ;  taste  not ;  handle  not ;  which  all  are 
to  perish  with  the  using)." 

As  regards  the  second  clause  of  the  doom  (in  this  verse),  the 
two  Versions  suggest  each  its  own  sense.  The  Authorized,  as 
if  those  objects  of  desire  may  have  been  not  destroyed  but 
withdrawn  whilst  the  craving  remains  insatiable.  According 
to  both  texts  the  loss  appears  absolute,  final,  irreparable ;  but 
(collating  the  two)  that  which  departs  instead  of  perishing 
leaves  behind  it  in  addition  to  the  agony  of  loss  the  hankering, 
corroding  misery  of  absence. 

15.  The  merchants  of  these  things,  which  were  made  rich 

by  her,  shall  stand  afar  off  for  the  fear  of  her 
torment,  weeping  and  wailing, 

16.  And  saying,  Alas,  alas,  that  great  city,  that  was  clothed 

in  fine  linen,  and  purple,  and  scarlet,  and  decked 
with  gold,  and  precious  stones,  and  pearls ! 

17.  For  in  one  hour  so  great  riches  is  come  to  nought. 

And  every  shipmaster,  and  all  the  company  in  ships, 
and  sailors,  and  as  many  as  trade  by  sea,  stood  afar  off, 

This  desolation  which  we  have  not  yet  seen  must  one  day 
be  seen.  Meanwhile  we  have  known  preludes,  rehearsals, 
foretastes  of  such  as  this :  so  that  looking  back  through  the 
centuries  we  may  take  up  our  lamentation  and  say  : — • 

Alas  Sodom  once  full  of  bread  !  From  empty  fulness,  Good 
Lord,  deliver  us. 

Alas  Tyre  whose  merchants  were  princes !  From  riches  but 
not  toward  God,  Good  Lord,  deliver  us. 

Alas  the  man  whose  barns  sufficed  not !  From  heart  and 
hands  shut  close,  Good  Lord,  deliver  us. 

Alas  Dives  clothed  in  purple  and  fine  linen  !  From  reme 
diless  destitution,  Good  Lord,  deliver  us. 

And  looking  forward  we  may  say  : — 

Alas  any  whom  the  unknown  day  and  hour  find  unprepared  ! 
From  the  folly  of  the  foolish  virgins,  Good  Lord,  deliver  us. 

And  looking  around  us  trembling  we  needs  must  say  : — 


422  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

Alas  England  full  of  luxuries  and  thronged  by  stinted  poor, 
whose  merchants  are  princes  and  whose  dealings  crooked, 
whose  packed  storehouses  stand  amid  bare  homes,  whose 
gorgeous  array  has  rags  for  neighbours  !  From  a  canker  in  our 
gold  and  silver,  from  a  moth  in  our  garments,  from  blasted 
crops,  from  dwindling  substance,  from  righteous  retribution 
abasing  us  among  the  nations,  Good  Lord,  deliver  us.  Amen. 

18.  And  cried  when  they  saw  the  smoke  of  her  burning, 

saying,  What  city  is  like  unto  this  great  city  ! 

If  any  shipmasters  and  crews,  sailors  and  sea-traders,  have 
yet  to  lament  and  quake,  well  may  arrogant  England  amid  her 
seas  quake  and  lament  betimes. 

"  What  city  is  like  unto  this  great  city  ! " — Like  what  she 
was,  like  what  she  is  :  her  present  tallying  with  her  past. 

For  purposes  of  probation  height  and  depth  are  at  once 
distinguishable  and  continuous :  man,  the  probationer  set 
midway  between  their  extremities,  has  it'  within  his  option 
to  reclaim  either  from  the  other.  Probation  over,  height  and 
depth,  whilst  still  of  two  aspects,  will  yet  form  one  evidently 
undivided  sequence  ;  to  the  summit  or  to  the  base  of  which 
consummated  man  has  worked  his  way.  And  why  not  all 
the  baptized  to  the  summit  ?  "  Ye  did  run  well ;  who  did 
hinder  you  that  ye  should  not  obey  the  truth  ?  " 

19.  And  they  cast  dust  on  their  heads,  and  cried,  weeping 

and  wailing,  saying,  Alas,  alas,  that  great  city, 
wherein  were  made  rich  all  that  had  ships  in  the  sea 
by  reason  of  her  costliness !  for  in  one  hour  is  she 
made  desolate. 

To  cast  dust  on  the  head  with  penitence  attests  death  unto 
sin.  To  cast  dust  on  the  head  with  impenitence  prefigures 
the  second  death. 

Sin  conducts  all  to  one  goal.  The  land  sinner  finds  dust 
in  plenty;  the  seafaring  sinner  shall  inherit  dust  enough. 

Thank  God,  ample  provision  is  stored  for  every  penitent 
wheresoever  and  whatsoever :  dust,  ashes,  are  ready  to  hand 
for  all. 

Lord,  array  us  in  spiritual  sackcloth,  that  by  penitence  we 
may  bear  witness  to  Thy  Goodness. 

20.  Rejoice  over  her,  thou  heaven,  and  ye  holy  apostles 

and  prophets  ;  for  God  hath  avenged  you  on  her. 

In  the  Revised  Version :  "  Rejoice  over  her,  thou  heaven, 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  423 

and  ye  saints,  and  ye  apostles,  and  ye  prophets  j  for  God  hath 
judged  your  judgment  on  her." 

This  second  rendering  endears  itself  to  us  all  the  more 
because  in  it  we  meet  with  simple  "saints,"  saints  of  any 
shade  or  degree.  All  are  not  "  apostles  "  or  "  prophets,"  neither 
can  be  :  "  heaven  "  suggests  (for  the  time  being)  the  exceeding 
nobility  of  the  ninefold  angelic  host,  too  exalted  for  the 
Church's  fellowship  during  her  prolonged  exile.  But  high  and 
low,  rich  and  poor,  young  and  old,  great  and  small  meet 
together  as  "saints"  in  a  general  beatitude;  not  one  is  absent, 
overlooked,  forgotten. 

Behold  them  at  last !  All  His  saints  are  in  His  hand,  He 
has  kept  their  feet,  they  are  rejoicing  in  goodness,  singing  unto 
the  Lord,  loving  the  Lord,  fearing  the  Lord  but  without 
torment,  gathered  together  unto  Him,  a  congregation,  an 
assembly,  their  souls  preserved,  their  death  precious  in  His 
sight,  shouting  aloud  for  joy,  blessing  God  Who  is  their  praise, 
joyful  in  glory,  every  one  honourable,  having  attained  unto  the 
kingdom.  Behold  saints  from  Lydda,  beloved  ones  of  God 
called  to  be  saints  from  Rome,  poor  saints  from  Jerusalem, 
saints  known  to  us  by  name  and  other  saints  with  them,  saints 
from  Achaia,  from  Ephesus,  all  in  Christ  Jesus  from  Philippi ; 
now  fellow-citizens  of  no  mean  city,  partakers  of  the  inherit 
ance  in  light.  "  My  love  be  with  you  all  in  Christ  Jesus. 
Amen." 

The  hills  are  tipped  with  sunshine,  while  I  walk 

In  shadows  dim  and  cold  : 
The  unawakened  rose  sleeps  on  her  stalk 

In  a  bud's  fold, 

Until  the  sun  flood  all  the  world  with  gold. 

The  hills  are  crowned  with  glory,  and  the  glow 

Flows  widening  down  apace  : 
Unto  the  sunny  hill-tops  I,  set  low, 

Lift  a  tired  face, — 

Ah,  happy  rose,  content,  to  wait  for  grace  ! 

How  tired  a  face,  how  tired  a  brain,  how  tired 

A  heart  I  lift,  who  long 
For  something  never  felt  but  still  desired  ; 

Sunshine  and  song — 
Song  where  the  choirs  of  sunny  heaven  stand  choired. 

21.  And  a  mighty  angel  took  up  a  stone  like  a  great 
millstone,  and  cast  it  into  the  sea,  saying,  Thus  with 
violence  shall  that  great  city  Babylon  be  thrown 
down,  and  shall  be  found  no  more  at  all. 

So  of  old  Noah  beheld  the  whole  wicked  world  "like  a 


424  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

great  millstone  "  vanish  beneath  the  flood.  So  after  Lot  fled, 
the  cities  of  the  plain  "  salted  with  fire  "  were  superseded  by 
the  Dead  Sea.  So  the  Red  Sea  swallowed  up  the  strength  of 
Egypt.  [I  am  aware  that  a  different  site  has  been  proposed 
for  the  cities  of  the  plain,  and  that  I  only  follow  one  opinion.] 

"  We  have  heard  with  our  ears,  O  God,  our  fathers  have 
told  us,  what  work  Thou  didst  in  their  days,  in  the  times 
of  old." 

The  deed  of  this  "  mighty  Angel "  seems  at  first  sight 
inimitable  by  man.  Yet  ponder  our  Lord's  injunction  to  the 
Twelve :  "  Have  faith  in  God.  For  verily  I  say  unto  you, 
That  whosoever  shall  say  unto  this  mountain,  Be  thou  removed, 
and  be  thou  cast  into  the  sea  ;  and  shall  not  doubt  in  his  heart, 
but  shall  believe  that  those  things  which  he  saith  shall  come 
to  pass ;  he  shall  have  whatsoever  he  saith  "  : — sacred  words 
which  besides  any  literal  promise  doubtless  convey  a  profound 
spiritual  lesson. 

Feeling  our  way  amongst  these  Apocalyptic  symbols,  these 
mysteries  of  life  and  death,  we  observe  the  mother  of  abomin 
ations  and  mistress  of  kings  and  peoples  seated  upon  seven 
mountains;  dark  mountains  whereon  our  feet  stumble.  The 
darkness  conceals  much,  but  not  all.  For  so  long  as  there  are 
seven  stumbling-blocks  (well  known,  alas  !  to  most  of  us) 
upholding  and  upheld  by  the  world, — overtopping  Pride, 
Anger  flaming  and  fuming  in  the  face  of  heaven,  Gluttony 
bloated  as  a  toad  in  a  stone,  Lust  a  slippery  precipice,  Avarice 
hard  as  a  flint,  Envy  barren  as  peaks  above  the  snow-line, 
Sloth  deadly  as  sleep  amid  that  snow, — by  labouring  to 
remove  these  stumbling-blocks  from  our  own  heavenward  path, 
and  so  far  as  in  us  lies  from  our  neighbour's,  we  can  and  shall 
do  somewhat  towards  undermining  the  throne  of  the  world. 
"  Who  art  thou,  O  great  mountain  ?  "  Before  faith  working  by 
prayer  thou  shalt  be  swept  away.  "  He  that  is  slow  to  anger 
is  better  than  the  mighty  ;  and  he  that  ruleth  his  spirit  than  he 
that  taketh  a  city  " : — thus  may  any  earnest  person  help  to 
take,  and  taking  to  overthrow,  Babylon.  Moreover,  by  aspiring 
to  become  that  which  "  is  better,"  we  shall  also  one  by  one 
take  another  city,  a  city  which  hath  foundations,  and  wherein 
we  may  abide  for  ever. 

O  Lord  God,  Whose  Strength  is  sufficient  for  all  who  lay 
hold  on  it,  grant  us  in  Thee  to  comfort  our  hearts  and  be 
strong.  Humility,  meekness,  temperance,  purity,  large-hearted- 
ness,  sympathy,  zeal,  grant  us  these  evidences  of  faith, 
handmaids  of  hope,  fruits  of  love.  For  the  sake  of  Jesus 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  425 

Christ  our  Strength,  our  Righteousness,  our  Hope  of  glory. 
Amen. 

This  great  lewd  Babylon  which  "  shall  be  found  no  more 
at  all,"  becomes  (whatever  else  she  may  be)  a  figure  to  us  of 
strong  temptation :  harassing,  persistent,  insistent,  all  but 
irresistible  to-day  •  to-morrow  nothing. 

It  is  not  merely  that  the  world  will  be  abolished ;  my  own 
temptation  from  the  world  must  end  in  one  of  two  ways : 
either  I  shall  have  sunk  below  any  pleasures,  or  I  shall  have 
risen  above  polluting  pleasures.  If  only  I  could  realize  to 
practical  purpose  that  even  long-drawn  incessant  temptation  is 
yet  not  interminable. 

What  is  this  above  thy  head,  What  is  she  while  time  is  tune. 

O  Man  ?—  O  Man  ?— 

The  World,  all  overspread  In  a  perpetual  prime 

WTith  pearls  and  golden  rays  Beauty  and  youth  she  hath  ; 

And  gems  ablaze  ;  And  her  footpath 

A  sight  which  day  and  night  Breeds  flowers  thro'  dancing  hours 

Fills  an  eye's  span.  Since  time  began. 

What  is  this  beneath  thy  feet,  While  time  lengthens  what  is  she 

O  Saint  ?—  O  Saint  ?— 

The  World,  a  nauseous  sweet  Nought :  yea,  all  men  shall  see 

Puffed  up  and  perishing  ;  How  she  is  nought  at  all, 

A  hollow  thing,  When  her  death  pall 

A  lie,  a  vanity,  Of  fire  ends  their*  desire 

Tinsel  and  paint.  And  brands  her  taint. 

Ah,  poor  Man,  befooled  and  slow 

And  faint ! 

Ah,  poorest  Man,  if  so 
Thou  turn  thy  back  on  bliss 
And  choose  amiss ! 
For  thou  art  choosing  now : 
Sinner, — or  Saint. 

22.  And  the  voice  of  harpers,  and  musicians,  and  of  pipers, 

and  trumpeters,  shall  be  heard  no  more  at  all  in  thee ; 
and  no  craftsman,  of  whatsoever  craft  he  be,  shall 
be  found  any  more  in  thee  ;  and  the  sound  of  a  mill 
stone  shall  be  heard  no  more  at  all  in  thee  ; 

23.  And  the  light  of  a  candle  shall  shine  no  more  at  all  in 

thee;   and  the  voice  of  the  bridegroom  and  of  the 
bride  shall  be  heard  no  more  at  all  in  thee :  for  thy 
merchants  were  the  great  men  of  the  earth ;  for  by 
thy  sorceries  were  all  nations  deceived. 
No  more  in  Babylon.     But  in  New  Jerusalem  we  shall  hear 

once  more  (God  grant  it !)  the  voice  of  harpers  harping  with 

their  harps. 


426  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

No  more  in  Babylon.  But  in  New  Jerusalem  we  shall 
behold  once  more  (God  grant  it !)  every  craftsman  of  whatso 
ever  craft  who  hath  wrought  a  good  work  toward  Christ  or 
toward  His  disciples. 

No  more  in  Babylon.  But  in  New  Jerusalem  we  shall 
rejoice  (God  grant  it !)  with  some  taken  from  grinding  at  the 
mill  while  others  were  left. 

No  more  in  Babylon.  But  in  New  Jerusalem  (God  grant 
it !)  we  shall  walk  in  the  light  that  has  no  need  of  a  candle. 

No  more  in  Babylon.  But  in  New  Jerusalem  we  shall  keep 
high  festival  (God  grant  it !)  with  bridegrooms  and  brides  re 
united  in  the  communion  of  saints  and  fellowship  of  angels. 

No  more  in  Babylon.  But  in  New  Jerusalem  (God  grant 
it !)  we  shall  exult  amongst  the  company  of  merchantmen  who 
once  sold  all  for  the  treasure  field  or  for  the  pearl  of  great 
price. 

God  grant  it  to  every  one  of  us,  for  Jesus  Christ's  sake. 
Amen. 

"...  No  more  at  all  in  thee." — Whether  the  enumerated 
multitude  has  been  involved  and  for  ever  silenced  in  the  ruin 
of  Babylon,  or  whether  it  has  clean  escaped  among  those 
legions  of  whom  the  world  was  not  worthy,  in  either  contin 
gency  one  faculty  common  to  all  has  saved  or  lost  each  :  free 
will. 

Not  Nemesis,  Destiny,  Predestination,  hast  cast  the  lot  i 
man's  own  free  will  has  been  the  factor  of  good  or  of  evil. 

Lord  God  Almighty,  Who  hast  promised  to  Thy  servants 
deliverance  from  their  enemies,  much  more  deliver  us,  I 
implore  Thee,  from  ourselves.  We,  only  we,  can  destroy  our 
selves  :  Thou,  Thou  alone  canst  rescue  and  save  us.  I  plead 
our  Saviour  Jesus.  Amen. 

From  all  kinds  of  music  which  worship  an  idol  in  Thy  stead, 

From  craft  which  fashioning  a  golden  image  dishonoureth  Thee, 

From  labour  for  the  meat  which  perisheth  and  not  for  that  which  endureth 

unto  life  eternal, 
From  lamps  going  out,  gone  out ;  from  any  light  that  shineth  not  to  the 

glory  of  our  Heavenly  Father, 

From  such  temporal  love  and  joy  as  forfeit  eternal  love  and  joy, 
From  earthly  gain  which  is  heavenly  loss, 
From  the  whole  world  in  exchange  for  our  souls, 

Deliver  us,  deliver  all  men,  O  Lord.     Amen. 

24.  And  in  her  was  found  the  blood  of  prophets,  and  of 
saints,  and  of  all  that  were  slain  upon  the  earth. 

"  O  earth,  cover  not  thou  my  blood,  and  let  my  cry  have  no 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  427 

place.  Also  now,  behold,  my  witness  is  in  heaven,  and  my 
record  is  on  high." — "  O  daughter  of  Babylon,  who  art  to  be 
destroyed." 

Well  may  the  virgin,  the  daughter  of  Zion,  despise  and  laugh 
to  scorn  her  adversary :  well  may  the  "daughter  of  Jerusalem 
shake  her  head  at  her. 

Yet  so  long  as  time  lasts,  probation  lasts ;  and  so  long  as 
probation  lasts,  the  end  of  individuals  is  not  assured.  It  were 
folly  to  boast  in  girding  on  the  harness,  or  at  any  moment 
short  of  putting  it  off. 

Because  he  is  not  a  Jew  which  is  one  outwardly,  but  he 
only  which  is  one  inwardly,  the  Church  militant  here  in  earth 
must  still  give  diligence  to  make  her  calling  and  election  sure. 
All  her  members  must :  each  must. 

It  is  awe-striking  to  observe  the  similarity  between  our  Lord's 
accusation  against  the  Jerusalem  of  His  mortal  day,  and  this 
final  allegation  against  lost  Babylon.  In  both  cases  a  surface 
life  overlaid  a  deep-seated  death. 

"  Then  spake  Jesus.  .  .  .  Wherefore,  behold,  I  send  unto 
you  prophets,  and  wise  men,  and  scribes  :  and  some  of  them 
ye  shall  kill  and  crucify ;  and  some  of  them  shall  ye  scourge 
in  your  synagogues,  and  persecute  them  from  city  to  city  :  that 
upon  you  may  come  all  the  righteous  blood  shed  upon  the 
earth,  from  the  blood  of  righteous  Abel  unto  the  blood  of 
Zacharias  son  of  Barachias,  whom  ye  slew  between  the 
temple  and  the  altar.  Verily  I  say  unto  you,  All  these  things 
shall  come  upon  this  generation.  O  Jerusalem,  Jerusalem, 
thou  that  killest  the  prophets,  and  stonest  them  which  are 
sent  unto  thee.  ..." 

"  Of  all  that  were  slain  upon  the  earth." — Since  no  exception 
is  made,  may  we  understand  not  the  immortal  righteous  only, 
but  the  twice  dead  unrighteous  also,  all?  Her  smooth  words 
have  been  very  swords,  and  her  tender  mercies  cruel.  Her 
hatred  slays  bodies,  her  love  souls  :  better  her  hatred  than  her 
love. 

From  both,  Good  Lord,  deliver  us. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

1.  And  after  these  things  I  heard  a  great  voice  of  much 

people  in  heaven,  saying,  Alleluia ;  Salvation,  and  glory, 
and  honour,  and  power,  unto  the  Lord  our  God : 

2.  For  true  and  righteous  are  His  judgments :  for  He  hath 

judged  the  great  whore,  which  did  corrupt  the  earth 
with  her  fornication,  and  hath  avenged  the  blood  of 
His  servants  at  her  hand. 

While  a  great  voice  of  earth  uplifts  Alas  I  (ch.  xviii.  10,  £:c.) 
the  "  great  voice  "  of  heaven  will  uplift  Alleluia.  Even  now 
already  it  is  so,  whether  or  not  we  have  ears  to  hear.  One 
laments,  the  other  exults,  over  the  selfsame  doom. 

The  prefixed  day  will  come  upon  all  the  earth.  With  one 
or  other  company,  I  in  the  flesh  or  in  the  spirit  shall  then  be 
saying  Alas  !  or  Alleluia  ! 

What  shall  I  say  then  ?  Presumably  the  same  substantially 
as  I  am  saying  now. 

At  present,  if  I  utter  not  Alas  !  I  as  it  were  am  feeling 
Alas  for  disappointment,  pain,  trouble,  anxiety,  weariness, 
failure.  For  these  and  for  such  as  these  I  may  feel  it  perchance 
unblamed  :  yet  only  perchance  :  each  grievance  and  each  pang 
must  be  tested  and  brought  to  the  light  ere  safely  I  can  acquit 
myself.  Disappointment  should  not  dishearten,  nor  pain 
exasperate,  nor  trouble  overwhelm,  nor  anxiety  sour,  nor 
weariness  exhaust,  nor  failure  hinder  me.  Verily  I  dare  not 
acquit  myself. 

Moreover  my  Alleluias,  when  and  wherefore  come  they? 
Few,  cold,  tearful,  far  between ;  more  like  the  high  octave  of 
Alas  than  is  seemly  ;  too  unlike  the  peaceful  song  of  saints. 

Alleluia  !  or  Alas  !  my  heart  is  crying  : — 
So  yours  is  sighing  : 
Or  replying  with  content  undying, 
Alleluia ! 


THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP.  429- 

Alas  !  grieves  overmuch  for  pain  that  is  ending, 
Hurt  that  is  mending, 
Life  descending  soon  to  be  ascending, 
Alleluia  ! 

'•'  I  will  consider  Thy  testimonies.  I  see  that  all  things 
come  to  an  end  :  but  Thy  commandment  is  exceeding  broad." 

When  amid  the  luminous  obscurity  of  prophecy  insight  fails, 
obedience  remains.  "  I  see  that  all  things  come  to  an  end " : 
yet  see  it  not  in  such  wise  as  to  forecast  times  and  seasons, 
modes  and  details.  None  the  less  things  better  than  these 
lie  within  my  scope  :  already  I  can  ascribe  to  my  God  all 
"glory  and  honour"  of  every  dispensation  or  event;  I  can 
long  after  His  salvation,  rely  upon  His  power  and  goodness, 
justify  His  judgments,  divorce  my  heart  from  perverse  sym 
pathies,  cast  in  my  lot  come  what  may  with  His  servants. 

I  can,  or  I  cannot,  already  do  all  this.  If  I  can,  the  term  of 
my  mortal  life  will  not  exhaust  such  gracious  employments  : 
if  I  cannot,  the  same  term  will  be  wholesomely  spent  in 
acquiring  so  blessed  a  temper. 

In  hope  and  fear,  glory  and  abasement,  honour  and  dis 
honour,  power  and  weakness ;  by  purifying  and  ruling  our 
sympathies,  recognizing  and  magnifying  Thy  judgments,  loving 
and  emulating  Thy  faithful  servants  ;  while  evermore  we  wait 
patiently  for  Thee,  O  Lord,  and  for  Thy  salvation ;  give  us 
grace  to  cry  Alleluia,  through  Jesus  Christ  to  the  Glory 'of  God 
the  Father.  Amen. 

I  lift  mine  eyes  to  see  :  earth  vanisheth. 

I  lift  up  wistful  eyes  and  bow  my  knee  : 
Trembling,  bowed  down,  and  face  to  face  with  Death, 

I  lift  mine  eyes  to  see. 

Lo,  what  I  see  is  Death  that  shadows  me  : 
Yet  whilst  I,  seeing,  draw  a  shuddering  breath, 

Death  like  a  mist  grows  rare  perceptibly. 
Beyond  the  darkness  light,  beyond  the  scathe 

Healing,  beyond  the  Cross  a  palm-branch  tree, 
Beyond  Death  Life,  on  evidence  of  faith  : 

I  lift  mine  eyes  to  see. 

3.  And  again  they  said,  Alleluia.    And  her  smoke  rose  up 
for  ever  and  ever. 

If  Amen  did  not  appear  and  reappear  in  the  celestial 
vocabulary,  one  might  have  supposed  that  Alleluia  had  taken 
its  place.  As  it  is,  both  words  being  at  once  terrestrial  and 
celestial,  link  earth  to  heaven :  here  Amen  prevails,  there 
Alleluia. 


430         THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP. 

It  emphasizes  to  our  apprehension  the  momentous  difference 
between  eternity  and  time,  to  read  that  "her  smoke  rose  up 
for  ever  and  ever."  Throughout  time  smoke  is  an  emblem  of 
transitoriness,  evanescence,  as  both  the  Canonical  Scriptures 
and  the  Apocryphal  Books  teach  us  : — "  As  smoke  is  driven 
away,  so  drive  them  away " — "  My  days  are  consumed  like 
smoke" — "They  shall  be  ...  as  the  smoke  out  of  the 
chimney  " — "  The  breath  in  our  nostrils  is  as  smoke  " — "  The 
hope  of  the  ungodly  is  like  ...  as  the  smoke  which  is  dis 
persed  here  and  there  with  a  tempest." 

Time  with  all  its  possibilities  is  yet  a  day  when  that  which 
is  wanting  cannot  be  numbered.  Eternity  with  all  its  impossi 
bilities  is  yet  the  day  when  God  will  require  that  which  is  past. 

4.  And  the  four  and  twenty  elders  and  the  four  beasts  fell 

down  and  worshipped  God  that  sat  on  the  throne, 
saying,  Amen ;  Alleluia. 

Whatever  else  varies,  one  condition  abides  invariable  :  the 
heavenly  host  is  absolutely  at  one  with  God  Omnipotent  in 
will,  choice,  approval,  pleasure.  The  Free  Will  of  the  Creator 
and  the  free  will  of  the  creature,  in  heaven  coalesce  in  one 
eternal  concord,  one  indissoluble  harmony.  Nevertheless  from 
first  to  last  (so  far  as  last  can  be  predicated  of  aught  which 
ends  not)  both  wills  were  and  are  and  will  be  free. 

Free  will  is  the  foundation  of  heaven.  Free  will  at  the 
opposite  pole  is  the  basis  of  hell.  Free  will  may  not  elect  hell 
per  se,  but  by  rejecting  God  it  leaves  itself  no  other  alternative. 
Perhaps  hell  may  even  be  the  least  degree  of  ruin  compatible 
with  man's  dogged,  unwavering  freedom  of -choice.  Not  of 
course  that  he  chooses  it  purposely ;  only  virtually,  by  repudi 
ating  whatever  is  not  hell  or  hellish. 

If  man  has  a  right  to  his  free  will,  so  also  has  God  to  His. 
<cHe  hath  shewed  thee,  O  man,  what  is  good." 

5.  And  a  voice  came  out  of  the  throne,  saying,  Praise  our 

God,  all  ye  His  servants,  and  ye  that  fear  Him,  both 
small  and  great. 

The  little  one  has  become  a  thousand,  and  the  small  one  a 
strong  nation  :  the  zeal  of  the  Lord  of  hosts  hath  done  this. 

A  very  dear  and  saintly  person  years  ago  called  home,  once 
in  my  hearing  exulted  at  this  appearance  of  the  small  that  fear 
God  :  viewing  it  as  a  vast  encouragement.  Even  they  will  be 
there,  not  on  sufferance,  but  taken  account  of,  brought  forward, 
called  upon  to  enhance  the  acceptable  rapture. 

O  Loving  Lamb  of  God,  Who  for  love  of  us  didst  sacrifice 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  431 

all  which  Thou  couldest  sacrifice,  cast  out  envy  from  our 
hearts  and  fill  them  with  love  like  Thine. 

That  in  the  day  of  rejoicing  we  one  and  all  may  rejoice  with 
Thee  in  the  Communion  of  Saints,  by  virtue  of  love  like  Thine. 

That  Apostles,  Prophets,  Patriarchs,  Martyrs,  all  Saints, 
even  ourselves  also,  may  love  one  another  for  pure  love  of 
Thee  :  yea,  with  love  like  Thine. 

That  the  great  rich  in  tenderness,  and  the  small  rich  in 
veneration,  may  praise  Thee  each  for  other,  overflowing  with 
love  like  Thine. 

That  as  heaven  is  heaven  to  Thee  because  of  love,  so  it  may 
be  heaven  to  every  one  of  us  because  of  love,  of  love  like  Thine. 

That  we  who  can  carry  away  nothing  when  we  die,  may  yet 
carry  love  from  earth  to  heaven,  love  in  its  measure  like  Thine. 

That  thither  works  may  follow  us,  works  of  love,  even  of 
love  like  Thine. 

And  to  the  end  that  there  we  may  superabound  in  love,  grant 
us  here  to  abound  in  love,  in  love  like  Thine.  Amen.  Alleluia. 

The  least,  if  so  I  am  ; 

If  so,  less  than  the  least, 
May  I  reach  heaven  to  glorify  the  Lamb, 

And  sit  down  at  the  Feast. 
I  fear  and  I  am  small, 

Whence  am  I  of  good  cheer  : 
For  I  who  hear  Thy  call,  have  heard  Thee  call 

To  Thee  the  small  who  fear. 

6.  And  I  heard  as  it  were  the  voice  of  a  great  multitude, 
and  as  the  voice  of  many  waters,  and  as  the  voice  of 
mighty  thunderings,  saying,  Alleluia:  for  the  Lord 
God  Omnipotent  reigneth. 

Hearken  to  music  of  the  deaf  whose  spirit  was  not  deaf,  and 
a  song  of  the  dumb  whose  heart  was  not  dumb ;  for  in  this 
chorus  all  the  redeemed,  whatever  their  sometime  gift  or 
blemish,  sing  together.  Deafness,  dumbness,  every  imperfec 
tion  has  been  left  behind  with  the  dust  of  death ;  and  God 
hath  put  a  new  song  into  all  mouths,  even  a  thanksgiving  unto 
our  God.  "  Many  shall  see  it,  and  fear ;  and  shall  put  their 
trust  in  the  Lord."  (Lord,  so  be  it  for  Jesu's  sake.) 

May  I  be  one  of  those  wise  master  singers  !  If  then  I 
would  be  so,  now  I  must  become  so.  The  talents  vouchsafed 
me  I  must  use  and  improve  thankfully;  the  gifts  withheld  I 
must  forego  ungrudgingly  and  thankfully. 

O  Lord  my  God  the  Omnipotent,  Who  searchest  all  hearts ; 
Who  knowest  my  heart  through  and  through ;  Who  in  many 


432  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

hearts  discernest  lifelong  disappointment,  mortification,  aching 
rankling  soreness ;  O  Lord  our  God,  grant  us  such  grace  that 
Thy  Will  may  be  to  us  glory  and  Thine  award  satisfaction  ; 
so  in  our  solitary  place  shall  we  be  glad,  awaiting  that  day  of 
days  when  patient  mourners  shall  come  forth  in  the  dances  of 
them  that  make  merry.  Amen,  for  the  honour  of  Jesus  Christ, 
Who  for  our  sake  exhausted  human  bitterness. 

If  reverently  I  may  say  so  : — In  the  Bible  God  condescends 
to  employ  multiform  overtures  of  endearing  graciousness, 
wooing,  beseeching,  alluring,  encouraging.  We  love  beauty ; 
He  lavishes  beauty  on  the  sacred  text.  We  desire  knowledge  ; 
He  tells  us  much,  and  promises  that  one  day  He  will  tell  us 
all.  We  are  conscious  of  feelings  inexpressible  and  as  yet 
insatiable ;  He  stirs  up  such  feelings,  at  once  directing  them 
and  guaranteeing  their  ultimate  satisfaction.  He  works  upon 
us  by  what  we  can  and  by  what  we  cannot  utter ;  He  appeals 
in  us  to  what  we  can  and  to  what  we  cannot  define. 

Whence  it  seems  to  ensue  that  not  only  words  and  thoughts 
compose  such  a  commentary  on  Revelation  as  may  lawfully 
be  brought  by  man  for  his  offering  of  firstfruits ;  but  that 
painting,  sculpture,  music,  all  are  sources  capable  of  swelling 
that  store. 

Without  cavilling  or  doubt  then  let  us  worship  God  in 
wordless  aspiration  aroused  by  any  form  of  beauty,  let  us 
praise  Him  in  musical  yearnings  and  ecstasies.  Or  if  not  thou, 
at  least  I ;  who  remember  how  one  highly  endowed  by  nature 
and  by  grace  and  by  me  ever  to  be  venerated,  was  affected  by 
one  movement  in  the  overwhelming  harmony  of  the  Hallelujah 
Chorus. 

When  wickedness  is  broken  as  a  tree 

Paradise  comes  to  light,  ah  holy  land  ! 

Whence  death  has  vanished  like  a  shifting  sand 
And  barrenness  is  banished  with  the  sea. 
Its  bulwarks  are  salvation  fully  manned, 

All  gems  it  hath  for  glad  variety, 

And  pearls  for  pureness  radiant  glimmeringly, 
And  gold  for  grandeur  where  all  good  is  grand. 
An  inner  ring  of  saints  meets  linked  above, 

And  linked  of  angels  is  an  outer  ring  : 
For  voice  of  waters  or  for  thunders'  voice 
Lo  !  harps  and  songs  wherewith  all  saints  rejoice, 

And  all  the  trembling  there  of  any  string 
Is  but  a  trembling  of  enraptured  love. 

7.  Let  us  be  glad  and  rejoice,  and  give  honour  to  Him ;  for 
the  marriage  of  the  Lamb  is  come,  and  His  wife  hath 
made  herself  ready. 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  433 

Let  us  meanwhile  "  be  glad  and  rejoice,  and  give  honour  to 
Him,"  because  this  which  shall  come  will  come,  and  will  not 
tarry. 

As  God  brought  Eve  to  Adam,  so  now  is  He  bringing  each 
pure  and  lovely  soul  to  Christ.  As  He  conducted  fair  Rebekah 
to  Isaac  unseen  yet  the  chosen  of  her  heart,  so  is  He  now 
calling  and  guiding  the  elect  to  Christ.  As  Jacob  loved  and 
served  for  Rachel,  so  and  much  more  Christ  loves  His  own, 
and  will  accept  no  different  guerdon.  As  Joseph  amid  home 
joys  forgot  his  toil,  so  Christ  makes  no  account  of  His  toil  in 
comparison  with  the  love  of  His  beloved.  As  Moses  was  first 
champion,  then  husband ;  even  such  Christ  is  and  will  be  to 
every  sanctified  soul.  As  Moses  sang  and  Miriam  answered, 
so  will  there  be  "  the  song  of  the  Lamb,"  and  the  responsive 
adoring  song  of  the  Church.  As  Moses  prayed  for  leprous 
Miriam,  so  is  Christ  now  interceding  for  the  heirs  of  salvation. 
As  the  daughters  of  Zelophehad  were  espoused  by  their  near 
kinsmen,  so  to  blessed  souls  Christ  deigns  to  say,  "  My  sister, 
My  spouse."  As  at  Achsah's  request  Caleb  bestowed  on  her 
water-springs,  so  does  our  Heavenly  Father  reserve  "  a  pure 
River  of  Water  of  Life  "  for  them  who  ask  in  His  Son's  Name. 
As  Jephthah's  daughter  became  the  glory  of  her  father's  house, 
so  will  the  King's  daughter  arise,  shine,  to  His  glory,  never 
more  lamenting  on  her  mountain-tops,  but  exulting  on  the 
height  of  heavenly  Zion.  As  Ruth  by  untried  paths  journeyed 
home  to  Boaz,  so  are  sweet  souls  by  untried  paths  journeying 
home  to  Christ.  As  Elkanah  was  better  to  downcast  Hannah 
than  ten  sons,  so  is  Christ  now  to  His  faithful  mourners ;  what 
will  He  be  then  ?  As  Rizpah's  self-devotion  to  the  slain  for  sin 
won  for  her  everlasting  renown,  so  even  now  all  who  devote 
themselves  to  Christ,  the  Sole  Sacrifice  for  sin,  are  winning  a  far 
more  exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of  glory ;  winning,  not 
earning.  As  the  Queen  of  Sheba  exchanged  gifts  with  King 
Solomon,  so  gracious  souls  to-day  exchange  love  with  Christ,  , 
and  will  carry  on  the  exchange  for  ever ;  unlike  that  Queen 
who  returned  to  her  own  country,  they,  born  in  the  region  and 
shadow  of  death,  will  return  no  more,  nor  see  their  native 
country,  but  will  stand  continually  before  Christ  and  hear  His 
Wisdom  :  "  Because  the  Lord  loved  Israel  for  ever,  therefore 
made  He  thee  king."  As  the  Widow  of  Zarephath  enter 
taining  Elijah  received  a  prophet's  reward,  so  all  ministries  to 
Christ  in  His  poor  and  afflicted  shall  one  day  by  no  means 
lose  their  reward.  As  Elisha  at  the  Widow's  word  turned  her 
penury  into  wealth,  so  God  is  giving  good  gifts  to  them  that 

E  E 


434  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP, 

ask  Him,  and  withholds  no  good  thing  from  them  that  live  a 
godly  life.  As  the  great  Shunammite  according  to  Elisha's 
promise  embraced  a  son,  so  Christ  bestows  a  name  better  than 
of  sons  or  of  daughters  on  such  as  choose  the  things  that 
please  Him.  As  the  daughters  of  Shallum  helped  their  father 
to  rebuild  the  wall  of  Jerusalem,  so  now  feeble  souls  are 
strengthened  to  edify  others,  while  they  themselves  are  being 
built  as  lively  stones  into  Christ's  living  temple.  As  Esther 
excelled  Vashti  and  assumed  her  forfeited  crown,  so  the 
Christian  vocation  at  once  human  and  superhuman  hath  the 
promise  of  that  which  now  is,  and  of  that  which  is  to  come  ; 
and  as  after  a  brief  fast,  mourning,  trembling  terror,  Queen 
Esther  atiained  to  the  half  of  her  husband's  kingdom,  so  the 
Church  looks  onward,  upward,  to  the  moment  of  sitting  down 
with  her  Divine  King  and  Spouse  in  His  Throne. 

All  this  and  much  more  I  profess  when  I  say  :  I 
believe  in  the  Communion  of  Saints,  and  the  life  everlasting. 
Amen. 

As  everything  human  that  is  masculine  is  or  should  be 
typical  of  Chiist,  so  all  that  is  feminine  of  the  Church.  Why 
then  break  off  our  parallel  with  the  galaxy  of  holy  maids  and 
matrons  memorialized  in  the  Old  Testament,  and  not  carry  it 
further  by  help  of  their  sister  saints  in  the  Gospel  ? 

Because  it  is  so  lovely  a  privilege  to  have  stood  really  and 
truly  in  some  direct  relation  to  Christ  that  it  may  well  take 
precedence  of  aught  figurative.  There  is  no  title  by  which  to 
indicate  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary  half  so  august  as  that  of  His 
Mother.  The  glory  of  righteous  P^lizabeth  was  her  worship  of 
His  unseen  Presence.  It  was  enough  for  ascetic  Anna  to 
behold  Him  and  to  speak  of  Him.  And  so  each  named  or 
unnamed  personage  appears  invested  with  her  proper  halo. 
To  the  Woman  of  Samaria  He  announced  Himself  as  the 
Messiah.  The  Widow  of  Nain  He  consoled.  He  accepted 
love  and  tears  from  a  woman  a  sinner,  and  faith  from  her  who 
had  suffered  many  things  from  many  physicians.  Jairus's 
Daughter  He  took  by  the  hand.  On  the  Canaanitish  Mother 
He  bestowed  an  unique  commendation.  Martha  and  her 
sister  Mary  He  loved.  The  woman  bowed  with  infirmity  He 
acknowledged  as  a  daughter  of  Abraham.  He  set  store  by  the 
Widow's  two  mites.  And  His  last  recorded  words  before  the 
Seven  Sentences  from  the  Cross  were  addressed  to  the  wailing 
and  lamenting  Daughters  of  Jerusalem. 

O  Christ  our  God,  remember  Thy  strong  and  weak  ones, 
great  and  small,  men  and  women,  for  good.  Remember  the 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  435 

nursing  Fathers  and  nursing  Mothers  of  Holy  Church  for  good. 
Remember  the  righteous  who  worship  Thee  by  faith,  and 
bestow  on  them  the  blessing  of  those  who  not  having  seen 
have  believed.  Remember  and  advance  all  who  worship  Thee 
with  fasting  and  prayer,  and  reveal  Thy  gracious  Presence  unto 
them.  Remember  any  overthrown  through  frailty,  raise  them 
up  and  perfect  Thy  strength  in  their  weakness.  Remember 
the  bereaved  in  their  anguish,  and  make  their  latter  end  better 
than  their  beginning.  Furnish  the  fallen  with  love,  and  accept 
their  love.  Grant  to  sufferers  faith,  and  reward  their  faith. 
Raise  sinners  now  from  sin  to  righteousness,  that  Thou  mayest 
hereafter  raise  them  as  saints  to  perfection.  Remember  the 
love  of  Parents  ;  remember  not  except  to  forgive  them  the 
offences  of  children.  Love  us  all,  that  we  all  may  love  Thee. 
Remember  the  despised,  the  overlooked,  the  misunderstood, 
reserving  mercy  for  them  in  the  day  of  Thy  justice.  Remember 
munificent  hands  to  refill  them,  and  generous  hearts  to 
spiritualize  them.  Remember  all  who  mourn  in  Zion.  My 
God,  forget  not  any  mourner.  Remember  us  all,  O  Lord  our 
God,  for  good.  Amen. 

Who  shall  decide  whether  to  be  constituted  in  the  first 
instance  strong  or  weak  holds  out  the  greater  promise  of 
ultimate  strength  ?  And  it  is  the  end  crowns  the  beginning, 
never  the  beginning  the  end. 

St.  James  erects  a  standard  as  it  were  of  equality  in  in 
equality  :  "  Let  the-  brother  of  low  degree  rejoice  in  that  he 
is  exalted  ;  but  the  rich,  in  that  he  is  made  low." 

"  The  marriage  of  the  Lamb  is  come." 

O  Gracious  Master,  Who  of  old  forgavest  Thy  disciples 
when  they  believed  not  for  joy  and  wondered,  so  now,  so 
always  forgive  us.  We  believe ;  help  Thou  our  unbelief.  If 
we  believe  not,  let  it  be  for  joy  and  not  for  unwillingness  ; 
through  mistrust  of  self,  not  of  Thy  word ;  for  a  moment,  not 
for  ever.  Open  Thou  our  understanding  that  we  may 
understand  the  Scriptures ;  understand  somewhat,  believe  all. 
So,  Good  Lord,  make  us  ready.  Amen. 

"And  His  wife  hath  made  herself  ready."  To  Jacob  by 
reason  of  his  great  love  seven  years  seemed  but  a  few  days ; 
we  read  not  that  they  seemed  so  to  Rachel.  He  by  de 
sire  shortened  delay ;  she  by  responsive  desire  may  have 
lengthened  it. 

Christ  saith  :  "  Surely  I  come  quickly  " —  while  the  Church 
ceases  not  to  cry  :  "  How  long,  O  Lord,  Holy  and 
True  ?  " 


436  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

At  length  in  St.  John's  vision  her  mystical  week  is  fulfilled. 
The  Bridegroom  cometh  forth  out  of  His  chamber ;  let  the 
Bride  come  forth  out  of  her  closet. 

Many  times  heretofore  has  she  come  forth  fasting,  praying, 
weeping  between  the  porch  and  the  altar,  imploring  mercy.  Now 
is  she  called  forth  to  rejoice  in  the  dances  of  them  that  make 
merry.  "  Then  were  we  like  unto  them  that  dream." 

She  hath  made  herself  ready ;  but  in  what  royal  closet,  what 
dainty  bower?  She  who  comes  out  of  great  tribulation  hath 
made  herself  ready  in  great  tribulation,  which  yet  was  to  her 
the  secret  of  His  Tabernacle. 

As  swelled  by  a  thousand  confluents  from  a  thousand 
sources  some  unmeasured  river  at  last  attains  the  measureless 
ocean,  so  she  comes  forth  from  the  thousand  battle-fields  of 
the  fierce  fight  of  her  afflictions.  Beds  of  weariness,  haunts  of 
starvation,  hospital  wards,  rescue  homes,  orphanages,  leper 
colonies,  fires  of  martyrdom,  in  these  and  such  as  these  did 
she  set  up  mirrors  whereby  to  fashion  herself  after  Christ's 
likeness  ;  workhouses,  prisons  (thank  God  !),  the  sea,  the  land, 
the  rocks  for  a  shelter,  each  and  all  send  up  their  contingent 
of  saints ;  palaces,  hovels,  houselessness,  homelessness,  again 
saints ;  east,  west,  north,  south,  still  saints.  Every  gift,  every 
grace,  arrays  and  adorns  her;  innocence,  penitence,  purity, 
purification,  largeness  of  heart  as  the  sand  of  the  sea  ;  weighty 
judgment,  mercy,  faith ;  carefulness  in  well  doing,  as  mint  and 
anise  and  cummin ;  no  longer  patience,  yet  fruits  of  patience ; 
no  longer  chastening,  yet  its  peaceable  fruit  of  righteousness ; 
hope  that  maketh  not  ashamed,  love  superseding  all  that  is  not 
love  or  love's.  She  has  forgotten  her  own  people  and  her 
father's  house,  has  forgotten  all  who  are  not  of  her  or  with  her, 
in  the  supreme  moment  of  going  home  to  Him  Whom  her  soul 
loveth.  She  has  come  up  from  the  wilderness  leaning  upon 
her  Beloved,  and  leaning  upon  Him  she  will  sit  down  in  the 
Promised  Land  flowing  with  milk  and  honey. 

"  The  Voice  of  my  Beloved  !  .  .  .  Arise,  My  love,  My  fair 
one,  and  come  away." 

8.  And  to  her  was  granted  that  she  should  be  arrayed  in 
fine  linen,  clean  and  white ;  for  the  fine  linen  is  the 
righteousness  of  saints. 

Or  in  the  Revised  Version :  "  And  it  was  given  unto  her 
that  she  should  array  herself  in  fine  linen,  bright  and  pure ; 
for  the  fine  linen  is  the  righteous  acts  of  the  saints." 

Collated,  the  two  texts  suggest  that  revealed  paradox  which 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  437 

teaches  both  that  we  cannot,  and  that  we  must,  array  ourselves 
in  righteousness.  Whence  one  conclusion  appears  both  safe 
and  reasonable  :  what  we  can,  do  ;  what  we  cannot,  trust  God 
to  do. 

Till  one  tries,  it  is  easy  to  fancy  oneself  doing  everything  : 
when  one  tries,  it  is  not  difficult  to  despair  of  doing  anything. 
Neither  delusion  will  work  us  ultimate  harm  if  we  so  let  these 
extremes  meet  as  to.  curb,  balance,  counteract  each  other. 
Presumption  should  at  least  fight  lustily ;  despondency  should 
at  least  pray  urgently.  Genuine  prayer  in  conjunction  with 
genuine  fighting  must  sooner  or  later  overthrow  presumption 
and  dissipate  despondency. 

If  I  may  venture  to  say  so,  I  think  the  Revised  Version  of 
this  passage  appears  eminently  consonant  with  those  Provi 
dential  circumstances  which  day  by  day  dictate  our  duties. 
It  exhibits  the  Bride  as  arraying  herself  "  in  fine  linen,  bright 
and  pure  "  ;  but  not  for  her  is  such  vesture  provided,  as  were 
the  cloud  garment  and  swaddling-band  of  thick  darkness  for 
the  primeval  sea :  hers  is  a  nobler  law,  "  Give  her  of  the  fruit 
of  her  hands."  "  Righteous  acts  "  have  woven  that  lustrous 
linen,  acts  of  all  saints  from  the  beginning  to  the  end.  Spot 
less  and  radiant  now,  it  has  been  steeped  in  tears  and  bleached 
in  the  heat  of  the  day :  woven  and  at  length  without  flaw  from 
the  top  throughout  it  forms  one  fair  unbroken  web  \  but  held 
up  to  that  light  which  manifests  all  works,  behold  !  its  warp 
and  woof  have  not  been  wrought  into  a  perfect  whole  except 
by  an  interweaving  of  cross  threads,  of  crosses.  The  acts  and 
crosses  of  each  day  and  of  every  day,  your  acts  and  crosses 
and  my  own,  are  capable  of  reappearing  in  that  achieved 
glory. 

If  the  Revised  Version  incites  us  to  abound  in  labour  to-day 
while  it  is  called  to-day,  the  Authorized  promotes  no  different 
result  by  enamouring  us  of  that  final  perfection  when  all  having 
been  done  both  for  and  by  the  Church  (for  the  things  con 
cerning  her  also  have  an  end),  she  shall  be  presented  as  a 
chaste  virgin  to  Christ :  and  so  shall  the  king  have  pleasure  in 
her  beauty. 

9.  And  he  saith  unto  me,  Write,  Blessed  are  they  which 
are  called  unto  the  marriage  supper  of  the  Lamb. 
And  he  saith  unto  me,  These  are  the  true  sayings  of 
God. 

Speech  ends,  writing  endures.  Wherefore  this  "Write"  has 
respect  even  to  children  that  are  yet  unborn :  for  the  promise 


438  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

is  unto  us  and  to  our  children  and  to  all  that  are  afar  off,  even 
as  many  as  the  Lord  our  God  shall  call. 

My  neighbour's  call  I  may  not  apprehend :  my  own  I  recog 
nize.  All  things,  all  events,  knowledge,  even  ignorance,  speak 
to  me.  Thou  knowest  ?  "  thou  oughtest  therefore  "  :  thou 
knowest  not  ?  none  the  less  "  how  dreadful  is  this  place." 
"There  are,  it  may  be,  so  many  kinds  of  voices  in  the  world, 
and  none  of  them  is  without  signification  "  : — or  according  to 
a  marginal  rendering  of  the  concluding  phrase,  "  and  nothing 
is  without  voice." 

This  Revelation  of  St.  John  the  Divine  excepts  from  its 
summons  none  who  have  ears  to  hear.  By  trumpets  and  harps, 
by  thunders  and  voices,  it  calls  on  all  men  everywhere  to 
repent.  What  or  how  we  may  learn  hereafter  stands  over  until 
that  hereafter.  What  we  cannot  yet  know  will  not  yet  be 
demanded  of  us. 

At  present  and  at  once  all  earthly  things  teach  some  lesson 
to  the  teachable.  "  For  the  invisible  things  of  Him  from  the 
creation  of  the  world  are  clearly  seen,  being  understood  by 
the  things  that  are  made,  even  His  eternal  power  and  God 
head."  And  whereas  (if  I  may  reverently  use  the  word) 
accessories  in  this  Inspired  Book  seem  in  great  measure 
emblematical  rather  than  actual ;  I  can  at  least  infer  thence 
that  every  such  figure  must  have  an  original,  every  type  an 
antitype.  Only  a  substance  can  cast  a  shadow. 

To-day  while  daylight  lasts  let  us  study  the  shadows  vouch 
safed  us  :  when  our  night  falls  they  for  us  will  vanish.  Heze- 
kiah  had  his  faith  confirmed  by  a  shadow.  "The  shadow  of 
Peter  passing  by  "  was  not  lightly  to  be  regarded. 

Let  us  sit  down  amid  Divinely  cast  shadows  with  great 
delight :  it  is  good  for  us  to  be  here. 

Fulness  of  beauty  and  reality  of  perfection  belong  to  sub 
stance,  not  to  shadow.  Meanwhile  shadows,  although  they 
reproduce  neither  details  nor  colours,  familiarize  us  with  broad 
outlines. 

However  weary  the  land  of  our  sojourn,  the  "great  rock" 
extends  for  us  a  refreshing  shadow ;  itself,  and  not  its  shadow, 
being  our  ultimate  benefactor. 

Shadows  befit  probation,  but  befit  not  the  promised  beatitude. 
Whilst  set  in  their  midst  I  must  thankfully  utilize  them,  yet 
must  not  make  myself  so  comfortable  in  their  region  as  to 
settle  down  or  to  drop  asleep.  Symbolism  affords  a  fascinating 
study  :  wholesome  so  long  as  it  amounts  to  aspiration  and 
research ;  unwholesome  when  it  degenerates  into  a  pastime. 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  439 

As  literal  shadows  tend  to  soothe,  lull,  abate  keenness  of 
vision  ;  so  perhaps  symbols  may  have  a  tendency  to  engross, 
satisfy,  arrest  incautious  souls  unwatchful  and  unprayerful  lest 
they  enter  into  temptation. 

Lord,  to  Thine  own  grant  watchful  hearts  and  eyes  ; 

Hearts  strung  to  prayer,  awake  while  eyelids  sleep ; 

Eyes  patient  till  the  end  to  watch  and  weep. 
So  will  sleep  nourish  power  to  wake  and  rise 
With  Virgins  who  keep  vigil  and  are  wise, 

To  sow  among  all  sowers  who  shall  reap, 

From  out  man's  deep  to  call  Thy  vaster  deep, 
And  tread  the  uphill  track  to  Paradise. 
Sweet  souls  !  so  patient  that  they  make  no  moan, 

So  calm  on  journey  that  they  seem  at  rest, 

So  rapt  in  prayer  that  half  they  dwell  in  heaven 
Thankful  for  all  withheld  and  all  things  given  ; 

So  lit  by  love  that  Christ  shines  manifest 
Transfiguring  their  aspects  to  His  own. 

"  Blessed  are  they  which  are  called  unto  the  Marriage 
Supper  of  the  Lamb." — This  beatitude  is  specially  vouched  for 
as  a  true  saying  of  God,  and  baptized  Christians  have  received 
the  call ;  yet  so  long  as  mortal  life  endures  each  soul  must  use 
all  diligence  to  secure  the  blessing,  probation  rendering  every 
promise  contingent. 

Two  Divine  Parables  warn  us  that  the  call  of  grace  condemns 
\vhom  it  does  not  save  : — 

"  One  .  .  .  said  unto  Him,  Blessed  is  he  that  shall  eat  bread 
in  the  kingdom  of  God.  Then  said  He  unto  him,  A  certain 
man  made  a  great  supper,  and  bade  many  :  and  sent  his  servant 
at  supper  time  to  say  to  them  that  were  bidden,  Come ;  for 
all  things  are  now  ready.  And  they  all  with  one  consent 
began  to  make  excuse.  ...  So  that  servant  came,  and 
shewed  his  lord  these  things.  Then  the  master  of  the  house 
being  angry  said  to  his  servant  ...  Go  out  into  the  highways 
and  hedges,  and  compel  them  to  come  in,  that  my  house  may 
be  filled.  For  I  say  unto  you,  That  none  of  those  men  which 
were  bidden  shall  taste  of  my  supper." 

"  The  kingdom  of  heaven  is  like  unto  a  certain  king,  which 
made  a  marriage  for  his  son,  and  sent  forth  his  servants  to  call 
them  that  were  bidden  to  the  wedding :  and  they  would  not 
come.  .  .  .  Then  saith  he  to  his  servants,  The  wedding  is 
ready,  but  they  which  were  bidden  were  not  worthy.  Go  ye 
therefore  into  the  highways,  and  as  many  as  ye  shall  find,  bid 
to  the  marriage.  So  those  servants  went  out  into  the  highways, 
and  gathered  together  all  as  many  as  they  found,  both  bad  and 
good  :  and  the  wedding  was  furnished  with  guests.  And  when 


440  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

the  king  came  in  to  see  the  guests,  he  saw  there  a  man  which 
had  not  on  a  wedding  garment  :  and  he  saith  unto  him,  Friend, 
how  earnest  thou  in  hither  not  having  a  wedding  garment  ? 
And  he  was  speechless.  Then  said  the  king  to  the  servants, 
Bind  him  hand  and  foot,  and  take  him  away,  and  cast  him  into 
outer  darkness ;  there  shall  be  weeping  and  gnashing  of  teeth. 
For  many  are  called,  but  few  are  chosen." 

Lord,  with  a  call  give  responsive  grace,  with  grace  diligence, 
with  diligence  perseverance,  with  final  perseverance  an  entrance 
into  Thy  glory,  with  glory  a  seat  at  Thy  Feast  full  of  pleasure. 
For  the  sake  and  worthiness  of  Jesus  Christ.     Amen. 
10.  And  I  fell  at  his  feet  to  worship  him.    And  he  said 
unto  me,  See  thou  do  it  not :  I  am  thy  fellow-servant, 
and  of  thy  brethren  that  have  the  testimony  of  Jesus : 
worship  God :  for  the  testimony  of  Jesus  is  the  spirit 
of  prophecy. 

Looking  back  (ch.  xvii.  i)  it  seems  as  if  this  personage  who 
converses  with  St.  John  may  still  be  one  of  the  seven  Angels 
of  the  vials.  Marvellous  indeed  is  it  to  behold  that  beloved 
disciple  who  had  lain  on  the  Master's  Bosom  fall  down  at  the 
servant's  feet  to  worship  him.  What  motive  led  St.  John  to 
such  exuberance  of  humility  concerns  me  not.  But  for  myself 
I  learn  from  the  celestial  disallowance  of  his  act  how  safe  it  is 
for  me  to  be  set  low  on  a  lowly  level  and  one  bounded  by  a 
misty  horizon,  so  that  thence  I  can  neither  explore  height  nor 
depth  nor  distance  to  any  great  extent :  for  to  say  the  least  of 
it,  "  I  am  not  better  than  my  fathers."  Even  St.  Paul  felt  how 
it  would  have  been  possible  for  himself  to  be  exalted  above 
measure. 

"Let  no  man  beguile  you  of  your  reward  in  a  voluntary 
humility  and  worshipping  of  angels,  intruding  into  those  things 
which  he  hath  not  seen,  vainly  puffed  up  by  his  fleshly  mind, 
and  not  holding  the  Head." 

Self-willed  humility  is  pride  in  masquerade. 

As  violets  so  be  I  recluse  and  sweet, 

Cheerful  as  daisies  unaccounted  rare, 
Still  sunward-gazing  from  a  lowly  seat, 

Still  sweetening  wintry  air. 

While  half-awakened  Spring  lags  incomplete, 
While  lofty  forest-trees  tower  bleak  and  bare, 

Daisies  and  violets  own  remotest  heat 
And  bloom  and  make  them  fair. 

"See  thou  do  it  not." — "  He  that  rebuketh  a  man  afterwards 
shall  find  more  favour  than  he  that  flattereth  with  the  tongue." 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  441 

Lord  Jesus,  give  us  grace  in  charity  to  rebuke  and  in  humility 
to  bear  rebuke  ;  until  that  day  when  Thou  shalt  swallow  up 
death  in  victory,  and  wipe  away  tears  from  off  all  faces,  and 
take  away  from  off  all  the  earth  the  rebuke  of  Thy  people. 

"  I  am  thy  fellow-servant,  and  of  thy  brethren  that  have  the 
testimony  of  Jesus." — -This  definition  exalted  the  Creator  and 
abased  the  creature,  it  edified  and  did  not  puff  up,  it  satisfied 
loyal  hearts,  not  itching  ears. 

Such  a  specimen  of  "  conversation  in  heaven "  (if  I  may 
treat  the  word  when  thus  used  as  including  conversation  in  its 
colloquial  sense  :  and  this  notwithstanding  that  the  Revised 
Version  substitutes  citizenship,  or  marginally  commonwealth] — • 
such  a  specimen  suggests  various  practical  points  for  everyday 
guidance. 

"  Fellow-servants  "  are  more  or  less  on  a  par  :  "  brethren  " 
are  equals  :  if  Jesus  Christ  is  the  Object  of  my  own  faith,  hope, 
love ;  then  all  to  whom  He  is  the  same  are  my  fellow-servants 
to  be  courteously  entreated,  my  brethren  to  be  beloved.  A 
system  which  spiritually  exalts  valleys  and  makes  low  moun 
tains  and  hills  takes  no  more  account  of  inequalities  of  birth, 
breeding,  education,  than  of  those  roughnesses  on  an  orange  to 
which  in  proportion  to  her  magnitude  the  excrescences  of  our 
globe  have  been  likened.  "  If  there  be  therefore  any  con 
solation  in  Christ,  if  any  comfort  of  love,  if  any  fellowship  of 
the  Spirit,  if  any  bowels  and  mercies,  fulfil  ye  my  joy,  that  ye 
be  likeminded,  having  the  same  love,  being  of  one  accord,  of 
one  mind.  Let  nothing  be  done  through  strife  or  vainglory ; 
but  in  lowliness  of  mind  let  each  esteem  other  better  than 
themselves.  Look  not  every  man  on  his  own  things,  but  every 
man  also  on  the  things  of  others." 

Curiosity  is  starved ;  piety  fed  and  feasted.  Gossip  is 
indirectly  discouraged  by  a  contrary  model. 

"  The  testimony  of  Jesus  "  is  an  essential  characteristic  of 
true  servants  and  brethren.  Whatever  more  it  may  import,  it 
cannot  consist  with  less  than  neither  through  fear  nor  favour 
our  being  ashamed  of  Christ  and  of  His  words. 

From  a  fleshly  mind  vainly  puffed  up,  from  lack  of  natural 
affection,  from  respect  of  persons ;  Thou,  Lord,  Who  lovest 
us  all,  deliver  us. 

From  fastidiousness,  exclusiveness,  pride,  conceit;  Thou, 
Lord,  Who  condesctndest  to  us  all,  deliver  us. 

From  undue  curiosity,  vain  hankerings,  idle  words,  wasted 
irrecoverable  time;  Thou,  Lord,  Who  understandest  our 
thoughts  long  before,  deliver  us. 


442         THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP. 

From  false  fear  and  false  shame ;  Thou,  Lord,  Who  art  not 
ashamed  to  call  us  brethren,  deliver  us. 

Into  Thy  hands  I  commend  us,  for  Thou  hast  redeemed  us. 
Thou,  Lord,  Who  hast  redeemed  us  all,  for  Thine  own  sake 
sanctify  and  save  us.  Amen. 

"WORSHIP  GOD." 

Lord,  if  Thy  word  had  been  "  Worship  Me  not, 
For  I  than  thou  am  holier  :  draw  not  near  " — 
We  had  besieged  Thy  Face  with  prayer  and  tear 

And  manifold  abasement  in  our  lot, 

Our  crooked  ground,  our  thorned  and  thistled  plot  ; 
Envious  of  flawless  Angels  in  their  sphere, 
Envious  of  brutes,  and  envious  of  the  mere 

Unliving  and  undying  unbegot. 

But  now  Thou  hast  said  ;  "  Worship  Me  :  and  give 
Thy  heart  to  Me,  My  child  "  ; — now  therefore  we 
Think  twice  before  we  stoop  to  worship  Thee  ; 

We  proffer  half  a  heart  while  life  is  strong 
And  strung  with  hope  ;  so  sweet  it  is  to  live  ! 

Wilt  Thou  not  wait  ?     Yea,  Thou  hast  waited  long. 

"The  testimony  of  Jesus  is  the  spirit  of  prophecy." — By 
this  "  testimony  of  Jesus  "  I  will  (if  I  may)  understand,  as  in 
cluded  in  the  angelic  definition,  such  witness  as  all  Christians 
are  bound  to  bear,  and  all  good  Christians  do  bear  to  their 
Master. 

And  this,  although  St.  Paul  emphatically  intimates  that 
disciples  are  not  all  prophets.  For  whilst  a  spirit  of  prediction 
is  obviously  confined  to  a  few,  a  virtue  of  revelation  (if  I  may 
term  it  so)  is  diffused  throughout  the  area  of  Christendom. 
As  certain  believers  were  St.  Paul's  epistle  known  and  read  of 
all  men,  but  beyond  this  were  manifestly  "  the  epistle  of 
Christ "  ;  so  all  believers  should  be  and  may  be  epistles  of 
Christ,  instinct  with  His  Spirit,  stamped  with  His  image, 
exemplifying  His  Will.  As  St.  Peter  and  St.  John  could  only 
be  accounted  for  as  having  "  been  with  Jesus,"  so  should  it  come 
to  pass  with  any  and  every  Christian  in  the  face  of  the  world. 
One  who  cannot  be  so  much  as  a  teacher  of  babes,  may  yet  by 
Divine  Grace  become  a  lesson,  a  revelation,  bearing  on  eternity 
as  well  as  on  time :  such  were  even  the  least  gifted  of  our  elect 
fathers  and  mothers  before  us,  who  being  in  multitude  as  the 
stars  of  the  sky  and  as  the  sand  by  the  sea  shore  innumerable, 
"all  died  in  faith,  not  having  received  the  promises,  but  having 
seen  them  afar  off,  and  were  persuaded  of  them,  and  embraced 
them,  and  confessed  that  they  were  strangers  and  pilgrims  on 
the  earth.  For  they  that  say  such  things  declare  plainly  that 


THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP.  443 

they  seek  a  country/'  The  grace  of  our  probation  is  itself  a 
present  glory;  and  this  faithfully  lived  and  died  in  announces, 
prefigures,  guarantees  the  glory  of  future  final  acceptance  and 
perfection  :  even  as  the  face  of  St.  Stephen,  while  the  Council 
beheld  it  as  it  had  been  the  face  of  an  angel,  may  have  set 
forth  before  them  the  latent  aspect  of  those  who  shall  be  made 
equal  to  the  angels. 

"  Prophesy,  son  of  man." — And  Exekiel  prophesied  by 
promulgating  Divine  decrees ;  and  thereupon  the  answering 
dry  bones  prophesied  by  foreshowing  the  far-off  resurrection. 
Two  sorts  of  prophecy  independent  of  any  miraculous  con 
comitant  are  open  to  us  all :  to  declare  the  Will  of  God,  and  to 
do  it. 

Is  it  a  mistake  to  think  that  prophecy  (in  the  sense  of 
prediction)  may  often  address  us  when  we  fail  to  recognize  its 
voice  ?  Surely  the  "  Thou  shalt  not  "  of  the  Decalogue,  being 
an  expression  of  the  Almighty  Will,  may  be  not  merely  an 
injunction  but  also  a  prophecy  :  man  can  set  it  at  norght  in 
this  life,  but  not  in  the  next.  For  as  the  first  death  which  kills 
the  body  cuts  short  all  physical  possibility  of  image  worship, 
verbal  profanity,  Sabbath  breaking,  murder,  sensuality,  theft, 
lying  speech  ;  so  the  second  death,  which  destroys  both  body 
and  soul,  will  (as  a  probable  inference)  annul  any  power  to 
transgress  any  commandment  as  a  pleasurable  self-indulgence, 
whilst  not — alas  !  alas  ! — abating  one  jot  or  one  tittle  of  re 
bellious  will ;  so  that  lost  souls  hating  goodness  with  impotent 
undying  hatred  appear  like  tortured  bodies  under  the  influence 
of  curari,  all  the  more  excruciated  whilst  outwardly  paralyzed. 
Thus  sinners  sell  their  souls  for  that  which  as  a  gratification 
cannot  last,  but  turns  to  loathing  and  rancour.  Truly  a  vanity 
and  a  vexation  of  spirit. 

In  the  Egyptian  darkness  men  saw  not  one  another,  neither 
did  any  arise  from  his  place.  So  in  the  outer  darkness  thereby 
typified,  how  should  there  not  be  an  end  of  the  lust  of  the  eyes 
and  the  pride  of  life  ! 

Lord,  pardon  and  amend  us  whenever  we  doubt,  misunder 
stand,  misstate.  Suffer  us  not  to  go  astray.  Suffer  us  not  to 
mislead  each  other.  Whatsoever  we  be  enlighten  our  minds 
and  enkindle  our  affections,  for  the  honour  of  Jesus  Christ  our 
Redeemer.  Amen. 

Grant  us  such  grace  that  we  may  work  Thy  Will, 

And  speak  Thy  words  and  walk  before  Thy  Face, 
Profound  and  calm  like  waters  deep  and  still  : 
Grant  us  such  grace. 


441  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

Not  hastening  and  not  loitering  in  our  pace 
For  gloomiest  valley  or  for  sultriest  hill, 
Content  and  fearless  on  our  downward  race. 

As  rivers  seek  a  sea  they  cannot  fill 

But  are  themselves  filled  full  in  its  embrace, 
Absorbed,  at  rest,  each  river  and  each  rill  : 
Grant  us  such  grace. 

11.  And  I  saw  heaven  opened,  and  behold,  a  white  horse ; 
and  He  that  sat  upon  him  was  called  Faithful  and 
True,  and  in  righteousness  He  doth  judge  and  make 
war. 

This  vision  by  recalling  the  former  vision  of  the  white  horse 
and  his  rider  (ch.  vi.  2),  reminds  us  that  we  are  contemplating 
Him  Who  is  the  Same  yesterday  and  to-day  and  for  ever, 
"  greatly  to  be  feared  in  the  assembly  of  the  saints,  and  to  be 
had  in  reverence  of  all  them  that  are  about  Him.  O  Lord 
God  of  hosts,  who  is  a  strong  Lord  like  unto  Thee  ?  or  to  Thy 
faithfulness  round  about  Thee  ?  " 

[What  then  am  I  that  I  should  dare  speak  ?  or  how  shall  I 
dare  be  silent?  O  Lord  Jesus,  forgive  me  my  speech,  my 
silence.  "  Death  and  life  are  in  the  power  of  the  tongue."] 

It  is  wise  to  obey  in  fear,  foolish  to  fear  to  obey :  wfse  to 
worship  trembling,  foolish  to  tremble  instead  of  worshipping. 
A  talent  must  neither  be  misused  nor  laid  away  unused. 

"  He  .  .  .  was  called  Faithful  and  True." — "  O  Lord,  Thou 
art  my  God ;  I  will  exalt  Thee,  I  will  praise  Thy  Name ;  for 
Thou  hast  done  wonderful  things ;  Thy  counsels  of  old  are 
faithfulness  and  truth." — "  I  will  say  of  the  Lord,  He  is  my 
refuge  and  my  fortress :  my  God  ;  in  Him  will  I  trust.  .  .  . 
His  truth  shall  be  thy  shield  and  buckler." — "  It  is  a  good 
thing  to  give  thanks  unto  the  Lord,  and  to  sing  praises  unto 
Thy  Name,  O  Most  High  :  to  show  forth  Thy  lovingkindness 
in  the  morning,  and  Thy  faithfulness  every  night." 

In  the  former  vision  the  Rider  on  the  white  horse  "  went 
forth  conquering,  and  to  conquer,"  His  reward  with  Him,  His 
work  before  Him.  Now  because  He  "doth  judge"  as  well  as 
"  make  war,"  this  latter  war  seems  to  be  rather  of  extirpation 
than  of  conquest ;  the  carrying  out  of  a  righteous  sentence 
rather  than  a  subdual  and  receiving  to  amity  of  sometime 
enemies.  The  beginning  has  been  seen,  and  the  end  must  be 
seen. 

O  Lord  God,  Holy  and  True,  grant  that  in  the  Mount  of  the 
Lord  it  may  be  seen  by  us  Thy  servants  and  trembling  children. 
And  to  the  end  that  thither  at  last  we  may  attain,  now  give  us 


THE  FACE  OF  THE   DEEP.  4*5 

grace  to  use  this  embittered  world  as  our  mountain  of  myrrh 
by  self-denial,  our  hill  of  frankincense  by  self- oblation.  For  His 
only  sake,  the  Rock  of  Ages,  Jesus  Christ.  Amen. 

12.  His  eyes  were  as  a  flame  of  fire,  and  on  His  head  were 
many  crowns ;  and  He  had  a  Name  written,  that  no 
man  knew,  but  He  Himself. 

"  His  eyes  were  as  a  flame  of  fire." — Word  for  word  as  our 
Lord  revealed  Himself  in  the  first  vision  (ch.  i.  14):  then 
standing  (it  might  seem)  on  earth,  heaven  not  being  opened 
till  afterwards  (ch.  iv.  i).  Awful  in  His  Unchangeableness. 

His  eyes  did  see  our  substance  yet  being  imperfect.  Now 
they  see  it  worse  than  imperfect,  marred,  contorted.  At  the 
last  day  they  will  see  it  such  as  then  it  will  be.  Yea,  before 
the  beginning  they  have  foreseen  the  end.  Awful  in  His 
Unchangeableness. 

Lord,  suffer  not  awe  to  turn  in  us  to  slavish  fear,  nor  godly 
fear  to  degenerate  into  mistrust :  but  give  us  grace  fearing  Thee 
to  put  our  whole  trust  in  Thee  ;  fearing  Thee  much,  to  love 
Thee  much  mere.  For  Thine  own  sake,  Lord  Jesus,  Who 
lovest  us.  Amen. 

"And  on  His  head  were  many  crowns." — "And  a  crown 
was  given  unto  Him  "  (ch.  vi.  2).  The  Authorized  Version  in 
both  passages  gives  crown  or  crowns  :  the  Revised  crown  in 
the  earlier  chapter,  diadems  in  the  present  text.  This  distinction 
(which  my  ignorance  of  Greek  leads  me  to  adopt  on  trust) 
suggests  the  Victor's  Wreath  as  that  first  crown  :  when  Christ 
having  already  with  His  own  right  hand  and  with  His  holy  arm 
gotten  Himself  the  victory,  sets  forth  anew  conquering  and  to 
conquer  as  Captain  of  man's  salvation  ;  that  at  last  where  He 
is  there  all  His  faithful  ones  may  be  also. 

This  second  time  He  wears  many  "diadems"  indicative  of 
dominion.  He  is  no  longer  enrolling  recruits,  raising  an  army  : 
His  veteran  invincible  troops  are  mounted  ready  to  follow  Him 
(see  ver.  14). 

But  wherefore  "  many  "  diadems  ?  Lord,  when  I  cannot  adore 
Thee  in  knowledge,  in  ignorance  I  will  adore  Thee. 

Lord  Jesus,  Thou  art  God,  Alone  Supreme  in  absolute 
Supremacy.  As  God  I  worship  Thee. 

Thou  art  Man,  Whose  is  the  Human  Name  supreme  above 
every  name,  that  at  the  Name  of  Jesus  every  knee  should  bow. 
As  Man  I  worship  Thee. 

Thou  hast  created  all  things,  and  without  Thee  was  not  any 
thing  made  that  was  marie.  As  Creator  I  worship  Thee. 


446  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

Thou  hast  become  Man,  and  hast  taken  the  Manhood  into 
God  indissolubly  for  ever  and  ever.  As  the  Firstborn  of  every 
creature  I  worship  Thee.  , 

Thou  art  the  Wisdom  of  God  Whom  He  possessed  in  the 
beginning  of  His  way.  As  the  Divine  Wisdom  I  worship 
Thee. 

Thou  hast  made  Thyself  man's  wisdom.  As  my  only  Hope 
of  wisdom  I  worship  Thee. 

Thou  art  the  Word,  God  and  with  God.  As  the  Divine  Word 
I  worship  Thee. 

Thou  art  the  Word  speaking  to  us  as  never  man  spake.  As 
my  Teacher  of  absolute  authority  I  worship  Thee. 

Thou  art  the  Lord  Who  hath  declared :  My  ways  are 
not  your  ways.  Having  a  good  hope  because  of  Thy  word  I 
worship  Thee. 

Thou  art  the  Way  whereby  alone  man  cometh  unto  the 
Father.  A  wayfarer  liable  to  error,  beseeching  safeguard,  I 
worship  Thee. 

Thou  art  the  King  of  Heaven,  all  Whose  works  are  truth.  I, 
a  little  one  among  Thy  works,  worship  Thee. 

Thou  art  the  Truth  :  in  Thee  mercy  and  truth  are  met  to 
gether,  kindness  and  truth  are  shown  forth.  In  the  paths  of 
Thy  mercy  and  of  Thy  truth  I  worship  Thee. 

Thou  art  the  Living  God  into  Whrse  hands  it  is  a  fearful 
thing  to  fall.  Yet  calling  to  remembrance  the  former  days, 
to-day  while  it  is  called  to-day  I  worship  Thee. 

Thou  art  the  Life.  Thou  Who  hadst  power  to  lay  Thy  Life 
down  and  power  to  take  it  again,  Who  art  Life  manifested,  and 
Who  givest  Thy  flesh  for  the  life  of  the  world,  I  worship 
Thee. 

O  Thou  Who  hearest  prayer,  and  unto  Whom  all  flesh  shall 
come,  draw  all  my  brethren  and  all  my  sisters  and  myself 
not  outcast  from  their  gracious  company,  to  worship  Thee. 
Amen. 

"  And  He  had  a  Name  written,  that  no  man  knew,  but  He 
Himself." — This  gracious  revelation  corresponds  apparently 
not  with  any  previous  Apocalyptic  description  of  Christ  in 
Person,  but  rather  with  His  promise  to  "  him  that  over- 
cometh.  ...  I  ...  will  give  him  ...  a  new  name  written, 
which  no  man  knoweth  saving  he  that  receiveth  it  "  (ch.  ii.  17). 

By  many  Names,  by  many  Titles,  we  recognize  Him  now. 
Jesus,  Saviour  :  Christ,  Anointed :  Emmanuel,  God  with  us  : 
the  Good  Shepherd  seeking,  fetching  back,  dying  for  His 
sheep :  the  Good  Samaritan  healing,  nourishing :  the  Master 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  447 

teaching :  the  Lord  ruling,  providing,  instituting  :  the  Captain, 
but  of  salvation :  the  Chiefest,  but  girt  by  His  ten  thousand  : 
the  First-born  among  many  brethren :  the  Bridegroom  Who 
tarrieth,  Who  cometh  :  the  Lamb  of  Atonement :  the  Bread 
of  Life  :  the  Salvation  of  the  Cup  :  the  Vine  sap-diffusing  :  the 
Corn  of  Wheat  multiplied  after  its  own  likeness  :  the  Way  from 
earth  to  heaven  :  the  Door  of  access  to  the  Father :  the  Life 
to  all  who  living  and  believing  shall  never  die :  the  Resurrection 
and  the  Life.  "Lord,  now  lettest  Thou  Thy  servant  depart  in 
peace  ...  for  mine  eyes  have  seen  Thy  Salvation." 

Moreover,  we  recognize  all  saints  as  the  complement,  so  to 
say,  of  these  Names  as  ointment  "poured  forth."  In  divers 
lovely  degrees  of  grace  and  glory  they  are  saved,  have  the 
Unction  from  the  Holy  One,  walk  with  God,  are  sheep  who 
know  their  Shepherd's  Voice,  are  wounded  wayfarers  whom  the 
Good  Physician  heals  and  tends,  are  disciples  of  the  One 
Master,  servants  and  ministers  of  the  One  Lord,  crusading 
soldiers,  like-minded  courtiers,  brethren  beloved,  Virgins  who 
wait,  Brides  who  watch ;  they  are  accepted  through  the  Only 
Atonement,  are  made  partakers  of  the  Body  and  Blood  of 
Christ,  flourish  as  fruitful  branches  of  the  only  Vine,  ripen  as 
wheat  for  the  eternal  garner,  follow  Jesus  from  earth  to  heaven, 
enter  through  His  merits,  and  being  indissolubly  His  member?, 
have  part  in  the  first  blessed  resurrection  and  live  for  evermore. 
Ci  By  the  Name  of  Jesus  Christ  ...  for  there  is  none  other 
name  under  heaven  given  among  men,  whereby  we  must  be 
saved." 

"That  no  man  knew,  but  He  Himself." — St.  John  writes 
not,  That  no  man  shall  know ;  but  "  that  no  man  knew." 
God  alone  knoweth  the  limit  of  man's  future  knowledge. 

Meanwhile  it  is  a  Divine  and  comfortable  promise  that  when 
He  shall  appear  we  shall  be  like  Him,  for  we  shall  see  Him 
as  He  is.  Recognition,  then,  is  one  revealed  point  of  Christ- 
likeness  :  He  recognizing  us,  we  all  must  recognize  Him. 
And  because  "  every  one  that  is  perfect  shall  be  as  his 
Master,"  surely  that  supreme  beatific  recognition  involves  all 
congruous  blessed  recognitions  :  Christ  recognizing  us  all,  we 
should  so  far  be  un-Christlike  if  we  recognized  not  each  other. 

As  Israel  of  old  spake  unto  Joseph,  "  I  had  not  thought  to 
see  thy  face  :  and,  lo,  God  hath  shewed  me  also  thy  seed  " ; 
so  shall  all  saints,  monuments  and  miracles  of  Divine  Mercy, 
attest  no  less  in  the  supreme  day  of  union  and  of  reunion. 

Moreover  in  the  surpassing  rapture  of  that  day  recognition 
will  not  be  all :  discovery  likewise  (please  God  !)  awaits  us. 


443  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

As  one  has  strikingly  suggested  :  some  that  glanced  at  afar  off 
appear  stones,  when  viewed  close  at  hand  may  turn  out  to  be 
sheep.  God  all  along  has  beheld  them  as  sheep,  and  sheep 
they  were  :  the  misapprehension  (thank  God)  was  ours. 

To-day  I  read  "  Samaria"  ;  to-morrow  I  may  redecipher  the 
selfsame  letters  as  "  Sa.  Maria." 

Passing  away  the  bliss,  Clean  past  away  the  sorrow, 

The  anguish  passing  away  :  The  pleasure  brought  back  to  stay  : 

Thus  it  is  Thus  and  this 
To-day.  To-morrow. 

13.  And  He  was  clothed  with  a  vesture  dipped  in  blood: 
and  His  Name  is  called  The  Word  of  God. 

"  Wherefore  art  Thou  red  in  Thine  apparel,  and  Thy 
garments  like  him  that  treadeth  in  the  winefat  ?  I  have 
trodden  the  winepress  alone  ;  and  of  the  people  there  was 
none  with  Me :  for  I  will  tread  them  in  Mine  anger,  and 
trample  them  in  My  fury ;  and  their  blood  shall  be  sprinkled 
upon  My  garments,  and  I  will  stain  all  My  raiment.  For  the 
day  of  vengeance  is  in  Mine  heart,  and  the  year  of  My 
redeemed  is  come."  Thus  does  Isaiah's  prophecy  provide  as 
it  were  an  answer  to  St.  John's  revelation  :  between  the  twain 
the  Cross  of  Calvary  standing  forth  as  an  intermediate  fulfil 
ment  of  the  elder  prophecy  and  a  rehearsal  of  the  later 
revelation. 

Prophecy  couples  the  day  of  vengeance  with  the  year  of  the 
redeemed.  Visions  link  together  salvation  and  destruction. 
The  blessed  Cross,  with  on  either  hand  the  cross  of  a  male 
factor  hardened  or  penitent,  shows  forth  the  same  verity  in  a 
figure.  For  Divine  Mercy  is  not  contrary  to  Divine  Justice, 
neither  is  that  Justice  at  feud  with  that  Mercy. 

"  I  was  dumb  with  silence,  I  held  my  peace,  even  from 
good  ;  and  my  sorrow  was  stirred." 

"  Without  shedding  of  blood  is  no  remission."  None  the 
less,  "The  voice  of  thy  brother's  blood  crieth," — and  man's 
blood  shall  be  required  "  at  the  hand  of  man."  The  Red  Sea 
saved  whom  it  did  not  destroy,  and  destroyed  whom  it  did  not 
save. 

His  "vesture  dipped  in  blood"  seems  to  challenge  heaven 
and  earth:  "What  could  have  been  done  more  to  My  vine 
yard,  that  I  have  not  done  in  it  ?  " 

''His  Name  is  called  The  Word  of  God."— Whatever  that 
Other  Name  may  be  which  abides  hidden,  this  Name  reveals 
to  us  our  nearness  and  dearness  to  our  Heavenly  Father.  It 


THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP.  449 

is  His  good  Will,  His  gracious  pleasure  to  speak  to  us,  con 
verse  with  us,  maintain  intercourse  with  us.  Jesus  Christ  is 
the  Divine  Word  to  us  :  and  if  out  of  the  abundance  of  man's 
heart  his  mouth  speaketh,  much  more  fully  and  infallibly  God 
Omniscient.  Jesus  is  Truth,  Wisdom,  the  Word  :  "  O  God 
.  .  .  the  Lord  ...  I  am  not  worthy  of  the  least  of  all  the 
mercies,  and  of  all  the  truth,  which  Thou  hast  shewed  unto 
Thy  servant."  "  Lord,  if  it  be  Thou,  bid  me  come  unto 
Thee." 

We  need  everything  in  Christ,  nothing  out  of  Christ :  that 
is,  we  simply  need  Christ.  To  need  is  a  blessed  thing,  to 
lack  is  quite  a  different  thing.  "  O  fear  the  Lord,  ye  that  are 
His  saints  :  for  they  that  fear  Him  lack  nothing."  But  I  will 
not  be  content  to  fear  Christ  :  I  will  love  Him.  Amen. 

Because  Christ  being  Wisdom  is  the  Word,  and  being  the 
Truth  is  the  Word,  therefore  Christians  must  speak  words  of 
wisdom  and  truth,  or  else  must  keep  silence.  Yet  remember 
truth-telling  Balaam  and  his  end,  oracular  Ahithophel  and  his 
end  :  accuracy  without  charity,  or  astuteness  without  charity, 
profits  nothing. 

Gifts  become  a  curse  and  no  blessing  when  divorced  from 
graces.  Imagine  a  gift  of  tongues  without  either  wisdom  or 
truth  ! 

O  God  the  Son,  Who  being  the  Brightness  of  the  Father's 
Glory  and  the  Express  Image  of  His  Person,  art  to  mankind 
His  gracious  Word,  His  revealed  Truth,  His  imparted  Wisdom  ; 
grant  us  grace  to  speak  the  truth  in  love,  to  show  forth  meek 
ness  of  wisdom  ;  not  to  speak  except  truthfully,  not  to  be  wise 
except  unto  salvation.  From  idle  words  deliver  us,  O  Lord, 
from  wisdom  of  the  children  of  this  world  :  from  words  that 
may  do  hurt  deliver  us,  O  Lord,  from  wisdom  that  is  foolish 
ness.  From  all  which  Thou  acceptest  not,  to  which  Thou 
bearest  not  witness,  which  beareth  not  witness  unto  Thee, 
which  hath  not  praise  of  God,  deliver  us.  Amen. 

14.  And  the  armies  which  were  in  heaven  followed  Him 
upon  white  horses,  clothed  in  fine  linen,  white  and 
clean. 

In  the  former  vision  (ch.  vi.  2)  the  Rider  on  the  White 
Horse  went  forth  (so  far  as  we  read)  alone  :  now  the  armies  of 
heaven  follow  Him.  Thus  we  behold  and  adore  Christ  alone 
in  His  work  :  in  fellowship  in  His  triumph.  He  reappears 
clad  in  the  unique  glory  of  man's  redemption,  the  "vesture 
dipped  in  blood":  whilst  His  elect  follow  Him  all  alike 

F  F 


450  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

decked  in  the  joyful  glory  of  the  redeemed,  "  clothed  in  fine 
linen,  white  and  clean." 

As  one  reel  rose  in  a  garden  where  all  other  roses  are  white 

Blossoms  alone  in  its  glory,  crowned  all  alone 
In  a  solitude  of  own  sweetness  and  fragrance  of  own  delight, 

With  loveliness  not  another's  and  thorns  its  own  ; 
As  one  ruddy  sun  amid  million  orbs  comely  and  colourless, 

Among  all  others,  above  all  others  is  known  ; 
As  it  were  alone  in  the  garden,  alone  in  the  heavenly  place, 

Chief  and  centre  of  all,  in  fellowship  yet  alone. 

"  Followed  Him." — Cross-bearers,  crown-wearers.  "  If  any 
man  serve  Me,  let  him  follow  Me ;  and  where  I  am,  there  shall 
also  My  servant  be :  if  any  man  serve  Me,  him  will  My  Father 
honour." 

15.  And  out  of  His  mouth  goeth  a  sharp  sword,  that  with 
it  He  should  smite  the  nations :  and  He  shall  rule 
them  with  a  rod  of  iron :  and  He  treadeth  the  wine 
press  of  the  fierceness  and  wrath  of  Almighty  God. 

So  at  the  first  St.  John  beheld  Him  (ch.  i.  16)  with  a  sword. 
In  that  vision  we  are  certified  that  it  was  two-edged  as  well  as 
sharp  :  now  we  read  of  it  only  as  sharp.  During  man's  pro 
bation,  the  Divine  Sword  has  (so  to  say)  two  edges,  whereof 
one  wounds,  but  not  incurably;  yea,  wounds  with  the  very 
intent  to  heal :  as  St.  Paul  teaches  :  "  When  we  are  judged, 
we  are  chastened  of  the  Lord,  that  we  should  riot  be  con 
demned  with  the  world."  The  other  edge,  the  edge  of  extir 
pation,  hangs  all  along  suspended  over  our  heads  ;  yet  need 
never  fall  upon  us,  God  helping  our  own  earnest  endeavour. 

The  final  sentence  upon  incorrigible  sinners  is  as  the  fall  of 
that  fatal  edge.  Christ  All-Merciful  has  forewarned  us  what 
sort  of  life  leads  down  to  such  a  death  : — 

"  God  sent  not  His  Son  into  the  world  to  condemn  the 
world ;  but  that  the  world  through  Him  might  be  saved.  He 
that  believeth  on  Him  is  not  condemned :  but  he  that  be- 
lieveth  not  is  condemned  already,  because  he  hath  not  believed 
in  the  Name  of  the  only  begotten  Son  of  God.  And  this  is 
the  condemnation,  that  light  is  come  into  the  world,  and  men 
loved  darkness  rather  than  light,  because  their  deeds  were 
evil.  For  every  one  that  doeth  evil  hateth  the  light,  neither 
cometh  to  the  light,  lest  his  deeds  should  be  reproved." 

"Wide  is  the  gate,  and  broad  is  the  way,  that  leadeth  to 
destruction,  and  many  there  be  which  go  in  thereat." 

"  Every  tree  that  bringeth  not  forth  good  fruit  is  hewn  down, 
and  cast  into  the  fire." 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  451 

"  Many  will  say  to  Me  in  that  day,  Lord,  Lord,  have  \ve  not 
prophesied  in  Thy  Name?  and  in  Thy  Name  have  cast  out 
devils  ?  and  in  Thy  Name  done  many  wonderful  works  ? 
And  then  will  I  profess  unto  them,  I  never  knew  you  :  depart 
from  Me,  ye  that  work  iniquity." 

"  The  hour  is  coming,  in  the  which  all  that  are  in  the  graves 
shall  hear  His  Voice,  and  shall  come  forth  .  .  .  they  that  have 
done  evil,  unto  the  resurrection  of  damnation." 

"Every  idle  word  that  men  shall  speak,  they  shall  give 
account  thereof  in  the  day  of  judgment.  For  by  thy  words  thou 
shalt  be  justified,  and  by  thy  words  thou  shalt  be  condemned." 

"...  Except  ye  repent,  ye  shall  all  likewise  perish." 

"  Whosoever  shall  deny  Me  before  men,  him  will  I  also 
deny  before  My  Father  which  is  in  heaven." 

"Whosoever  shall  be  ashamed  of  Me  and  of  My  words,  of 
him  shall  the  Son  of  Man  be  ashamed,  when  He  shall  come 
in  His  own  Glory,  and  in  His  Father's,  and  of  the  holy 
angels." 

"  Except  ye  be  converted,  and  become  as  little  children,  ye 
shall  not  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  heaven.'' 

"  He  that  rejecteth  Me,  and  receiveth  not  My  words,  hath 
one  that  judgeth  him  :  the  word  that  I  have  spoken,  the  same 
shall  judge  him  in  the  last  day." 

"...  Which  devour  widows'  houses,  and  for  a  pretence 
make  long  prayers  :  these  shall  receive  greater  damnation." 

"  Take  heed  to  yourselves,  lest  at  any  time  your  hearts  be 
overcharged  with  surfeiting,  and  drunkenness,  and  cares  of  this, 
life,  and  so  that  day  come  upon  you  unawares." 

"...  With  the  hypocrites :  there  shall  be  weeping  and 
gnashing  of  teeth." 

"Then  shall  He  say  also  unto  them  on  the  left  hand, 
Depart  from  Me,  ye  cursed,  into  everlasting  fire,  prepared  for 
the  devil  and  his  angels  :  for  I  was  an  hungred,  and  ye  gave 
Me  no  meat :  I  was  thirsty,  and  ye  gave  Me  no  drink  :  I  was 
a  stranger,  and  ye  took  Me  not  in  :  naked,  and  ye  clothed  Me 
not  :  sick,  and  in  prison,  and  ye  visited  Me  not.  Then  shall 
they  also  answer  Him,  saying,  Lord,  when  saw  we  Thee  an 
hungred,  or  athirst,  or  a  stranger,  or  naked,  or  sick,  or  in 
prison,  and  did  not  minister  unto  Thee  ?  Then  shall  He 
answer  them,  saying,  Verily  I  say  unto  you,  Inasmuch  as  ye 
did  it  not  to  one  of  the  least  of  these,  ye  did  it  not  to  Me. 
And  these  shall  go  away  into  everlasting  punishment." 

"  He  shall  rule  them  with  a  rod  of  iron." — "  It  is  the  Lord  : 
let  Him  do  what  seemeth  Him  good." 


452  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

"HE  TREADETH   THE  WINEPRESS   OF   THE   FIERCENESS 
AND   WRATH    OF  ALMIGHTY   GOD." 

I  lift  mine  eyes,  and  see 

Thee,  tender  Lord,  in  pain  upon  the  Tree, 

Athirst  for  my  sake  and  athirst  for  me. 

"Yea,  look  upon  Me  there 

Compassed  with  thorns  and  bleeding  everywhere, 
For  thy  sake  bearing  all  and  glad  to  bear." 

I  lift  my  heart  to  pray  : 

Thou  Who  didst  love  me  all  that  darkened  day, 

Wilt  Thou  not  love  me  to  the  end  alway? 

"Yea,  thee  My  wandering  sheep, 
Yea,  thee  My  scarlet  sinner  slow  to  weep, 
Come  to  Me,  I  will  love  thee  and  will  keep." 

Yet  am  I  racked  with  fear  : 

Behold  the  unending  outer  darkness  drear, 

Behold  the  gulf  unbridgeable  and  near  ! 

"Nay,  fix  thy  heart,  thine  eyes, 
Thy  hope  upon  My  boundless  Sacrifice  : 
Will  I  lose  lightly  one  so  dear-bought  prize  ?  " 

Ah,  Lord  ;  it  is  not  Thou, 

Thou  that  wilt  fail  ;  yet  woe  is  me,  for  how 

Shall  I  endure  who  half  am  failing  now  ? 

"  Nay,  weld  thy  1'esolute  will 
To  Mine  :  glance  not  aside  for  good  or  ill : 
I  love  thee  ;  trust  Me  still  and  love  Me  still." 

Yet  Thou  Thyself  hast  said, 

When  Thou  shalt  sift  the  living  from  the  dead 

Some  must  depart  shamed  and  uncomforted. 

"Judge  not  before  that  day, 
Trust  me  with  all  thy  heart  even  tho'  I  slay : 
Trust  Me  in  love,  trust  on,  love  on,  and  pray." 

16.  And  He  hath  on  His  vesture  and  on  His  thigh  a  Name 
written,  King  of  kings,  and  Lord  of  lords. 

"On  His  vesture  and  on  His  thigh." — Herein  (if  I  may)  I 
discern  an  intimation  of  Christ's  Twofold  Nature.  As  He  is 
from  eternity  to  eternity  in  Himself  "  Equal  to  the  Father,  as 
touching  His  Godhead,"  so  is  He  throughout  that  same  eternity 
inalienably  and  supremely,  potentially  if  not  actually  "  King 
of  kings,  and  Lord  of  lords."  Before  any  kings  or  any  lords 
were,  beyond  human  faculty  of  expression  or  grasp  of  under 
standing,  the  All- Holy  Trinity  Was.  "  I  opened  my  mouth, 
and  panted.*'  Kings  bowing  down  as  bulrushes  before  Him, 
lords  at  the  beck  of  His  sceptre,  though  they  be  kings  in 
heavenly  places  and  lords  beyond  the  bounds  of  the  everlasting 
hills,  of  these  we  can  form  a  conception,  we  can  attest  the 


THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP.  453 

seemliness  of  their  adoration,  prostrate  with  them  we  can 
adore ;  but  the  antecedent  of  these,  of  such  as  these,  of  all 
creatures,  of  any  creature,  silences  us.  God  the  Son  is  King 
of  kings  and  Lord  of  lords,  and  on  His  thigh  the  Name  is 
written. 

Equally  "  on  His  vesture  "  is  that  Same  Name  written ;  on 
the  Nature  He  has  assumed,  on  the  Manhood  He  has  taken 
into  God.  For  although  He  was  made  a  little  lower  than  the 
angels  for  the  suffering  of  death,  yet  hath  He  "  by  inheritance 
obtained  a  more  excellent  Name  than  they." 

In  Eve,  the  mother  of  all  living,  man  desired  in  vain  to  make 
himself  like  God.  But  when  God  deigned  to  desire  with 
desire  to  make  Himself  like  Man,  He  spake  and  it  was  done  : 
and  all  desire  human  and  Divine  was  appeased. 

"  We  have  walked  to  and  fro  through  the  earth,  and,  behold, 
all  the  earth  sitteth  still,  and  is  at  rest." 

O  God,  the  God  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  Father  of 
Lights,  grant  unto  us  all  the  Spirit  of  Wisdom  and  revelation 
in  the  knowledge  of  Him.  Enlighten  the  eyes  of  our  under 
standing  that  we  may  know  the  hope  of  His  calling,  and  the 
riches  of  the  glory  of  His  inheritance  in  the  saints,  and  the 
greatness  of  His  power  to  usward.  Reveal  to  us  ever  more 
and  more  Christ  risen  from  the  dead,  and  set  at  Thine  own 
Right  Hand  in  the  heavenly  places :  Whose  dominion  is 
above  all  dominion,  and  Whose  Name  above  every  name.  In 
which  supreme  Name,  the  Name  of  Jesus,  we  shelter  our 
selves  and  plead  with  Thee.  Amen. 

O  everliving  God,  let  this  mind  be  in  us  which  was  also  in 
Christ  Jesus :  that  as  He  from  His  loftiness  stooped  to  the 
death  of  the  Cross ;  so  we  in  our  lowliness  may  humble 
ourselves  and  become  obedient  unto  death,  though  of  con 
straint  yet  likewise  willingly,  believing  and  obeying,  living  and 
dying,  to  the  glory  of  God  the  Father.  For  the  Same  Jesus 
Christ's  sake.  Amen. 

KING  OF  KINGS,  AND  LORD  OF  LORDS. 

Is  this  that  Name  as  ointment  poured  forth 

For  which  the  virgins  love  Thee  :  King  of  kings 
And  Lord  of  lords  ?     All  Seraphs  clad  in  wings  ; 

All  Cherubs  and  all  wheels  which  south  and  north, 

Which  east  and  west  turn  not  in  going  forth  ; 
All  many-semblanced  ordered  Spirits,  as  rings 
Of  rainbow  in  unwonted  fashionings  ; 

Might  answer,  Yes.     But  we  from  south  and  north, 

From  east  and  west,  a  feeble  folk  who  came 
By  desert  ways  in  quest  of  land  unseen, 


454  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

A  promised  land  of  pasture  ever  green 

And  ever-springing  ever-singing  wave, 
Know  best  Thy  Name  of  Jesus  :  Blessed  Name, 
Man's  life  and  resurrection  from  the  grave. 

17.  And  I  saw  an  angel  standing  in  the  sun ;  and  he  cried 

with  a  loud  voice,  saying  to  all  the  fowls  that  fly  in 
the  midst  of  heaven,  Come  and  gather  yourselves 
together  unto  the  supper  of  the  great  God ; 

18.  That  ye  may  eat  the  flesh  of  kings,  and  the  flesh  of 

captains,  and  the  flesh  of  mighty  men,  and  the  flesh 
of  horses,  and  of  them  that  sit  on  them,  and  the  flesh 
of  all  men,  both  free  and  bond,  both  small  and  great. 
This  elect  Angel  "  standing  in  the  sun  "  seems,  as  it  were, 
elder  brother  to  such  elect  souls  as  shall  prevail  to  ''dwell  with 
the  devouring  fire  .  '.  .  with  everlasting  burnings."     And  so 
the  description  of  such  souls  throws  lovely  light  (may  it  not  ?) 
on  the  character  of  this  and  of  all  angels. 

An  angel,  then,  walks  righteously  in  his  own  order  of 
perfection :  he  is  holy  because  God  is  Holy,  and  merciful  in 
homage  to  the  Divine  Mercy.  Loving  the  truth,  hating  a  lie, 
he  speaks  uprightly  whatever  word  is  put  in  his  mouth,  neither 
calling  bitter  sweet  nor  sweet  bitter.  Self  weighs  nought  with 
him,  the  equity  of  God's  perfect  Will  absorbing  his  will  and 
fulfilling  his  pleasure.  He  delights  not  in  destruction  for 
destruction's  sake,  yet  as  a  step  in  the  equal  ways  of  God  he 
delights  in  it :  nor  does  he  investigate  evil  for  evil's  sake,  but 
rather  as  an  agent  towards  the  bringing  in  of  Everlastino- 
Righteousness.  Thus  he  dwelleth  on  high. 

And  thus  by  grace  we  may  dwell  below  while  we  await  the 
call  to  go  up  higher. 

Nerve  us  with  patience,  Lord,  to  toil  or  rest, 

Toiling  at  rest  on  our  allotted  level ; 

Unsnared,  unscared  by  world  or  flesh  or  devil, 
Fulfilling  the  good  Will  of  Thy  behest : 

Not  careful  here  to  hoard,  not  here  to  revel ; 
But  waiting  for  our  treasure  and  our  zest 
Beyond  the  fading  splendour  of  the  west, 

Beyond  this  deathstruck  life  and  deathlier  evil. 
Not  with  the  sparrow  building  here  a  house : 

But  with  the  swallow  tabernacling  so 

As  still  to  poise  alert  to  rise  and  go 

On  eager  wings  with  wing-outspeeding  wills 
Beyond  earth's  gourds  and  past  her  almond  boughs, 
Past  utmost  bound  of  the  everlasting  hills. 

"To  all  the  fowls."— All,  apparently  the  clean  and  doubtless 
the  unclean,  must  obey  that  summons,  concur  in  that  act. 


THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP.  455 

No  man  can  count  on  an  eagle  as  his  devourer  :  it  may  be 
a  vulture.  Is  it  a  degradation  to  be  torn  piecemeal  by  a  carrion 
bird  ?  Worse  degradation  it  is  to  have  made  oneself  the 
carrion  it  gorges  upon. 

Alas  for  kings,  captains,  champions,  cavaliers,  freemen,  great 
men,  who  are  no  longer  those  excellences  at  all,  but  carrion  ! 
Alas  for  slaves  and  mean  men,  carrion  no  less  and  no  more ! 
All  carrion,  like  that  "  flesh  of  horses  "  which  in  this  catalogue 
appears  mixed  up  undistinguishedly  with  the  human  refuse. 

Before  the  beginning  Thou  hast  foreknown  the  end, 
Before  the  birthday  the  deathbed  was  seen  of  Thee  : 

Cleanse  what  I  cannot  cleanse,  mend  what  I  cannot  mend, 
O  Lord  All-Merciful,  be  merciful  to  me. 

While  the  end  is  drawing  near  I  know  not  mine  end ; 

Birth  I  recall  not,  my  death  I  cannot  foresee  : 
O  God,  arise  to  defend,  arise  to  befriend, 

O  Lord  All-Merciful,  be  merciful  to  me. 

19.  And  I  saw  the  beast,  and  the  kings  of  the  earth,  and 
their  armies,  gathered  together  to  make  war  against 
Him  that  sat  on  the  horse,  and  against  His  army. 

If  this  which  St.  John  now  sees  be  consequent  upon  that 
which  he  saw  in  a  former  vision  (ch.  xvi.  13—16)  where  we 
read  :"....  The  spirits  of  devils,  working  miracles,  which 
go  forth  unto  the  kings  of  the  earth  and  of  the  whole  world, 
to  gather  them  to  the  battle  of  that  great  day  of  God 
Almighty " — the  overthrow  of  so  huge  a  power  there  only 
to  be  anticipated  is  here  accounted  for  :  God  the  Almighty 
Son  heads  and  leads  His  army  to  destroy  the  destroyer.  Every 
day  and  all  day  the  Church  Militant  discerns  such  a  muster  of 
evil  ;  not  as  yet  does  she  discern  the  advance  of  that  heavenly 
host :  yet  because  the  things  which  are  seen  are  temporal, 
whilst  the  things  which  are  not  seen  are  eternal,  she  thanks 
God  and  takes  courage. 

She  always  did,  always  does,  always  will  thank  God  and 
take  courage.  Shall  I  be  the  one  traitor  in  her  councils,  the 
one  craven  in  her  camp  ?  God  forbid  ! 

And  what  after  all  can  Satan  and  his  legions  effect  against 
the  elect?  They  can  give  an  immortalizing  stroke  to  that 
flesh  and  blood  which  cannot  as  they  stand  inherit  the  kingdom 
of  God.  They  can  minister  incorruption  to  corruption.  They 
can  kindle  a  fire  which  will  turn  to  a  glory.  They  can  kill 
the  body,  but  cannot  cause  one  hair  to  perish.  They  can  dig 
a  grave,  but  cannot  bar  resurrection.  "Shall  not  all  these 


456  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

take  up  a  parable  against  him,  and  a  taunting  proverb  against 
him  ?  " 

20.  And  the  beast  was  taken,  and  with  him  the  false 
prophet  that  wrought  miracles  before  him,  with  which 
he  deceived  them  that  had  received  the  mark  of  the 
beast,  and  them  that  worshipped  his  image.  These 
both  were  cast  alive  into  a  lake  of  fire  burning  with 
brimstone. 

Brimstone  is  solid  sulphur,  sulphur  which  has  neither  been 
fused  nor  sublimated,  which  has  not  undergone  elevation  by 
fire,  which  abides  as  originally  it  was  of  the  earth  earthy.  Of 
sulphur  (see  Latham's  Dictionary)  I  read  that  it  is  an  "  ele 
mentary  substance  so  called ;  the  name,  unlike  the  majority  of 
similar  ones,  being  destitute  of  any  technical  termination 
indicative  of  its  character.  .  .  .  This  suggests  the  likelihood 
of  the  characters  of  sulphur  being  negative  rather  than 
positive."  Sulphur  thus  becomes  a  parable  of  mankind  in 
general  :  brimstone  of  any  in  particular  who  may  be  con 
demned  to  the  lake  of  fire.  Sulphur  is  not  evil  by  original 
constitution,  but  to  become  actually  good  it  needs  the  elevating 
action  of  fire;  not  consigned  to  the  puiifying  crucible  it 
remains  gross  though  capable  of  refinement :  capable  of 
refinement  yet  unrefined  it  is  at  last  condemned  as  fuel  to  the 
flame.  [I  mean  not  rny  little  parable  for  scientific  experts,  but 
for  verbal  dabblers  like  myself.] 

"  The  beast  was  taken,  and  with  him  the  false  prophet  "  : — 
bound  up  as  it  were  in  a  bundle  to  be  burnt.  "  Fear  not,  neither 
be  faint-hearted  for  the  two  tails  of  these  smoking  firebrands.'' 

O  Christ  Who  once  wast  condemned  that  we  might  never  be  condemned, 
pity  us. 

\Vho  once  enduredst  shame  that  we  might  never  fall  into  everlasting  con 
tempt,  pity  us. 

Who  once  wast  forsaken  of  all  that  we  might  never  be  forsaken  of  God, 
pity  us. 

Who  oncewastslain  that  we  might  never  die,  pity  us. 

Who  once  madest  Thy  bed  in  a  grave  that  we  might  not  come  short  of  a 
blessed  resurrection,  pity  us. 

O  Christ  Who  showest  us  hell  that  we  may  flee  from  it,  pity  us. 

Who  showest  us  heaven  that  we  may  thither  ascend,  pity  us. 

Because,  O  Christ,  we  deserve  condemnation,  pity  us. 

Because  shame  hath  covered  our  face,  pity  us. 

Because  many  times  we  have  forsaken  God,  pity  us. 

Because  we  have  destroyed  ourselves,  pity  us. 

Because  we  have  said  to  corruption  father,  to  the  worm  mother  and  sister,, 
pity  us. 

O  Christ  Who  knowest  and  we  know  not  the  depth  of  hell,  pity  us. 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  457 

Who  knowest  and  we  know  not  the  height  of  heaven,  pity  us. 
Joseph  yearned  over    Benjamin.     O  Christ,  Lord   God   Almighty,   Who 
hast  deigned  to  become  our  Brother,  pity  us.     Amen. 

21.  And  the  remnant  were  slain  with  the  sword  of  Him 
that  sat  upon  the  horse,  which  sword  proceeded  out 
of  His  mouth:  and  all  the  fowls  were  filled  with 
their  flesh. 

"  With  the  breath  of  His  lips  shall  He  slay  the  wicked." 

The  deceivers  are  cast  alive  into  a  lake  of  fire,  the  deceived 
are  slain  with  the  sword  :  "  With  Him  is  strength  and  Wisdom  : 
the  deceived  and  the  deceiver  are  His."  Thus  the  seducer 
being  incomparably  more  guilty  than  the  seduced,  incurs  a 
proportionate  doom ;  the  scale  of  condemnation  being  poised 
as  accurately,  equitably,  subtly,  as  even  the  scale  of  salvation. 

According  to  which  Divine  model  of  Justice  and  Mercy, 
Holy  Mother  Church  now  disciplines  or  would  fain  discipline 
her  children  :  "  Of  some  have  compassion,  making  a  differ 
ence  :  and  others  save  with  fear,  pulling  them  out  of  the  fire ; 
hating  even  the  garment  spotted  by  the  flesh." 

'•'And  all  the  fowls  were  filled  with  their  flesh." — "The  eye 
that  mocketh  at  his  father,  and  despiseth  to  o'bey  his  mother, 
the  ravens  of  the  valley  shall  pick  it  out,  and  the  young  eagles 
shall  eat  it "  : — a  proverb  with  a  natural  meaning  and  a  super 
natural  suggestion. 

The  end  of  all  things  is  at  hand.     We  all 

Stand  in  the  balance  trembling  as  we  stand  j 
Or  if  not  trembling,  tottering  to  a  fall. 

The  end  of  all  things  is  at  hand. 

O  hearts  of  men,  covet  the  unending  land  I 
O  hearts  of  men,  covet  the  musical, 

Sweet,  never-ending  waters  of  that  strand  ! 

W'hile  Earth  shows  poor,  a  slippery  rolling  ball, 

And  Hell  looms  vast,  a  gulf  unplumbed,  unspanned, 

And  Heaven  flings  wide  its  gates  to  great  and  small, 
The  end  of  all  things  is  at  hand. 

Earth  is  pre-eminently  that  rolling  stone  which  gathers  no 
moss.  She  has  treasure,  but  it  can  be  laid  up  in  heaven  only : 
she  has  a  harvest,  but  her  harvest-home  is  in  heaven. 


CHAPTER   XX. 

1.  And  I  saw  an  angel  come  down  from  heaven,  having  the 
key  of  the  bottomless  pit  and  a  great  chain  in  his 
hand. 

"  An  evil  man  seeketh  only  rebellion :  therefore  a  cruel 
messenger  shall  be  sent  against  him."  Not  that  I  dare  mis 
deem  of  this  avenging  Angel  as  tinged  with  any  taint  of  cruelty, 
but  only  as  merciless  when  God  All-Merciful  shuts  up  His 
loving-kindness  in  displeasure.  If  "  the  tender  mercies  of  the 
wicked  are  cruel,"  no  less  are  the  "  cruelties  "  of  the  righteous 
merciful ;  for  the  casting  away  of  all  evil  is  the  restitution  of 
all  things. 

Who  forged  that  chain?  Surely  the  dragon  himself.  So 
Goliath  furnished  the  sword  which  smote  off  his  own  head, 
and  Haman  reared  the  gallows  on  which  he  himself  came  to 
be  hanged.  Thus  we  are  self-bound  in  the  chain  of  sin  before 
God  tightens  it  upon  us  as  a  chain  of  penalty. 

"  O  God,  Whose  nature  and  property  is  ever  to  have  mercy 
and  to  forgive,  receive  our  humble  petitions;  and  though  we 
be  tied  and  bound  with  the  chain  of  our  sins,  yet  let  the  piti- 
fulness  of  Thy  great  mercy  loose  us  ;  for  the  honour  of  Jesus 
Christ,  our  Mediator  and  Advocate.  Amen." 

In  the  same  sense  that  "  God  made  not  death,"  made  He 
not  punishment. 

O  God  our  God,  Who  hast  no  pleasure  in  the  death  of  him 
that  dieth,  from  death  deliver  fleshly  sinners,  spotted,  stained, 
leprous,  hideous,  one  and  all  and  me  a  sinner. 

From  destruction  deliver  worldly  sinners,  clogged,  weighed 
down,  glued  fast  to  perishing  earth,  one  and  all  and  me  a 
sinner. 

From  the  bottomless  pit,  from  the  lake  of  fire,  deliver 
spiritual  sinners,  wilful,  rebellious,  defiant,  braving  vengeance, 
one  and  all  and  me  a  sinner. 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  459 

For  the  love  of  Jesus,  Who  laid  aside  His  Glory,  Who 
learned  obedience,  Who  was  crucified,  Who  made  His  grave 
with  the  wicked  and  with  the  rich  in  His  death,  for  love  of  one 
and  all  and  of  me  a  sinner.  Amen. 

2.  And  he  laid  hold  on  the  dragon,  that  old  serpent,  which 

is  the  Devil,  and  Satan,  and  bound  him  a  thousand 
years, 

3.  And  cast  him  into  the  bottomless  pit,  and  shut  him  up, 

and  set  a  seal  upon  him,  that  he  should  deceive  the 
nations  no  more,  till  the  thousand  years  should  be 
fulfilled:  and  after  that  he  must  be  loosed  a  little 
season. 

Truly  a  joyful  day  when  these  "  former  things  "  shall  come  to 
pass.  Meanwhile  if  it  was  not  for  Apostles  to  know  the  times 
and  the  seasons  which  the  Father  hath  put  in  His  own  power, 
how  much  less  for  me  ! 

The  date  is  hidden,  the  event  revealed :  the  date  therefore 
concerns  me  not  at  present,  the  event  concerns  me  at  once. 

But  what  ?  must  we  fall  a  helpless  prey  to  the  strong  raging 
dragon,  the  insinuating  serpent,  until  an  angel  secure  him  with 
chain  and  seal  and  the  lid  of  hell?  Not  so.  Even  now 
already  thou  hast  thy  chain  at  hand,  my  brother,  my  sister  :  I, 
if  I  will,  have  mine. 

"  Satan  trembles  when  he  sees 
The  weakest  saint  upon  his  knees." 

Prayer  is  a  chain  apt  presently  to  bind  him,  and  which  he 
cannot  snap;  prayer  which  links  earth  to  heaven,  human 
weakness  to  Divine  Strength,  me  (if  I  will),  even  me  to  my 
Redeemer.  Though  the  great  and  wide  sea  be  Leviathan's 
playground,  yet  to  him  and  to  his  habitation  alike  God  hath 
assigned  a  bound  by  a  perpetual  decree  so  that  neither  can 
pass  over  it. 

Lord  Jesus,  Who  Alone  makest  our  prayers  acceptable  to 
the  Father,  shelter  us  under  prayer,  hide  us  in  prayer,  give  us 
breathings  of  prayer  wherewith  to  quench  the  fiery  breath  of 
the  dragon,  wisdom  of  prayer  whereby  to  silence  the  lying 
subtilty  of  the  serpent.  Amen. 

Not  dragon  simply,  or  serpent  simply;  but  serpent-dragon 
to  be  fled  from  when  met  raging,  and  still  more  to  be  feared 
when  gliding  unobtrusively.  Not  a  novice,  but  an  "old 
serpent,"  surpassingly  subtil  when  Eve  encountered  him,  and 
having  now  the  accumulated  experience  of  thousands  of  years 
and  millions  of  victories. — Good  Lord,  deliver  us. 


460  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

"A  seal  upon  him,  that  he  should  deceive  the  nations  no 
more,  till.  .  .  ." — If  upon  himself ^  Cain's  mark  as  it  were.  If 
upon  his  prison,  then  we  are  reminded  of  the  irreversible  act 
of  Darius  :  "  A  stone  was  brought,  and  laid  upon  the  mouth 
of  the  den ;  and  the  king  sealed  it  with  his  own  signet,  and 
with  the  signet  of  his  lords;  that  the  purpose  might  not  be 
changed." 

Hell  has  no  bottom,  but  has  a  lid :  I  need  not  fall  in.  Hell 
has  indeed  no  bottom,  yet  has  it  one  only  exit  and  that 
upwards.  A  figure  to  me  of  the  folly  of  piling  sin  on  sin  in 
hopes  of  self-extrication.  To  cover  one  lie  by  a  second  lie 
thickens  the  lid  over  me. 

Lord,  grant  us  wills  to  trust  Thee  with  such  aim 
Of  hope  and  passionate  craving  of  desire, 
That  we  may  mount  aspiring,  and  aspire 

Still  while  we  mount  ;  rejoicing  in  Thy  Name 

Yesterday,  this  day,  day  by  day  the  Same  : 
So  sparks  fly  upward  scaling  heaven  by  fire, 
Still  mount  and  still  attain  not,  yet  draw  nigher 

While  they  have  being  to  their  fountain  flame. 

To  saints  who  mount,  the  bottomless  abyss 
Is  as  mere  nothing  :  they  have  set  their  face 
Onward  and  upward  toward  that  blessed  place 
Where  man  rejoices  with  his  God,  and  soul 

With  soul,  in  the  unutterable; kiss 

Of  peace  for  every  victor  at  the  goal. 

"The  thousand  years  ...  a  little  season." — I  can  com 
pute  a  thousand,  but  not  a  little.  The  thousand  years  I  might 
call  long  :  the  little  season  I  incline  to  figure  to  myself  as 
much  shorter.  Either  would  appear  brief  if  compared  with 
the  whole  of  time  ;  and  time  from  beginning  to  end  would 
itself  dwindle  to  mere  brevity  if  set  against  eternity.  Never 
theless  eternity  hangs  on  time.  "  Behold,  how  great  a  matter 
a  little  fire  kindleth  !  " 

The  thousand  years  of  exemption  are  to  be  "  fulfilled."  We 
read  not  that  the  little  season  of  final  horror  is  to  be  fulfilled. 
Perhaps  Divine  Compassion  may  cut  it  short ;  if  so,  it  appears 
in  harmony  with  Christ's  promise  :  "  For  the  elect's  sake  those 
days  shall  be  shortened." 

"  He  must  .  .  .  " — What  is  to  be  understood  by  this  must  ? 
an  irresponsible,  inflexible  fate  overbearing  the  Will  of  the 
Almighty  ? — Not  so  :  it  expresses  to  us  the  fiat  of  that  Al 
mighty  Will. — Shall  would  have  conveyed  the  same  without 
ambiguity. — Possibly  so  :  and  if  so,  a  surface  ambiguity  is  here 
superadded  for  my  profit. — How  should  it  profit  one?— By 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  461 

pressing  home  upon  me  to  acquiesce  in  any  case  and  to  trust 
in  every  case.  By  practising  me  in  discerning  truth  and 
eschewing  error. — But  suppose  the  other  should  be  the  true 
sense  ? — I  cannot  suppose  what  contradicts  everything  I  know. 
— But  suppose  it  for  argument's  sake. — I  will  not  even  for 
argument's  sake  suppose  that  to  be  true  which  I  know  to  be 
a  lie. 

4.  And  I  saw  thrones,  and  they  sat  upon  them,  and  judg 
ment  was  given  unto  them :  and  I  saw  the  souls  of 
them  that  were  beheaded  for  the  witness  of  Jesus,  and 
for  the  word  of  God,  and  which  had  not  worshipped 
the  beast,  neither  his  image,  neither  had  received  Ms 
mark  upon  their  foreheads,  or  in  their  hands ;  and  they 
lived  and  reigned  with  Christ  a  thousand  years. 

Lord  Jesus,  grant  us  grace  to  live  not  by  bread  alone,  but 
by  every  word  which  proceedeth  out  of  Thy  mouth. 

Grant  us  in  Thy  Revelation  to  see  as  it  were  thrones  where 
on  sitteth  that  word  which  Thou  hast  spoken,  and  which  is  to 
judge  us  at  the  last  day. 

Grant  us  to  understand  somewhat  and  to  obey  all.  Here 
am  I,  send  me. 

Grant  us  to  understand  somewhat  and  to  believe  all.  Speak, 
Lord,  for  Thy  servant  heareth. 

Remember  Thy  sigh,  Gracious  Saviour,  remember  Thy  word 
Ephphatha,  and  evermore  open  deaf  ears.  Amen. 

Glorious  as  is  the  lot  of  these  princes  and  peers  of  the 
Millennium,  I  yet  perceive  one  thing :  the  causes — secondary 
causes,  of  course  ;  the  primary  cause  being  Divine  gratuitous 
Love — the  secondary  causes  of  their  lofty  beatitude  are,  with  a 
single  exception,  within  the  reach  of  every  Christian  ;  of  whom 
not  one  need  pollute  himself  by  devil  worship  or  idolatry,  or 
need  befoul  his  mind  by  evil  thoughts,  or  his  will  by  evil 
choice,  or  his  hands  by  evil  deeds.  The  qualification  not 
open  to  all  is  the  being  "  beheaded  "  for  witnessing  their  good 
confession  •  and  this  qualification  was  not  bestowed  even  on 
St.  John  himself,  bosom  friend,  beloved  disciple,  true  witness 
(see  St.  John  xxi.  24)  though  he  was. 

To  be  excluded  with  St.  John  surely  excludes  not  from  the 
innermost  blessedness,  from  the  deepest  heart  of  Divine  Love. 
And  who  shall  realize  St.  John's  joy,  his  peace,  his  overflowing 
gratitude  and  unspoken  "  It  is  enough,"  when  he  realized  St. 
James  his  brother  as  fulfilling  every  condition  of  this  great 
exaltation  ? 


462  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

They  who  love  as  brethren,  they  who  love  neighbours  as 
self,  can  best  surmise  such  a  rapture. 

Souls  who  aspire  to  the  millennial  glory,  yet  who  involun 
tarily  fall  more  or  less  short  of  the  revealed  qualification,  may 
all  together  be  likened  to  the  spiral  tendril  of  a  passion-flower 
climbing  skyward,  each  curve  advanced  one  grade  in  approxi 
mation,  none  touching  the  goal.  Thus  some  confessors  have 
borne  prolonged  witness  in  instant  hazard  of  life,  and  some 
have  endured  bitterness  of  persecution  bitter  as  bitterness  of 
death,  and  some  have  taken  their  life  in  their  hands  to  reap 
the  mission  field,  and  some  have  sacrificed  earthly  prospects  to 
spiritual  fidelity,  and  some  have  offered  up  earthly  love  on  the 
altar  of  heavenly  love.  And  beside  or  below  this  galaxy- 
coruscate  resplendent  souls  who  laden  with  a  daily  Cross  have 
followed  Christ  in  weariness  and  painfulness,  in  vvatchings  and 
fastings  often,  in  poverty  submitted  to  with  Christ  or  assumed 
for  Christ,  in  that  contented  lack  of  all  things  which  is  their 
true  possession,  in  perfecting  work  of  patience,  in  self-abase 
ment,  self-forsaking,  self-oblation ;  and  amongst  them  behold 
unobtrusive  saints  who  rejoice  in  beds  of  loathsomeness  or  of 
agony. 

What  reward  shall  these  and  such  as  these  inherit  ?  What 
reward  shall  they  not  inherit?  O  Jesus  Christ,  King  of  Joy 
and  of  Glory,  bring  us  also  to  see  the  felicity  of  Thy  chosen, 
and  rejoice  in  the  gladness  of  Thy  people,  and  give  thanks, 
with  Thine  inheritance.  Amen. 

Unless,  which  let  me  not  for  a  moment  suppose,  the  dese 
cration  of  the  Jewish  Seventh  Day  preceded  the  consecration 
of  the  Christian  First  Day,  it  follows  that  two  "  Sabbaths " 
must  once  at  least  in  the  course  of  time  have  occurred  in 
undivided  succession.  Thus  (if  lawfully  I  may)  I  endeavour 
to  realize  to  myself  one  aspect  of  the  Millennium :  it  is  the 
closing  Sabbath  of  time,  scarcely  disjoined  from  the  permanent 
Sabbath  of  eternity ;  it  is  one  marked  fulfilment  of  that 
promise  to  the  Meek,  "  they  shall  inherit  the  earth."  Time 
receives  a  blessing  as  it  gives  place  to  more  blessed  eternity : 
for  "  Godliness  is  profitable  unto  all  things,  having  promise  of 
the  life  that  now  is,  and  of  that  which  is  to  come." 

"  But,  beloved,  be  not  ignorant  of  this  one  thing,  that  one 
day  is  with  the  Lord  as  a  thousand  years,  and  a  thousand 
years  as  one  day." 

"  Fulfil  her  week."  Leah  and  Rachel,  recognized  figures  of 
the  Active  and  Contemplative  Lives,  seem  consequently  to 
become  figures  of  Time  and  Eternity.  Each  claims  her  rights, 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  463 

the  week  of  each  must  be  fulfilled  :  Leah  takes  precedence  of 
Rachel,  Rachel  supersedes  Leah. 

Whether  we  speak  of  Leah  or  of  Time,  either  is  characterized 
by  craving,  aspiring,  unsatisfied  love  :  whether  of  Rachel  or  of 
Eternity,  either  is  characterized  by  satisfaction  of  love. 

Leah  herself  declares  her  fruitfulness  to  be  that  which  gives 
her  a  hold  upon  her  husband  :  similarly,  works  wrought  in  time 
secure  to  the  creatures  of  time  their  hold  upon  the  Divine 
Spouse.  Leah  said  :  "  Now  this  time  will  my  husband  be 
joined  unto  me,  because  I  have  born  him  three  sons.  .  .  . 
God  hath  endued  me  with  a  good  dowry ;  now  will  my  husband 
dwell  with  me,  because  I  have  born  him  six  sons."  How  in 
dissoluble  was  the  tie  thus  woven  between  them  Jacob  himself 
suggests  when  he  makes  his  last  bed  where  he  "buried 
Leah."  Time  passes  away,  but  the  result  of  Time  passes  not 
away. 

"  Her  children  arise  up,  and  call  her  blessed ;  her  husband 
also,  and  he  praiseth  her.  .  .  .  Give  her  of  the  fruit  of  her 
hands ;  and  let  her  own  works  praise  her  in  the  gates  " — please 
God,  the  gates  of  pearl. 

Time  passeth  away  with  its  pleasure  and  pain, 

Its  garlands  of  cypress  and  bay, 

With  wealth  and  with  want,  with  a  balm  and  a  bane, 
Time  passeth  away. 

Eternity  cometh  to  stay, 
Eternity  stayeth  to  go  not  again  : 
Eternity  barring  the  way, 

Arresting  all  courses  of  planet  or  main, 

Arresting  who  plan  or  who  pray, 
Arresting  creation, — while  grand  in  its  wane 
Time  passeth  away. 

"With  Christ  a  thousand  years."— Whilst  in  Thy  sight  a 
thousand  years  are  but  as  yesterday,  seeing  that  it  is  past ;  in  our 
sight  they  would  be  less  than  yesterday,  than  a  moment,  than 
the  twinkling  of  an  eye,  if  a  millennium  could  end  in  parting. 
If  after  knowledge  of  Thee  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ, 
if  after  having  known  Thee  our  Way  of  Righteousness,  saints 
could  at  last  be  severed  from  Thee,  they  would  indeed  be  of 
all  men  most  miserable.  As  now  foresight  of  death  straitens 
and  disenchants  life,  so  then  would  foresight  of  divorce  balk 
and  embitter  union.  If  in  order  to  hasten  and  have  done  with 
the  last  pang  even  downcast  Elijah  requested  for  himself  that 
he  might  die,  how  much  more  might  those ! 

Lord,  Good  Lord,  suffer  not  one  who  hath  had  knowledge 


464  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

that  Thou  art  Jesus,  ever  for  any  pains  of  life  or  death  to  fall 
from  Thee. 

To  know  and  love  God  in  this  mortal  life  argues  immortality. 

O  Lord,  fulfil  Thy  Will 

Be  the  days  few  or  many,  good  or  ill : 

Prolong  them,  to  suffice 

For  offering  up  ourselves  Thy  sacrifice  ; 

Shorten  them  if  Thou  wilt, 

To  make  in  righteousness  an  end  of  guilt. 

Yea,  they  will  not  be  long 

To  souls  who  learn  to  sing  a  patient  song : 

Yea,  short  they  will  not  be 

To  souls  on  tiptoe  to  flee  home  to  Thee. 

O  Lord,  fulfil  Thy  Will : 

Make  Thy  Will  ours,  and  keep  us  patient  still 

Be  the  days  few  or  many,  good  or  ill. 

5.  But  the  rest  of  the   dead  lived  not  again  until  the 

thousand  years  were  finished.  This  is  the  first  resur 
rection. 

"The  rest  of  the  dead" — prisoners  of  hope,  prisoners  of 
fear,  waiting  a  thousand  years,  waiting  thirteen  thousand 
moons :  years  which  will  terminate,  yet  which  in  some  sort 
are  already  the  beginning  of  the  endless  end;  moons  (if  I 
may  call  them  moons)  without  phases,  unchangeable,  irre 
vocably  fixed  ;  without  terror  for  the  prisoners  of  hope,  without 
hope  for  the  prisoners  of  fear. 

The  popular  saying  "  While  there  is  life  there  is  hope " 
implies  also  that  while  there  is  life  there  is  fear.  Hope  and 
fear  in  this  life  are  interdependent.  Indeed  hope  without 
fear  might  perhaps  be  viewed  no  longer  as  hope  but  rather 
as  longing  expectation,  fear  without  hope  as  desperate  antici 
pation.  But  during  probation  such  distinctions  are  beside  the 
question.  Fear  is  the  ballast  of  Hope,  Hope  the  buoy  of  Fear. 

O  my  God,  Who  demandest  of  us  patient  hope  and  trustful 
fear,  give  us,  I  beseech  Thee,  that  which  pleaseth  Thee : 
contented  fear,  resigned  hope,  unexhausted  patience,  all  based 
on  faith,  and  faith  itself  based  on  love.  For  Jesus  Christ's 
sake.  Amen. 

6.  Blessed  and  holy  is  he  that  hath  part  in  the  first 

resurrection :  on  such  the  second  death  hath  no  power, 
but  they  shall  be  priests  of  God  and  of  Christ,  and 
shall  reign  with  Him  a  thousand  years. 

"  Whosoever  will  save  his  life  shall  lose  it ;  but  whosoever 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  465 

shall  lose  his  life  for  My  sake  and  the  gospel's,  the  same  shall 
save  it," — said  once  our  Lord. 

These  "blessed  and  holy"  of  the  First  Resurrection  ex 
perience  this  privilege  in  its  plenitude.  Literally  they  fulfilled 
the  annexed  condition,  literally  does  God  fulfil  to  them  His 
promise.  "  On  such  the  second  death  hath  no  power,"  it  has 
no  hold  upon  them,  it  does  not  apply  to  them  :  thus  indeed 
are  the  children  free  ! 

Behold  the  host  of  men,  the  host  of  women,  yea,  even  the 
host  of  young  children  also,  who  on  such  wise  lost  life  and 
saved  it.  Once  over  them  devout  persons  made  great  lament 
ation,  a  grief  they  were  to  their  fathers,  a  pang  to  the  mothers 
that  bare  them,  for  love  of  them  brethren  and  sisters  sat  alone 
and  kept  silence,  for  love  of  them  kindred  faces  gathered 
blackness.  Now  and  for  evermore  these  are  they  whom  their 
brethren  praise,  whom  virgins  love,  with  whom  all  saints  claim 
kinship,  whom  fathers  bless,  and  because  of  whom  mothers 
forget  sorrow  for  joy  that  such  are  born  into  the  world,  the 
deathless  world. 

A  priest  must  of  necessity  have  somewhat  to  offer.  Where 
fore  well  may  they  be  priests  of  God  and  of  Christ,  who  have 
offered  themselves  and  have  kept  back  nothing.  Now  they 
who  kept  nothing  lack  nothing,  they  who  gave  all  receive  all. 
They  counted  the  cost,  and  having  counted  gave  their  all :  this 
better  all  which  they  receive  they  count  not  and  cannot  count. 

These  are  champions  of  hosts,  alphas  of  constellations. 
Their  consummate  §dory  lies  not  within  reach  of  every  man. 

Nevertheless  it  9  their  gift  which  is  exclusive,  not  their 
grace.  One  who  cannot  be  martyr  in  deed  may  yet  be  martyr 
in  will.  Man  recognizes  the  first  dazzling  company  :  our  God 
recognizes  (thank  God)  both  the  first  and  the  last.  "  Praise  ye 
the  Lord.  Praise  the  Lord,  O  my  soul."  "  Let  every  thing 
that  hath  breath  praise  the  Lord." 

"  They  shall  be  priests  .  .  .  and  shall  reign." — "  Melchizedek 
king  of  Salem  .  .  .  was  the  priest  of  the  Most  High  God." 
On  earth  kings  exercise  a  Royal  Priesthood  when  they  inter 
cede  for  and  bless  their  people:  Priests  a  Spiritual  Royalty 
when  they  rule  their  flocks  with  wisdom  and  self-postponement. 
Such  functions,  virtues,  dignities,  appertain  in  various  degrees 
to  all  superiors;  and  every  intercessor  (and  what  Christian 
is  there  debarred  from  intercession  ?)  becomes  so  far  a  superior. 
"  Covet  earnestly  the  best  gifts/''  and  secure  them  by  the  "  more 
excellent  way." 

O  Jesus  Christ,  the  Great  High  Priest,  Who  knowest  all  and 

G  G 


466  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 


lovest  all,  give  unto  each  one  of  us  grace  to  shine  as  Thy  spark, 
Thy  flame,  Thy  conflagration,  as  best  may  please  Thee,  and 
best  may  glorify  Thee.  We  are  called  by  Thy  Name  and  lack 
nothing,  we  are  dear  unto  Thee  and  it  is  enough. 

Yea,  blessed  and  holy  is  he  that  hath  part  in  the  First  Resurrection  ! 

We  mark  well  his  bulwarks,  we  set  up  his  tokens,  we  gaze  even  we 
On  this  lustre  of  God  and  of  Christ,  this  creature  of  flawless  perfection  : 
Yea,  blessed  and  holy  is  he. 

But  what?  an  offscouring  of  earth,  a  wreck  from  the  turbulent  sea, 
A  bloodstone  unflinchingly  hewn  for  the  Temple's  eternal  erection, 

One  scattered  and  peeled,  one  sifted  and  chastened  and  scourged  and  set 

free  ? 

Yea,  this  is  that  worshipful  stone  of  the  Wise  Master  Builder's  election, 
Yea,  this  is  that  King  and  that  Priest  where  all  Hallows  bow  down  the 

knee, 

Yea,  this  man  set  nigh  to  the  Throne  is  Jonathan  of  David's  detection, 
Yea,  blessed  and  holy  is  he. 

7.  And  when  the  thousand  years  are  expired,  Satan  shall 

be  loosed  out  of  his  prison, 

8.  And  shall  go  out  to  deceive  the  nations  which  are  in  the 

four  quarters  of  the  earth,  Gog  and  Magog,  to  gather 
them  together  to  battle :  the  number  of  whom  is  as  the 
sand  of  the  sea. 

As  Satan  went  in,  so  comes  he  out :  a  liar  and  the  father  of 
lies ;  a  murderer  from  the  beginning  and  to  the  end. 

He  is  loosed  but  not  freed.  He  appears  lord  of  sin  :  but 
like  the  whole  wretched  rabble  of  his  fellow-sinners  he  too  is 
merely  servant  of  that  sin  to  which  he  obeys. 

The  wages  of  sin  is  death  :  to  penitence  the  first  death,  to 
impenitence  the  second  death.  "  The  sting  of  death  is  sin ; 
and  the  strength  of  sin  is  the  law.  But  thanks  be  to  God, 
which  giveth  us  the  victory  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. :' 

God's  chastisement  is  always  good  :  my  response  may  be 
either  good  or  evil.  On  what  does  my  response  depend  ?  on 
my  own  will. 

Lord  Jesus,  Who  didst  so  bind  Thyself  with  cords  of  love, 
that  having  saved  others  Thyself  Thou  couldst  not  save  :  con 
straining  us  by  love  save  us. 

Thou  Who  wast  bound  and  led  captive  by  wicked  men, 
agents  of  the  devil :  by  Thy  captivity  free  us. 

Bind  us  if  Thou  wilt ;  but  tenderly  as  in  Thine  own  swaddling 
bands,  guards  of  weakness,  screens  from  peril.  Amen. 

That  thousand  years'  imprisonment  wrought  no  reformation  : 
therefore  hell  ensued. 

The  thousand  years  of  paralyzed  wickedness  seem  on  coin- 


THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP.  467 

parison  better  rather  than  worse  than  the  little  season  of 
rampant  wickedness ; — I  mean,  even  as  regards  the  wicked 
one.  By  inference  :  hell  itself  in  all  its  horror  may  so  far  be 
better  than  ante-hell. 

[Nevertheless: — From  fancied  wisdom,  presumptuous  guesses, 
vain  speculations,  unauthorized  conclusions,  Good  Lord,  deliver 
all,  deliver  me.] 

A  spiritual-minded  and  very  dear  person  once  suggested  to 
me  (and  to  me  the  suggestion  was  new  and  unheard  of)  that 
this  final  insurrection  of  Gog  and  Magog  seduced  and  stirred 
up  by  diabolical  deceit,  may  not  be  as  heretofore  a  rebellion 
of  the  living ;  but  rather  a  closing  death-struggle  of  the  already- 
dead,  occurring  in  the  interval  between  the  first  and  the  second 
death.  My  friend  dropped  no  more  than  a  very  few  words,  but 
thus  I  attempt  to  state  her  idea.  Years  ago  she  went  home 
from  shadows  to  substances,  and  happy  should  I  be  were  I  a 
mirror  to  others  of  some  of  her  wisdom.  Only  let  not  errors 
of  mine  be  imputed  to  her. 

Contemplating  the  text  under  such  a  borrowed  light,  the 
deceit  may  apparently  consist  not  in  sophistries  such  as  erst 
entrapped  the  living  fool  to  say  in  his  heart,  There  is  no  God ; 
but  in  equally  futile  sophistries  now  encouraging  the  creature 
to  a  trial  of  strength  with  its  Creator :  a  much  more  desperate 
undertaking  than  if  earth  should  so  challenge  the  sun. 

As  such  a  scheme,  however,  trenches  upon  interpretation,  I 
pursue  it  no  further,  except  to  note  how  vividly  it  sets  before 
me  that  he  who  dies  a  rebel  rises  a  rebel ;  and  that  lost  souls 
are  punished  not  for  sins  left  behind,  but  for  sin  clung  to, 
persisted  in,  chosen  with  unrelaxed,  inflexible  choice. 

Ezekiel  in  three  successive  chapters  (xxxvii.,  xxxviii.,  xxxix.) 
sets  before  us  in  vision  or  in  prophecy  a  resurrection  to  life  of 
perished  Israel,  and  an  upsurging  and  destruction  of  Gog  with 
his  hosts  of  Magog.  However  these  three  chapters  may  admit 
of  a  previous  temporal  interpretation,  they  exhibit  no  less  a 
vivid  symbol  of  events  which  will  close  time  and  open  eternity. 

That  there  is  difference  as  well  as  likeness  between  these  two- 
revelations  touching  Gog  and  Magog,  is  suggested  by  Ezekiel's 
Gog  and  Magog  being  derived  expressly  "out  of  the  north 
parts,"  whilst  St.  John's  muster  from  "  the  four  quarters  of  the 
earth."  The  first  host  is  a  multitude,  the  second  a  multitude 
of  multitudes  :  and  even  of  the  former  it  is  predicted  :  "Thou 
shalt  ascend  and  come  like  a  storm,  thou  shalt  be  like  a  cloud 
to  cover  the  land,  thou,  and  all  thy  bands,  and  many  people 
with  thee." 


468  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

"  The  number  of  whom  is  as  the  sand  of  the  sea." — Nearly 
the  same  simile  is  used  of  faithful  Abraham's  descendants  : 
"As  the  sand  which  is  by  the  sea  shore  innumerable."  So  that 
sand  which  is  neither  good  nor  evil,  by  being  compared  to 
something  good  and  to  something  evil  indifferently,  reminds  us 
once  more  how  a  simile  is  not  a  proof,  neither  is  an  illustration 
evidence. 

I  in  my  degree  must  bear  this  in  mind.  Sand  may  curb 
excursiveness,  but  cannot  serve  for  a  foundation. 

"  Fear  ye  not  Me  ?  saith  the  Lord  :  will  ye  not  tremble  at 
My  presence,  which  have  placed  the  sand  for  the  bound  of  the 
sea  by  a  perpetual  decree,  that  it  cannot  pass  it?" — "Every 
one  that  heareth  these  sayings  of  Mine,  and  doeth  them  not, 
shall  be  likened  unto  a  foolish  man,  which  built  his  house 
upon  the  sand  :  and  the  rain  descended,  and  the  floods  came, 
and  the  winds  blew,  and  beat  upon  that  house ;  and  it  fell : 
and  great  was  the  fall  of  it." — "The  sand  [is]  weighty,"  says  the 
Proverb. 

9.  And  they  went  up  on  the  breadth  of  the  earth,  and 
compassed  the  camp  of  the  saints  about,  and  the 
beloved  city:  and  fire  came  down  from  God  out  of 
heaven,  and  devoured  them. 

"  If  it  had  not  been  the  Lord  Who  was  on  our  side,  now  may 
Israel  say ;  if  it  had  not  been  the  Lord  Who  was  on  our  side, 
when  men  rose  up  against  us  :  then  they  had  swallowed  us  up 
quick,  when  their  wrath  was  kindled  against  us  :  then  the 
waters  had  overwhelmed  us,  the  stream  had  gone  over  our 
soul :  then  the  proud  waters  had  gone  over  our  soul.  Blessed 
be  the  Lord,  Who  hath  not  given  us  as  a  prey  to  their  teeth." 

"On  the  breadth  of  the  earth." — Hast  thou  perceived  the 
breadth  of  the  earth  ?  declare  if  thou  knowest  it  all."  Broad 
yet  finite :  narrower  than  a  hairbreadth  by  comparison  with 
infinity.  "  I  see  that  all  things  come  to  an  end :  but  Thy 
commandment  is  exceeding  broad." 

"The  camp  of  the  saints." — For  the  last  time  we  thus 
behold  the  Church  Militant ;  shortly  she  will  reappear  as  the 
Church  Triumphant :  for  the  last  time  terrible  as  an  army  with 
banners ;  then  and  for  evermore  fair  as  the  moon,  clear  as  the 
sun. 

The  saints  form  a  camp,  but  we  perceive  not  that  at 
this  juncture  they  fight.  It  may  be  that  like  their  Divine 
Captain  they  neither  strive  nor  cry;  but  now  are  called  to 
stand  still  and  see  the  salvation  of  God,  as  Israel  once  on  the 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  469 

Red  Sea  coast  awaited  deliverance.  "Vengeance  is  Mine;  I 
will  repay,  saith  the  Lord."  Having  done  all,  they  stand. 

All  along  their  weapons  had  been  superhuman,  their  warfare 
spiritual,  not  carnal.  They  fought  the  battles  of  the  Lord  not 
only  to  save  their  own  souls  alive,  but  likewise  so  far  as  in 
them  lay  to  subdue  the  adversaries  to  His  obedience ;  in 
themselves  and  in  all  mankind  aiming  to  promote  the  Divine 
glory  and  supremacy.  Theirs  was  a  long-drawn  fight  in  hope 
and  charity,  in  faith,  zeal,  and  obedience.  It  may  be  that  as 
to  any  active  agency  they  are  mercifully  exempted  from  the 
war  of  extermination. 

"The  beloved  city."—"  The  Lord  loveth  the  gates  of  Zion 
more  than  all  the  dwellings  of  Jacob.  Glorious  things  are 
spoken  of  thee,  O  city  of  God."  "  The  Lord  hath  chosen 
Zion  ;  He  hath  desired  it  for  His  habitation.  This  is  My  rest 
for  ever  :  here  will  I  dwell ;  for  I  have  desired  it." 

"  Fire  came  down  from  God  out  of  heaven,  and  devoured 
them." — Nevertheless,  why  will  we  die  ?  Fire  from  heaven 
once  reclaimed  an  apostate  nation ;  once  carried  up  a  saint  by 
a  whirlwind  into  heaven.  This  day  is  still  the  day  of  salvation  ; 
there  is  yet  time,  there  is  yet  room.  Why  will  we  die  ?  If  we 
die  it  is  by  our  own  obstinacy. 

O  Merciful  Lord  God,  O  Lord  most  Merciful,  so  replenish 
us  with  grace  that  whatever  else  may  be  hidden  from  us  we 
may  always  everywhere  and  in  all  things  discern  Thy  mercy. 
For  if  being  Truth  Thou  canst  not  deny  Thyself,  neither  being 
Love  canst  Thou  be  other  than  Thyself.  In  which  Thine 
Unchangeableness  grant  us  quiet  hearts,  assurance  of  holy 
hope,  peace,  patient  confidence  of  love.  For  Jesus  Christ's 
sake,  Who  is  our  All  in  all.  Amen. 

For  folly  give  us  wisdom,  Good  Lord,  for  heart  of  stone 
heart  of  flesh,  for  rebellion  loyalty,  for  sin  righteousness,  for 
death  resurrection,  for  mortal  life,  life  immortal.  Good  Lord, 
for  Thine  own  sake.  Amen. 

Sodom  perished  by  fire  for  pride,  fulness,  idleness,  neglect 
of  the  poor,  haughtiness,  depravity  :  from  crying  sin  and  signal 
punishment,  Good  Lord,  deliver  us,  as  Thou  didst  deliver 
righteous  Lot  vexed  of  soul. 

Nadab  and  Abihu  perished  by  fire  for  offering  strange  fire  : 
from  presumption  and  sacrilege,  from  fellowship  in  evil  and  not 
in  good,  Good  Lord,  deliver  us. 

Certain  Israelites  perished  by  fire  for  murmuring  in  the 
wilderness  :  from  thankless  discontent,  Good  Lord,  deliver  us. 

Two  hundred  and  fifty  Levites  perished  by  fire  for  invading 


470  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

the  Priest's  Office  :  from  exceeding  our  rights  and  outstepping 
our  order,  Good  Lord,  deliver  us. 

Two  Captains  of  Fifty  for  slighting  a  Prophet  perished  by 
fire  with  their  Fifties  :  from  like  sin  and  like  destruction,  Good 
Lord,  deliver  us,  as  Thou  didst  deliver  with  his  Fifty  the  third 
Captain  humbling  himself  and  deprecating  wrath. 

10.  And  the  devil  that  deceived  them  was  cast  into  the 
lake  of  fire  and  brimstone,  where  the  beast  and  the 
false  prophet  are,  and  shall  be  tormented  day  and 
night  for  ever  and  ever. 

"The  getting  of  treasures  by  a  lying  tongue  is  a  vanity  tossed 
to  and  fro  of  them  that  seek  death." 

Did  Satan  then  seek  death  ?  Yes,  even  if  he  named  not 
death  that  which  he  sought.  He  sought  not  life  :  and  there 
upon  seeking  somewhat  he  sought  death.  A  fearful  parallel 
holds  good  :  as  he,  so  we,  if  we  seek  not  life  seek  death. 

O  Christ  our  only  Life,  our  Life  immortal,  Who  of  old  hast 
declared,  "  I  am  found  of  them  that  sought  Me  not "  ;  say  to  us 
also  "Behold  Me,  behold  Me,"  and  with  the  word  give  the 
grace.  So  shall  we  not  die  but  live  and  declare  Thy  works,  O 
Lord  :  so  with  all  living  shall  we  praise  Thee  as  I  do  this  day. 
Amen. 

Satan  is  "  that  old  serpent "  ;  and  in  the  serpent  tribe  we 
observe  ghastly,  loathly,  emblematic  likenesses  of  Satan.  Con 
strictors  some  of  them,  some  vessels  of  venom  ;  flat  heads, 
unemotional  eyes,  forked  darting  tongues  are  amongst  them  : 
silent,  insinuating,  gliding,  they  are  upon  us  before  we  know 
that  they  are  near.  Yet  of  all  living  creatures  which  my 
memory  records  no  one  in  Satanic  suggestion  approaches,  to 
my  own  thinking,  the  octopus. 

One  single  small  octopus  in  an  aquarium  is  all  I  have  seen. 
It  had  a  fascination  for  me.  Inert  as  it  often  appeared,  it  bred 
and  tickled  a  perpetual  suspense  :  will  it  do  something  ?  will  it 
emerge  from  the  background  of  its  water  den  ?  I  have  seen  it 
swallow  its  live  prey  in  an  eyewink,  change  from  a  stony  colour 
to  an  appalling  lividness,  elongate  unequal  feelers  and  set  them 
flickering  like  a  flame,  sit  still  with  an  air  of  immemorial  old 
age  amongst  the  lifeless  refuse  of  its  once  living  meals.  I  had 
to  remind  myself  that  this  vivid  figure  of  wickedness  was  not  in 
truth  itself  wickedness. 

"  Where  the  beast  and  the  false  prophet  are." — "  Art  thou 
also  become  weak  as  we  :  art  thou  become  like  unto  us  ?  " 

Recognition  appears  no  less  essential  to  the  rancorous  horror 


THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 


of  hell  than  to  the  felicity  of  heaven.  Recognition  points  and 
clenches  hatred  as  well  as  love.  If  so  be  they  are  immured 
eternally  together,  what  other  soul  could  be  to  Caiaphas  as 
Judas,  or  to  Judas  as  Caiaphas  ?  or  to  the  Pharisee  as  his  own 
twofold  more  child  of  hell,  or  to  that  child  as  that  Pharisee  ? 

Alas  for  seducer  and  seduced  who  once  called  their  bond 
love,  and  behold  it  is  loathing  !  "  Day  and  night  for  ever  and 
ever." 

11.  And  I  saw  a  great  white  Throne,  and  Him  that  sat  on 
it,  from  Whose  Face  the  earth  and  the  heaven  fled 
away ;  and  there  was  found  no  place  for  them. 

"  Great,"  and  all  other  thrones  are  as  footstools  before  it : 
*l  white,"  for  it  is  the  tribunal  of  absolute  equity.  "  Fear  before 
Him,  all  the  earth."  "  And  I  will  wait  on  Thy  Name;  for  it 
is  good  before  Thy  saints." 

This  fleeing  away  of  earth  and  heaven,  of  irresponsible 
nature,  may  serve  as  a  symbol  how  neutrality  (if  in  truth 
neutrality  can  be  said  ever  to  have  existed)  will  be  abolished 
at  the  last  day.  Either  the  Right  Hand  or  the  Left,  no  middle 
region  :  either  saint  or  reprobate,  no  mixed  character. 

Where  two  bodies  touch  the  dividing  line  is  imaginary. 

Earth,  heaven,  neutrals:  "there  was  found  no  place  for 
them." 

O  Christ  our  God,  inasmuch  as  Thy  sacred  footsteps  con 
ferred  not  perpetuity  on  this  present  earth,  let  us  not  harbour 
a  grudge  because  endeared  familiar  places  must  one  day  know 
us  no  more. 

O  Christ  our  God,  inasmuch  as  Thy  triumphant  Ascension 
conferred  not  perpetuity  on  the  heaven  that  now  is,  let  us  not 
lose  patience  while  we  await  the  unseen  heaven  Thou  preparest 
for  them  that  love  Thee. 

Lift  up  thine  eyes  to  seek  the  invisible  : 

Stir  up  thy  heart  to  choose  the  still  unseen  : 
Strain  up  thy  hope  in  glad  perpetual  green 

To  scale  the  exceeding  height  where  all  saints  dwell. 

— Saints,  is  it  well  with  you? — Yea,  it  is  well. — 

"Where  they  have  reaped,  by  faith  kneel  thou  to  glean  : 
liecause  they  stooped  so  low  to  reap,  they  lean 

Now  over  golden  harps  unspeakable. 

— But  thou  purblind  and  deafened,  knowest  thou 
Those  glorious  beauties  unexperienced 
By  ear  or  eye  or  by  heart  hitherto  ? — 

I  know  Whom  I  have  trusted  :  wherefore  now 
All  amiable,  accessible  tho'  fenced, 
Golden  Jerusalem  floats  full  in  view. 


4/2  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

That  which  one  faces,  modifies,  and  is  reflected  from  the 
face. 

Alas  !  what  fire  is  it  which  flushes  the  world's  face  to  an 
"  angry  and  brave  "  rose  ? 

The  Church  Militant  exhibits  a  pale,  ascetic  face,  because 
the  pale  forecast  of  the  "  Great  White  Throne  "  abides  upon  it. 
A  light  heart  is  not  for  her,  but  rather  the  weight  of  an  ever- 
conscious  responsibility.  Idle  words  are  not  for  her,  for  of 
such  an  account  must  be  given  in  the  Day  of  Judgment. 
Revellings  and  such  like  are  not  for  her,  for  though  one  eat  and 
drink  to-morrow  he  must  die.  Her  courage  is  curbed  by  fear, 
her  fear  spurred  by  courage.  She  lifts  not  up  her  face  to  a 
window,  neither  cries  she  to  an  arm  of  flesh,  Who  is  on  my 
side  ?  who  ?  But  she  lifts  up  her  eyes  to  the  unearthly  hills 
from  whence  cometh  her  help,  even  from  the  Lord  Who  hath 
made  heaven  and  earth. 

"  It  is  better  to  go  to  the  house  of  mourning,  than  to  go  to 
the  house  of  feasting  :  for  that  is  the  end  of  all  men  ;  and  the 
living  will  lay  it  to  his  heart.  Sorrow  is  better  than  laughter  : 
for  by  the  sadness  of  the  countenance  the  heart  is  made  better. 
The  heart  of  the  wise  is  in  the  house  of  mourning  :  but  the 
heart  of  fools  is  in  the  house  of  rnirth.  It  is  better  to  hear 
the  rebuke  of  the  wise,  than  for  a  man  to  hear  the  song  of 
fools.  For  as  the  crackling  of  thorns  under  a  pot,  so  is  the 
laughter  of  the  fool :  this  also  is  vanity." 

12.  And  I  saw  the  dead,  small  and  great,  stand  before 
God ;  and  the  books  were  opened  :  and  another  book 
was  opened,  which  is  the  book  of  life  :  and  the  dead 
were  judged  out  of  those  things  which  were  written 
in  the  books,  according  to  their  works. 

On  the  dead  for  whom  once  Thou  cliedst,  Lord  Jesus,  have  mercy. 

On  the  living  for  whom  Thou  ever  livest,  have  mercy. 

Thou  Who  wast  arraigned  before  a  corrupt  judge,  O  Incorruptible  Judge,. 

have  mercy. 

Thou  Who  knowest  what  is  in  man,  O  Son  of  Man,  have  mercy. 
Thou  Whose  works  were  all  good,  have  mercy. 
Thou  Whose  life,  in  the  sight  of  the  unwise,  once  hung  in  suspense  before 

Pilate,  have  mercy. 

Thou  Who  Thyself  ever  knowest  what  Thou  wilt  do,  have  mercy. 
On  the  small,  mercy. 
On  the  great,  mercy. 

Thou  Who  art  unlike  us  in  Thy  sinlessness,  on  us  sinners  have  mercy. 
Thou  Who  art  like  us  in  Thy  Humanity,  on  us  Thy  brethren  and  Thy 

sisters,  have  mercy. 

Blot  out  our  evil  works  from  Thy  Book  of  Works,  and  have  mercy. 
Write  our  names  in  Thy  Book  of  Life,  and  have  mercy. 


THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP.  473 

Blot  not  out  our  names,  but  have  mercy. 

Give  us  tears  from  the  Fountain  of  Thy  Mercy. 

Store  our  tears  in  Thy  bottle,  with  Thine  own  tears  shed  for  us  in  pure 

mercy. 
And  whatever  we  lack  let  us  not  lack  Thy  mercy.     Amen. 

"  Stand  before  God  " — past  kneeling,  past  praying  ;  not  to 
be  converted,  but  sentenced.  Now,  not  then,  is  the  day  of 
salvation  :  not  then  except  for  the  already  saved. 

My  page  in  the  Book  of  Works  is  to  me  awful  :  the  contents 
are  my  own,  the  record  is  not  my  own.  It  is  my  life's  record 
without  oversights,  without  false  entries  or  suppressions  :  any 
good  set  down  accurately  as  good  ;  all  evil,  unless  erased  by 
Divine  Compassion,  set  down  accurately  as  evil.  Nothing 
whatever  is  there  except  what  I  have  genuinely  endeavoured, 
compassed,  done,  been  :  I  meant  it  all,  though  I  meant  not  to 
meet  it  again  face  to  face.  It  is  as  if  all  along  one  had  walked 
in  a  world  of  invisible  photographic  cameras  charged  with 
instantaneous  plates. 

The  Book  of  Life  may  seem  yet  more  awful,  kept  secret  as 
it  has  been  from  the  foundation  of  the  world  in  the  knowledge 
of  God  Omniscient. 

Yet  is  it  really  so  ?  It  is  in  fact  no  independent  statement,, 
but  appears  to  be  essentially  an  index  or  summary  of  the  other. 
I  who  composed  although  I  compiled  not  my  Book  of  Works, 
I  myself  virtually  entered  or  entered  not  my  name  in  the 
corresponding  Book  of  Life  :  to  dread  this  beyond  the  other, 
is  to  dread  a  sum  total  rather  than  those  very  items  which 
produce  the  total. 

For  whilst  we  read  that  "the  dead  were  judged  out  of  those 
things  which  were  written  in  the  Books,"  it  was  none  the  less 
"  according  to  their  works." 

13.  And  the  sea  gave  up  the  dead  which  were  in  it ;  and 
death  and  hell  delivered  up  the  dead  which  were  in 
them :  and  they  were  judged  every  man  according  to 
their  works. 

If  I  make  my  bed  in  hell,  if  I  dwell  in  the  uttermost  parts  of 
the  sea,  the  darkness  will  not  cover  me,  but  Thy  right  hand  will 
find  me  and  fetch  me  back.  To  saints  a  promise,  to  sinners  a 
threat  :  a  blessing,  an  anathema,  "according  to  their  works," 
and  not  otherwise. 

"  The  sea  gave  up  the  dead  which  were  in  it." — The  dead, 
but  nought  else  was  as  it  would  seem  reclaimed  :  the  diver,  but 
not  the  pearl  which  cost  him  his  life ;  the  crews,  but  not  the 


474  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

bullion  of  foundered  ships  of  Tarshish.  Thus  complicated 
civilization  produces  or  amasses  riches  :  and  the  riches  come  to 
nothing  except  as  accusers,  and  the  lives  cannot  be  silenced  in 
the  day  of  account.  In  that  day  many  luxuries  may  turn  out 
to  have  been  unlawful,  and  the  price  of  blood.  Ahab  was 
requited  in  Naboth's  vineyard.  "  So  teach  us  to  number  our 
days,  that  we  may  apply  our  hearts  unto  wisdom." 

Death  (if  I  may  so  express  myself)  has  an  enormous  swallow, 
but  no  digestion  :  Hades  may  be  viewed  as  rather  a  pound 
than  a  prison.  Like  the  feaster  with  him  who  hath  an  evil 
eye,  they  twain  shall  "vomit  up  "  the  eaten  morsel :  they  have 
feasted  with  Satan,  and  like  that  evil-eyed  host  they  must  be 
excluded  from  the  land  of  blessed  life  everlasting. 

Yet  Death  presents  two  aspects,  Hades  two  regions :  a 
kindly  aspect  for  Christ-lovers,  a  twilight  bright  with  afterglow 
for  any  who  have  worked  the  work  of  Christ.  So  that  we 
may  pray  : — 

Lord  Jesus  Who  livest,  from  the  sting  of  death  deliver  us. 

Lord  Jesus  Who  hast  died,  to  the  peace  of  death  bring  us. 

Lord  Jesus  Who  art  risen,  let  not  our  grave  have  the  victory. 

Lord  Jesus  Who  wast  buried,  prepare  for  us  a  quiet  resting- 
place. 

Clother  of  the  lily,  Feeder  of  the  sparrow, 

Father  of  the  fatherless,  clear  Lord, 
Tho'  Thou  set  me  as  a  mark  against  Thine  arrow, 

As  a  prey  unto  Thy  sword, 
As  a  ploughed-up  field  beneath  Thy  harrow, 

As  a  captive  in  Thy  cord, 
Let  that  cord  be  love  ;  and  some  day  make  my  narrow 

Hallowed  bed  according  to  Thy  word.     Amen. 

14.  And  death  and  hell  were  cast  into  the  lake  of  fire. 
This  is  the  second  death. 

"  God  hath  not  given  us  the  spirit  of  fear ;  but  of  power, 
and  of  love,  and  of  a  sound  mind.  Be  not  thou  therefore 
ashamed  of  the  testimony  of  our  Lord  .  .  .  but  be  thou 
partaker  of  the  afflictions  of  the  gospel  according  to  the  power 
of  God ;  Who  hath  saved  us,  and  called  us  with  an  holy 
calling,  not  according  to  our  works,  but  according  to  His  own 
purpose  and  grace,  which  was  given  us  in  Christ  Jesus  before 
the  world  began,  but  is  now  made  manifest  by  the  appearing 
of  our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  Who  hath  abolished  death,  and 
hath  brought  life  and  immortality  to  light  through  the  gospel." 

Thus  St.  Paul  points  out  that  our  being  called  "with  an 
holy  calling"  precedes  our  duty  of  working  and  guarantees  our 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  475 

ability  to  achieve  those  works  according  to  which  we  shall  be 
judged.  This  premised,  I  think  we  may  infer  that  each  man's 
lot  must  inevitably  be  either  to  partake  of  the  sanctifying  afflic 
tions  of  the  gospel  along  with  its  life  and  immortality  ;  or  else 
so  to  cling  to  death  (for  this  mortal  life  is  a  slow  death,  and  sin 
a  superadded  death)  that  at  last  death  and  he  must  be  abolished 
together. 

I  suppose  that  amongst  so  many  things  which  I  understand 
not,  thus  much  I  may  understand.  Because  death  and  Hades 
are  "  cast  into  the  lake  of  fire,"  impenitent  man  may  expect 
to  find  every  plague  which  he  has  ever  known,  rankled  against, 
kicked  against,  there  amongst  unknown  plagues  ready  to  receive 
him,  and  to  become  unto  him  as  the  cloak  that  he  hath  upon 
him,  and  as  the  girdle  that  he  is  alway  girded  withal.  Superb 
strength  must  writhe  bound  hand  and  foot  with  grave-clothes, 
dainty  beauty  corroded  by  obscene  corruption.  Hades  the 
intermediate  prison  reappears  intensified  as  Hell  the  final 
prison,  the  first  death  as  the  second  death. 

"By  Thine  Agony,  by  Thy  precious  Death  and  Burial, 
Good  Lord,  deliver  us." 

15.  And  whosoever  was  not  found  written  in  the  book  of 
life  was  cast  into  the  lake  of  fire. 

Or  according  to  the  Revised  Version  :  "  And  if  any  was  not 
found  written  in  the  Book  of  Life,  he  was  cast  into  the  lake 
of  fire." 

This  latter  translation  may  suggest  (if  I  dare  so  think)  a 
Divine  tenderness,  yearning,  regret.  No  summary  sentence 
was  pronounced,  but  the  Book  was  searched  :  "  who  knoweth 
if—?" — "and  if  so  be  that  he  find  it — ."  Not  that  God 
Omniscient  before  the  beginning  foresaw  not  the  end,  or  that 
in  the  ultimate  issue  of  all  courses  any  (except  to  their  own 
cost)  will  have  resisted  His  Will;  but  Holy  Scripture  being 
written  for  our  learning,  that  we  through  patience  and  comfort 
of  the  Scriptures  might  have  hope,  condescends  to  the  limit 
ation  of  our  intelligence  and  the  faintings  of  our  heart,  and 
deals  tenderly  with  us,  showing  us  at  a  first  glance  the  Fatherly 
Divine  Love ;  then  at  a  second  anxious  look,  more  vivid  and 
deeper  becomes  the  revelation  of  that  same  Love ;  so  that  the 
more  we  look  the  more  Love  we  perceive ;  until  other  aspects 
fall  into  the  background,  and  sometime  afraid  though  we  are 
and  cannot  but  be,  yet  (by  God's  grace)  we  put  our  trust  in 
Him. 

"  God  is  Love."    Yet  I  must  not  so  pervert  that  most  com- 


476  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

fortable  word  as  to  make  it  mean  that  He  will  exercise  a  mercy 
contrary  to  justice.  Beyond  a  doubt  "God  is  Love"  :  it  is 
my  own  conception  of  love  which  may  not  in  truth  be  love. 

What  in  the  height  and  depth  of  my  soul,  transcending  far 
my  level  of  attainment,  "as  high  as  heaven  .  .  .  deeper 
than  hell  "  ;  what  is  in  truth  my  own  ideal  of  love  ? 

Such  love,  at  once  an  affection  and  a  mystery,  would  sacrifice 
not  myself  alone  but  the  beloved  object  also  to  his  (or  her) 
highest  good.  Which  faithful  "  for  better  for  worse  "  chooses 
the  utmost  good  attainable ;  or  if  perfection  or  even  genuine 
good  has  become  unattainable,  then  chooses  the  least  evil 
within  possibility. 

I  fall  back  on  "  God  is  Love." 

"  Into  the  lake  of  fire."—" .  .  .  Into  hell,  into  the  fire  that 
never  shall  be  quenched  :  where  their  worm  dieth  not,  and 
the  fire  is  not  quenched.  .  .  .  For  every  one  shall  be  salted 
with  fire."  Not  consumed,  but  conserved;  not  devoured  by 
fire,  but  salted  with  fire. 

Whether  for  good  or  for  evil,  to  be  consumed  appertains  to 
time,  to  be  unconsumed  appertains  to  eternity. 


CHAPTER   XXI. 

1.  And  I  saw  a  new  heaven  and  a  new  earth :  for  the  first 
heaven  and  the  first  earth  were  passed  away;  and 
there  was  no  more  sea. 

Behold,  one  heaven  and  one  earth  have  passed  away,  but 
Christ's  word  has  not  passed  away.  Blessed  are  now  the  poor 
in  spirit  and  the  persecuted  for  righteousness'  sake,  for  theirs 
is  the  kingdom  of  heaven.  Blessed  are  now  the  meek,  for  they 
inherit  the  earth.  Well  might  St.  John  who  "  saw,"  look  up 
and  lift  up  his  head ;  for  however  remote,  his  redemption,  the 
general  redemption,  was  drawing  nigh. 

Meanwhile  the  first  heaven  and  the  first  earth  make  up  our 
own  present  lot.  Of  those  others  God  giveth  us  not  as  yet  so 
much  as  to  set  our  foot  on,  although  He  promises  them  to  us 
for  a  possession. 

The  temporary  heaven  and  earth  above,  around,  beneath  us, 
import  us  now,  supply  now  things  convenient  for  us.  These 
we  are  bound  to  use,  and  by  no  means  to  misuse  or  neglect. 
"  He  that  is  faithful  in  that  which  is  least  is  faithful  also  in 
much  :  and  he  that  is  unjust  in  the  least  is  unjust  also  in  much. 
If  therefore  ye  have  not  been  faithful  in  the  unrighteous 
mammon,  who  will  commit  to  your  trust  the  true  riches  ?  And 
if  ye  have  not  been  faithful  in  that  which  is  another  man's, 
who  shall  give  you  that  which  is  your  own  ?  "  And  though 
the  things  which  are  seen  be  but  temporal,  yet  a  work  of  the 
Great  Creator  is  and  cannot  but  be  so  great,  that  I  suppose 
neither  the  profoundest  and  most  illuminated  saint,  nor  all 
saints  summed  up  together  will  have  exhausted  the  teaching  of 
things  visible,  even  when  the  hour  comes  for  them  to  give 
place  to  things  invisible.  "  Ye  shall  not  have  gone  over  the 
cities  of  Israel,  till  the  Son  of  Man  be  come." 

Heaven  and  earth  are  to  be  renewed.     Not  so  the  sea  : 
"There  was  no  more  sea."     And  wherefore  not  the  sea? 
Regarding  the  first  creation  as  symbolical,  one  answer  (how- 


478  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

ever  inadequate :  please  God,  not  contradictory  of  truth) 
suggests  itself.  The  harvest  of  earth  ripened,  was  reaped,  was 
garnered  :  the  sea  nourished  and  brought  up  no  harvest.  It 
bore  no  fruits  which  remain,  it  wrought  no  works  which  follow 
it.  It  was  moreover  originally  constituted  as  a  passage,  not  as 
an  abode  :  across  it  man  toiled  in  rowing  to  the  haven  where 
he  would  be,  but  itself  never  was  and  never  could  become  that 
haven.  Thus  it  presents  to  us  a  picture  of  all  which  must  be 
left  behind.  In  Ezekiel's  vision  of  the  healing  river,  we  yet 
read  concerning  a  portion  of  the  sea-space  :  "  But  the  miry 
places  thereof  and  the  marishes  thereof  shall  not  be  healed'; 
they  shall  be  given  to  salt," — given  over,  it  would  seem,  to 
reprobation. 

"Ye  are  the  salt  of  the  earth,"  said  our  Divine  Teacher: 
salt  in  reference  to  earth  and  its  prevalent  corruption,  not 
apparently  in  any  immediate  reference  to  the  kingdom  of 
immortality  and  perfection.  "  Have  salt  in  yourselves,"  He 
said  again  ;  but  still  apparently  in  reference  to  man's  conduct 
during  probation. 

That  is  an  accursed  region  whereof  we  read :  "  That  the 
whole  land  thereof  is  brimstone,  and  salt,  and  burning,  that  it 
is  not  sown,  nor  beareth,  nor  any  grass  groweth  therein." 
Again,  the  accursed  man  "  that  trusteth  in  man,  and  maketh 
flesh  his  arm,  and  whose  heart  departeth  from  the  Lord  .  .  . 
shall  inhabit  the  parched  places  in  the  wilderness,  in  a  salt 
land  and  not  inhabited."  And  the  Prophet  Zephaniah  asso 
ciates  "  the  breeding  of  nettles,  and  saltpits,  and  a  perpetual 
desolation."  Also  we  "  Remember  Lot's  wife." 

Yet  how  shall  we  be  consoled  for  our  lost  sea  with  its 
familiar  fascination,  its  delights,  its  lifelong  endearedness? 
Lo !  heaven  enshrines  its  own  proper  sea  of  glass  as  it  were 
mingled  with  fire,  and  the  uplifted  voice  of  the  redeemed  is 
as  the  sound  of  many  waters.  There  at  last  is  fulness  of  that 
joy,  whereas  the  sea  never  yet  was  full ;  there  plenteousness 
of  pleasures  as  a  river.  There  music  unheard  hitherto,  un 
imaginable,  in  lieu  of  the  long-drawn  wail  of  our  bitter  sea. 

Or  if  after  all  we  cannot  during  our  actual  weakness  be 
thoroughly  and  consciously  consoled  on  this  point,  let  it  at 
least  bring  home  to  us  that  better  it  is  to  enter  into  life,  halt, 
or  maimed,  or  one-eyed,  than  having  two  feet,  hands,  eyes,  to 
be  shut  out.  To  suffer  loss  and  be  saved  is  better  than'  to 
forego  nothing  and  be  lost. 

"  There  was  no  more  sea."— As  in  a  far  different  matter, 
"  For  our  sakes,  no  doubt,  this  is  written." 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  479 

0  my  God,  bestow  upon  us  such  confidence,  such  peace, 
such  happiness  in  Thee,  that  Thy  Will  may  always  be  dearer 
to  us  than  our  own  will,  and    Thy  Pleasure   than  our  own 
pleasure.     All  that  Thou  givest  is  Thy  free  gift  to  us,  all  that 
Thou  takest  away  Thy  grace  to  us.     Be  Thou  thanked  for  all, 
praised  for  all,  loved  for  all.     Through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 
A- men. 

The  sea  laments  with  unappeasable 
Hankering  wail  of  loss, 

Lifting  its  hands  on  high  and  passing  by 

Out  of  the  lovely  light  : 
No  foambow  any  more  may  crest  that  swell 
Of  clamorous  waves  which  toss  ; 

Lifting  its  hands  on  high  it  passes  by 

From  light  into  the  night. 

Peace,  peace,  thou  sea  !  God's  Wisdom  worketh  well, 
Assigns  It  crown  or  cross  : 

Lift  we  all  hands  on  high,  and  passing  by 
Attest  :  God  doeth  right. 

2.  And  I  John  saw  the  holy  city,  new  Jerusalem,  coming 
down  from  God  out  of  heaven,  prepared  as  a  bride 
adorned  for  her  husband. 

"  For,  behold,  I  create  new  heavens  and  a  new  earth  :  and 
the  former  shall  not  be  remembered,  nor  come  into  mind. 
But  be  ye  glad  and  rejoice  for  ever  in  that  which  I  create  :  for, 
behold,  I  create  Jerusalem  a  rejoicing,  and  her  people  a  joy. 
And  I  will  rejoice  in  Jerusalem,  and  joy  in  My  people  :  and 
the  voice  of  weeping  shall  be  no  more  heard  in  her,  nor  the 
voice  of  crying." 

(If  I  am  not  mistaken)  a  double  point  of  likeness  here 
connects  St.  John  with  his  Adorable  Master.  Throughout  the 
Gospel  record  of  Christ's  sayings  whilst  on  earth  He  never  once 
calls  Himself  by  His  Blessed  Name  of  Jesus ;  but  speaking 
from  heaven  first  to  Saul  of  Tarsus,  afterwards  in  this  Apoca 
lypse  (ch.  xxii.  1 6)  in  reference  to  the  Churches,  He  nameth 
Himself  by  that  Name  which  is  above  every  name,  whereat 
every  knee  shall  bow  and  which  every  tongue  shall  confess. 
Even  so  the  beloved  disciple  who  in  his  Gospel  enters  not  his 
own  name  so  much  as  once,  now  speaking  as  from  within  the 
door  opened  into  heaven  names  himself  thrice,  and  of  these 
times  twice  in  the  emphatic  form  "  I  John." 

To  ourselves  an  alluring  lesson  of  present  abasement,  future 
exaltation.  Thus  pearls  submerged  awhile  in  deep  waters 
come  to  light  hereafter  in  the  City  of  God. 

1  think  too  that  our  eager  hope  of  recognition,  the  craved 


480  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

for  "  I  am  I  and  you  are  you  "  of  eternal  reunion,  is  hereby 
solaced  and  strengthened  ;  whilst  we  perceive  one  such  identity 
as  might  even  have  eluded  observation  on  earth  proclaimed 
triumphantly  in  heaven. 

My  Lord,  my  Lord  Jesus,  Thou  art  enough,  Thou  by  Thy 
self  art  enough.  Yet  withholdest  Thou  no  good  thing  from 
them  that  live  a  godly  life.  And  Thou  discernest  the  heart's 
desire  of  every  man,  and  Thou  hearest  the  request  of  all  lips. 
Every  heart's  desire  and  request  I  commend  to  Thee,  most 
loving  Lord.  Amen. 

What  will  it  be  at  last  to  see  a  "  holy  "  city  !  for  Londoners, 
for  Parisians,  for  citizens  of  all  cities  upon  earth  to  see  a  holy 
city.  Truly  as  yet  this  also  "eye  hath  not  seen."  Not  such  is 
or  ever  was  Jerusalem  that  now  is,  or  Rome  though  styled 
eternal  or  sacred,  or  Moscow  albeit  called  holy :  neither  does 
any  continent  or  island  rear  such,  nor  is  any  ruin  extant  of 
such,  nor  is  so  much  as  one  material  foundation-stone  laid  of 
such. 

Nevertheless  whoever  seeks  citizenship  at  last  in  that  all 
holy  City  must  now  day  by  day  watch,  pray,  labour,  agonize 
it  may  be,  to  sanctify  his  allotted  dwelling  in  his  present  mean 
city;  though  this  be  as  Babylon  awaiting  destruction,  as  an 
actual  city  of  the  plain  clamouring  for  the  vengeance  of  eternal 
fire. 

Art  thou  as  Lazarus  ?  Hold  fast  godliness  and  contentment, 
earnests  and  precursors  of  great  gain.  Art  thou  as  Dives? 
Heed  betimes  the  voice  of  Lazarus  : — 

I,  laid  beside  thy  gate,  am  Lazarus  ; 
See  me  or  see  me  not  I  still  am  there, 
Hungry  and  thirsty,  sore  and  sick  and  bare, 

Dog-comforted  and  crumbs-solicitous : 

While  thou  in  all  thy  ways  art  sumptuous, 
Daintily  clothed,  with  dainties  for  thy  fare  : 
Thus  a  world's  wonder  thou  art  quit  of  care, 

And  be  I  seen  or  not  seen  I  am  thus. 

One  day  a  worm  for  thee,  a  worm  for  me  : 
With  my  worm  angel  songs  and  trumpet  burst 
And  plenitude  an  end  of  all  desire  : 

But  what  for  thee,  alas  !  but  what  for  thee? 
Fire  and  an  unextinguishable  thirst, 
1  hirst  in  an  unextinguishable  fire. 

New  Jerusalem  has  been  gathered  from  the  uttermost  part 
of  the  earth  to  the  uttermost  part  of  heaven  :  stone  by  stone, 
soul  by  soul,  here  a  little  and  there  a  little.  Laps  of  luxury, 
fire  of  temptation,  ease  of  riches,  squalor  of  destitution, 


THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP.  481 

pinnacles  of  giddy  exaltation,  mountains  of  difficulty,  valleys 
of  humiliation,  each  has  sent  up  its  prefixed  weight,  number, 
measure,  nothing  lacking,  nothing  over.  Redeemed,  called 
by  name,  claimed,  precious,  honourable,  beloved,  brought  from 
the  east  and  gathered  from  the  west,  given  up  by  the  north 
and  by  the  south  kept  not  back,  God's  sons  have  been  brought 
from  far  and  His  daughters  from  the  ends  of  the  earth  ;  even 
every  one  that  is  called  by  the  Divine  Name,  formed  of  God, 
created  for  His  glory.  Alleluia  ! 

New  Jerusalem  comes  down  "  from  God  out  of  heaven," 
not  as  leaving  God,  but  inasmuch  as  His  Presence  goeth  with 
her.  As  when  of  old  that  Adorable  Presence  led  the  elder 
Israel  in  the  stages  of  their  Exodus,  so  now  that  Same  Adorable 
Inalienable  Presence  leads  her  out  and  brings  her  in,  is 
beneath  her  for  stability,  over  her  for  benediction,  around  her 
for  acceptance.  As  a  chaste  virgin  espoused  she  comes  down, 
longed  for,  toiled  for,  Self-sacrificed  for,  bought  with  a  great 
price  by  Him  Who  gave  His  whole  Substance  for  love. 

She  has  received  all  and  now  she  gives  back  all.  She  is 
"  adorned  for  her  Husband,"  for  her  Beloved  Who  is  indeed 
more  than  another  beloved.  He  loved  her  first,  and  now  she 
returns  His  love.  He  is  the  Sun,  and  now  as  His  moon- 
mirror  she  appears  clear  as  the  sun.  He  is  the  Life,  and  now 
she  has  received  life  from  Him  and  lives  to  Him.  She  is  His 
lily,  no  longer  among  thorns  because  He  once  wore  those 
thorns  that  so  He  might  take  them  out  of  her  way.  He  is 
All-Holy  :  and  now,  her  heart  purified  by  His  Blood  and 
sanctified  by  His  Spirit,  she  sees  Him  Whom  to  see  beatifies. 
His  graces  shed  on  her  form  the  ornament  to  her  head  and  the 
chains  about  her  neck.  Beautiful  are  her  feet  shod  with  the 
preparation  of  the  Gospel  'of  His  peace.  Behold  her  in 
tenderness  His  dove,  in  likeness  His  sister,  in  union  His 
spouse. 

Behold  her  !  yea,  also,  and  behold  thyself,  O  thou  called  to 
be  a  saint.  Her  perfections  are  thy  birthright ;  thou  art  what 
she  was,  what  she  is  thou  mayest  become.  That  Goodness 
which  is  her  fountain  of  good  overflows  to  thee  likewise. 
Covet  earnestly  gifts  such  as  hers,  practise  self-adornment  for 
love  of  Him  who  loveth  thee.  Reserve  gems  and  pearls  for 
immortality  when  thou  shalt  be  flawless  as  they.  Adorn 
thyself  meanwhile  with  flower-like  graces  :  humility  the  violet, 
innocence  the  snowdrop,  purity  the  lily ;  with  sweetness  for  a 
honeysuckle,  with  penitence  for  a  fruitful  thorn.  To-day  put 
on  the  garments  of  salvation  prepared  for  thee,  that  to-morrow 

H  H 


482  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

thou   mayest  be  promoted  to  wear   the  garments  of  praise. 
''Then  shall  every  man  have  praise  of  God." 

A  lovely  city  in  a  lovely  land, 

Whose  citizens  are  lovely,  and  whose  King 
Is  Very  Love  ;  to  Whom  all  angels  sing  ; 

To  Whom  all  saints  sing  crowned,  their  sacred  band 

Saluting  Love  with  palm-branch  in  their  hand  : 
Thither  all  doves  on  gold  or  silver  wing 
Flock  home  thro'  agate  windows  glistering 

Set  wide,  and  where  pearl  gates  wide  open  stand. 

A  bower  of  roses  is  not  half  so  sweet, 
A  cave  of  diamonds  doth  not  glitter  so, 
Nor  Lebanon  is  fruitful  set  thereby  : 
And  thither  thou,  beloved,  and  thither  I 
May  set  our  heart  and  set  our  face,  and  go 

Faint  yet  pursuing  home  on  tireless  feet. 

3.  And  I  heard  a  great  voice  out  of  heaven  saying1,  Behold, 
the  tabernacle  of  God  is  with  men,  and  He  will  dwell 
with  them,  and  they  shall  be  His  people,  and  God 
Himself  shall  be  with  them,  and  be  their  God. 

I  know  not  whether  the  following  train  of  thought  is 
allowable  :  if  not,  I  repudiate  it. 

"  Out  of  heaven  "—or  according  to  the  Revised  Version  : 
"  Out  of  the  Throne."  By  this  double  reading  two  immutable 
things,  the  consensus  of  heaven  and  the  Supreme  Decree  from 
the  Throne,  may  be  suggested.  Not  that  in  either  case  it  is 
other  than  a  Divine  behest ;  but  thus  I  seem  to  see  once  again 
and  vividly  the  final  absolute  unity  of  all  sanctified  wills  with 
the  Supreme  Will.  Will,  pleasure,  approval,  choice,  in  these, 
in  all,  the  perfected  elect  are  at  one  with  their  Father, 
Redeemer,  Sanctifier.  "God  .  .  .  with  men"  pervades,  so 
to  say,  the  verse  :  three  times  it  is  expressed ;  three  times,  the 
number  of  completeness. 

"  The  Tabernacle  "  itself  appears  as  threefold.  It  is  Christ 
in  ^Whom  dwelleth  all  the  Fulness  of  the  Godhead  Bodily. 
It  is  the  one  Church  built  up  in  Him  and  constituted  a  dwelling 
of  the  Holy  Spirit.  It  is  each  individual  saved  soul  instinct 
with  the  Divine  Life  and  Presence.  For  ever  and  ever,  one 
by  one,  each  soul  a  separate,  self-conscious,  loving,  adoring, 
rejoicing  entity  :  not  a  drop  swallowed  up  in  an  ocean,  a  flame 
merged  in  a  conflagration,  but  what  it  was  that  it  is  and  that 
it  will  be  for  ever  and  ever. 

Glory  be  to  the  Father,  and  to  the  Son,  and  to  the  Holy 
Ghost : 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  483 

As  it  was  in  the  beginning,  is  now,  and  ever  shall  be  world 
without  end.  Amen. 

"The  Tabernacle." — Here  where  all  is  perfected,  final, 
irreversible,  one  might  perhaps  have  expected  the  word  to  be 
Temple  rather  than  Tabernacle.  Yet  Tabernacle  it  is,  and  so 
has  special  associations  proper  to  itself. 

It  carries  thought  back  to  that  outset  (if  I  may  call  it  so)  of 
Divine  Love  to  the  chosen  nation  when  the  Angel  of  His 
Presence  saved  them,  and  He  led  them  and  carried  them. 
And  to  the  tenderness  of  that  wonderful  word  to  David  : 
"  Shalt  thou  build  Me  an  house  for  Me  to  dwell  in  ?  Whereas 
I  have  not  dwelt  in  any  house  since  the  time  that  I  brought  up 
the  children  of  Israel  out  of  Egypt,  even  to  this  day,  but  have 
walked  in  a  tent  and  in  a  tabernacle.  In  all  the  places  wherein 
I  have  walked  with  all  the  children  of  Israel  spake  I  a  word 
with  any  of  the  tribes  of  Israel,  whom  I  commanded  to  feed 
My  people  Israel,  saying,  Why  build  ye  not  Me  an  house  of 
cedar  ? "  And  indirectly  to  that  mystery  of  grace :  "  The 
gifts  and  calling  of  God  are  without  repentance."  "  Go  and 
cry  in  the  ears  of  Jerusalem,  saying,  Thus  saith  the  Lord  ;  I 
remember  thee,  the  kindness  of  thy  youth,  the  love  of  thine 
espousals,  when  thou  wentest  after  Me  in  the  wilderness,  in  a 
land  that  was  not  sown.  Israel  was  holiness  unto  the  Lord, 
and  the  firstfruits  of  His  increase."  "God  is  faithful." 

Moreover  the  word  Tabernacle,  by  recalling  to  our  mind  the 
older  progressive  journey  day  after  day,  may  perhaps  encourage 
us  to  look  for  progress  throughout  the  days  of  the  years  of 
eternity.  Further  on  indeed  we  shall  encounter  the  word 
Temple  with  all  its  associations  of  accomplishment,  perpetuity, 
rest.  But  here  the  word  written  for  our  learning  is  Tabernacle, 
which  thus  becomes  our  "  word  of  exhortation." 

"God  Himself  shall  be. with  them,  and  be  their  God."— 
Yet  in  some  measure  it  has  been  so  all  along  as  to  the  righteous. 
The  Goodness  of  God  awaits  not  a  new  earth,  then  and  not 
till  then  to  begin  being  with  His  beloved  and  being  their 
God.  Of  old  He  declared,  "  I  change  not "  :  it  is  men  that 
shall  be  changed.  Sin  forgiven,  guilt  abolished,  infirmity 
healed,  the  possibility  of  lapse  ended,  we  ourselves  (please 
God)  shall  be  renewed  when  all  things  are  made  new. 

In  the  house  not  made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens, 
shall  be  brought  forth  out  of  its  treasure  things  new  and  old. 

"  With  them  "  and  "their  "  is  a  promise  made  unto  us  and 
to  our  children,  and  to  as  many  as  the  Lord  our  God  shall  call. 
Yet  is  it  not  a  promise,  or  of  the  nature  of  a  promise,  except  to 


484  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

such  as  are  willingly  His  people  :  to  obstinate  sinners  it  would 
be  no  promise  at  all,  ""but  a  certain  fearful  looking  for  of 
judgment  and  fiery  indignation." 

God  made  man,  Satan  unmade  man,  Christ  remaketh  man. 
Yet  is  it  also  true  that  man  makes  or  unmakes  himself  by 
virtue  of  his  free  will. 

From  our  foes  protect  us,  from  ourselves  rescue  us,  let  not 
freewill  turn  to  selfwill  and  curse  our  blessings.  Good  Lord, 
Kind  Lord,  Longsuffering  Almighty  Lord  Jesus.  Amen. 

"Whiteness  most  white.     Ah,  to  be  clean  again 

In  mine  own  sight  and  God's  most  holy  sight ! 
To  reach  thro'  any  flood  or  fire  of  pain 
"Whiteness  most  white  : 

To  learn  to  hate  the  wrong  and  love  the  right, 
Even  while  I  walk  thro'  shadows  that  are  vain, 
Descending  thro'  vain  shadows  into  night. 

Lord,  not  to-day  :  yet  some  day  bliss  for  bane 

Give  me,  for  mortal  frailty  give  me  might, 
Give  innocence  for  guilt,  and  for  my  stain 
Whiteness  most  white. 

4.  And  God  shall  wipe  away  all  tears  from  their  eyes ;  and 
there  shall  be  no  more  death,  neither  sorrow,  nor 
crying1,  neither  shall  there  be  any  more  pain :  for  the 
former  things  are  passed  away. 

It  needeth  God  and  it  will  be  God  to  "wipe  away  all  tears." 
"  As  one  whom  his  mother  comforteth,  so  will  I  comfort  you  ; 
and  ye  shall  be  comforted  in  Jerusalem.  And  when  ye  see 
this,  your  heart  shall  rejoice,  and  your  bones  shall  flourish  like 
an  herb." 

Together  with  my  dead  body  shall  they  arise. 

Shall  my  dead  body  arise  ?  then  amen  and  yea 
In  quest  of  a  home  beyond  the  uttermost  skies 

Together  with  my  dead  body  shall  they. 

We  know  the  way  :  thank  God  Who  hath  showed  us  the  way ! 
Jesus  Christ  our  Way  to  beautiful  Paradise, 

Jesus  Christ  the  Same  for  ever,  the  Same  to-day. 
Five  Virgins  replenish  with  oil  their  lamps  being  wise, 

Five  Virgins  awaiting  the  Bridegroom  watch  and  pray  : 
And  if  I  one  day  spring  from  my  grave  to  the  prize, 

Together  with  my  dead  body  shall  they. 

My  brother,  my  sister,  thus  shall  it  be  with  thee,  and  thus 
can  I  well  believe  that  it  will  be  with  thee.  Blessed  are  they 
that  weep  now,  then  to  laugh  ;  that  mourn  now,  then  to  be 
comforted.  And  right  dear  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord  is  the 


THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP.  485 

death  of  His  saints.  And  on  the  birthday  of  life  immortal 
anguish  of  pain  shall  be  forgotten  for  joy  of  being  born  into 
the  eternal  world.  Therefore  are  they  wise  who  as  yet  scarce 
smile  a  little,  and  frequent  the  house  of  mourning  rather  than 
the  house  of  feasting,  and  die  daily,  and  groan  and  travail  in 
patient  pain  waiting  for  the  redemption  of  the  body.  My 
brother,  my  sister,  happy  in  knowing  these  things,  and  happier 
still  in  doing  them. 

I  recollect  in  a  fine  sermon  meeting  with  a  thought  which 
substantially  remains  with  me.  Devout  souls,  steeped  as  it 
were  in  the  anguish  of  Holy  Week,  may  by  stress  of  that  very- 
love  and  sorrow  be  unable  at  a  moment's  notice  to  unfurl 
bright  Easter  wings  and  soar  triumphant  heavenward  :  so  that 
Easter  may  overtake  them  less  like  giants  rejoicing  at  the  goal 
than  like  strengthless  convalescents  still  with  no  more  than 
one  step  between  them  and  death,  carried  in  kind  arms  out 
into  the  reviving  sunshine,  laid  down  in  a  pleasant  spot  to 
inhale  the  sweet  free  air,  learning  gradually  to  assimilate  a 
renewed  hope,  joy,  peace. 

To  some  such  phases  a  student  of  the  Apocalypse  appears 
liable  :  "  I  am  afflicted,  and  ready  to  die  from  my  youth  up  : 
while  I  suffer  Thy  terrors  I  am  distracted."  Pardonable, 
laudable  up  to  a  certain  point ;  but  beyond  that  point  not  to 
be  indulged.  Let  us  not  persist  in  remaining  as  Zion,  who 
said,  "  The  Lord  hath  forsaken  me,  and  my  Lord  hath  forgotten 
me,"  even  when  the  message  came  :  "  Sing,  O  heavens  ;  and 
be  joyful,  O  earth ;  and  break  forth  into  singing,  O  mountains  : 
for  the  Lord  hath  comforted  His  people,  and  will  have  mercy 
upon  His  afflicted." 

It  is  possible  to  substitute  an  actual  meditation  on  tears, 
death,  sorrow,  crying,  pain,  for  a  professed  meditation  on 
their  abolition.  (Whereof  I  should  beware.  The  homely  old 
proverb  bears  witness  :  It  is  a  poor  heart  that  never  rejoices.) 

If  I  can  scarcely  forecast  a  wiping  away  of  my  own  tears,  I 
can  trustfully  contemplate  that  blessed  consummation  for  all 
tears  of  some  whom  I  have  loved  and  revered,  who  in  earlier 
days  set  before  me  examples  of  things  lovely  and  of  good  report. 

With  one  such  holy  cherished  memory  I  connect  the  text  : 
"  O  how  plentiful  is  Thy  goodness,  which  Thou  hast  laid  up 
for  them  that  fear  Thee  :  and  that  Thou  hast  prepared  for 
them  that  put  their  trust  in  Thee,  even  before  the  sons  of  men  ! 
Thou  shalt  hide  them  privily  by  Thine  own  presence  from  the 
provoking  of  all  men  :  Thou  shalt  keep  them  secretly  in  Thy 
tabernacle  from  the  strife  of  tongues." 


486  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

With  a  second  :  "Hearken,  O  daughter, and  consider, incline 
thine  ear  :  forget  also  thine  own  people,  and  thy  father's  house. 
So  shall  the  King  have  pleasure  in  thy  beauty  :  for  He  is  thy 
Lord  God,  and  worship  thou  Him." 

With  a  third  :  "  For  to  their  power,  I  bear  record,  yea,  and 
beyond  their  power  they  were  willing.  ..." 

Two  of  these  I  watched  to  the  last  breath,  and  the  third 
nearly  to  the  end.  I  have  witnessed  tears,  death,  sorrow, 
crying,  pain.  God  grant  that  I  may  witness  the  general  and 
particular  abolition  of  all  these  when  death  shall  at  length  be 
swallowed  up  in  victory  :  that  I,  that  we  all,  may  witness  and 
share  in  that  rapture. 

A  CHURCHYARD  SONG  OF  PATIENT  HOPE. 

All  tears  done  away  with  the  bitter  unquiet  sea, 

Death  done  away  from  among  the  living  at  last, 
Man  shall  say  of  sorrow — Love  grant  it  to  thee  and  me  ! — 
At  last,  "  It  is  past." 

Shall  I  say  of  pain,  "It  is  past,"  nor  say  it  with  thee, 

Thou  heart  of  my  heart,  thou  soul  of  my  soul,  my  Friend  ? 
Shalt  thou  say  of  pain,  "It  is  past,"  nor  say  it  with  me 
Beloved  to  the  end  ? 

"  For  the  former  things  are  passed  away." — The  word  \sfor, 
not  by  any  means  although.  The  flesh  and  blood  endeared  to- 
us  by  a  lifetime,  the  marrying  and  giving  in  marriage  which 
formed  the  vocation  and  felicity  of  our  fathers  and  mothers 
from  Adam  and  Eve  downwards,  have  passed  away.  Had 
they  not,  neither  would  death  and  its  associates  have  passed 
away. 

What  is  good  must  often  be  given  up  in  favour  of  something 
better.  Who  would  perpetuate  blossom  and  forego  fruit  ? 

To  over-cultivate,  develop,  double  a  flower,  destroys  its 
fruitfulness.  Such  double  flowers  have  no  future. 

5.  And  He  that  sat  upon  the  Throne  said,  Behold,  I  make 
all  things  new.  And  He  said  unto  me,  Write :  for 
these  words  are  true  and  faithful. 

O  Blessed  Jesus,  Bridegroom  of  souls,  remember  how  once 
Thou  saidst  :  "  Can  the  children  of  the  bridechamber  mourn, 
as  long  as  the  Bridegroom  is  with  them?  but  the  day  will 
come,  when  the  Bridegroom  shall  be  taken  from  them,  and 
then  shall  they  fast."  Now,  Lord,  we  fast  and  mourn  :  till 
Thou  return,  to  mourn  is  better.  But  when  Thou  returnest, 
how  will  it  be  with  Thine  own  faithful  ones  ?  No  more  sorrow, 
because  no  more  sin;  no  more  death,  because  nothing  more 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  487 

worthy  of  death.  Again  Thou  sayest :  "  Behold,  I  make  all 
things  new  "  :  Good  Lord,  renew  us  to  fresh  powers  of  loving 
Thee  in  the  joy  of  Thine  unveiled  Presence.  Yet  to  each  of 
us  be  Thou  the  Same,  and  be  each  soul  to  Thee  the  same  : 
say  Thou,  "  It  is  I,"  and  give  each  of  us  grace  to  answer,  It  is 
I.  Amen. 

New  creatures  ;  the  Creator  still  the  Same 

For  ever  and  for  ever  :  therefore  we 

Win  hope  from  God's  unsearchable  decree 
And  glorify  His  still  unchanging  Name. 
We  too  are  still  the  same  :  and  still  our  claim, 

Our  trust,  our  stay,  is  Jesus,  none  but  He  : 

He  still  the  Same  regards  us,  and  still  we 
Mount  toward  Him  in  old  love's  accustomed  flame. 
We  know  Thy  wounded  Hands  :  and  Thou  dost  know 

Our  praying  hands,  our  hands  that  clasp  and  cling 
To  hold  Thee  fast  and  not  to  let  Thee  go. 

All  else  be  new  then,  Lord,  as  Thou  hast  said  : 

Since  it  is  Thou,  we  dare  not  be  afraid, 
Our  King  of  old  and  still  our  Self-same  King. 

"  He  said  unto  me,  Write  :  for  these  words  are  true  and 
faithful." — True  is  isolated,  absolute,  self-sufficient  :  faithful 'is 
relative,  tenderly  considerate.  True  is  an  announcement^: 
faithful  a  promise.  Were  every  man  a  liar,  God  and  His  Word 
would  abide  unalterably  true  j  but  (blessed  be  God !)  as  the 
case  stands,  to  all  who  loving  and  doing  the  truth  are  joyful 
in  Him,  God  and  His  Word  abide  no  less  unalterably  faithful. 

O  Lord,  Whose  mercy  reacheth  unto  the  heavens  and  Whose 
faithfulness  unto  the  clouds,  seal  to  us  Thy  mercy. 

Thou  Who  of  very  faithfulness  causest  us  to  be  troubled, 
bring  Thou  our  soul  out  of  trouble  that  we  may  praise  Thee 
among  much  people. 

Thou  Whose  loving  mercy  and  faithfulness  preserved  our 
Lord  Christ,  while  by  life  and  death  He  fulfilled  Thy  pleasure, 
in  Him  behold  us ;  that  having  pleased  Thee  on  earth  we  may 
glorify  Thee  out  of  our  graves,  trusting  Thy  faithfulness  even 
in  destruction. 

Thou  Whose  faithfulness  and  truth  are  man's  shield  and 
buckler,  by  Thy  light  and  Thy  truth  lead  us  evermore ;  that  so 
all  saints  together  may  praise  Thee  and  Thy  faithfulness,  O 
God,  playing  upon  instruments  of  music  celestial,  and  may 
sing  to  Thee  upon  golden  harps,  O  Thou  Holy  One  of 
Israel. 

Through  Him  in  Whom  all  Thy  promises  are  Yea  and 
Amen,  Jesus  Christ  our  only  hope. 


488  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

O  Lord  Jesus,  Whose  words  are  true  and  faithful,  I  am  full 
of  frailties,  faults,  falls.  Set  a  watch  before  my  mouth  :  keep 
the  door  of  my  lips.  Except  Thy  grace  curb  me  I  shall 
offend  :  yea,  except  Thy  grace  inspire  me  I  cannot  so  much 
as  utterly  purpose  that  my  mouth  shall  not  offend.  Lord,  Who 
knowest  my  foolishness,  give  me  wisdom  and  truth  in  my 
heart,  that  out  of  the  abundance  of  my  heart  my  mouth  may 
speak  worthily.  And  I  pray  for  all  others  with  me,  give  us 
honest  and  good  hearts  and  acceptable  words.  Amen. 

A  fall  is  a  signal  not  to  lie  wallowing  but  to  rise. 

It  is  not  the  signal  I  should  choose,  yet  it  is  the  signal  I 
have  chosen. 

Having  chosen  it  wrongly,  let  me  at  least  obey  it  rightly. 
6.  AiidHe  said  unto  me,  It  is  done.   I  am  Alpha  and  Omega, 
the  Beginning  and  the  End.   I  will  give  unto  Mm  that 
is  athirst  of  the  fountain  of  the  water  of  life  freely. 

If  one  of  our  difficulties  in  striving  to  rejoice  with  celestial 
joy  arises  from  our  having  hitherto  no  experience  of  any  un 
alloyed  delight— for  what  we  know,  that  we  can  contemplate, 
meditate  upon,  and  by  kindling  of  grace  anticipate;  but  what 
we  know  not,  how  are  we  to  lay  hold  upon  ?— an  efficacious 
aid  towards  joy  is,  I  think,  vouchsafed  us  by  the  wording  of 
this  blessed  Apocalypse  whereby  we  are  sent  back  again  and 
again  to  earlier  utterances  of  the  same  Revelation.  Our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  Who  many  times  has  called  us  to  worship  Him 
in  fear,  serve  Him  by  sustained  and  ever-renewed  effort,  flee 
from  His  wrath,  take  refuge  in  His  mercy,  die  daily  while  we 
live  to  Him,  and  when  we  die  by  dying  to  Him  live  eternally 
now  by  proclaiming  Himself  under  His  former  title  certifies  us 
that  He  abideth  faithful  and  cannot  deny  Himself.  "  There  is 
therefore  now  no  condemnation  to  them  which  are  in  Christ 
Jesus,  who  walk  not  after  the  flesh,  but  after  the  Spirit." 

This,  then,  Who  changes  not  is  He  Who  now  says,  "  It  is 
done."  When  hanging  on  the  Cross  He  said,  "  It  is  finished  " 
the  work  of  man's  Redemption  was  finished.  Now  that  He 
says,  "It-is  done,"  Salvation,  "  the  fountain  of  the  water  of  life  " 
is  freely  proffered  to  all  who  thirst.  Alas  !  for  any  who  thirsting 
refuse  to  drink  :  their  blood  is  on  their  own  heads. 

Lord,  Thy  saints  know  their  beginning,  for  Thou  art  their 
Beginning  of  life ;  and  their  end,  for  Thou  art  their  endless 
Lnd ;  and  the  number  of  their  days,  for  Thou  givest  them  a 
long  life  even  for  ever  and  ever,  the  length  of  the  years  of 
Thine  own  immortality.  Thy  saints  know  this  and  know  all 


THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP.  489 

things  :  Thou  Who  lovest  all,  grant  unto  us  all,  I  pray  Thee, 
to  know  all  things ;  and  in  all,  by  all,  beyond  all  to  know  Thee, 
love  Thee,  cleave  unto  Thee,  trust  Thee,  attain  unto  Thee. 
Amen,  Amen. 

It  is  our  own  heart  that  needs  to  be  tuned  aright  as  His 
Heart  is  with  our  heart. 

Tune  me,  O  Lord,  into  one  harmony 

With  Thee,  one  full  responsive  vibrant  chord  ; 
Unto  Thy  praise  all  love  and  melody, 
Tune  me,  O  Lord. 

Thus  need  I  flee  nor  death,  nor  fire,  nor  sword  : 
A  little  while  these  be,  then  cease  to  be, 

And  sent  by  Thee  not  these  should  be  abhorred. 

Devil  and  world,  gird  me  with  strength  to  flee  ; 

To  flee  the  flesh,  and  ami  me  with  Thy  word  : 
As  Thy  Heart  is  to  my  heart,  unto  Thee 
Tune  me,  O  Lord. 

"Unto  him  that  is  athirst." — The  thirsty  soul  stands  between 
a  Divine  promise  and  its  fulfilment.  "  I  will  give,"  saith  our 
Gracious  Lord  :  as  when  to  one  suppliant  leper  He  spake,  "  I 
will,"  and  it  was  done, — "  I  will  give  ...  of  the  Fountain  of 
the  Water  of  Life  freely."  Christ's  word  is  pledged  ;  the  Well 
of  Water  is  springing  up  into  everlasting  life  :  what  doth 
hinder  ?  Nothing  doth  hinder,  unless  it  be  that  I  thirst  not, 
neither  go  thither  to  draw.  Free  is  the  gift,  but  I  also  am  free 
to  accept  or  to  decline  it. 

There  is  a  mystery  of  evil  which  I  suppose  no  man  during 
his  tenure  of  mortal  life  will  ever  fathom.  But  there  is  a 
second  mystery  of  evil  (unless  I  ought  rather  to  call  it  a  branch 
of  the  original  mystery  under  a  special  aspect)  which  every  in 
fected  soul  must  track,  must  run  to  earth  if  I  may  use  the 
phrase,  each  for  itself;  following  upon  and  overtaking  it, 
neither  turning  again  till  it  be  destroyed.  I  pursuing  my  own 
evil  from  point  to  point  find  that  it  leads  me  not  outward  amid 
a  host  of  foes  laid  against  me,  but  inward  within  myself :  it  is 
not  mine  enemy  that  doeth  me  this  dishonour,  neither  is  it 
mine  adversary  that  magnifieth  himself  against  me  :  it  is  I,  it 
is  not  another,  not  primarily  any  other ;  it  is  I  who  undo, 
defile,  deface  myself.  True,  I  am  summoned  to  wrestle  on  my 
own  scale  against  principalities,  powers,  rulers  of  the  darkness 
of  this  world,  spiritual  wickedness  in  high  places  ;  but  none  of 
these  can  crush  me  unless  I  simultaneously  undermine  my  own 
citadel.  That  tremendous  endowment  of  Free  Will  which  can 
even  say  nay  to  God  Almighty,  is  able  tenfold  to  say  nay  to 


490  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

the  strong  man  armed.  Nothing  outside  myself  can  destroy 
me  by  main  force  and  in  my  own  despite  :  so  that  as  regards 
my  salvation  the  abstract  mystery  of  evil  concerns  me  not 
practically ;  my  own  inherent  evil  is  what  I  have  to  cope  with. 
Thus  the  universe  seems  to  stand  aside,  leaving  me  already  all 
alone  face  to  face  with  my  Judge ;  at  once  and  for  ever  as 
utterly  alone  with  Him  as  I  can  be  at  the  last  day  when  set 
before  His  tribunal. 

So  long  as  I  live  I  must,  I  cannot  but,  resist,  wrestle  with 
somewhat.  .  .  .  Evil  or  good,  Satan  or  Christ,  I  am  resisting, 
I  am  setting  myself  against.  To  fight  against  Satan  is  to 
engage  on  my  side  the  Stronger  than  he.  To  fight  against 
Christ  .... 

Dear  Lord,  by  Thy  mercies,  Thy  compassions,  boundless 
compassions,  mercies  innumerable,  keep  me,  keep  all  from 
ever  knowing  what  it  is  to  fight  against  Thee. 

He  "that  is  athirst "  is  alone  he  to  whom  this  free  gift 
is  promised. 

The  gift,  being  free,  cannot  be  claimed  :  yet  being  by 
promise,  the  promise  can  be  claimed. 

To  desire  the  gift  is  to  desire  the  terms  of  the  gift.  If  I 
thirst  not,  at  least  let  me  thirst  to  thirst.  "  Open  thy  mouth 
wide." 

Although  I  cannot  at  a  wish  command  thirst,  at  least  let  me 
at  once  practise  free  giving :  for  as  this  is  the  duty  of  those 
who  have  free4y  received,  though  I  be  not  as  yet  conscious  of 
having  received  the  free  gift,  perhaps  by  behaving  myself  as 
having'  it  in  possession,  it  may  the  more  copiously  be  vouch 
safed  me. 

For  there  is  no  limit  to  the  Fatherly  Bounty  of  my  God. 

Refreshing  texts  for  people  "  hungry,  and  weary,  and  thirsty, 
in  the  wilderness  "  : — 

"  And  they  came  to  Elim,  where  were  twelve  wells  of  water, 
and  threescore  and  ten  palm  trees  :  and  they  encamped  there 
by  the  waters." — "And  from  thence  they  went  to  Beer;  that 
is  the  well  whereof  the  Lord  spake  unto  Moses,  Gather  the 
people  together,  and  I  will  give  them  water.  Then  Israel 
sang  this  song,  Spring  up,  O  well ;  sing  ye  unto  it.  ...  " 
"Ye  shall  not  see  wind,  neither  shall  ye  see  rain;  yet  that 
valley  shall  be  filled  with  water,  that  ye  may  drink." — "  Thou 
gavest  also  Thy  Good  Spirit  to  instruct  them,  and  withheldest 
not  Thy  manna  from  their  mouth,  and  gavest  them  water  for 
their  thirst." — "  Blessed  is  the  man  whose  strength  is  in  Thee. 
.  .  .  Who  passing  through  the  valley  of  Baca  make  it  a  well ; 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  49  r 

the  rain  also  filleth  the  pools." — "  He  turneth  the  wilderness 
into  a  standing  water,  and  dry  ground  into  -watersprings. 
And  there  He  maketh  the  hungry  to  dwell." — "  When  the  poor 
and  needy  seek  water,  and  there  is  none,  and  their  tongue 
faileth  for  thirst,  I  the  Lord  will  hear  them,  I  the  God  of 
Israel  will  not  forsake  them.  I  will  open  rivers  in  high  places, 
and  fountains  in  the  midst  of  the  valleys :  I  will  make  the 
wilderness  a  pool  of  water,  and  the  dry  land  springs  of  water." 
— "I  will  pour  water  upon  him  that  is  thirsty,  and  floods  upon 
the  dry  ground  :  1  will  pour  My  Spirit  upon  thy  seed,  and  My 
blessing  upon  thine  offspring  :  and  they  shall  spring  up  as 
among  the  grass,  as  willows  by  the  watercourses." 

"  Understanding  is  a  wellspring  of  life  unto  him  that  hath 
it:  but  the  instruction  of  fools  is  folly." — "The  words  of  a 
man's  mouth  are  as  deep  waters,  and  the  wellspring  of  wisdom 
as  a  flowing  brook." 

7.  He  that  overcometh  shall  inherit  all  things  ;  and  I  will 
be  his  God,  and  he  shall  be  My  son. 

In  the  Revised  Version  :  "...  shall  inherit  these  things  "  : 
— by  which  perhaps  we  may  understand  either  the  whole 
uninterrupted  train  of  glories  and  blessings  enumerated  thus 
far  from  the  opening  of  this  chapter  ;  or  more  particularly  the 
"  all  things  new  "  of  ver.  5.  Not,  it  may  be,  that  there  is  any 
real  difference  between  the  two  ideas ;  but  even  the  smallest 
verbal  distinction  in  a  document  so  all-important  invites 
notice ;  as  when  with  accurate  humility  St.  John  recorded  : 
"  Jesus  said  not  unto  him  .  .  .  but  .  .  .  .  "  If  it  became  St. 
John,  how  much  more  does  it  become  us  not  to  be  wise  above 
that  which  is  revealed.  "  For  vain  man  would  be  wise,  though 
man  be  born  like  a  wild  ass's  colt." 

Returning  to  the  Authorized  Version,  we  once  more  observe 
how  the  end  reproduces  the  beginning  :  as  at  the  starting- 
point  "  he  that  overcometh  "  was  the  only  hero,  so  he  alone 
reappears  at  the  goal.  At  the  outset,  however,  temptation 
after  temptation,  snare  after  snare,  each  having  special  features, 
was  enumerated  :  and  one  soldier  and  servant  was  summoned 
to  face,  despise,  triumph  over  one  form  of  evil ;  whilst  another 
was  summoned  to  oppose  and  conquer  a  diverse  foe.  The 
temptation  being  special  to  each  man,  man  by  man  ;  so  each 
victory  would  have  its  special  point  of  vantage,  ray  of  glory, 
guerdon.  Now  on  the  contrary  at  the  beatific  consummation 
wrier;  the  King  deigns  to  be  glorified  in  His  saints  and  admired 
in  all  them  that  believe,  "he  that  overcometh"  is  rewarded 


492  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

without  measure  :  he  inherits  not  one  thing,  not  many  things, 
but  even  "  all  things."  As  indeed  was  long  ago  sung  by  the 
Psalmist :  "  The  Lord  God  is  a  sun  and  shield  :  the  Lord  will 
give  grace  and  glory :  no  good  thing  will  He  withhold  from 
them  that  walk  uprightly." 

Surely  then  these  who  finally  inherit  all  things  guaranteed 
to  any  soul,  must  while  probation  endured  have  had  within 
themselves  at  least  the  germ  of  every  grace  anywhere  developed. 
A  surmise  full  of  joy  when  the  thralls  of  lifelong  involuntary 
disadvantages  are  in  question  :  " .  .  .  A  poor  and  a  wise 
child.  .  .  .  Out  of  prison  he  cometh  to  reign."  Tending  also, 
I  think,  to  allay  party  feeling  and  party  cries ;  St.  Paul  and 
Faith  !  St.  James  and  Works  !— if  so  be  we  arrive  at  last  within 
sight  of  those  blessed  Saints  we  shall  behold  both  of  them 
invested  with  glory  because  of  faith,  and  with  glory  because  of 
works ;  alike  in  unlikeness,  as  one  star  differeth  from  another 
star  yet  both  in  glory. 

"And  I  will  be  his  God,  and  he  shall  be  My  son."— 
"Behold,  what  manner  of  love  the  Father  hath  bestowed  upon 
us,  that  we  should  be  called  the  sons  of  God.  .  .  .  Beloved, 
now  are  we  the  sons  of  God,  and  it  doth  not  yet  appear  what 
we  shall  be  :  but  we  know  that,  when  He  shall  appear,  we 
shall  be  like  Him  ;  for  we  shall  see  Him  as  He  is.  And 
every  man  that  hath  this  hope  in  him  purifieth  himself,  even 
as  He  is  pure.  .  .  .  Little  children,  let  no  man  deceive  you. 
...  In  this  the  children  of  God  are  manifest,  and  the  children 
of  the  devil  :  whosoever  doeth  not  righteousness  is  not  of 
God,  neither  he  that  loveth  not  his  brother." 

Thus  must  he  do,  such  must  he  become,  thus  must  he 
persevere  unto  the  end,  whosoever  desires  at  the  end  to  have 
God  for  his  God  and  to  be  to  Him  a  son.  It  will  take  a  life 
long  overcoming  if  we,  if  such  as  I,  are  to  purify  ourselves 
thoroughly,  do  righteousness  consistently,  love  all  our  brethren 
without  exception. 

A  lifelong  overcoming,— but  worth  the  long  anxious  agoniz 
ing  strain  to  be  like  Him  and  see  Him  as  He  is  at  la«=t  c 

"I  will  ...  and  he  shall  .  .  .  "-"Blessed  be  the  God 
and  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  Who  hath  blessed  us 
with  all  spiritual  blessings  in  heavenly  places  in  Christ  • 
according  as  He  hath  chosen  us  in  Him  before  the  foundation 
of  the  world,  that  we  should  be  holy  and  without  blame 
before  Him  in  love  :  having  predestinated  us  unto  the  adoption 
of  children  by  Jesus  Christ  to  Himself,  according  to  the  good 
pleasure  of  His  Will,  to  the  praise  of  the  glory  of  His  g?ace 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  493 

wherein  He  hath  made  us  accepted  in  the  Beloved." — "  For  it 
is  God  which  worketh  in  you  both  to  will  and  to  do  of  His 
good  pleasure." 

8.  But  the  fearful,  and  unbelieving,  and  the  abominable, 
and  murderers,  and  whoremongers,  and  sorcerers,  and 
idolaters,  and  all  liars,  shall  have  their  part  in  the 
lake  which  burneth  with  fire  and  brimstone :  which  is 
the  second  death. 

O  Lord,  by  might  of  Whose  grace  trembling  Esther  took 
her  life  in  her  hand  to  the  saving  of  her  people  and  of  her  own 
soul ;  grant  us  such  salutary  fear  of  Thee  as  may  tread  under 
foot  all  other  fear :  even  so  from  the  second  death  defend  us. 

O  Lord,  Whose  word  by  Elisha  convicted  a  certain  lord  of 
unbelief,  wherefore  he  partook  not  of  the  abundance  which  his 
eyes  beheld ;  grant  us  so  implicitly  to  believe  Thy  promises 
and  threatenings  that  we  may  evermore  refuse  the  evil  and 
choose  the  good  :  even  so  from  the  second  death  defend  us. 

O  Lord,  WTho  by  Thine  Angel  smotest  Herod  highly- 
esteemed  among  men  but  making  himself  an  abomination  in 
Thy  sight ;  grant  us  wisdom  to  choose  the  praise  of  God  rather 
than  the  praise  of  men,  that  our  praise  may  indeed  be  not  of 
men  but  of  Thee,  until  that  day  when  every  man  shall  have 
his  praise  of  God  :  even  so  from  the  second  death  defend  us. 

O  Lord,  the  Avenger  of  Blood,  Who  for  the  devil,  that 
murderer  from  the  beginning,  hast  prepared  everlasting  fire  ; 
deliver  us  from  blood-guiltiness  that  we  fall  not  into  the  same 
condemnation ;  that  slain  bodies  or  slain  souls  should  rise  up 
against  us  at  Thy  Judgment  Seat,  avert,  O  Lord  :  even  so  from 
the  second  death  defend  us. 

O  Lord,  Who  by  Thine  Apostle  St.  Paul  hast  instructed  us 
that  to  the  defiled  and  unbelieving  is  nothing  pure,  even  their 
mind  and  conscience  being  defiled  ;  purify  us  that  unto  us  all 
things  may  become  pure,  yea,  purify  our  hearts  that  we  may 
see  Thee,  our  God  :  even  so  from  the  second  death  defend  us. 

O  Lord,  Who  by  the  same  blessed  Paul  didst  smite  Elymas 
the  sorcerer  with  blindness,  that  so  others  seeing  and  fearing 
might  be  converted  and  live  and  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come ; 
deliver  us  from  unhallowed  curiosity,  from  superstition,  from 
tampering  with  unlawful  arts :  even  so  from  the  second  death 
defend  us. 

O  Lord,  Who  by  the  arm  of  Samson  destroyedst  the  wor 
shippers  of  Dagon,  and  afterwards  without  might  of  man 
abasedst  that  impotent  idol ;  take  away  all  idols  out  of  our 


494  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

hearts  and  any  stumbling-block  of  iniquity  from  before  our 
face :  even  so  from  the  second  death  defend  us. 

O  Lord  the  Word,  Wisdom,  Truth,  Who  having  warned  us 
that  he  that  telleth  lies  shall  not  tarry  in  Thy  sight,  afterwards 
by  Elisha  the  Prophet  didst  condemn  Gehazi,  and  by  St.  Peter 
the  Apostle  Ananias  and  Sapphira ;  from  the  heinous  besetting 
sin  of  falsehood  purge  every  soul  of  man,  woman,  child  :  even 
so,  Good  Lord,  from  the  second  death  defend  us.  Amen. 

Texts  by  way  of  antidote  : — • 

"  The  fear  of  man  bringeth  a  snare :  but  whoso  putteth  his 
trust  in  the  Lord  shall  be  safe." — "  Lord,  I  believe  ;  help 
Thou  mine  unbelief." — "  Every  one  that  is  proud  in  heart  is 
an  abomination  to  the  Lord :  though  hand  join  in  hand,  he 
shall  not  be  unpunished." — "Whosoever  hateth  his  brother  is 
a  murderer :  and  ye  know  that  no  murderer  hath  eternal  life 
abiding  in  him." — "  God  shall  bring  every  work  into  judgment, 
with  every  secret  thing,  whether  it  be  good,  or  whether  it  be 
evil." — "  There  shall  not  be  found  among  you  any  one  .  .  . 
that  useth  divination,  or  an  observer  of  times,  or  an  enchanter, 
or  a  witch,  or  a  charmer,  or  a  consulter  with  familiar  spirits,  or 
a  wizard,  or  a  necromancer.  For  all  that  do  these  things  are  an 
abomination  unto  the  Lord." — "What  say  I  then?  that  the 
idol  is  anything,  or  that  which  is  offered  in  sacrifice  to  idols  is 
anything  ?  But  I  say,  that  the  things  which  the  Gentiles 
sacrifice,  they  sacrifice  to  devils,  and  not  to  God :  and  I  would 
not  that  ye  should  have  fellowship  with  devils.  Ye  cannot 
drink  the  Cup  of  the  Lord,  and  the  cup  of  devils  :  ye  cannot 
be  partakers  of  the  Lord's  Table,  and  of  the  table  of  devils." — 
"Deliver  my  soul,  O  Lord,  from  lying  lips,  and  from  a  deceit 
ful  tongue.  What  shall  be  given  unto  thee  ?  or  what  shall  be 
done  unto  thee,  thou  false  tongue?  Sharp  arrows  of  the 
mighty,  with  coals  of  juniper." 

9.  And  there  came  unto  me  one  of  the  seven  angels  which 
had  the  seven  vials  full  of  the  seven  last  plagues,  and 
talked  with  me,  saying,  Come  hither,  I  will  shew 
thee  the  bride,  the  Lamb's  wife. 

Flesh  and  blood  shrink  from  "  the  seven  angels  which  had 
the  seven  vials  full  of  the  seven  last  plagues  " ;  but  behold  ! 
the  vials  are  emptied,  the  plagues  accomplished,  the  righteous 
abide  unscathed,  one  of  the  angels  draws  nigh  with  a  joyful 
message. 

All  souls  have  been  searched,  -sifted,  tested ;  have  been 
weighed,  and  have  been  found  wanting  or  not  wanting.  Those 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  495 

who  have  endured  to  the  end,  the  same  are  saved.  And  to 
them  the  messenger  of  vengeance  turns  out  to  be  their  own 
commissioned  messenger  of  peace. 

What  Christ-like  condescension  may  we  not  look  for  from  St. 
John  the  beloved  !  Surely  here  he  stands  as  representative  of 
all  his  brethren,  yea,  of  one  the  least  of  those  his  brethren. 
His  gifts,  graces,  illumination,  privileges,  vouch  for  ours,  if  so 
be  we  watch  and  pray  to  believe  as  he  believed,  hope  as  he 
hoped,  love  as  he  loved. 

If  I  desire  the  consummation,  it  is  in  my  power  to  practise 
its  antecedents  and  to  rehearse  it  day  by  day.  Hourly, 
momentarily,  there  come  to  me  mercies  or  chastisements. 
The  chastisements  themselves  are  veiled  mercies,  as  it  were 
veiled  angels.  The  mercies  I  name  chastisements  are  no  less 
merciful  than  those  which  at  once  I  recognize  as  mercies  :  no 
less  so,  if  filially  I  bow  my  will  to  the  Divine  Will.  Open- 
faced  angels  are  no  more  celestial  than  are  angels  unawares. 

Lord,  whomsoever  Thou  shalt  send  to  me, 
Let  that  same  be 

Mine  Angel  predilect : 
Veiled  or  unveiled,  benignant  or  austere, 
Aloof  or  near  ; 

Thine,  therefore  mine,  elect. 
So  may  my  soul  nurse  patience  day  by  day, 
Watch  on  and  pray 

Obedient  and  at  peace  ; 
Living  a  lonely  life  in  hope,  in  faith  ; 
Loving  till  death  ; 

When  life,  not  love,  shall  cease. 
....  Lo,  thou  mine  Angel  with  transfigured  face 
Brimful  of  grace, 

Brimful  of  love  for  me  ! 
Did  I  misdoubt  thee  all  that  weary  while, 
Thee  with  a  smile 

For  me  as  I  for  thee  ? 

St.  John,  who  has  already  beheld  "  the  Lamb,"  is  now 
permitted  and  invited  to  see  "  the  Bride,  the  Lamb's  Wife." 
Christ  First,  Nearest,  Dearest :  the  Communion  of  Saints 
second,  near,  dear.  Christ  our  All  in  all :  and  with  Him  not 
nothing,  but  all  things. 

Lord,  bring  with  Thee  my  beloved,  according  to  Thy  Will : 
and  to  them  and  much  more  to  Thee  bring  me  at  last  un 
worthy.  Amen  for  us  all.  Amen. 

Lord,  by  what  inconceivable  dim  road 
Thou  leadest  man  on  footsore  pilgrimage  ! 
Weariness  is  his  rest  from  stage  to  stage, 

Brief  halting-places  are  his  sole  abode. 


496  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

Onward  he  fares  thro'  rivers  overflowed, 

Thro'  deserts  where  all  doleful  creatures  rage  ; 
Onward  from  year  to  year,  from  age  to  age, 

He  groans  and  totters  onward  with  his  load. 
Behold  how  inconceivable  his  way  ; 

How  tenfold  inconceivable  the  goal, 

His  goal  of  hope  deferred,  his  promised  peace  : — 
Yea  but  behold  him  sitting  down  at  ease, 

Refreshed  in  body  and  refreshed  in  soul, 
At  rest  from  labour  on  the  Sabbath-day. 

10.  And  lie  carried  me  away  in  the  spirit  to  a  great  and 

high  mountain,  and  shewed  me  that  great  city,  the 
holy  Jerusalem,  descending  out  of  heaven  from  God, 

11.  Having  the  glory  of  God :  and  her  light  was  like  unto 

a  stone  most  precious,  even  like  a  jasper  stone,  clear 
as  crystal ; 

"  A  great  and  high  mountain." — A  mystical  Pisgah.  As 
from  Pisgah  Moses  beheld  the  Holy  Land,  so  now  from  this 
mountain  St.  John  the  Holy  City.  Thus  far  similarity  :  after 
wards  contrast.  That  earthly  mountain  becomes  as  a  beacon- 
height  of  disappointment  and  death,  the  holy  land  having  no 
power  to  ascend  and  meet  the  longing  saint.  The  unearthly 
mountain  of  vision  becomes  as  a  watch-tower  of  hope,  a 
threshold  of  possession,  because  the  holy  city  descends  to 
appease  desire. 

Not  that  aught  created,  however  "  great,"  can  of  itself  appease 
desire.  But  He  Who  made  her  and  Who  sends  her  forth 
invests  her  with  His  own  Glory,  so  that  her  resplendence  is 
an  image  and  outcome  of  His  own  according  to  a  former 
revelation  :  "  He  that  sat  was  to  look  upon  like  a  jasper  and 
a  sardine  stone."  She  comes  down  from  Him,  nevertheless 
He  comes  down  with  her  •  she  goes  not  forth  except  He  goes 
with  her ;  she  is  no  void  shrine,  but  a  tabernacle  of  God  ;  a 
sacred  vessel,  not  empty  but  full  of  the  Divine  Presence. 
God  within  her  is  her  Holiness,  without  her,  her  Glory :  He 
is  above  her  for  her  Crown  and  exceeding  great  Reward, 
beneath  her  for  a  sure  Foundation,  around  her  for  Satisfaction 
without  satiety  in  the  indissoluble  union  of  mutual  Love 
inexhaustible.  St.  John  who  gazes  upon  her  is  of  her.  She  is 
the  Body  of  Christ,  and  he  a  Member  in  particular.  Now 
beholdeth  he  what  he  shall  be  when  seeing  Christ  as  He  is  he 
shall  be  like  Him. 

The  King's  Daughter  is  all  glorious  within, 

Her  clothing  of  wrought  gold  sets  forth  her  bliss ; 
Where  the  endless  choruses  of  heaven  begin 
The  King's  Daughter  is  : 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  497 

Perfect  her  notes  in  the  perfect  harmonies  ; 
With  tears  wiped  away,  no  conscience  of  sin, 
Loss  forgotten  and  sorrowful  memories  ; 

Alight  with  Cherubin,  afire  with  Seraphin, 

Lily  for  pureness,  rose  for  charities, 
With  joy  won  and  with  joy  evermore  to  win, 
The  King's  Daughter  is. 

Souls  full  of  grace,  highly  favoured,  may  deduce  a  higher 
and  more  inward  lesson  :  even  very  weak  poor  souls  may  learn 
their  own  lowly  lesson.  "The  Bride"  appears  not  under  the 
semblance  of  a  woman,  but  as  a  "great  city"  beautiful  for 
situation,  the  joy  of  the  whole  earth,  the  city  of  the  Great 
King  :  thus  repelling  mortal  frailty  from  any  sensual,  equivocal, 
unworthy  image  of  transcendent  spiritual  truths  which  demand 
purged  hearts  for  their  contemplation,  purged  lips  for  their 
utterance. 

Not  Holy  Jerusalem  but  obscene  Babylon  flaunts  forth 
under  the  figure  of  a  woman. 

Lord  Jesus,  show  us  what  Thou  wilt,  that  above  all  else  we 
may  prefer  Thee.     Hide  from  us  what  Thou  wilt,  that  we  may 
fall  back  on  Thee.     Show  us  not  what  would  hide  Thee : 
hide  not  what  would  reveal  Thee.     Say  unto  us,  "  It  is  I "  ; 
and  if  it  please  Thee  say  unto  us,  "Be  not  afraid." 
12.  And  had  a  wall  great  and  high,  and  had  twelve  gates, 
and  at  the  gates  twelve  angels,  and  names  written 
thereon,  which  are  the  names  of  the  twelve  tribes  of 
the  children  of  Israel : 

Wherefore  "  a  wall,"  and  wherefore  " gates  "  ?  "Thou  shalt 
call  thy  walls  Salvation,  and  thy  gates  Praise."  Isaiah  writes 
walls,  St.  John  a  wall.  New  Jerusalem  standing  foursquare 
possesses  under  one  aspect  four  walls;  yet  these  being  con 
tinuous  and  all  four  corner-stoned  into  unity  seem  to  be  one 
at  least  as  indisputably  as  to  be  four.  And  (if  so  I  may  take 
the  sense)  Isaiah's  walls  reappearing  as  St.  John's  ivall,  sets 
forth  the  universal  salvation  as  being  one  free  gift  from  the 
alone  Will,  Might,  Love,  of  God :  whilst  the  gates  are  twelve, 
because  multitudinous  mankind  offering  praise  for  so  great  a 
gift  uplifts  an  innumerable  voice. 

Or  I  may  connect  the  wall  with  the  One  all-pervading,  all- 
containing  Indwelling  Presence  :  the  gates  with  the  inflow  of 
every  confluent  stream  of  humankind.  That  wall  is  inclusive, 
not  exclusive,  for  its  gates  stand  open  (see  ver.  25) :  those 
gates  are  of  ingress  not  of  egress,  for  none  who  enter  thereby 
shall  go  out  any  more  (see  ch.  iii.  12). 

i  i 


493  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

That  New  Jerusalem  has  a  wall  expresses  to  me  a  local, 
distinct,  defined  heaven  (at  least,  as  by  a  condescension  to  our 
present  faculties) ;  not  indiscriminate  as  were  the  waters  before 
the  formation  of  a  firmament,  nor  without  form  like  void 
chaos ;  but  a  genuine  home,  with  recognizable  features  and 
amiabilities  of  a  home  meet  for  those  who  have  weaned  them 
selves  from  earth  on  the  promise  and  faith  of  heaven.  For 
now  we  too  "  desire  a  better  country,  that  is,  an  heavenly," 
which  is  far  different  from  not  desiring  any  country  at  all ; 
the  home  feeling  being  congruous  with  that  other  human 
craving  not  to  be  unclothed  but  clothed  upon. 

Truly  that  Great  Householder  Whose  house  is  the  universe 
will  be  no  man's  debtor,  but  will  bring  forth  from  His  treasure 
things  new  and  old.  All  holy  desires  shall  be  fulfilled, — nor 
shall  even  mere  blameless  desires  be  nothing  accounted  of, 
please  God. 

Noah's  Ark,  that  primitive  type  of  the  Church,  was  built 
with  a  window  as  is  expressly  stated.  As  a  type  it  prefigured 
the  Church  not  perfected  but  on  probation,  corresponding 
with  that  Gospel  net  which  enclosed  both  bad  and  good  : 
thus  its  raven  went  in  and  out  at  the  window,  and  its  dove 
needing  shelter  and  comfort  found  both  there.  Again  :  Isaiah 
foresaw  the  Church  as  built  of  fair  colours  and  sapphires,  of 
carbuncles  and  pleasant  stones,  and  as  having  windows  of 
agates ;  but  this  is  still  the  Church  Militant,  whose  children 
must  yet  be  taught,  and  against  whom  there  would  yet  be  a 
gathering  together  foredoomed  to  overthrow. 

What  is  the  one  most  obvious  purpose  of  a  window  ?  To 
admit  light.  The  Holy  of  Holies  fashioned  after  an  unearthly 
pattern  had  no  windows,  neither  can  it  apparently  have  had 
any  light  save  what  (man  knoweth  not)  may  have  been  vouch 
safed  by  the  Presence  within.  No  light  of  day  was  worthy  to 
enter  into  that  Presence  compared  with  which  it  became  as 
outer  darkness.  So  likewise  we  read  not  of  windows  as  apper 
taining  to  the  Holy  Jerusalem,  the  Church  perfected  and 
triumphant :  she  herself  is  consecrated  as  a  veritable  Holy  of 
Holies,  a  shrine  of  the  Uncreated  Light,  illuminated  from 
within ;  arising  for  ever,  shining  for  ever,  because  the  Glory  of 
the  Lord  is  risen  upon  her. 

Almighty  God,  I  beseech  Thee,  deliver  and  keep  us  from 
over  care,  vain  trouble,  profitless  anxiety.  Give  us  wisdom  to 
learn  somewhat  by  all  Thy  wonderful  works  and  ways ;  and  to 
feel  sure  that  heaven  will  be  better  than  earth ;  and  that  if  any 
earthly  good  reappear  not  there,  it  will  be  superseded  not  lost. 


THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP.  499 

For  the  sake  of  Jesus  Christ  in  Whom  we  have  all  and  abound. 
Amen. 

"  Twelve  gates,  and  at  the  gates  twelve  angels,  and  .  .  . 
written  thereon  .  .  .  the  names  of  the  twelve  tribes  of  the 
children  of  Israel." — O  Lord,  Who  hast  said,  "  Friend,  I  do  thee 
no  wrong,"  enlarge,  I  pray  Thee,  our  wills  and  hearts  to  em 
brace  the  whole  Communion  of  Saints  with  welcoming  jubilee. 
Give  us  such  wealth  of  charity  that  we  may  rejoice  with  all 
who  rejoice,  even  with  the  thousand  times  ten  thousand  and 
thousands  of  thousands  of  Thine  elect :  until  their  crowns  and 
joys  become  to  us  as  our  own  crowns  and  joys,  and  their 
exiltation  be  as  it  were  our  own,  So  may  we  mirror  One 
Love  and  all  love,  the  Saint  of  saints  and  all  saints ;  so  may 
every  loveliness  which  pleaseth  Thee  become  reflected  in  each 
lovely  soul,  and  as  it  were  multiplied  to  Thy  Glory,  O  Lord 
God  our  Father  :  Whom  we  approach  through  Jesus  Christ 
Thy  Well  Beloved  Son,  in  Whom  Thou  art  always  well  pleased. 
Amen. 

By  every  human  instinct,  taste,  desire,  God  is  ready  to  help 
man  onward  and  upward  :  this  the  Twelve  Gates,  opening  to 
us  what  we  know  not  with  what  partially  we  know,  serve  to 
illustrate.  They  who  pant  for  knowledge  shall  at  last  under 
stand  what  as  yet  they  cannot  fathom  :  they  shall  see  whether 
the  Twelve  Angels  be  angels  (as  we  commonly  interpret  the 
word)  by  nature,  or  only  by  office  ;  whether  they  belong  to 
the  flying  nation  of  heaven,  or  whether  from  citizenship  on 
earth  they  have  mounted  to  equality  with  those  elder  angels. 
For  angel,  that  is  messenger,  may  of  course  indicate  either  a 
celestial  or  a  human  delegate  :  in  an  earlier  portion  of  this 
Book  of  Revelation  the  Angels  of  the  Seven  Churches  are 
acknowledged  to  be  Bishops,  not  superhuman  guardians.  What 
manner  of  faces  shall  be  then  revealed  to  all  who  enter  those 
gates  with  thanksgiving  and  those  courts  with  praise  ?  coun 
tenances  like  lightning,  or  aspects  of  just  men  made  perfect  ? 
If  we  long  to  know  let  us  follow  on  to  know. 

Or  if  we  cling  to  early  lessons  and  experiences,  behold  set 
before  us  the  patriarchal  names  familiar  to  us  from  childhood, 
taught  us  by  dear  maternal  lips,  each  name  having  its  proper 
context  of  hope  or  fear,  praise  or  blame.  Thus  on  earth  ;  but 
in  heaven  all  by  God's  grace  purged  from  fear  and  blame 
inherit  His  benediction.  And  so  too  a  great  door  and  effectual 
is  opened  to  our  aspiration. 

All  melodious  choirs  whose  vocal  melody  sprang  from  a 
melody-making  heart  unto  the  Lord,  may  enter  heaven  by  the 


500  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

Gate  of  Praise,  the  Gate  of  Juda.  Such  as  out  of  weakness 
have  waxed  strong,  an  innumerable  multitude,  through  the 
Gate  of  Reuben.  The  fallen  but  risen  again,  the  sanctified  of 
the  eleventh  hour  whose  wickedness  shall  be  mentioned  no 
more,  through  the  Gate  of  Gad.  They  who  lived  not  by 
bread  alone  but  by  every  word  of  God,  through  the  Gate  of 
Aser.  The  great  company  of  preachers  whose  portion  and 
inheritance  was  the  Lord,  through  the  Gate  of  Nepthalim. 
The  stewards  of  five  talents  who  have  made  other  five,  through 
the  Gate  of  Mana?ses.  The  wrathful  become  meek  for  love  of 
our  Meek  Lord,  through  the  Gate  of  Simeon.  The  heroic 
Priesthood,  the  pure  Diaconate,  and  joined  to  them  by  self- 
oblation  the  poor  and  lowly  for  Christ's  sake,  through  the 
Gate  of  Levi.  They  who  sat  down  in  the  lowest  place 
esteeming  earth  no  mansion  but  a  tent,  through  the  Gate  of 
Issachar.  They  who  made  not  shipwreck  of  faith  as  they 
voyaged  across  the  waves  of  this  troublesome  world,  through 
the  Gate  of  Zabulon.  The  stewards  of  ten  talents  who  have 
made  other  ten,  through  the  Gate  of  Joseph.  The  called  and 
chosen  who  repented  and  went,  through  the  Gate  of  Benjamin. 

What  are  these  lovely  ones,  yea,  what  are  these  1 

Lo,  these  are  they  who  for  pure  love  of  Christ 
Cast  off  the  trammels  of  soft  silken  ease 

Beggaring  themselves  bytimes,  to  be  sufficed 
Throughout  heaven's  one  eternal  day  of  peace  : 

By  golden  streets,  thro'  gates  of  pearl  unpriced, 
They  entered  on  the  joys  that  will  not.  cease, 

And  found  again  all  firstfruits  sacrificed. 
And  wheref  jre  have  you  harps,  and  wherefore  palms, 

And  wherefore  crowns,  O  ye  who  walk  in  white  ? 
Because  our  happy  hearts  are  chanting  psalms, 

Endless  Te  Deum  for  the  ended  fight ; 
While  thro'  the  everlasting  lapse  of  calms 

We  cast  our  crowns  before  the  Lamb  our  Might. 

13.  On  the  east  three  gates ;  on  the  north  three  gates ;  on 
the  south  three  gates ;  and  on  the  west  three  gates. 

East,  north,  south,  west,  the  four  points  of  the  compass  at 
present  so  divided  not  to  say  opposed  that  the  Psalmist 
employs  east  and  west  as  a  standard  of  remoteness,  finally 
exhibit  absolute  equality ;  each  having  its  three  gates  and  its 
triple  influx  of  confluent  saints.  The  Holy  City  erects  no 
walls  of  partition  :  all  its  citizens  as  Children  of  God,  Members 
of  Christ,  Inheritors  put  into  actual  possession  of  the  Kingdom 
of  Heaven,  are  so  far  equal.  "  Sirs,  ye  are  brethren." 

Equality,  which    noble   hearts  have  vainly  craved  after  on 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  501 

earth,  meets  and  greets  mankind  in  heaven.  Not  a  level : — 
gradation,  precedence,  a  Right  Hand  and  a  Left,  we  look  for  : 
but  underlying  all  is  essential  equality,  inasmuch  as  all  are 
Christ's. 

There  the  sunny  south  will  have  nothing  over,  the  auroral 
north  no  lack  :  there  the  region  of  sunrise  will  not  prevent  the 
region  of  sunset.  Then  supremely  shall  come  to  pass  that 
which  Isaiah  foretold  :  "  I  will  bring  thy  seed  from  the  east, 
and  gather  thee  from  the  west ;  I  will  say  to  the  north,  Give 
up ;  and  to  the  south,  Keep  not  back  :  bring  My  sons  from 
far,  and  My  daughters  from  the  ends  of  the  earth  ;  even  every 
one  that  is  called  by  My  Name  :  for  I  have  created  him  for 
My  glory,  I  have  formed  him  ;  yea,  I  have  made  him." 

We  dwell  on  the  reversal  in  heaven  of  earth's  relative 
positions  :  "  Many  that  are  first  shall  be  last ;  and  the  last 
shall  be  first."  We  anticipate  that  there  many  monarchs  will 
range  below  subjects,  many  teachers  below  learners,  many 
masters  and  mistresses  below  servants.  Perhaps  in  our  own 
person  we  look  forward  to  taking  without  shame  the  lowest 
p'ace,  if  by  God's  grace  we  find  entrance : — without  shame, 
for  shame  is  sharp  pain,  and  pain  may  not  invade  the  final 
beatitude ;  and  indeed  with  satisfaction  and  good  will,  for 
the  justified  cannot  but  love  judgment  and  justice.  Such 
reversals  seem  natural  and  easy  to  be  conceived.  Not  so, 
at  least  not  necessarily  so,  the  celestial  equality :  this,  it  may 
be,  taxes  our  faith  and  acquiescence,  in  a  sense  even  our 
imagination  more  severely.  Perhaps  one  source  of  such  diffi 
culty  is  that  while  lifelong  experience  displays  before  all  eyes 
reverses  and  inequalities,  never  has  this  world  beheld  universal 
or  even  prevalent  equality.  We  exercise  by  nature  the  instinct 
of  inequality :  by  grace  only  can  we  acquire  the  intuition  of 
equality. 

Which  then  will  it  be  wise  to  practise,  to  rehearse,  at  once  : 
equality  or  inequality?  Equality,  surely  ;  as  the  more  abstruse, 
the  far  more  difficult  to  assimilate.  Equality  tends  to  anni 
hilate  pride  :  proud  humility  may  plant  itself  in  the  lowest 
place ;  only  humble  humility  can  revel  and  rejoice  in  sitting 
altogether  undistinguished  amid  peers.  Besides,  as  most  of 
us  do  not  suppose  ourselves  on  a  par  with  the  "very  chiefest," 
we  are  prepared  to  see  St.  Peter  placed  higher,  St.  John  nigher  : 
comparison  is  simply  impossible,  and  we  repeat  contentedly 
"  First,  Apostles,"  not  needing  argument  to  prove  such  in 
equality. 

For  the  present,  meanwhile,  every  one  occupies  his  own 


502  THE  FACE   OF  THE   DEEP. 

level,  and  on  that  particular  level  occurs  his  personal  tempt 
ation.  It  is  easier,  often,  to  stoop  low  than  to  stoop  slightly  : 
in  the  former  case  all  see  and  acknowledge  the  condescension ; 
in  the  latter  many  may  not  admit  that  there  is  any  condescension 
at  all. 

O  Gracious  Lord  Jesus,  by  Thine  inconceivable  Self-abase 
ment  in  Thy  most  holy  Incarnaticn  :  by  Thy  daily  Self-abase 
ment  in  Thy  Life  as  a  Man  amongst  fellow-men  :  by  Thine 
utter  Self- abasement  through  Thy  Cross  and  Passion  :  by  Thy 
crowning  Self-abasement  in  Crucifixion  between  two  male 
factors  :  grant  us  humility. 

Lest  we  put  Thee  to  an  open  shame  :  lest  we  fall  from  Thee  : 
lest  we  never  see  Thee  as  Thou  art,  Thou  Who  art  the  Same 
yesterday,  and  to-day,  and  for  ever  :  grant  us  humility. 
Amen. 

14.  And  the  wall  of  the  city  had  twelve  foundations,  and 
in  them  the  names  of  the  twelve  apostles  of  the  Lamb. 

"  Known  unto  God  are  all  His  works  from  the  beginning  of 
the  world."  And  now  in  and  beyond  the  end  of  the  world  the 
strong  foundations  of  New  Jerusalem  bear  witness  to  His 
Faithfulness  by  Whose  grace  the  Twelve  Apostles  became 
"called,  and  chosen,  and  faithful" :  they  fell  not,  being  them 
selves  founded  upon  a  rock,  and  that  Rock  was  Christ.  Truly 
are  the  "twelve  foundations"  of  costly  stones;  according  to 
the  prophetic  word  :  "  I  will  make  a  man  more  precious  than 
fine  gold  ;  even  a  man  than  the  golden  wedge  of  Ophir  "  : — for 
any  handwriting  of  old  that  was  contrary  to  man,  Christ  took  it 
clean  away ;  so  that  it  shall  no  more  be  said  in  reproach  of  him  : 
"Behold  He  put  no  trust  in  His  servants;  and  His  angels  He 
charged  with  folly :  how  much  less  in  them  that  dwell  in 
houses  of  clay,  whose  foundation  is  in  the  dust,  which  are 
crushed  before  the  moth!"  "Her  foundations  are  upon  the 
holy  hills,"  the  Twelve  being  as  those  gracious  mountains 
which  bring  peace  to  the  people.  By  faith  they  stood  fast 
like  the  immovable  Mount  Zion  :  for  "  the  righteous  is  an 
everlasting  foundation."  That  Lord  Almighty  Who  spake  by 
Cyrus  to  the  second  Temple,  saying,  "Thy  foundation  shall 
be  laid,"  hath  built  up  His  House  not  made  with  hands  on  the 
glorious  foundation  of  the  Apostles. 

O  Lord,  by  grace  sustain  us,  so  that  in  will  and  affection  we 
may  now  by  faith  dwell  in  tabernacles  with  Abraham,  Isaac, 
and  Jacob ;  and  being  heirs  with  them  of  the  same  promise 
may  look  for  that  city  which  hath  foundations,  whose  Builder 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  503 

and  Maker  Thou  art.  Through  Jesus  Christ  our  Redeemer. 
Amen,  so  be  it. 

Wherefore  are  those  twelve  names  inscribed  on  those  twelve 
foundation-stones  ?  Mighty  princes  amongst  us  were  the  Saints 
that  bore  them.  St.  Peter  loved  much,  St.  John  was  greatly 
beloved,  St.  James  the  Great  drank  of  Christ's  cup,  St.  Andrew 
was  a  succourer  of  many,  St.  Philip  led  his  friend  in  the  way  cf 
salvation,  St.  Thomas  confessed  the  Faith,  St.  Matthew  left  all, 
St.  James  the  Less  instructed  the  Church,  St.  Jude  sought  out 
heavenly  knowledge,  the  glory  of  St.  Bartholomew  is  certified 
though  not  set  forth,  the  mighty  deeds  of  St.  Simon  are  vouched 
for  though  not  chronicled,  St.  Matthias  repaired  the  breach 
and  restored  paths  to  dwell  in.  Yet  not  unto  them,  O  Lord, 
not  unto  them  but  unto  Thy  Name  give  the  praise,  for  Thy 
loving  mercy  and  for  Thy  truth's  sake. 

Not  because  they  were  what  otherwise  they  were,  but  because 
they  were  "Apostles  of  the  Lamb"  are  their  names  graven  in 
the  everlasting  rock.  For  that  which  is  not  of  the  Lamb 
passes  away ;  that  which  is  of  the  Lamb  abides  for  ever. 

O  Lamb  of  God,  Very  God,  Who  hast  shown  us  the  love  of 
St.  Peter,  make  us  like-hearted  :  the  nearness  of  St.  John,  draw 
us  unto  Thee  :  the  loftiness  of  St.  James  the  Great,  grant  us 
spiritual  growth  :  the  brotherly  kindness  of  St.  Andrew,  re 
plenish  us  with  charity :  the  friendship  of  St.  Philip,  let  us 
never  forget  our  friend  or  our  father's  friend :  the  adoration 
of  St.  Thomas,  strengthen  our  faith  :  the  self-oblation  of  St. 
Matthew,  wean  us  from  the  world  :  the  wisdom  of  St.  James 
the  Less,  instruct  our  teachers :  the  wisdom  of  St.  Jude, 
instruct  us  learners.  Thou  Who  certifiest  to  us  the  hidden 
glory  of  St.  Bartholomew,  give  us  our  best  things  last :  the 
acceptableness  of  St.  Simon,  accept  us  unworthy.  Thou  Who 
calledst  St.  Matthias  at  the  eleventh  hour  of  the  apostolic  call, 
call  us  to  any  office  at  any  hour,  giving  us  ears  to  hear  and  wills 
to  obey. 

O  Lamb  of  God,  that  takest  away  the  sins  of  the  world,  take 
away  my  sins  and  all  sins.  Amen. 

15.  And  lie  that  talked  with  me  had  a  golden  reed  to 
measure  the  city,  and  the  gates  thereof,  and  the  wall 
thereof. 

A  reed  the  image  of  frailty  and  fragility:  "A  reed  shaken 
with  the  wind,"  "  A  bruised  reed."  Thanks  be  to  the  Lord  of 
all,  Who  broke  not  the  bruised  reed  of  earth. 

Behold  earth's  reed  transplanted  to  heaven  :  its  feeble  poverty 


504  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

has  been  transmuted  into  golden  indestructible  strength,  its 
crookedness  is  restored  to  rectitude.  It  has  become  the 
standard  measure  whereby  the  perfect  City  of  God  is  measured: 
that  city  where  unto  the  God  of  gods  appeareth  every  one  of 
the  elect,  through  whose  gates  the  redeemed  pour,  within  whose 
walls  they  abide  all  glorious. 

As  the  Sabbath  is  made  for  man,  and  not  man  for  the 
Sabbath,  in  such  a  sense  is  New  Jerusalem  made  for  man,  and 
not  man  for  New  Jerusalem  :  he  is  accepted  according  to  that 
he  hath,  and  not  according  to  that  he  hath  not.  Whatsoever 
God  condescends  to  reap  He  has  first  sown,  whatsoever  He 
condescends  to  gather  He  has  first  strawed. 

But  the  golden  reed  recalls  another  and  infinitely  tran 
scendent  glory.  Christ  in  His  saving  Passion  held  a  reed  in 
His  Right  Hand,  and  endured  to  be  smitten  therewith  upon 
the  Sacred  Divine  Head.  Thus  deigned  He  for  man's  sake 
Himself  to  be  measured  as  it  were  with  a  reed ;  the  he'ght  of 
His  Love,  the  extent  of  His  Patience,  His  long-suffering,  to  be 
meted  with  a  span.  All  for  love  of  us ;  that  so  at  last  the 
perfect  man  might  attain  to  "  the  measure  of  the  stature  of  the 
fulness  of  Christ." 

Lord,  hast  Thou  so  loved  us  :  and  will  not  we 

Love  Thee  with  heart  and  mind  and  strength  and  soul, 

Desiring  Thee  beyond  our  glorious  goal, 
Beyond  the  heaven  of  heavens  desiring  Thee? 
Each  saint,  all  saints,  cry  out :  Yea  me,  yea  me, 

Thou  hast  desired  beyond  an  aureole, 

Beyond  Thy  many  crowns,  beyond  the  whole 
Ninety  and  nine  unwandering  family. 
Souls  in  green  pastures  of  the  watered  land, 
Faint  pilgrim  souls  wayfaring  thro'  the  sand, 

Abide  with  Thee  and  in  Thee  are  at  rest : 

Yet  evermore,  kind  Lord,  renew  Thy  quest 
After  new  wanderers  ;  such  as  once  Thy  Hand 

Gathered,  Thy  Shoulders  bore,  Thy  Heart  caressed. 

16.  And  the  city  lieth  foursquare,  and  the  length  is  as 
large  as  the  breadth :  and  he  measured  the  city  with 
the  reed,  twelve  thousand  furlongs.  The  length  and 
the  breadth  and  the  height  of  it  are  equal. 

"  Foursquare  "  : — that  city's  angles  therefore  are  right  angles. 
Turn  such  angles  inward  from  circumference  to  centre,  and 
they  form  a  perfect  cross. 

The  Cross  is  the  nucleus  of  heaven.  Already  faith  beholds 
it  thus,  and  loves  it  for  that  which  it  is,  and  for  that  which  shall 
unfold  from  it. 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  505 

Angles  inward,  the  cross  of  probation :  angles  outward,  the 
square  of  perfection. 

Lord,  enable  us  to  love  the  cross  because  it  was  Thy  Cross, 
and  to  love  New  Jerusalem  because  it  is  Thy  Shrine. 

A  chill  blank  world.      Yet  over  the  utmost  sea 
The  light  of  a  coming  dawn  is  rising  to  me, 

No  more  than  a  paler  shade  of  darkness  as  yet  ; 
While  I  lift  my  heart,  O  Lord,  my  heart  unto  Thee 

Who  hast  not  forgotten  me,  yea,  Who.  wilt  not  forget. 

Forget  not  Thy  sorrowful  servant,  O  Lord  my  God, 
\Veak  as  I  cry,  faint  as  I  cry  underneath  Thy  rod, 

Soon  to  lie  dumb  before  Thee  a  body  devoid  of  breath, 
Dust  to  dust,  ashes  to  ashes,  a  sod  to  the  sod  : 

Forget  not  my  life,  O  my  Lord,  forget  not  my  death. 

"Length  .  .  .  breadth  .  .  .  height  .  .  .  are  equal," — there. 
Here  human  ways  and  works  are  deplorably  out  of  scale,  out 
of  relative  proportion.  Pride  towers,  Envy  is  straitened  in  its 
own  bowels,  Anger  spurns  barriers,  Avarice  burrows,  Lust  saps 
limits,  Gluttony  overheaps  the  measure,  Sloth  drones  out  of 
time. 

Yet  length,  breadth,  height,  are  settled  quantities  not  amen 
able  to  mortal  whims  and  ways.  O  Man,  O  Woman,  whether 
thou  be  acute-angled  or  obtuse-angled,  accommodate  thyself 
betimes  to  the  rigid  squareness  of  thine  optional  habitat :  for 
if  thou  fit  not  thyself  to  it  by  rectification  of  every  line  and 
angle,  never  will  it  fit  itself  to  thee  by  so  much  as  a  hair 
breadth. 

Meanwhile  be  of  good  cheer.  "Twelve  thousand  furlongs" 
may  suffice  thee  for  space,  and  an  Angel  as  surveyor  enhances 
thy  dignity.  If  here  thou  must  be  squeezed  or  stretched  to 
bring  thee  into  shape,  look  outward  and  upward  to  the  ensuing 
amplitude. 

Time  is  short :  long  is  eternity. 

Short  is  time,  and  only  time  is  bleak  ; 

Gauge  the  exceeding  height  thou  hast  to  climb : 
Long  eternity  is  nigh  to  seek  : 
Short  is  time. 

Time  is  shortening  with  the  wintry  rime  : 
Pray  and  watch  and  pray,  girt  up  and  meek  ; 
Praying,  watching,  praying,  chime  by  chime. 

Pray  by  silence  if  thou  canst  not  speak  : 

Time  is  shortening  ;  pray  on  till  the  prime  : 
Time  is  shortening  ;  soul,  fulfil  thy  week  ; 
Short  is  time. 


5c6  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

17.  And  he  measured  the  wall  thereof,  an  hundred  and 

forty  and  four  cubits,  according  to  the  measure  of 
a  man,  that  is,  of  the  angel. 

This  is  that  wall  whose  battlements  shall  never  be  taken 
away,  for  they  are  the  Lord's.  This  is  that  just  measure  which 
applies  to  unfallen  angels,  and  equally  to  fallen  man  when  at 
length  he  is  raised  to  equality  with  angels. 

Both  the  city  furlongs  and  the  wall  cubits  being  multiples  of 
twelve  appear  traceable  back  lo  twelve  as  to  their  secondary 
origin.  So  in  Isaiah's  Prophecy  are  the  thousand  to  the  little 
one,  and  the  strong  nation  to  the  small  one. 

The  Jewish  Church  had  its  Twelve  Patriarchs,  the  Christian 
Church  its  Twelve  Apostles ;  those  Patriarchs  natural  fathers 
of  their  nation,  those  Apostles  spiritual  fathers  of  their  com 
munity.  Nevertheless  when  the  hundred  and  forty  and  four 
thousand  (ch.  vii.  4 — 8)  are  numbered  for  salvation,  Dan  is 
not  numbered  amongst  them  ;  and  the  name  of  Judas  Iscariot, 
erased  from  the  Apostolick  College  on  earth  and  replaced  by 
the  name  of  St.  Matthias,  cannot  be  looked  for  on  any  found 
ation-stone  of  New  Jerusalem. 

Yet  in  neither  case  doth  God  Almighty  suffer  loss  :  twelve 
He  hath  summoned,  nnd  twelve  make  answer,  "  Here  we  are." 
Abraham  shall  not  lack  child; en,  nor  praise  keep  silence,  so 
long  as  there  be  "stones"  (see  St.  Matt.  iii.  9:  St.  Luke 
xix.  40). 

Gracious  Lord  Jesus,  let  not  Thine  own  brethren  and 
sisters  be  stonier  than  stones,  having  hearts  of  stone  incapable 
of  loving  Thee,  and  more  dumb  and  graceless  than  stones  of 
the  highway. 

O  Loving  Lord  Jesus,  in  Whose  Heart  there  yet  is  room,  I 
thank  Thee  that  the  good  of  any  is  the  good  of  all.  Dan  and 
Manasses  might  have  entered  into  rest  together  :  Judas  and  St. 
Matthias  might  have  been  fellow  Saints  if  not  fellow  Apostles. 
Grant  us  grace  to  rejoice  with  Thee  and  with  Thy  holy  angels 
over  every  sinner  that  repenteth ;  and  to  be  ourselves,  to  be 
myself,  numbered  with  those  over  whom  Thou  rejoicest. 

18.  And  the  building  of  the  wall  of  it  was  of  jasper  :  and 

the  city  was  pure  gold,  like  unto  clear  glass. 

Well  may  the  wall  be  built  of  jasper,  be  great  and  high.  For 
whatever  be  here  beyond  my  scrutiny,  let  me  seek  to  connect 
what  I  perceive  with  the  Love  of  God  in  Christ. 

He  Who  sat  upon  the  Throne  (ch.  iv.  3)  "  was  to  look  upon 
like  a  jasper.  .  .  ."  Holy  Jerusalem  is  the  Shrine  of  Him 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  507 

Whom  no  words  can  express  :  and  whatever  else  its  jasper  wall 
may  indicate,  surely  it  may  lawfully  represent  to  some  who  fear 
His  Name  the  effusion,  embrace,  all-inclusion  of  His  Love. 
He  Who  within  is  the  life  of  His  own,  without  is  their  habit 
ation.  The  Centre  in  which  all  meet,  unifies  :  the  Circumference 
which  contains  all,  unites.  The  gracious  City  is  pervaded 
through  and  through  by  grace  :  the  Builder  radiates  throughout 
the  building  :  the  beauty  of  the  Bride  is  the  Beauty  of  the 
everywhere-present  Bridegroom  :  He  Who  rejoiceth  over  her 
is  her  joy  :  He  Who  is  glorified  in  her  is  her  glory. 

The  "  pure  gold  "  of  the  city,  inasmuch  as  it  is  "  like  unto 
clear  glass,"  lets  not  nor  hinders  the  universal  permeation  of 
light.  Earthly  gold  is  opaque,  heavenly  gold  translucent :  yet 
a  bless  jd  alchemy  resorted  to  betimes  transmutes  the  baser 
into  the  more  precious  :  "  Sell  that  ye  have,  and  give  alms  ; 
provide  yourselves  bags  which  wax  not  old,  a  treasure  in  the 
heavens  that  faileth  not,  where  no  thief  approacheth,  neither 
moth  corrupteth.  For  where  your  treasure  is,  there  will  your 
heart  be  also."  Thus  far  the  Greater  than  Solomon.  King 
Solomon  in  his  wisdom  instructs  us  as  to  the  transitoriness  of 
terrestrial  riches,  at  the  same  time  suggesting  that  they  may 
find  their  way  to  heaven,  although  he  explains  not  on  what 
terms  :  "  Wilt  thou  set  thine  eyes  upon  that  which  is  not  ?  for 
riches  certainly  make  themselves  wings  ;  they  fly  away  as  an 
eagle  toward  heaven." 

I  think  that  from  this  glass-like  gold  of  the  flawless  heavenly 
city  we  may  devise  a  test  for  our  own  earthly  possessions, 
whether  they  be  lawful,  safe,  expedient,  or  otherwise.  Such  as 
in  our  contemplation  eclipse  not  God  belong  to  the  former 
class,  such  as  eclipse  Him  to  the  latter.  Which  test  secures 
the  further  advantage  of  setting  us  to  judge  ourselves  without 
at  all  judging  our  neighbour,  whose  view-point  we  stand  not  at 
and  whose  powers  of  vision  we  cannot  estimate. 

Moreover,  that  the  ultimate  imperishable  goM  should  re 
appear  "like  glass,"  suggests  how  little  genuine  inequality 
there  need  be  between  the  many  and  various  earthly  lots. 
The  rich  must  refine  their  gold  as  glass,  or  woe  is  them.  The 
poor  can  make  their  paltry  perishable  belongings  like  gold, 
durable,  precious,  and  laid  up  in  the  eternal  storehouse. 

"Pure  gold"  and  "clear  glass"  alike  have  stood  the  fire. 
Any  residuum  which  man  neither  brings  nor  takes  away  with 
him  is  but  a  minor  matter. 

19.  And  the  foundations  of  the  walls  of  the  city  were 


5oS  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

garnished  with  all  manner  of  precious  stones.  The 
first  foundation  was  jasper ;  the  second,  sapphire ;  the 
third,  chalcedony ;  the  fourth,  an  emerald  ; 
20.  The  fifth,  sardonyx;  the  sixth,  sardius;  the  seventh, 
chrysolyte ;  the  eighth,  beryl ;  the  ninth,  a  topaz ; 
the  tenth,  a  chrysoprasus ;  the  eleventh,  a  jacinth ;  the 
twelfth,  an  amethyst. 

Twelve  foundation-stones,  and  in  them  the  names  of  the 
Twelve  Apostles.  Our  not  being  informed  which  stone  bears 
which  name,  seems  to  leave  us  free  to  meditate  at  large  on  the 
subject ;  tracing  out  if  we  can  a  variety  of  analogies  or  of 
symbols,  widening  our  perception  of  graces  bestowed  and 
rewards  vouchsafed. 

Jasper  (see  ante  on  ver.  18)  reminded  us  of  the  Love  of  God 
in  Christ.  Oar  Lord  Christ  being  by  right  the  Rock,  jasper 
seems  by  grace  congruous  with  the  Apostolic  rock  St.  Peter ; 
once  Simon,  but  at  his  call  renamed  by  the  Master  as  "Cephas, 
which  is  by  interpretation,  a  stone,"  and  afterwards  confirmed 
in  that  name  by  the  same  Divine  lips  :  "  I  say  also  unto  thee, 
That  thou  art  Peter,  and  upon  this  rock  I  will  build  My 
Church."  St.  Peter,  Primate  of  the  Apostles. 

Sapphire  exhibits  a  heavenly  blue.  Sky-colour  suits  St. 
John  the  Divine,  that  Sun-gazing,  heaven-exploring,  Apostolic 
eagle,  whose  Evangelical  Symbol  is  the  Eagle.  Such  an  eagle 
becomes  to  us  our  bird  of  Paradise. 

Chalcedony  is  characterized  by  a  variety  of  subdued  tints ; 
gems  of  a  bright  striking  colour  would  throw  it  into  the  back 
ground.  Its  shape  is  likewise  so  to  say  subdued  :  for  it  is 
formed  within  rock  cavities,  and  in  subordination  to  their 
contour  and  capacity  moulds  itself.  St.  Andrew  brought  to 
Christ  a  brother  who  at  least  in  human  estimation  eclipsed 
him ;  yet  none  the  less  did  he  himself  live,  move,  and  have  his 
being  in  the  God  Whom  he  glorified  and  loved  ;  exhibiting 
very  tender  and  endearing  gifts  such  as  may  be  shadowed  forth 
by  chalcedony. 

Emerald,  by  its  intense  fadeless  green  constituted  an  emblem 
of  hope,  at  once  recalls  St.  James  the  Great ;  that  first  among 
the  Twelve  to  attain  the  goal  of  hope  and  the  crown  in 
corruptible. 

Sardonyx  being  compounded  of  two  substances,  sard  and 
onyx,  may  (so  far  and  fancifully)  suggest  St.  Thomas  "  called 
Didymus,"  or  Twin.  Moreover,  as  that  tender-spirited  saint 
needed  the  most  tender  handling  of  his  Divine  Lord  and 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  509 

Friend  to  bring  out,  invigorate,  establish  his  graces,  so  the 
many-layered  sardonyx  discloses  not  half  its  beauties  until  a 
master-hand  by  probing,  as  it  were,  its  substance  brings  to  light 
its  full  scale  of  harmonious  loveliness. 

Sardius,  a  choice  sort  of  carnelian,  is  found  in  rocks.  Red 
it  is,  the  more  vividly  red  the  more  costly :  thus  may  it 
symbolize  the  awful  ensanguined  glory  wherewith  tradition 
invests  the  memory  of  St.  Bartholomew. 

Chrysolyte  (whether  or  not  this  Apocalyptic  Chrysolyte  be 
that  self-same  yellowish-green  stone  which  now  bears  the 
.name)  clearly  from  its  name  should  be  some  stone  of  more 
or  less  golden  hue.  Which  gold  reminds  us  of  treasure  hid ; 
and  thus  by  association  of  St.  Philip's  announcement,  "  We 
have  found"  the  Messiah.  Discovery  indeed,  the  craving  to 
see  and  know,  becomes  inseparably  linked  with  our  idea  of 
St.  Philip,  for  he  it  is  who  said  :  "Lord,  show  us  the  Father, 
and  it  sufficeth  us." 

Beryl,  amongst  various  Biblical  allusions,  has  for  ourselves 
one  that  is  pre-eminent,  inasmuch  as  Solomon  in  his  mystical 
Song  of  Songs  says  of  the  Beloved  :  "His  hands  are  as  gold 
rings  set  with  the  beryl."  Whence  I  venture  to  associate  this 
gem  with  that  Apostle  whom  tradition  dignifies  by  physical  as 
well  as  spiritual  likeness  to  our  Adorable  Lord,  St.  James  the 
Less,  "  the  Lord's  brother." 

Topaz  because  yellow  and  brilliant  so  far  resembles  gold  ; 
and  the  two  are  brought  together  in  the  saying  :  "  But  where 
shall  wisdom  be  found?  .  .  .  The  topaz  of  Ethiopia  shall  not 
equal  it,  neither  shall  it  be  valued  with  pure  gold."  Thus  of 
old  are  topaz  and  gold  weighed  in  the  balance  and  found 
wanting  by  Job,  a  man  "  perfect  and  upright,  and  one  that 
feared  God,  and  eschewed  evil "  :  and  thus  centuries  later  did 
St.  Matthew  estimate  all  such  wealth  when  the  Uncreated 
Wisdom  vouchsafed  to  summon  him  :  "  Follow  Me.  And  he 
left  all,  rose  up,  and  followed  Him." 

Chrysoprase  derives  its  name  from  gold  and  a  leek.  Gold 
passes  unharmed  through  fire  :  the  leek  can  stand  no  such 
test.  This  combination  of  dissimilars  seems  not  incongruous 
with  the  memory  of  St.  Jude,  whose  one  recorded  speech 
contrasts  the  Church  and  the  world  :  "  Lord,  how  is  it  that 
Thou  wilt  manifest  Thyself  unto  us,  and  not  unto  the  world  ?  " 
and  whose  Epistle  dwells  on  the  general  mixture  of  good  and 
evil,  which  having  been  many  times  already  partially  divided, 
yet  ever  remingle  until  the  final  supreme  sifting  of  the  Judgment 
Day. 


5io  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

Jacinth  is  often  flame-  or  fire-coloured  :  some  specimens  of 
this  mimic  fire  exhibit  also  a  mimic  smokiness  of  tint  The 
virtue  of  heavenly  zeal  is  as  it  were  pure  flame  ;  but  human 
zeal  even  in  a  righteous  cause  too  often  kindles  not  without 
contamination  of  smoke.  We  are  not  told  whether  St.  Simon 
received  his  title  of  Zelotes  from  our  Lord's  own  lips  :  in  any 
case,  presumably  it  fitted  him.  By  conjecture  and  before  his 
call  he  has  been  assigned  to  the  Jewish  sect  of  Zealots  :  if 
correctly  so,  the  smoky  jacinth  may  remind  us  of  his  beginning, 
the  smokeless  jacinth  of  his  end. 

Amethyst  is  of  two  qualities  :  in  the  west,  the  region  of. 
sunset  where  light  dies  away  into  darkness,  it  is  a  soft  stone  of 
little  worth  ;  in  the  east,  the  region  of  sunrise  where  darkness 
turns  to  light,  it  is  a  gem  hard  and  precious.  Impressions 
made  on  a  comparatively  soft  substance  can  be  worn  away, 
obliterated,  lost :  on  a  hard  substance  they  endure.  Both 
qualities  of  amethyst  display  violet  tints,  the  tints  of  Church 
mourning.  The  noble  amethyst  in  its  beauty  seems  naturally, 
as  forming  the  Twelfth  and  last  Foundation,  to  fall  to  St. 
Matthias  :  and  since  the  action  of  fire  purging  this  jewel  of 
colour  can  impart  to  it  the  appearance  of  a  lustrous  diamond, 
we  may  if  we  please  even  think  of  it  in  its  final  glory  as  divested 
of  any  tinge  of  sometime  mourning.  None  the  less  while  the 
earth  remaineth  thoughts  of  St.  Matthias  involve  thoughts  of 
Judas  Iscariot  the  expunged  Apostle,  and  as  it  were  the  un- 
retentive  base  amethyst :  whose  fall  may  well  make  us  not 
fearful  only  but  also  sorrowful,  remembering  how  in  the 
moment  of  victory  David  mourned  for  lost  Absalom  and 
triumphant  Judah  mourned  with  him.  "  The  King  was  much 
moved,  and  went  up  to  the  chamber  over  the  gate,  and  wept : 
and  as  he  went,  thus  he  said,  O  my  son  Absalom,  my  son,  my 
son  Absalom  !  would  God  I  had  died  for  thee,  O  Absalom, 
my  son,  my  son  !  .  .  .  And  the  victory  that  day  was  turned 
into  mourning  unto  all  the  people  :  for  the  people  heard  say 
that  day  how  the  King  was  grieved  for  his  son.  And  the 
people  gat  them  by  stealth  that  day  into  the  city,  as  people 
being  ashamed  steal  away  when  they  flee  in  battle.  But 
the  King  covered  his  face,  and  the  King  cried  with  a  loud 
voice,  O  my  son  Absalom,  O  Absalom,  my  son,  my  son  !" 

Lord  Jesus,  Who  lovest  gre.it  and  small,  first  and  last,  build 
us  up,  I  beseech  Thee,  on  the  foundation  of  the  Apostles. 
Grant  us  impregnable  faith  with  St.  Peter,  unearthly  wisdom 
with  St.  John,  brotherly  love  with  St.  Andrew,  heavenly  hope 
with  St.  James  the  Great,  confirmation  with  St.  Thomas,  se  f- 


THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP. 


oblation  with  St.  Bartholomew,  thirst  for  Divine  knowledge  with 
St.  Philip,  spiritual  Christ-likeness  with  St.  James  the  Less, 
imworldliness  with  St.  Matthew,  just  judgment  with  St.  Jude, 
righteous  zeal  with  St.  Simon,  final  perseverance  with  St. 
Matthias.  Provoke  us  to  good  works  by  all  holy  examples, 
O  Lord  our  only  Perfect  Example,  Who  hast  deigned  to  say 
to  each  one  of  us,  Follow  Me.  Amen. 

21.  And  the  twelve  gates  were  twelve  pearls  ;  every  several 
gate  was  of  one  pearl :  and  the  street  of  the  city  was 
pure  gold,  as  it  were  transparent  glass. 

After  all,  the  vanished  sea  has  a  representative  in  the  eternal 
holy  city  :  "  the  twelve  gates  were  twelve  pearls."  Though  no 
mention  shall  be  made  of  coral  or  of  pearls  in  comparison  with 
Wisdom  whose  price  is  above  rubies,  yet  are  pearls  also 
admitted  there  white  and  lustrous  :  "every  several  gate  was  of 
one  pearl." 

Still,  since  in  this  world  (according  to  St.  Paul's  rule  for 
women)  pearls  are  not  to  be  clung  to  and  delighted  in,  so  by  a 
figure  even  those  celestial  pearls  set  forth  how  God  prepares 
better  things  for  His  dutiful  children  :  a  gate  is  to  be  passed 
through,  not  resided  in.  They  who  on  earth  contending  for 
truth  and  righteousness  spake  unashamed  with  their  enemies 
in  the  gate,  may  now  through  the  everlasting  doors  pass  onward 
and  inward.  "  Open  ye  the  gates,  that  the  righteous  nation 
which  keepeth  the  truth  may  enter  in." 

Before  (ver.  18)  we  read  of  the  city  in  general  that  it  "was 
pure  gold,  like  unto  clear  glass."  Now  we  read  of  the  sireet 
in  particular  that  it  was  "  pure  gold,  as  it  were  transparent 
glass."  Here  on  earth  a  saint  walking  with  God  needeth  "  to 
wash  his  feet,"  because  being  flesh  and  not  altogether  spirit  he 
is  beset  by  infirmity,  and  is  liable  to  contract  defilement  even 
in  the  path  of  duty  :  he  must  wash  over  and  over  again  in 
penitential  tears,  he  must  wash  and  never  cease  to  wash  in  the 
(Jnly  and  all-cleansing  Blood  of  Christ.  Not  so  there  :  for 
there  is  neither  anything  that  causeth  sweat,  nor  mire  of  the 
streets,  nor  dust  of  death. 

We  who  go  softly,  can  we  if  wre  will  press  forward  towards 
the  perfection  of  that  better  country  ?  Yea,  by  God's  grace  ! 
Whoso  barters  earthly  gold  for  meat  for  the  hungry,  drink  for 
the  thirsty,  clothing  for  the  destitute,  any  good  gift  for  any 
forlorn  soul  or  body,  shall  find  it  after  many  days  refined  into 
the  glass-like  gold  of  the  eternal  city.  A  profitable  exchange 
and  a  goodly  :  for  this  supersensual  gold  is  as  precious  metal 


512  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

with  the  virtue  of  glass  superadded  ;  not  like  poverty-stricken 
glass  gilded  over  to  simulate  gold.  Mere  surface  gilding  belongs 
to  earth  not  to  heaven,  and  with  earth  it  vanishes.  "  Make  to 
yourselves  friends  of  the  mammon  of  unrighteousness ;  that, 
when  ye  fail,  they  may  receive  you  into  everlasting  habitations." 

22.  And    I  saw  no  temple  therein :    for  the  Lord  God 

Almighty  and  the  Lamb  are  the  temple  of  it. 

Truly  in  that  Temple  will  every  man  speak  of  God's 
honour.  They  who  shall  be  accounted  worthy  to  obtain  that 
world  and  the  resurrection  from  the  dead  shall  understand  and 
experience  in  its  fulness  the  ineffable  mutual  indwelling 
whereof  Christ  spake  :  "That  they  all  may  be  one  :  as  Thou, 
Father,  art  in  Me,  and  I  in  Thee,  that  they  also  may  be  one 
in  Us.  .  .  .  And  the  glory  which  Thou  gavest  Me  I  have 
given  them  ;  that  they  may  be  one,  even  as  We  are  One :  I  in 
them,  and  Thou  in  Me,  that  they  may  be  made  perfect  in 
one."  In  that  Divine  Temple  the  worshippers  themselves  are 
temples  of  God  the  Holy  Spirit. 

Childlike  souls  know  much  which  they  understand  not ; 
and  what  is  required  of  them  is  not  to  understand  but  to  know. 

"  I  will  both  lay  me  down  in  peace,  and  sleep :  for  Thou, 
Lord,  only  makest  me  dwell  in  safety." 

O  Lord,  before  Whom  I  say,  "  I  will  lay  me  down  in  peace  "  : 
Thou  beholdest  me  harassed  by  cares,  fears,  perils  without, 
evil  within.  What  I  should  choose  I  know  not,  if  the  choice 
lay  with  me  :  I  thank  Thee  that  the  choice  lieth  with  Thee, 
not  with  me.  Yet  this  I  choose,  even  whilst  I  cannot  choose  : 
I  choose  Thy  choice,  my  Lord,  I  will  Thy  Will,  I  by  help  of 
Thy  grace  will  be  pleased  with  Thy  good  pleasure.  Even  so, 
Lord  Jesus,  for  me  and  for  all.  Amen. 

23.  And  the  city  had  no  need  of  the  sun,  neither  of  the 

moon,  to  shine  in  it :  for  the  glory  of  God  did  lighten 
it,  and  the  Lamb  is  the  light  thereof. 

Be  its  plenary  fulfilment  far  off  or  imminent,  already  man 
can  bask  in  some  furthest  ray  of  this  promised  glory.  Wean 
thyself  from  sensible  objects,  and  thou  shalt  relish  the  unseen, 
untouched,  unhandled.  Look  beyond  sun  and  moon,  and 
thou  shalt  see  greater  things  than  they.  Stint  bodily  in 
dulgence,  and  thou  shalt  enlarge  spiritual  capacity.  Make  a 
covenant  with  thine  eyes,  and  thou  shalt  be  full  of  light. 
Lean  not  to  thine  own  understanding,  and  the  Lord  shall  even 
now  be  thy  Light,  and  the  Lamb  thy  Light  and  thy  salvation. 

Not  in  the  future  only,  but  now  are  the  elect  constituted 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  513 

living  stones  of  the  deathless  city.  And  already  they  are 
themselves  deathless,  though  in  the  teeth  of  death  and  cor 
ruption  :  for  he  that  liveth  and  believeth  in  Christ  shall  never 
die. 

The  longest  and  keenest  trials  of  time  become  comparatively 
petty,  trivial,  inconsiderable  when  strong  faith  weighs  and 
measures  them.  Though  his  eyes  be  sealed  against  sun  and 
moon,  he  is  not  blind  who  sees  Christ.  The  hungry  man  will 
not  starve  outright  whose  spiritual  mouth  is  opened  wide  and 
being  filled.  The  veiled  and  downcast  eye  discerns  fairer 
objects  than  it  foregoes.  The  simplest  illiterate  keeper  of 
commandments  is  wise  and  hath  understanding  beyond  many 
aged  and  many  teachers.  Rule  thyself:  and  already  thou  art 
king,  freeman,  citizen  of  no  mean  city. 

Love  builds  a  nest  on  earth  and  waits  for  rest, 
Love  sends  to  heaven  the  warm  heart  from  its  breast, 
Looks  to  be  blest  and  is  already  blest, 
And  testifies  :  "  God's  Will  is  alway  best." 

Whilst  man  needs  sun  and  moon  he  has  them  :  so  long  as 
he  needs  them  he  will  have  them.  This  is  a  sample  of  the, 
Providential  Bounty  lavished  upon  him  wi&out  stint  or  failure ; 
an  antidote  for  his  cares  and  fears,  a  reassurance  of  his  hope. 
Which  reassurance  (so  to  say)  acts  both  backwards  and  for 
wards  :  for  by  guaranteeing  to  him  all  necessaries  it  likewise 
proves  that  aught  he  lacks  cannot  be  a  genuine  necessary. 

"  What  lack  I  yet  ?  "  asked  the  beloved  Young  Ruler  eager 
for  salvation  in  the  lap  of  prosperity.  The  answer  returned 
by  the  Very  Truth  broke  up  his  earthly  comfort  and  con 
venience  :  "  One  thing  thou  lackest :  go  thy  way,  sell  whatso 
ever  thou  hast,  and  give  to  the  poor,  and  thou  shalt  have 
treasure  in  heaven :  and  come,  take  up  the  cross,  and  follow 
Me."  Whereat  the  rich  young  man  turned  away  sorrowful. 
Yet  if  he  had  stayed  to  sift  those  unexpected  words  of  grace 
he  might  rather  have  thanked  God  and  taken  courage.  "  Sell 
.  .  .  and  give"  :  it  is  not  "  give  "  merely,  but  "sell"  also  :  the 
spiritual  price  would  have  remained  to  the  obedient  seller,  and 
have  been  invested  in  the  secure  treasury.  The  material  gift 
he  might  retain  at  the  longest  for  a  lifetime :  its  intangible, 
substantial  price  for  ever  and  ever. 

I  see  the  pity  of  it,  that  the  Young  Ruler  appreciated  not, 
so  far  as  is  recorded,  his  unique  chance.  I  see  it  as  regards 
him :  what  see  I  as  regards  myself?  If  I  see  it  as  regards 
myself,  what  then  do  I  ?  If  I  do  nought  in  accordance  with 

K  K 


5i4  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

what  I  see,  who  shall  deliver  me  not  from  snares  or  foes  but 
from  myself? 

24.  And  the  nations  of  them  which  are  saved  shall  walk 
in  the  light  of  it :  and  the  kings  of  the  earth  do 
bring  their  glory  and  honour  into  it. 

Experience  worketh  hope.  As  yet  my  own  experience 
attests  nothing  whatever  as  to  "  nations  "  of  the  saved.  To 
have  known  here  one  and  there  another  individual  self-evidently 
rich  in  grace  and  goodness  has,  however,  been  my  happy  lot : 
so  that  experience  has  actually  already  familiarized  me  with 
samples  of  elect  communities,  units  of  the  sum-total  which  no 
man  can  number. 

Patience  it  is  which  works  experience :  no  wonder  that  a 
vast  amount  of  human  experience  is  limited.  To  stint  patience 
stints  hope  at  one  remove. 

Patience  is  irksome,  experience  tedious  ;  but  then  without 
hope  which  is  their  result  life  were  a  living  death.  Every 
course  of  life  at  any  level  affords  scope  for  patience.  Let  us 
not  despond  as  if  destined  to  stick  fast  in  patience  and  there 
come  to  an  end ;  tr^e  fault  is  mine  if  my  patience  shoot  not 
up  into  experience,  or  if  my  experience  bud  and  blossom  not 
into  hope. 

When  past  history  strikes  us  as  a  tissue  of  crimes,  and 
present  history  as  a  tangle  of  unrighteousness ;  when  a  back 
ward  glance  scares,  and  a  forward  glance  scares  yet  more  ;  then 
the  word  of  this  sure  prophecy  revives  a  comfortable  hope  : 
"The  kings  of  the  earth  do  bring  their  glory  and  honour  into 
it."  Not  kings  of  a  new  creation,  of  a  superior  dynasty,  but 
literal  kings  of  this  literal  earth.  From  their  palaces  of  pomp, 
from  their  giddy  pinnacles  of  dominion,  they  too  have  gone 
up  on  high  and  have  led  their  captivity  captive  ;  as  Barak  son 
of  Abinoam  from  his  high  places,  or  as  Deborah  wife  of 
Lapidoth  from  palm  tree  of  earth  to  palm  trees  of  heaven. 

If  hard  it  is  for  any  rich  man  to  enter  into  the  kingdom  of 
heaven,  how  hard  must  it  be  for  those  royal  rich  men  to  whom 
tribute,  custom,  fear,  honour,  are  due  it  may  be  from  subject 
millions.  Wise  indeed  was  Agur  when  he  prayed,  "Remove 
far  from  me  vanity  and  lies  :  give  me  neither  poverty  nor 
riches  " — wiser,  so  far,  than  wisest  Solomon  who  lost  himself 
in  luxuries  and  pleasures  for  a  while,  if  not  (as  God  forbid !) 
for  ever. 

Every  man's  vocation  exhibits  a  twofold  aspect.  Primarily, 
it  is  allotted  to  him  for  himself,  that  therein  he  may  glorify 


THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP.  515 

God  and  save  his  own  soul ;  secondarily,  it  is  allotted  to  him 
for  his  brethren,  that  therein  he  may  serve  them  and  promote 
their  salvation. 

Children,  servants,  subjects,  exist  in  right  of  parents, 
masters,  monarchs ;  and  vice  versa  ;  each  equally  in  right  of 
the  other,  each  complementarily  to  the  other.  I  see  this  at 
once  as  to  parents  and  children  :  I  accept  it  readily  as  to 
monarchs  and  subjects  :  I  must  take  heed  to  admit  it  practically 
as  to  superiors  and  inferiors,  employers  and  employed. 

O  Perfect  Lord  Jesus,  Who  being  the  Creator  wert  pleased 
to  abase  Thyself  to  become  a  Creature,  and  amongst  creatures 
a  dutiful  Son,  a  submissive  Subject,  and  though  not  a  servant 
of  men  yet  toward  Thine  own  as  he  that  serveth  ;  grant  us  a 
faint  shadow  of  Thy  humility  whereby  we  too  may  become 
dutiful,  submissive,  serviceable.  Make  us  in  our  several 
stations  affectionate,  loyal,  helpful,  to  one  another  ;  and  in 
and  above  all  earthly  ties,  absorb  us  in  self-devotion  to  Thyself, 
the  Source  of  our  life,  the  King  of  our  race,  the  Master  to 
Whom  we  must  stand  or  fall.  For  none  of  which  things  are 
we  sufficient,  but  our  sufficiency  is  of  Thee.  Make  us  as  Mary 
when  she  turned  and  said  Rabboni. 

Bring  me  to  see,  Lord,  bring  me  yet  to  see 
Those  nations  of  Thy  glory  and  Thy  grace 
Who  splendid  in  Thy  splendour  worship  Thee. 

Light  in  all  eyes,  content  in  every  face, 
Raptures  and  voices  one  while  manifold, 
Love  and  are  well-beloved  the  ransomed  race  : — 

Great  mitred  priests,  great  kings  in  crowns  of  gold, 
Patriarchs  who  head  the  army  of  their  sons, 
Matrons  and  mothers  by  their  own  extolled, 

Wise  and  most  harmless  holy  little  ones, 
Virgins  who  making  merry  lead  the  dance, 
Full-breathed  victorious  racers  from  all  runs, 

Home-comers  out  of  every  change  and  chance, 
Hermits  restored  to  social  neighbourhood, 
Aspects  which  reproduce  One  countenance, 

Life-losers  with  their  losses  all  made  good, 
All  blessed  hungry  and  athirst  sufficed, 
All  who  bore  crosses  round  the  Holy  Rood, 

Friends,  brethren,  sisters,  of  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

25.  And  the  gates  of  it  shall  not  be  shut  at  all  by  day  :  for 
there  shall  be  no  night  there. 

"  The  evening  and  the  morning  "  made  up  the  former  day  : 
the  latter  day  shall  consist  of  morning  without  evening.  The 
sun  of  that  former  day  went  down  even  while  it  was  yet  day, 
because  rebellious  Adam  set  his  face  toward  death  and 


5i6  THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP. 

darkness.  Then  was  the  gate  shut,  Eden  gate ;  and  no  man 
remained  within,  neither  could  any  return  thither  whence  once 
for  all  man  had  gone  out.  Inside  stood  the  Tree  of  Life 
inaccessible ;  outside  stood  the  live  man  death-stricken.  A 
gate  that  is  shut  fulfils  an  obvious  purpose. 

But  wherefore  gates  at  all  if  never  to  be  shut  ?  The  full 
wherefore  may  abide  hidden,  yet  in  this  as  in  many  another 
instance  one  may  elicit  a  lesson  without  fathoming  any  mystery. 

The  gates  bear  perpetual  witness  that  man  inhabits  heaven 
not  of  right  but  of  grace.  The  morning  stars  which  sang 
together,  the  sons  of  God  who  shout  for  joy,  are  (so  to  say) 
aborigines  of  the  celestial  country  :  not  so  man,  whose  life  is, 
a  resurrection  from  death,  whose  sonship  is  by  adoption,  whose 
freedom  commenced  in  enfranchisement,  whose  citizenship  is 
confer  ed,  not  natal.  "  We  are  strangers  before  Thee,  and 
sojourners,  as  were  all  our  fathers  :  our  days  on  the  earth  are 
as  a  shadow,  and  there  is  none  abiding." 

The  open  gates  bear  permanent  witness  to  human  free  will, 
still  free  even  when  made  indefectible.  "  A  brother  or  a  sister 
is  not  under  bondage  "  :  Love  alone  constrains  such.  But 
whilst  God's  eternal  Love  endures,  and  their  own  everlasting 
love  endures,  and  the  immortal  mutual  love  of  the  whole 
Communion  of  Saints  endures,  so  long  will  a  threefold  cord 
not  quickly  broken,  "cords  of  a  man  .  .  .  bands  of  love," 
hold  them  fast. 

The  gate  of  Eden  honours  Law  :  the  gates  of  New  Jerusalem 
honour  Love.  Art  thou  weary  of  Law  and  enamoured  of 
love  ?  St.  Paul  teaches  us  a  short  cut  out  of  law  into  love  : 
"The  fruit  of  the  Spirit  is  love,  joy,  peace,  longsuffering, 
gentleness,  goodness,  faith,  meekness,  temperance :  against 
such  there  is  no  law." 

Lord,  by  Thy  Most  Holy  Life-giving  Spirit  plant,  I  bcs:ech 
Thee,  love  in  every  heart.  Living,  growing,  flourishing  love  : 
with  joy  as  a  fair  flower,  peace  as  a  refreshing  fruit,  longsuffering 
for  a  steadfast  prop  \  by  gentleness  kept  ever  pliant  to  the 
Husbandman,  by  goodness  meet  to  stand  every  test,  by  virtue 
of  faith  fadeless,  by  meekness  bending  not  breaking,  by 
temperance  concentrated  as  under  the  pruning  knife.  Grant  us 
these  graces  which  please  Thee,  and  deign  to  be  pleased  with 
us  sheltered  in  the  grace  of  Jesus  Christ.  All  for  His  sake. 
Amen. 

I  suppose  some  ears  are  liable  to  be  involuntarily  caught  as 
by  an  illogical  sequence  on  hearing :  "  And  the  gates  of  it 
shall  not  be  shut  at  all  by  day :  for  there  shall  be  no  night 


'THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  517 

there,"— which  latter  clause  the  Revised  Version  segregates 
in  a  parenthesis.  Yet  as  it  stands  in  the  Authorized  Version 
much  maybe  made  of  that  very  for :  it  will  teach  the  teachable. 

Days  which  alternate  with  nights  make  up  Time,  Time 
fraught  with  danger  at  its  best.  This  temporal  mortal  life 
needs  restrictions  as  it  were  both  by  day  and  night  :  its  virtues 
may  run  into  excess,  while  its  vices  call  for  bit  and  bridle  at 
every  turn  if  we  are  not  to  be  destroyed  by  them.  "  Keep  the 
door  of  my  lips,"  is  the  Psalmist's  prayer ;  although  within 
the  lips  dwells  the  praise-giving  member,  that  "best  member" 
that  man  has.  The  door  of  Noah's  Ark  continued  shut  both 
day  and  night,  after  "the  Lord  shut  him  in,"  and  until  he 
received  the  command  to  go  forth  :  at  least,  so  we  may  infer 
the  more  readily  because  the  raven  was  sent  out  at  the  opened 
window.  The  closet  of  prayer  has  a  shut  door  (see  St.  Matt, 
vi.  6).  The  sheepfold  of  salvation  has  a  door,  evidently 
sometimes  shut,  inasmuch  as  on  occasion  it  is  opened  (see  St. 
John  x.  i — 4). 

Seclusion,  exclusion,  befit  Time. 

But  Eternity !  The  Eternity  of  the  beatified  knows  nought 
of  seclusion  when  all  are  brethren  beloved,  or  of  exclusion 
when  all  are  saints.  Time  shut  its  gates  even  by  day,  because 
of  night  being  there  :  Eternity  opens  them  and  leaves  them 
wide  open  "by  day :  for  there  shall  be  no  night  there." 

O  Gracious  Lord  God,  enlarge  our  hearts,  wills,  intellects, 
that  more  and  more  we  may  love,  choose,  worship  Thee. 
Through  Jesus  Christ  our  Redeemer.  Amen. 

Day  that  hath  no  tinge  of  night, 

Night  that  I  ath  no  tinge  of  day, 
These  at  last  will  come  to  sight 

Not  to  fade  away. 

This  is  twilight  that  we  know, 

Scarcely  night  and  scarcely  day; 
This  hath  been  from  long  ago 

Shed  around  man's  way  : 

Step  by  step  to  utter  night, 

Step  by  step  to  perfect  day, 
To  the  Left  Hand  or  the  Right 

Leading  all  away. 

This  is  twilight  :  be  it  so  ; 

Suited  to  our  strength  our  day  : 
Let  us  follow  on  to  know, 

Patient  by  the  way. 

26.  And  they  shall  bring  the  glory  and  honour  of  the 
nations  into  it. 


5i8  THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP. 

Nearly  the  same  as  we  read  of  the  kings  of  the  earth 
(ver.  24  ante),  yet  not  quite  the  same.  For  those  kings  appear 
themselves  to  "  bring  their  glory  and  honour  into  it."  Glorious 
and  honourable  was  their  vocation  :  they  reigned  in  righteous 
ness  and  ruled  in  judgment;  until  invested  with  the  untarnished 
glory  and  honour  of  their  proper  calling  they  at  length  ascend 
the  Hill  of  the  Lord  and  rise  up  in  His  Holy  Place. 

Not  so  the  nations  at  large.  They  have  not  like  King 
Solomon  worn  glory  as  a  robe,  or  amid  popular  acclamations 
received  honour  of  men.  Their  majesty  has  been  inward, 
their  dignity  without  insignia.  Like  the  Holy  Innocents  they 
have  put  on  unsuspected  splendours,  not  seeking  praise  of 
men.  Neither  have  they  honoured  themselves,  nor  borne 
witness  to  themselves ;  but  copying  their  Blessed  Master  they 
have  committed  themselves  to  Him  that  judgeth  righteously, 
saying  with  St.  Paul,  "  Yea,  I  judge  not  mine  own  self."  And 
since  we  read  not  that  they  shall  with  their  own  hands  present 
their  offering,  we  cannot  tell  whether  themselves  or  others  on 
their  behalf  shall  do  so  :  "  they  shall  bring  it,"  whoever  they 
may  be  on  whom  so  felicitous  a  charge  devolves.  Perhaps 
those  elect  kings  commending  to  God  their  people's  offerings, 
as  did  David  :  or  those  elect  angels  who  have  ministered  to 
these  heirs  of  salvation  :  or  it  may  be  these  same  heirs  of 
salvation  one  for  another,  in  honour  preferring  one  another 
in  perfection,  as  heretofore  in  imperfection ;  still  looking  every 
man  not  on  his  own  things,  but  also  on  the  things  of  others. 

It  were  to  be  a  stone,  a  clod,  dust  in  our  native  dust,  not  to 
kindle  and  glow,  flame  and  mount  heavenward  amid  the  great 
cloud  of  witnesses  our  brethren  and  sisters  in  Christ.  Shall 
others  go  up  from  the  extreme  outposts  of  peril,  the  heights  or 
depths  of  difficulty ;  they  the  forlorn  hope  of  the  Christian 
army,  they  the  violent  whose  violence  the  kingdom  of  heaven 
suffers  :  and  will  not  we  go  up  from  our  peaceable  habitation, 
sure  dwellings,  quiet  resting-places?  Forbid  it,  honour — forbid 
it,  shame  ! 

"  Now  set  your  heart  and  your  soul  to  seek  the  Lord  your 
God  ;  arise  therefore,  and  build  ye  the  sanctuary  of  the  Lord 
God." 

O  Lord  my  God,  by  honour  or  dishonour,  through  evil 
report  or  good  report,  give  us  grace  to  seek  Thee,  greater 
grace  to  find  Thee,  greatest  grace  to  abide  with  Thee,  for 
ever  and  ever,  world  without  end.  By  the  Indwelling  of  Thy 
Most  Holy  Spirit,  and  for  the  only  Merits  and  sake  of  Thy  Son 
Jesus  Christ.  Amen. 


THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP.  519 

Lord  Jesu,  Thou  art  sweetness  to  my  soul  : 

I  to  myself  am  bitterness  : 
Regard  my  fainting  struggle  toward  the  goal, 

Regard  my  manifold  distress, 
O  Sweet  Jesu. 

Thou  art  Thyself  my  goal,  O  Lord  my  King  : 
Stretch  forth  Thy  hand  to  save  my  soul : 

What  matters  more  or  less  of  journeying? 
While  I  touch  Thee  I  touch  my  goal, 
O  Sweet  Jesu. 

27.  And  there  shall  in  no  wise  enter  into  it  anything  that 
defileth,  neither  whatsoever  worketh  abomination,  or 
maketh  a  lie :  but  they  which  are  written  in  the 
Lamb's  book  of  life. 

St.  Paul  writes  :  "We  must  all  appear  before  the  judgment 
seat  of  Christ ;  that  every  one  may  receive  the  things  done  in 
his  body,  according  to  that  he  hath  done,  whether  it  be  good 
or  bad.  Knowing  therefore  the  terror  of  the  Lord,  we  persuade 
men."  And  St.  John  in  the  verse  we  have  now  to  study  shows 
whom  that  Judgment  will  exclude  from  final  blessedness,  and 
whom  it  will  admit. 

Everything  foul  and  everything  false  will  be  excluded. 
Perhaps  we  can  still  trace  the  inveterate  hostility  of  free 
will  in  the  persons  excluded :  not  merely  are  they  in  their 
own  persons  tainted  and  hollow ;  but  afford  them  scope,  and 
they  still  are  such  as  defile,  as  work  abomination,  as  make  a 
lie.  Never  must  I  picture  to  myself  lost  souls  as  ready  to 
repent  were  penitence  attainable,  ready  to  be  reconciled  were 
a  door  opened  to  reconciliation ;  as  more  ready  to  pray  than 
God  to  hear.  While  there  was  life  there  was  hope  ;  and  once 
Christ's  tender  Hand  touched  and  healed  the  leper  :  "  But  put 
forth  Thine  Hand  now,  and  touch  his  bone  and  his  flesh,  and 
he  will  curse  Thee  to  Thy  face." 

We  are  taught  here  what  manner  of  folk  will  be  shut  out,  not 
what  manner  will  find  entrance.  But  almost  at  the  outset  of 
this  Revelation  (ch.  iii.  5)  we  learned  the  "  he  that  over- 
cometh  "  is  he  whose  name  will  not  be  blotted  out  of  the  Book 
of  Life. 

Temptations  are  what  I  have  to  overcome,  and  at  the  root 
of  every  possible  temptation  I  have  to  overcome  myself.  The 
rest  God  will  do  for  me,  unless  I  frustrate  His  gracious 
purpose.  So  that  works  and  faith  here  combine  :  self-conquest 
and  trust  in  God. 

The  Bible  is  open  to  all,  not  so  the  Book  of  Life.     The 


520  THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP. 

Bible  then  is  what  man  needs  at  present,  however  curiosity 
may  hanker  after  the  other. 

Profit  now  by  the  open  Bible,  and  hereafter  the  Book  of  Life 
will  not  be  closed  to  thee. 

It  is  characteristic  of  Divine  Revelation  to  kindle  and  susta:n 
instead  of  satisfying  curiosity.  Is  thy  curiosity  evil  ?  Desire 
not  its  gratification.  Is  it  good  ?  Wait  patiently  and  it  will 
be  gratified. 

The  Bible  is  well  worth  prolonged  study,  and  the  Book  of 
Life  prolonged  expectation.  And  already  in  the  Bible  man 
holds  the  key  to  the  Book  of  Life. 

Curiosity  though  it  be  not  a  sin  forms  a  highway  for  sin. 
The  curiosity  of  Eve  brought  sin  into  the  world  and  death  by 
sin.  Curiosity  may  have  seduced  Lot's  wife  into  looking  back, 
whereupon  she  became  a  pillar  of  salt. 

These  two  instances  suggest  Curiosity  as  a  feminine  weak 
point  inviting  temptation,  and  doubly  likely  to  facilitate  a  fall 
when  to  indulge  it  woman  affects  independence.  Thus  we  see 
Eve  assume  the  initiative  with  Adam,  and  Lot's  wife  take  her 
own  way  behind  her  husband's  back. 


CHAPTER   XXII. 

1.  And  he  showed  me  a  pure  river  of  water  of  life,  clear  as 
crystal,  proceeding  out  of  the  Throne  of  God  and  of  the 
Lamb. 

Or  as  the  Revised  Version  arranges  the  text :  " .  .  .  the 
Throne  of  God  and  of  the  Lamb,  in  the  midst  of  the  street 
thereof" — thus  adding  to  the  end  of  ver.  i  a  clause  which  the 
Authorized  Version  places  at  the  beginning  of  ver.  2.  This  latter 
reading  favours  a  collation  of  the  verse  we  have  now  to  consider 
with  a  Divine  utterance  recorded  by  St.  John  : 

"  Jesus  stood  and  cried,  saying,  If  any  man  thirst,  let  him 
come  unto  Me,  and  drink.  He  that  believeth  on  Me,  as  the 
Scripture  hath  said,  out  of  his  belly  shall  flow  rivers  of  living 
water.  (But  this  He  spake  of  the  Spirit,  which  they  that 
believe  on  Him  should  receive  .  .  .)"  The  two  passages 
taken  together  suggest  how  ineffably  real  and  close  is  regenerate 
man's  union  with  his  dearest  Lord  and  Head  :  so  that  every 
thing  communicable  which  is  Christ's  He  shares  verily  and 
indeed  with  His  brethren ;  yea,  even  with  each  of  the  least  of 
those  His  brethren. 

That  the  "  Pure  River  of  Water  of  Life"  proceeded  "out  of 
the  Throne  of  God  and  of  the  Lamb  "  confirms  that  clause  of 
the  Nicene  Creed:  "The  Holy  Ghost,  The  Lord  and  Giver 
of  Life,  Who  proceedeth  from  the  Father  and  the  Son,  Who 
with  the  Father  and  the  Son  together  is  worshipped  and 
glorified." 

That  It  flows  forth  through  the  golden  street  of  New 
Jerusalem  (see  Revised  Version  as  quoted  above)  certifies  us 
that  the  Divine  All  Gracious  Spirit  will  abide  for  ever  in  the 
human  temple  He  has  deigned  to  edify  and  hallow.  No  more 
than  will  our  Lord  Himself,  will  God  the  Holy  Spirit,  the 
"  Other  Comforter,"  ever  leave  His  own  comfortless. 

Pure   It   is   and  purifying,  Living  and   quickening.      The 


522  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

Waters  of  Baptism  in  a  mystery  have  already  conveyed  it  to 
us  by  grace  of  the  Most  Holy  Trinity.  "  He  that  believeth  and 
is  baptized  shall  be  saved." 

"  Clear  as  crystal  " — not  concealing,  but  revealing.  Accord 
ing  to  Christ's  promise  to  St.  Peter  :  "  What  I  do  thou  knowest 
not  now ;  but  thou  shalt  know  hereafter."  For  in  the  day  of 
eternity  all  faithful  children  shall  be  as  that  Father  of  the 
Faithful  of  whom  the  Lord  once  said  :  "  Shall  I  hide  from 
Abraham  that  thing  which  I  do  ?  " 

If  I  may  without  presumption,  I  connect  symbolically  the 
reflecting  power  of  '*  a  pure  river "  with  another  saying  of 
Christ's  uhen  on  the  eve  of  His  most  sacred  Passion  He 
poured  Himself  forth  in  love  to  His  disciples:  "Howbeit 
when  He,  the  Spirit  of  Truth,  is  come,  He  will  guide  you  into 
all  truth:  for  He  shall  not  speak  of  Himself;  but  whatsoever 
He  shall  hear,  that  shall  He  speak  :  and  He  will  show  you 
things  to  come.  He  shall  glorify  Me  :  for  He  shall  receive  of 
Mine,  and  shall  show  it  unto  you.  All  things  that  the  Father 
hath  are  Mine  :  therefore  said  I,  that  He  shall  take  of  Mine, 
and  shall  show  it  unto  you."  This  promise,  relating  to  time, 
seems  not  necessarily  limited  to  time. 

I  suppose  that  the  river  of  Eden,  which  from  being  one  became 
parted  into  four  heads,  may  correspond  figuratively  with  the 
Apocalyptic  "  Pure  River  of  Water  of  Life."  From  the  Paradise 
which  could  be  lost  and  which  it  watered,  the  single  fountain- 
head  poured  forth  in  fourfold  stream  Pison  and  Gihon,  Hiddekel 
and  Euphrates,  to  fertilize  the  world  and  sprinkle  many 
nations :  in  the  regained  Paradise  That  which  it  typified 
appears  as  One,  having  accomplished  the  Divine  Pleasure. 

O  Most  Holy,  Almighty,  Eternal,  Divine  Spirit,  Who  art  of 
one  Authority  and  Dominion  with  the  Father  and  the  Son ;  set 
up  Thy  throne  in  our  hearts,  indwell  us,  gather  us  into  Thine 
obedience,  reign  over  us. 

Thou  Who  art  Lord  and  Giver  of  Life,  grant  us  life,  a  long 
life,  even  for  ever  and  ever. 

Thou  Who  art  a  Loving  Spirit,  ever  willing  to  give  Thyself 
to  whoso  will  receive  Thee,  give  Thyself  to  us,  give  Thyself  to 
us  more  and  more,  and  never  withdraw  Thyself  from  us. 

Thou  Who  art  Purity,  purify  us  :  Who  art  Light,  enlighten 
us  :  Who  art  Fulness  and  Refreshment,  make  us  Thine,  keep 
us  Thine,  fill  us,  refresh  us. 

Thou  Who  lovest  us,  grant  us  grace  to  love  Thee. 

O  Lord  God  Almighty,  Most  Holy  Trinity,  Jesus  Christ  is 
our  sole  plea  lor  any  gift,  for  any  grace.  Amen. 


THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP.  523 

We  know  not  a  voice  of  that  River, 

If  vocal  or  silent  it  be, 
Where  for  ever  and  ever  and  ever 
It  flows  to  no  sea. 

More  deep  than  the  seas  is  that  River, 
More  full  than  their  manifold  tides, 
Where  for  ever  and  ever  and  ever 
It  flows  and  abides. 

Pure  gold  is  the  bed  of  that  River 

(The  gold  of  that  land  is  the  best), 
Where  for  ever  and  ever  and  ever 
It  flows  on  at  rest. 

Oh  goodly  the  banks  of  that  River. 

Oh  goodly  the  fruits  that  they  bear, 
Where  for  ever  and  ever  and  ever 
It  flows  and  is  fair. 

For  lo  !  on  each  bank  of  that  River 

The  Tree  of  Life,  life-giving  grows, 
Where  for  ever  and  ever  and  ever 
The  Pure  River  flows. 

2.  In  the  midst  of  the  street  of  it,  and  on  either  side  of  the 
river,  was  there  the  tree  of  life,  which  bare  twelve 
manner  of  fruits,  and  yielded  her  fruit  every  month : 
and  the  leaves  of  the  tree  were  for  the  healing  of  the 
nations. 

According  to  one  or  other  Version  "  In  the  midst  of  the 
street  of  it "  either  closes  the  first  verse  or  opens  the  second. 

If  now  I  may  treat  it  as  opening  ver.  2,  it  appears  to  belong  to 
the  revelation  of  where  and  how  stood  the  Tree  of  Life  ;  that 
figure  of  Christ  Crucified  for  our  salvation,  and  constituting 
Himself  our  Meat  indeed  and  Drink  indeed  in  the  Sacrament 
of  His  most  Blessed  Body  and  Blood  :  which  how  should  we 
name  without  words  of  love,  yet  how  shall  words  of  our  love 
worthily  name  it  ? 

It  is  the  greatness  of  Thy  Love,  dear  Lord,  that  we  would  celebrate 

With  sevenfold  powers. 
Our  love  at  best  is  cold  and  poor,  at  best  unseemly  for  Thy  state, 

This  best  of  ours. 
Creatures  that  die,  we  yet  are  such  as  Thine  own  hands  deigned  to  create : 

We  frail  as  flowers, 
We  bitter  bondslaves  ransomed  at  a  price  incomparably  great 

To  deck  heaven's  bowers. 

Thou  callest  :  "  Come  at  once  " — and  still  Thou  callest  us  :  "  Come  late, 
tho'  late" — 

(The  moments  fly) — 

"Come,  every  one  that  thirsteth,  come" — "Come  prove  Me,  knocking  at 
My  gate" — 

(Some  souls  draw  nigh  !) — 


524  THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP. 

"Come  thou  who  waiting  seekest  Me" — "Come  thou  for  whom  I  seek 
and  wait " — 

(Why  will  we  die?)— 
"  Come  and  repent :  come  and  amend  :  come  joy  the  joys  unsatiate  " — 

— Christ  passeth  by  .   .  . 
Lord,  pass  not  by— I  come — and  I— and  I.     Amen. 

Perhaps  the  banyan  tree  (of  which  I  have  read)  was  created 
with  its  exceptional  habit  of  self-multiplication  in  unbroken 
unity,  to  show  us  one  natural  tree  capable  of  standing  "in  the 
midst  .  .  .  and  on  either  side,"  for  the  more  confirmation  of 
our  faith. 

If,  on  the  other  hand,  ver.  2  should  be  considered  as  not 
commencing  until  the  words,  "And  on  either  side  of  the  river," 
then  the  double  (and  no  more  than  double)  presence  of  the 
Tree  of  Life  recalls  to  adoring  love  those  Two  Natures  of  our 
Redeemer,  distinct  whilst  inseparable,  which  the  Two  Candle 
sticks  upon  Christian  Altars  are  designed  to  express. 

In  the  Revised  Version  a  marginal  reading  substitutes 
"  twelve  crops  "  for  "  twelve  manner  of  fruits."  This  alternative 
word  bears  witness  to  the  inadequacy  of  eternity  itself  to  empty 
into  the  creature's  apprehension  a  full  knowledge  of  the  Creator  : 
because  the  crops  are  yielded  and  the  nations  fed  (see  ch.  ii.  7  : 
and  ver.  14  of  the  present  ch.),  satisfied,  fed  again,  for  ever  and 
ever.  For  the  twelve  crops  corresponding  with  the  twelve  months 
appear  to  provide  for  them,  that  is,  for  the  entire  year ;  but 
twelve  months  when  heaven  is  in  question  seem  perforce  a 
figure  not  of  the  years  of  time  but  of  some  aspect  of  eternity. 
In  accordance  with  which  surmise  I  remark,  that  these  mystical 
months  being  twelve  are  not  paralleled  by  the  thirteen  moons 
of  a  temporal  year,  moons  which  wax  and  wane  in  an  ever 
renewed  incompleteness.  That  moon  which  was  ordained  to 
rule  over  the  night,  rules  not  the  perpetual  day. 

The  other  reading,  "  twelve  manner  of  fruits,"  reminds  us 
that  the  flavour  of  the  wilderness  Manra  is  said  to  have  been 
mysteriously  adapted  to  the  palate  of  each  eater.  And  if  the 
type,  much  more  will  the  True  Bread  from  Heaven  satisfy  and 
still  excite  and  still  appease  every  taste  and  craving  of  the 
many  thousands  of  the  perfected  Israel ;  those  tribes  and 
families  whose  thousands  of  thousands  dwell  at  last  in  the 
Lord's  Tabernacle  and  rest  upon  His  holy  hill. 

"  And  the  leaves  of  the  Tree  were  for  the  healing  of  the 
nations." — To  this  revelation,  so  mysterious  by  reason  of  its 
context,  I  attempt  not  to  assign  conjectual  time  or  place.  I 
rest  in  Christ's  declaration  even  to  His  assembled  Apostles  : 


THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP.  525 

"  It  is  not  for  you  to  know  the  times  or  the  seasons.  .  .  ." 
Still,  something  it  does  teach  me  if  I  learn  from  it  that  what 
ever  the  multitudes  of  the  redeemed  need,  that  our  tender 
Saviour  Himself  becomes  to  them. 

Lord  Jesus,  so  long  as  seemeth  Thee  good,  give  us  faith 
rather  than  knowledge,  and  hope  than  assurance.  Feed  us 
when  we  need  feeding,  heal  us  when  we  need  healing.  Grant 
us  to  find  peace  by  conforming  ourselves  lovingly  to  Thy  good 
Will  and  pleasure,  peace  here  and  peace  hereafter.  Amen. 

3.  And  there  shall  be  no  more  curse :  but  the  Throne  of  God 

and  of  the  Lamb  shall  be  in  it ;  and  His  servants  shall 
serve  Him : 

4.  And  they  shall  see  His  face ;  and  His  Name  shall  be  in 

their  foreheads. 

Where  the  Throne  of  God  and  of  the  Lamb  is  established 
in  uncontested  dominion ;  where  His  servants  serve  Him  with 
no  more  fightings  without  or  fears  within ;  where  in  Beatific 
Vision  they  see  His  Face  ;  where  His  Name  is  in  their  fore 
heads  :  there  is  and  can  be  "  no  more  curse." 

What  may  I  understand  by  "  His  Name  shall  be  in  their 
foreheads?  "  (If  I  may)  I  will  not  think  of  it  as  a  Name  then 
newly  impressed  there  ;  but  rather  as  the  consummated,  in 
effaceable,  fully-developed  glory  of  that  Name  into  which  the 
elect  were  once  baptized  in  weakness  who  finally  must  bear  it 
in  power.  To  participate  in  the  Name  is  (by  adoption)  to 
participate  in  the  Nature  (consider  i  St.  Peter  i.  2 — 4)  :  to 
bear  the  Name  in  full  view,  "  in  their  foreheads,"  is  to  show 
forth  the  restored  Divine  Image  and  Likeness  before  the  face 
of  all  people.  The  forehead  expresses  thought,  reason, 
intellect ;  and  these  supernaturalized  by  grace  become  wisdom 
in  union  with  the  Uncreated  Wisdom.  One  Name,  one 
Wisdom,  one  Love,  with  God :  this  is  what  we  hope  for — we 
dare  not  hope  for  less  than  this — when  unto  the  God  of  gods 
we  appear  every  one  of  us. 

If  the  Name  in  the  forehead  do  indeed  (amongst  whatever 
else)  express  the  consummation  of  a  gift  conferred  in  Baptism, 
then  surely  day  by  day,  hour  by  hour,  moment  by  moment,  the 
Divine  Likeness  should  be  developing,  augmenting,  deepening 
in  each  of  us.  The  progressive  work  may  be  hidden, — 

"  Who  ever  saw  the  earliest  rose  first  open  her  sweet  breast?  " — 

and  well  is  it  that  from  our  too  self-conscious  eyes  it  is 
hidden !  but  none  the  less  line  upon  line,  here  a  little  and 


526  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

there  a  little,  the  transfiguring  process  must  be  going  on :  or 
else,  woe  is  us  !  the  latent  likeness  is  inevitably  weakening, 
diminishing,  even  if  not  yet  ready  to  vanish  away. 

God,  for  Christ's  sake,  nerve  us  to  stake  all  on  the  incon 
ceivable  hope  set  before  us. 

Alas,  alas  !  for  the  self-destroyed 

Vanish  as  images  from  a  glass, 
Sink  down  and  die  down  by  hope  unbuoyed  : — 

Alas,  alas  ! 

Who  shall  stay  their  ruinous  mass  ? 
Besotted,  reckless,  possessed,  decoyed, 
They  hurry  to  the  dolorous  pass. 

Saints  fall  a-weeping  who  would  have  joyed, 

Sore  they  weep  for  a  glory  that  was, 
For  a  fulness  emptied  into  the  void, 

Alas,  alas  ! 

O  Lord  Jesus,  Who  biddest  us  here  serve  Thee,  and 
promisest  that  hereafter  Thy  servants  shall  serve  Thee ;  make 
Thy  command  dear  to  us  as  Thy  promise.  Now  give  us  grace 
to  fulfil  Thy  command,  and  afterwards  of  exceeding  grace  fulfil 
to  us  Thy  promise ;  that  we  may  serve  Thee  now  in  love  and 
then  in  love,  and  may  see  Thy  Face  of  Love  for  ever  and  ever. 
Amen. 

5,  And  there  shall  be  no  night  there;  and  they  need  no 
candle,  neither  light  of  the  sun;  for  the  Lord  God 
giveth  them  light :  and  they  shall  reign  for  ever  and 
ever. 

"  By  night  on  my  bed  I  sought  Him  Whom  my  soul  loveth  : 
I  sought  Him,  but  I  found  Him  not."  Night  represents  to 
us  separation,  privation,  baffled  endeavour,  unsuccessful  search  : 
none  of  which  will  baulk  heavenly  bliss.  "There  shall  be  no 
night  there." 

Candle  or  light  of  sun  is  not  for  them  whose  whole  body 
shall  be  full  of  light :  such  illumination  from  without  applies 
not  to  children  of  light  conformed  to  their  Original.  That 
which  is  outward  is  lent,  and  may  be  withdrawn :  God's 
crowning  gifts  to  His  elect  become  so  to  say  their  attributes, 
inseparable  from  their  persons  to  all  eternity,  "for  the  Lord 
God  giveth  them  light." 

"  And  they  shall  reign  for  ever  and  ever." — Joseph's  dungeon 
was  antechamber  to  the  second  throne-room  of  a  kingdom  : 
our  own  case,  unless  by  our  own  fault.  Bonds  and  bars  seem 
a  strange  preparation  for  a  throne,  yet  such  they  become  when 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  527 

God  wills  it.  May  it  please  Him  by  the  weakness,  endurance, 
inferiority,  obedience,  patience,  of  our  present  lot,  to  train  us 
for  future  grandeur  !  A  little  here  :  all  there.  "  Sing  unto  the 
Lord,  O  ye  saints  of  His,  and  give  thanks  at  the  remembrance 
of  His  Holiness.  For  His  anger  endureth  but  a  moment; 
in  His  favour  is  life  :  weeping  may  endure  for  a  night,  but  joy 
cometh  in  the  morning." 

It  is  possible  to  be  so  disheartened  by  earth  as  to  be 
deadened  towards  heaven.  Israel  groaning  under  the  Egyptian 
bondage  fell  into  such  a  temper  :  "  Say  unto  the  children  of 
Israel,  I  am  the  Lord,  and  I  will  bring  you  out  from  under  the 
burdens  of  the  Egyptians,  and  I  will  rid  you  out  of  their 
bondage,  and  I  will  redeem  you  with  a  stretched  out  arm,  and 
with  great  judgments  :  and  I  will  take  you  to  Me  for  a  people, 
and  I  will  be  to  you  a  God  :  and  ye  shall  know  that  I  am  the 
Lord  your  God,  which  bringeth  you  out  from  under  the 
burdens  of  the  Egyptians.  And  I  will  bring  you  in  unto  the 
land,  concerning  the  which  I  did  swear  to  give  it  to  Abraham, 
to  Isaac,  and  to  Jacob ;  and  I  will  give  it  you  for  an  heritage  : 
I  am  the  Lord.  And  Moses  spake  so  unto  the  children  of 
Israel :  but  they  hearkened  not  unto  Moses  for  anguish  of 
spirit,  and  for  cruel  bondage." 

O  my  God,  by  Whose  loving  Providence  sorrows,  difficulties, 
trials,  dangers,  become  means  of  grace,  lessons  of  patience, 
channels  of  hope,  grant  us  good  will  to  use  and  not  abuse 
those  our  privileges  ;  and  of  Thy  great  goodness  keep  us  alive 
through  this  dying  life,  that  out  of  death  Thou  mayest  raise  us 
up  to  immortality.  For  His  sake  Who  is  the  Life,  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord.  Amen. 

6.  And  lie  said  unto  me,  These  sayings  are  faithful  and 
true :  and  the  Lord  God  of  the  holy  prophets  sent  His 
angel  to  shew  unto  His  servants  the  things  which  must 
shortly  be  done. 

"These  sayings  are  faithful  and  true": — "Write:  for  these 
words  are  true  and  faithful"  (ch.  xxi.  5).  The  two  texts  are 
nearly  similar,  but  whilst  that  from  the  earlier  chapter  calls 
upon  St.  John  to  execute  his  prophetic  office,  the  other  goes 
on  to  mention  God's  "servants"  in  general.  St.  John's  gift 
and  glory  are  personal  and  unique ;  yet  are  the  gift  and  glory 
of  all  saints  like  unto  them.  Apostles  and  Prophets  take  pre 
cedence  among  the  brethren;  yet  are  constituted  such  not 
for  their  own  exclusive  weal,  but  pointedly  for  the  edifying  of 
the  body  of  Christ. 


528  THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP. 

"  Freely  ye  have  received,  freely  give."  "  Go,  and  do  thou 
likewise." 

"The  things  which  must  shortly  be  done." — Shortly:  never 
theless  our  Master  Himself  in  condescension  to  His  hearers 
once  said:  "After  a  long  time  the  lord  of  those  servants 
cometh,  and  reckoneth  with  them."  On  earth  the  word  appears 
to  be  spoken  from  the  viewpoint  of  time,  in  heaven  from  the 
viewpoint  of  eternity. 

Creatures  of  time,  such  as  were  those  whom  Christ  instructed, 
are  as  children,  speaking  as  children,  understanding  as  children, 
thinking  as  children.  The  full  grown  man  of  eternity  puts 
away  childish  things. 

O  Lord  our  Wisdom,  so  teach  us  to  number  our  days  that 
we  may  apply  our  hearts  unto  wisdom.  Amen. 

In  so  far  as  time  is  long,  I  comprehend  that  it  suffices  for 
the  work  of  salvation.  In  so  far  as  it  is  short,  I  comprehend 
that  it  contains  not  one  superfluous  moment. 

7.  Behold,  I  come  quickly :  blessed  is  he  that  keepeth  the 
sayings  of  the  prophecy  of  this  book. 

Here  at  first  sight  and  according  to  what  precedes  and 
follows,  the  angel  (ch.  xxi.  9)  might  seem  still  to  be  the 
speaker.  But  rather  with  the  Bride  let  us  recognize  the  Voice 
of  the  Beloved,  saying,  "  Open  to  Me."  For  what  were  it 
to  us  that  another  should  come  quickly?  Or  who  but 
He  Whom  our  soul  loveth  should  pronounce  upon  us  a 
benediction? 

Even  if  in  this  and  in  much  beside  I  be  mistaken,  I  hope  to 
be  held  at  least  in  some  degree  excused.  For  not  (please 
God)  as  courting  error  do  I  err,  but  rather  as  seeing  very 
darkly  through  my  glass. 

O  Gracious  Master,  Thou  seekest  us  and  we  seek  Thee : 
find  us  and  be  found  of  us.  If  not  the  illumination  of  Jacob, 
yet  give  us  his  good  will  and  holy  fear  when  he  awaked  out  of 
sleep  and  said  :  "  Surely  the  Lord  is  in  this  place ;  and  I 
knew  it  not.  How  dreadful  is  this  place  !  "  Everywhere  Thou 
art  present :  teach  us  everywhere  to  discern  Thee,  rejoicing 
unto  Thee  with  reverence.  Amen. 

Once  before  (ch.  iii.  u),  our  Lord  being  then  undoubtedly 
the  Speaker,  He  used  the  same  words  to  the  Church  of  Phila 
delphia,  but  followed  by  an  injunction :  "  Behold,  I  come 
quickly :  hold  that  fast  which  thou  hast,  that  no  man  take  thy 
crown."  And  twice  hereafter  shall  we  meet  with  the  same 
promise  of  His  coming  vouchsafed  by  His  own  lips. 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  529 


On  this  occasion  we  receive  it  coupled  with  a  blessing  on 
the  very  act  which  now  by  His  grace  we  are  endeavouring  to 
perform,  and  which  at  the  outset  of  this  Book  of  Revelation 
(ch.  i.  3)  was  commended  to  us  under  sanction  of  a  similar 
blessing.  For  with  the  Father  of  Lights  is  no  variableness, 
neither  shadow  of  turning :  He  is  the  Same  yesterday  and  to 
day  and  for  ever.  Thus  Christ  referred  the  lawyer  simply  to 
the  old  established  Law  for  the  terms  of  salvation  :  "A  certain 
lawyer  stood  up,  and  tempted  Him,  saying,  Master,  what 
shall  I  do  to  inherit  eternal  life  ?  He  said  unto  him,  What  is 
written  in  the  law?  how  readest  thou?  And  he  answering 
said,  Thou  shalt  love  the  Lord  thy  God  with  all  thy  heart, 
and  with  all  thy  soul,  and  with  all  thy  strength,  and  with  all 
thy  mind ;  and  thy  neighbour  as  thyself.  And  He  said  unto 
him,  Thou  hast  answered  right  :  this  do,  and  thou  shalt  live." 
And  in  St.  John's  First  Epistle  we  read  :  "  Brethren,  I  write 
no  new  commandment  unto  you,  but  an  old  commandment 
which  ye  had  from  the  beginning.  The  old  commandment  is 
the  word  which  ye  have  heard  from  the  beginning." 

So  also  in  the  Parable  of  the  Two  Sons,  the  injunction 
remained  in  force  however  long  obedience  was  delayed : 
"Son,  go  work  to-day  in  my  vineyard.  He  answered  and 
said,  I  will  not  :  but  afterwards  he  repented,  and  went." 

Once  by  night  the  Apostles  supposed  that  they  saw  a  spirit ; 
and  Jesus  said  unto  them,  "It  is  I,  be  not  afraid."  Once  in 
the  morning  St.  Mary  Magdalene  supposed  that  she  talked 
with  the  gardener;  and  Jesus  said  unto  her,  "Mary." 

If  we  had  love  like  theirs  the  more  we  looked  for  Him  the 
more  we  should  behold  Him.  [Yet  as  I  read  not  anywhere 
that  any  pious  soul  ever  mistook  for  Jesus  one  who  was  not 
Jesus,  so  I  beseech  Him  to  forgive  me  the  thought  of  my  heart 
whereinsoever  I  err.] 

"  In  all  thy  ways  acknowledge  Him,  and  He  shall  direct  thy 
paths." 

A  SONG  FOR  THE  LEAST  OF  ALL  SAINTS. 

Love  is  the  key  of  life  and  death. 

Of  hidden  heavenly  mystery  : 
Of  all  Christ  is,  of  all  He  saith, 
Love  is  the  key. 

As  three  times  to  His  Saint  He  saith, 

He  saith  to  me,  He  saith  to  thce, 
Breathing  His  Grace-conferring  Breath  : 
"Lovest  thou  Me?" 

L  L 


530  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

Ah,  Lord,  I  have  such  feeble  faith, 
Such  feeble  hope  to  comfort  me  : 
But  love  it  is,  is  strong  as  death, 
And  I  love  Thee. 

8.  And  I  John  saw  these  things,  and  heard  them.  And 
when  I  had  heard  and  seen,  I  fell  down  to  worship 
before  the  feet  of  the  angel  which  shewed  me  these 
things. 

I  think  this  passage  (on  which  I  cannot  attempt  any  sort  of 
full  comment)  may  safely  suggest  that  no  height  of  holiness 
attainable  on  this  side  of  the  grave  can  afford  positive  proof 
that  the  saint  is  already  fully  ripe  for  beatitude ;  with  not  one 
weak  point  still  to  be  fortified,  not  one  defect  to  be  made 
good. 

For  behold  St.  John  the  beloved,  at  the  very  moment  when 
he  calls  our  attention  to  his  having  seen  and  heard  things  such 
as  might  well  make  man  go  softly  all  his  years,  if  not  in  the 
bitterness  at  least  in  the  solemn  aspiration  of  his  soul, — behold 
St.  John  for  the  second  time  offering  to  do  that  which  was  not 
lawful. 

Sometimes  the  harvest  is  white  and  garnered  before  the 
harvest  months  are  fulfilled.  Sometimes  it  stands  unreaped 
long  after  we  would  fain  have  chanted  harvest  home.  Thank 
God  that  "the  reapers  are  the  angels  "  and  not  our  short-sighted 
selves  :  and  that  not  even  angels  may  reap  unsent. 

But  St.  John  is  habitually  our  example.  Here  he  sets  us 
a  pattern  of  affectionate  gratitude  and  veneration  towards  one 
who  ministers  in  things  spiritual;  which  we  in  just  measure 
may  thankfully  imitate  towards  our  own  spiritual  pastors, 
accounting  them  worthy  of  double  honour  and  esteeming  them 
very  highly  in  love. 

9.  Then  saith  he  unto  me,  See  thou  do  it  not :  for  I  am  thy 
fellowservant,  and  of  thy  brethren  the  prophets,  and  of 
them  which  keep  the  sayings  of  this  book :  worship 
God. 

"For  I  am  .  .  ."—-All  is  in  the  present:  by  no  means 
ended  and  consigned  to  the  past.  The  speaker  (apparently 
a  deathless  Angel)  not  merely  was  but  is  St.  John's  fellow- 
servant,  of  his  brethren  the  prophets,  of  them  who  keep  the 
sayings  of  this  Book.  Thus  are  the  lives  of  any  such  twain 
lovely  and  pleasant,  being  such  as  neither  immortality  nor 
mortality  shall  divide. 

We  too,  I  too,  the  first  of  us  and  the  last,  may  aspire  to 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  531 

the  same  blessed  fellowship.  By  service, — spending  and  self- 
spending  for  God :  by  prophecy, — illustrating  in  our  daily  life 
the  pleasantness  of  His  ways  and  peace  of  His  paths  :  by 
keeping  the  sayings,—  watching,  praying,  obeying,  in  preparation 
for  the  day  of  the  consummation  of  all  things.  This  we  can 
do  :  this  will  we  not  do  ? 

For  our  all  is  at  stake :  and  that  which  momentarily  draws 
nearer  and  nearer  to  us  is  inevitable,  be  it  gain  or  loss,  salvation 
or  ruin.  Let  us  worship  God  by  consecrated  life  and  offered 
substance;  by  will,  desire,  affection;  not  grudgingly  or  of 
necessity,  for  He  loveth  a  cheerful  giver.  Martyrs  have 
worshipped  Him  exultant  in  torture,  Confessors  unashamed 
in  shame,  lofty  Saints  in  self-sacrifice,  lowly  Saints  in  self- 
discipline.  All  Saints  have  worshipped,  are  worshipping,  will 
worship  Him  for  ever  and  ever.  This  we  also  can  do :  and 
this  will  we  not  do  ? 

"The  Grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  the  Love  of  God, 
and  the  Fellowship  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  be  with  us  all  evermore. 
Amen." 

I  suppose  that  no  insight  or  profundity  of  mortal  man  ever 
has  been  adequate  to  the  full  exploration  of  this  Apocalypse. 
I  feel  certain  that  no  natural  shallowness  need  render  it  a  dead 
letter  to  man,  woman,  or  child.  We  may  wonder  in  vain  over 
the  personality  of  the  Angel  and  over  his  vocation,  but  his 
practical  precept  is  as  clear  as  day :  "  Worship  God." 

Indeed  all  through  the  Book  of  Revelation  lessons  enforcing 
what  we  must  or  must  not  do  or  be,  are  as  clear  and  as  definite 
as  in  the  rest  of  Holy  Writ.  What  can  be  easily  understood 
furnishes  occupation  for  a  lifetime:  "The  wayfaring  men, 
though  fools,  shall  not  err  therein."  But  this  promise  can 
be  claimed  only  by  wayfarers  along,  "the  Way  of  Holiness"  : 
neither  by  standers-still  in  that  way,  nor  by  vagrants  along  any 
other  way,  can  it  be  claimed. 

To  study  the  Apocalypse  out  of  idle  curiosity  would  turn  it, 
so  far  as  the  student's  self  were  concerned,  into  a  branch  of  the 
Tree  of  the  Knowledge  of  Good  and  Evil.  And  what  came 
of  Eve's  curious  investigation  of  the  original  Tree  we  all 
know. 

Obey  to  the  limit  of  knowledge,  and  in  all  probability 
obedience  may  extend  knowledge. 

10.  And  he  saith  unto  me,  Seal  not  the  sayings  of  the 
prophecy  of  this  book :  for  the  time  is  at  hand. 

Once  more  it  appears  as  if  the  Personality  of  the  Speaker 


532  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

may  have  changed,  inasmuch  as  this  verse  seems  to  form  one 
unbroken  sequence  with  those  which  immediately  follow. 

If  eighteen  hundred  years  ago  the  time  was  "at  hand,"  how 
urgently  at  hand  must  it  now  be !  If  then  it  behoved  disciples 
to  read,  mark,  learn,  and  inwardly  digest  the  prophecy,  how 
urgently  now  !  If  then  it  was  of  the  Divine  Grace  and  Mercy 
that  the  Book  was  left  unsealed,  still  is  it  of  the  Divine- Grace 
and  Mercy  that  it  continues  unsealed  to  our  own  day.  If  then 
it  was  high  time  to  awake  out  of  sleep,  truly  is  it  so  now. 

The  night  is  far  spent,  the  clay  is  at  hand  : 

Let  us  therefore  cast  off  the  works  of  darkness, 

And  let  us  put  on  the  armour  of  light. 
Night  for  the  dead  in  their  stiffness  and  starkness  ! 

Day  for  the  living  who  mount  in  their  might 
Out  of  their  graves  to  the  beautiful  land. 

Far  far  away  lies  the  beautiful  land  : 

Mount  on  wide  wings  of  exceeding  desire, 

Mount,  look  not  back,  mount  to  life  and  to  light, 
Mount  by  the  glow  of  your  lamps  all  on  fire, 

Up  from  the  dead  men  and  up  from  the  night. 
The  night  is  far  spent,  the  day  is  at  hand. 

A  disobedient  and  gainsaying  people  withstood  the  stretched 
forth  Divine  hands.  A  blinded  people  rejected  the  sheltering 
wing  of  Divine  Love. 

Alas  for  the  disobedient,  gainsaying,  blinded  multitude  before 
whom  the  Book  now  stands  open  !  Alas  for  them  :  and  what 
for  ourselves  ? 

Our  eyes  we  can  open  or  shut;  but  the  opened  Book  never 
can  we  shut.  Whom  it  cannot  instruct  it  must  judge. 

O  Lord  our  only  Saviour,  we  cannot  bear  alone  our  load  of 
responsibility :  upbear  us  under  it.  We  look  without  seeing 
unless  Thou  purge  our  sight :  grant  us  sight.  We  read  without 
comprehending  unless  Thou  open  our  understanding  :  give  us 
intelligence.  Nothing  can  we  do  unless  Thou  prosper  the 
work  of  our  hands  upon  us  :  oh  prosper  Thou  our  handiwork. 
WTe  are  weak  :  out  of  weakness  make  us  strong.  We  are  in 
peril  of  death :  come  and  heal  us.  We  believe :  help  Thou 
our  unbelief.  We  hope  :  let  us  not  be  disappointed  of  our 
hope.  We  love  :  grant  us  to  love  much,  to  love  ever  more  and 
more,  to  love  all,  and  most  of  all  to  love  Thee. 

11.  He  that  is  unjust,  let  Mm  be  unjust  still :  and  he  which 
is  filthy,  let  him  be  filthy  still:  and  he  that  is 
righteous,  let  him  be  righteous  still:  and  he  that 
is  holy,  let  him  be  holy  still. 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  533 

Or  as  in  the  Revised  Version  :  "He  that  is  unrighteous,  let 
him  do  unrighteousness  still :  and  he  that  is  filthy,  let  him  be 
made  filthy  still :  and  he  that  is  righteous,  let  him  do  righteous 
ness  still :  and  he  that  is  holy,  let  him  be  made  holy  still." 
Despite  the  correspondence  of  the  two  translations,  the 
Authorized  may  perhaps  be  understood  to  convey  a  doom 
of  fixedness  whether  in  good  or  evil ;  the  Revised,  a  sentence 
of  freedom  to  persist  in  the  same  good  or  evil :  such  determined 
persistence  amounting  to  actual  progress  in  either  quality,  if  we 
are  to  adopt  a  marginal  alternative  reading  which  at  each  clause 
of  the  verse  substitutes  "yet  more"  for  "still." 

Thus  once  more  pressing  home  on  us  that  man  is  his  own 
destroyer  :  especially  if  stress  may  be  laid  upon  the  word  let  as 
permissive  rather  than  imperative.  More  horrible  than  what 
he  incurs  is  what  he  makes  himself:  it  has  become  his  habit 
to  be  wicked,  foul ;  and  not  only  his  habit,  it  has  become  his 
taste.  "Let  him." 

On  the  other  hand,  how  safe  and  glorious  thus  transpires  the 
lot  of  the  righteous  man  and  the  holy.  On  him  too  a  doom 
passes,  on  him  a  sentence  of  freedom,  on  him  a  permissive  fiat. 
He  too  by  God's  grace  has  made  himself  what  he  is :  it  has 
become  his  habit  to  be  just  and  pure ;  and  not  merely  his 
habit,  it  has  become  his  taste.  "  Let  him." 

God  saves  the  saved  :  the  destroyed  destroy  themselves. 

Then  let  us  not  merely  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come.  Let  us 
court  righteousness,  make  love  to  holiness. 

Yet  how  court  righteousness?  "For  the  Righteous  God 
trieth  the  hearts  and  reins."  How  dare  make  love  to  holiness 
when  "  Great  and  terrible  "  is  God's  most  Holy  Name  ? 

O  God,  Whose  Presence  fills  space,  take  away  our  ungodli 
ness  and  Thou  shalt  find  none. 

Thou  Whose  Presence  we  cannot  flee,  do  away  our  offences 
and  cleanse  us  from  all  defilements  of  flesh  and  spirit. 

Thou  Whose  Righteousness  is  from  everlasting,  impute  to  us 
righteousness. 

Thou  with  Whom  is  mercy,  grant  us  fear,  grant  us  hope. 

Thou  with  Whom  is  mercy,  show  mercy  upon  us. 

In  the  Name  of  Jesus  Christ.     Amen. 

12.  And,  behold,  I  come  quickly ;  and  My  reward  is  with 
Me,  to  give  every  man  according  as  his  work  shall  he. 

A  dear  and  saintly  person,  one  of  my  own  nearest  and 
dearest,  who  had  been  aforetime  a  great  reader  and  lover  of 
pious  literature,  when  near  her  end  expressed  as  at  that  period 


534  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

her  almost  exclusive  love  of  Holy  Scripture  :  the  Inspired  Text 
itself,  no  longer  the  comment ;  although  still  she  prized  such 
human  work  as  elucidated  the  blessed  Text.  She  fed  on  the 
Word  of  Life,  being  evidently  fed  with  food  convenient  for  her. 
Thus  she  prepared  for  death :  thus  went  out  to  meet  the 
Bridegroom,  having  oil  in  her  lamp. 

If  this  closing  chapter  of  the  Apocalypse  finds  some  with 
few  words  of  their  own,  God's  grace  may  yet  be  teaching  them 
by  it,  and  by  all  that  went  before,  a  solemn  preparation  for 
death  or  for  the  Second  Advent.  Either  may  be  very  near : 
one  at  least  cannot  be  very  far  distant:  "Behold,  I  come 
quickly." 

^  Every  ending  includes  a  solemn  element :  the  ending  of 
God's  Revelation  to  humankind  is  solemn  indeed.  Every 
ending,  winding  up,  cutting  short,  foreshadows  the  ending, 
winding  up,  cutting  short  of  life  and  of  probation. 

The  reiterations  of  the  Apocalypse  emphasize  this  finality, 
this  note  of  preparation.  There  is  nothing  new  under  the  sun. 
"  That  which  hath  been  is  named  already,  and  it  is  known  that 
it  is  manj  neither  may  he  contend  with  Him  that  is  mightier 
than  he."  "Let  that  therefore  abide  in  you,  which  ye  have 
heard  from  the  beginning.  If  that  which  ye  have  heard  from 
the  beginning  shall  remain  in  you,  ye  also  shall  continue  in  the 
Son,  and  in  the  Father.  And  this  is  the  promise  that  He  hath 
promised  us,  even  eternal  life." 

He  Who  once  had  His  reward  with  Him  and  His  work 
before  Him,  has  fed  His  flock  like  a  shepherd,  gathering  and 
carrying  and  gently  leading  the  tender  ones.  Now  has  He 
His  reward  in  readiness  to  give  to  every  man  according  as  his 
work  shall  be.  Christ  worked  for  man  the  work  of  Redemption  : 
the  Holy  Spirit  worked  in  man  the  work  of  sanctification  :  all 
men  one  by  one  have  or  have  not  worked  out  their  own 
individual  salvation  with  fear  and  trembling. 

The  reward  is  for  all  work  in  general,  but  is  assigned  to  each 
work  in  proportion.  "  He  which  soweth  sparingly  shall  reap 
also  sparingly ;  and  he  which  soweth  bountifully  shall  reap  also 
bountifully."  The  far  more  exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of 
glory  though  incommensurate  with  any  desert  will  yet  be 
harmonized  with  each  desert.  Sun,  moon,  stars,  differ  in 
glory  :  star  from  star  in  glory. 

"Behold,  I  come  quickly."— Quickly  He  cometh,  whether 
we  behold  or  whether  we  forbear.  "  Behold,  He  cometh  with 
clouds " : — blessed  are  they  to  whom  the  brightness  of  His 
Presence  dissipates  every  cloud. 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  535 

And  His  reward  is  with  Him.  What  know  we  of  that 
reward  ?  It  is  Himself,  as  He  declared  to  Abram  :  "  I  am 
thy  shield,  and  thy  exceeding  great  reward."-  It  is  Himself 
above  all  and  beyond  all :  this,  and  beside  this  "such  and  such 
things,"  as  of  yore  He  spake  concerning  David  His  beloved. 

Faith  spurning  the  world  claims  kindred  with  Moses  :  "  By 
faith  Moses,  when  he  was  come  to  years,  refused  to  be  called 
the  son  of  Pharaoh's  daughter ;  choosing  rather  to  suffer  afflic 
tion  with  the  people  of  God,  than  to  enjoy  the  pleasures  of  sin 
for  a  season ;  esteeming  the  reproach  of  Christ  greater  riches 
than  the  treasures  in  Egypt :  for  he  had  respect  unto  the 
recompence  of  the  reward." 

Whoso  trusts  in  Him  shall  be  as  Ruth :  "  The  Lord  recom 
pense  thy  work,  and  a  full  reward  be  given  thee  of  the  Lord 
God  of  Israel,  under  Whose  wings  thou  art  come  to  trust." 

Whoso  waxes  strong  in  the  Lord's  quarrel,  his  "  work  shall 
be  rewarded." 

Whoso  desires  and  is  warned  by  His  judgments,  "  In  keeping 
of  them  there  is  great  reward." 

"Verily  there  is  a  reward  for  the  righteous." 
"  He  that  feareth  the  commandment  shall  be  rewarded." 
The  knowledge  of  wisdom  is  sweet  and  good  :  "  When  thou 
hast  found  it,  then  there  shall  be  a  reward,  and  thy  expectation 
shall  not  be  cut  off." 

"  If  thine  enemy  be  hungry,  give  him  bread  to  eat ;  and  if  he 
be  thirsty,  give  him  water  to  drink  :  for  thou  shalt  heap  coals 
of  fire  upon  his  head,  and  the  Lord  shall  reward  thee." 

"  When  thou  doest  alms,  let  not  thy  left  hand  know  what  thy 
right  hand  doeth  :  that  thine  alms  may  be  in  secret :  and  thy 
Father  which  seeth  in  secret  Himself  shall  reward  thee 
openly." 

"  When  thou  prayesr,  enter  into  thy  closet,  and  when  thou 
hast  shut  thy  door,  pray  to  thy  Father  which  is  in  secret ;  and 
thy  Father  which  seeth  in  secret  shall  reward  thee  openly." 

"When  thou  fastest,  anoint  thine  head,  and  wash  thy  face; 
that  thou  appear  not  unto  men  to  fast,  but  unto  thy  Father 
which  is  in  secret ;  and  thy  Father,  which  seeth  in  secret,  shall 
reward  thee  openly." 

"Whosoever  shall  give  you  a  cup  of  water  to  drink  in  My 
Name,  because  ye  belong  to  Christ,  verily  I  say  unto  you,  he 
shall  not  lose  his  reward." 

"  Blessed  are  ye,  when  men  shall  hate  you,  and  when  they 
shall  separate  you  from  their  company,  and  shall  reproach  you, 
and  cast  out  your  name  as  evil,  for  the  Son  of  Man's  sake. 


536  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 


Rejoice  ye  in  that  day,  and  leap  for  joy :  for,  behold,  your 
reward  is  great  in  heaven." 

"  Whatsoever  ye  do,  do  it  heartily,  as  to  the  Lord,  and  not 
unto   men  ;    knowing  that  of  the  Lord  ye  shall  receive  the 
reward  of  the  inheritance  :  for  ye  serve  the  Lord  Christ." 
Confidence  under  trials  "  hath  great  recompence  of  reward." 
For  God  "  is  a  Rewarder  of  them  that  diligently  seek  Him." 
"  For  the  Son  of  Man  shall  come  in  the  Glory  of  Hi's  Father 
with  His  angels  ;  and  then  He  shall  reward  every  man  accord 
ing  to  his  works."     Amen. 

13.  I  am  Alpha  and  Omega,  the  Beginning  and  the  End, 

the  First  and  the  Last. 

"  I  am  Alpha  and  Omega  "  is  here  declared  for  the  fourth 
time.  Thus  is  it  at  the  beginning  (ch.  i.  8),  and  still  thus  at 
the  end ;  thus  at  the  first,  and  still  thus  at  the  last.  We 
change,  He  changes  not,  Yet  even  in  ourselves  constitutional 
changeableness  cannot  annul  a  certain  inherent  unchangeable- 
ness,  which  so  far  corresponds  with  His  in  Whom  we  live  and 
move  and  have  our  being :  for  we  are  His  offspring.  His 
Immutability  is  reflected  in  our  identity  :  as  He  cannot  deny 
Himself,  so  neither  can  we  deny  ourselves.  Rocks  may  fall 
on  us,  mountains  cover  us;  but  under  mountain  and  rock 
remains  the  inextinguishable  I. 

Not  but  the  Omnipotent  Creator  could  if  He  willed  anni 
hilate  His  creature  :  "  With  God  all  things  are  possible."  But 
no  such  decree  is  revealed. 

14.  Blessed  are  they  that  do  His  commandments,  that  they 

may  have  right  to  the  Tree  of  Life,  and  may  enter 
in  through  the  gates  into  the  city. 

Or  as  in  the  Revised  Version  :  "  Blessed  are  they  that  wash 
their  robes.  .  .  ." 

The  two  readings  taken  together  suggest  the  sanctity  of 
obedience,  the  sanctity  of  repentance,  and  the  exceeding  great 
reward  of  both.  Nor  indeed  were  either  excluded  could  the 
other  possibly  find  admission ;  for  human  obedience  being  at 
best  imperfect  so  far  needs  repentance ;  and  repentance  is  the 
particular  form  of  obedience  practicable  by  even  the  most 
imperfect. 

Our  last  opportunity  is  not  lost  so  long  as  repentance 
remains  accessible.  This  snatches  the  brand  from  the  burning, 
this  wrenches  the  prey  from  between  the  teeth  of  the  mighty. 

Lord,  I  repent :  help  Thou  mine  impenitence. 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  537 

Almost  beyond  belief  it  seems  blessed  in  the  eternal  kingdom 
to  "  have  right  to  the  Tree  of  Life." 

All  is  of  God's  grace,  nothing  of  man's  desert.  Of  His 
grace  it  pleases  Him  to  constitute  such  a  privilege  our  "  right "  ; 
and  our  right  thenceforward  it  becomes,  whilst  first  and  last  all 
is  of  grace.  "  For  He  spake,  and  it  was  done ;  He  com 
manded,  and  it  stood  fast." 

As  the  hart  desireth  the  water-brooks,  doth  our  soul  so  long 
after  that  Tree  of  Life  ?  Surely  yes,  if  we  be  not  lower  than 
the  beasts  that  perish. 

.  .  .  Alas  !  not  "  surely "  at  all,  unless  our  present  longings 
can  stand  one  test  which  too  often  shames  them.  For  already 
we  have  a  right  to  our  own  precious  Tree  of  Life,  Christ  in 
the  Sacrament  of  His  most  Blessed  Body  and  Blood. 

Whoso  longs  not  for  Christ  here,  wherefore  should  he  long 
for  Him  there  ? 

Because  our  Saviour  longed  for  us  on  earth  we  are  con 
vinced  that  He  longs  for  us  in  heaven. 

If  we  long  not  for  Him  on  earth,  who  shall  kindle  our  longing 
for  Him  in  heaven  ? 

To  "do  His  commandments"  is  the  condition  on  which 
depends  our  "right  to  the  Tree  of  Life."  One  of  His  com 
mandments  is  :  "  Do  this  in  remembrance  of  Me."  St.  James 
warns  us:  "Whosoever  shall  keep  the  whole  law,  and  yet 
offend  in  one  point,  he  is  guilty  of  all." 

Good  Lord  Jesus,  our  only  Hope ;  because  we  cannot  help 
ourselves,  help  Thou  us.  Because  we  cannot  quicken  our 
selves,  quicken  Thou  us.  Because  we  cannot  kindle  ourselves, 
kindle  Thou  us.  Because  we  cannot  cleanse  ourselves,  cleanse 
Thou  us.  Because  we  cannot  heal  ourselves,  heal  Thou  us. 
For  Thou  hast  no  pleasure  in  our  impotence,  lifelessness, 
coldness,  pollutions,  infirmity.  If  Thou  desire  our  love,  who 
shall  give  us  love  wherewith  to  love  Thee  except  Thou  Who 
art  Love  give  it  us  ?  Helpless  we  are,  and  our  helplessness 
appeals  to  Thee. 

"Through  the  gates  into  the  city." — Such  gates  as  Isaiah 
celebrates,  and  whereunto  he  indicates  the  approach  :  "  Open 
ye  the  gates,  that  the  righteous  nation  which  keepeth  the  truth 
may  enter  in.  ...  The  way  of  the  just  is  uprightness  :  Thou, 
most  upright,  dost  weigh  the  path  of  the  just.  Yea,  in  the 
way  of  Thy  judgments,  O  Lord,  have  we  waited  for  Thee; 
the  desire  of  our  soul  is  to  Thy  Name,  and  to  the  remem 
brance  of  Thee.  With  my  soul  have  I  desired  Thee  in  the 
night ;  yea,  with  my  spirit  within  me  will  I  seek  Thee  early  : 


538  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

for  when  Thy  judgments  are  in  the  earth,  the  inhabitants  of 
the  world  will  learn  righteousness." 

Hark  !  the  Alleluias  of  the  great  salvation 

Still  beginning,  never  ending,  still  begin, 
The  thunder  of  an  endless  adoration  : 
Open  ye  the  gates,  that  the  righteous  nation 

Which  have  kept  the  truth  may  enter  in. 
Roll  ye  back,  ye  pearls,  on  your  twelvefold  station  : 

No  more  deaths  to  die,  no  more  fights  to  win  ! 
Lift  your  heads,  ye  gates,  that  the  righteous  nation 
Led  by  the  Great  Captain  of  their  sole  salvation 

Having  kept  the  truth  may  enter  in. 

15.  For  without  are  dogs,  and  sorcerers,  and  whoremongers, 
and  murderers,  and  idolaters,  and  whosoever  loveth 
and  maketh  a  lie. 

^  Here  the  entire  evil  company  must  be  understood  literally, 
with  the  exception  of  "  dogs,"  which  seems  figurative.  Various 
texts  of  Holy  Writ  under  this  same  figure  exhibit  wickedness, 
or  alienation  from  goodness,  or  brand  certain  tempers  or 
habits  as  abominable ;  whilst  an  enactment  of  the  Mosaic  Law 
suggests  typically  this  final  exclusion  of  dogs  :  "  Thou  shalt  not 
bring  the  hire  of  a  whore,  or  the  price  of  a  dog,  into  the  house 
of  the  Lord  thy  God  for  any  vow :  for  even  both  these  are 
abomination  unto  the  Lord  thy  God." — "  Against  any  of  the 
children  of  Israel  shall  not  a  dog  move  his  tongue."  "  Dogs 
have  compassed  Me  :  the  assembly  of  the  wicked  have  enclosed 
Me.  .  .  .  Deliver  My  soul  from  the  sword ;  My  darling  from 
the  power  of  the  dog."  "Deliver  me  from  the  workers  of 
iniquity,  and  save  me  from  bloody  men.  .  .  .  And  at  evening 
let  them  return ;  and  let  them  make  a  noise  like  a  dog,  and 
go  round  about  the  city.  Let  them  wander  up  and  down  for 
meat,  and  grudge  if  they  be  not  satisfied."  "  His  watchmen 
...  are  all  dumb  dogs,  they  cannot  bark;  sleeping,  lying 
down,  loving  to  slumber.  Yea,  they  are  greedy  dogs  which 
can  never  have  enough."  "Give  not  that  which  is  holy  unto 
the  dogs."  "  Beware  of  dogs,  beware  of  evil  workers."  "  It 
had  been  better  for  them  not  to  have  known  the  way  of 
righteousness,  than,  after  they  have  known  it,  to  turn  from  the 
holy  commandment  delivered  unto  them.  But  it  is  happened 
unto  them  according  to  the  true  proverb,  The  dog  is  turned 
to  his  own  vomit  again  ;  and  the  sow  that  was  washed  to  her 
wallowing  in  the  mire." 

"Dogs"  may  perhaps   be   viewed   as   representing   brutal, 
bestial,  gross,  rampant,  low-type  opposition.     "  Whoremongers 


THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP.  539 

and  murderers "  degrade  man's  lower  nature,  "  sorcerers  .  .  . 
and  idolaters  "  his  higher  nature.  "  Whosoever  loveth  and 
maketh  a  lie,"  whilst  it  seems  to  start  with  heart  idolatry  and 
go  on  to  material  idolatry,  may  also  surely  include  liars  in 
general,  who,  misusing  the  best  member  that  they  have,  and 
loving  darkness  rather  than  light,  put  darkness  for  light  and 
light  for  darkness. 

If  all  lying  great  or  small  is  here  branded  with  infamy,  we 
may  fairly  assume  that  any  and  every  taint  of  the  other  sins 
indicated  is  likewise  here  condemned  by  that  Gracious  God  and 
Saviour,  Who  threatens  that  He  may  not  smite,  and  often  smites 
that  He  may  not  cast  off  for  ever;  and  Who  condescends  to 
entertain  a  plea  for  the  very  dogs,  even  for  some  whom  large- 
hearted  Job  himself  had  haply  disdained  to  set  with  the  dogs 
of  his  flock  :  c<  Jesus  said  unto  her,  Let  the  children  first  be 
filled  :  for  it  is  not  meet  to  take  the  children's  bread,  and  to 
cast  it  unto  the  dogs.  And  she  answered  and  said  unto  Him, 
Yes,  Lord  :  yet  the  dogs  under  the  table  eat  of  the  children's 
crumbs.  And  He  said  unto  her,  For  this  saying  go  thy  way ;. 
the  devil  is  gone  out  of  thy  daughter."  It  behoves  us  to 
barricade  the  approaches  of  our  souls  against  the  creeping  tide 
of  evil :  though  the  tide  may  scarce  have  turned,  the  danger 
has  begun. 

"  Whosoever  looketh  on  a  woman  to  lust  after  her  hath- 
committed  adultery  with  her  already  in  his  heart." — "  Whoso 
ever  is  angry  with  his  brother  without  a  cause  shall  be  in 
danger  of  the  judgment." — "  Rebellion  is  as  the  sin  of  witch 
craft." — "If  I  have  made  gold  my  hope,  or  have  said  to  the 
fine  gold,  Thou  art  my  confidence ;  if  I  rejoiced  because  my 
wealth  was  great,  and  because  mine  hand  had  gotten  much ; 
if  I  beheld  the  sun  when  it  shined,  or  the  moon  walking  in 
brightness  ;  and  my  heart  hath  been  secretly  enticed,  or  my 
mouth  hath  kissed  my  hand  :  this  also  were  an  iniquity  to  be 
punished  by  the  judge  :  for  I  should  have  denied  the  God  that 
is  above." 

16.  I  Jesus  have  sent  Mine  Angel  to  testify  unto  you  these 
things  in  the  churches.  I  am  the  root  and  the  off 
spring  of  David,  and  the  bright  and  morning  star. 

"  It  is  I,  be  not  afraid."  Yea,  Lord,  so  bring  us  unto  the 
haven  where  we  would  be. 

The  countenance  of  Thy  messenger  may  be  like  the  coun 
tenance  of  an  Angel  of  God  very  terrible  :  we  ask  him  not 
whence  he  is,  neither  telleth  he  us  his  name. 


540  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 


Thee,  Lord,  we  know  :  Thee  we  trust.  Thy  Name  we  know  : 
in  Thy  Name  we  take  refuge.  Grant  us  grace  to  do  so  of  a 
truth :  grant  steadfastness,  patience,  faith,  hope,  love,  to  Thy 
Church  expectant. 

O  Root  of  David,  mould  us  after  Thine  own  Heart.  O 
Offspring  of  David,  be  formed  in  us  by  the  operation  of  Thy 
Most  Holy  Spirit. 

O  Bright  and  Morning  Star,  kindle  us  to  shine  as  stars  for 
ever  and  ever  ;  all  differing  in  glory,  yet  one  and  all  resplendent 
to  Thy  glory.  Amen  and  Amen. 

It  is  _"  in  the  Churches  "  that  these  things  are  testified.  To 
myself  it  is  in  the  beloved  Anglican  Church  of  my  Baptism  :  a 
living  branch  of  that  one  Holy  Catholic  Apostolic  Church 
which  is  authoritatively  commended  and  endeared  to  every 
Christian  by  the  Word  of  God.  "The  Lord  added  to  the 
Church  daily  such  as  should  be  saved."  "  And  so  were  the 
Churches  established  in  the  faith,  and  increased  in  number 
daily."  "  The  Church  of  God,  which  He  hath  purchased  with 
His  own  Blood."  "God  is  not  the  author  of  confusion,  but 
of  peace,  as  in  all  Churches  of  the  saints."  "  Christ  ...  the 
Head  over  all  things  to  the  Church,  which  is  His  Body,  the 
fulness  of  Him  that  fjlleth  all  in  all."  "  Now  unto  Him  that 
is  ^  able  to  do  exceeding  abundantly  above  all  that  we  ask  or 
think,  according  to  the  power  that  worketh  in  us,  unto  Him  be 
glory  in  the  Church  by  Christ  Jesus  throughout  all  ages,  world 
without  end.  Amen."  "  Christ  is  the  Head  of  the  Church. 
.  .  .  The  Church  is  subject  unto  Christ.  .  .  .  Christ  also 
loved  the  Church,  and  gave  Himself  for  it ;  that  He  might 
sanctify  and  cleanse  it  with  the  washing  of  water  by  the  word, 
that  He  might  present  it  to  Himself  a  glorious  Church,  not 
having  spot,  or  wrinkle,  or  any  such  thing ;  but  that  it  should 
be  holy  and  without  blemish."  "The  house  of  God,  which  is 
the  Church  of  the  Living  God,  the  pillar  and  ground  of  the 
truth."  "  Let  us  hold  fast  the  profession  of  our  faith  without 
wavering;  (for  He  is  faithful  that  promised;)  and  let  us 
consider  one  another  to  provoke  unto  love  and  to  good 
works  :  not  forsaking  the  assembling  of  ourselves  together,  as 
the  manner  of  some  is ;  but  exhorting  one  another  :  and  so 
much  the  more,  as  ye  see  the  day  approaching." 

Our  Lord  is  designated  as  the  "  Sun  of  Righteousness  "  by  a 
Prophet :  the  sun  without  peer  rules  over  the  planetary  system. 
But  Christ  with  lips  full  of  grace  deigns  to  call  Himself  "  the 
Bright  and  Morning  Star  " :  which  star  solitary  in  office  and 
in  dignity  lights  up  hope  for  the  darkened  world  and  promises 


THE  FACE   OF   THE  DEEP.  541 

and  ushers  in  day  after  night.  Yet  is  it  a  veritable  star  amid 
fellow  stars;  incomparably  the  Chiefest,  but  among  ten 
thousand. 

The  shout  of  a  King  is  among  them.     One  day  may  I  be 

Of  that  perfect  communion  of  lovers  contented  and  free 

In  the  land  that  is  very  far  off,  and  far  off  from  the  sea. 

The  shout  of  the  King  is  among  them.     One  King  and  one  song, 

One  thunder  of  manifold  voices  harmonious  and  strong, 

One  King  and  one  love  and  one  shout  of  one  worshipping  throng. 

If  in  itself  we  care  not  for  our  own  glorification,  still  let  us 
care,  long,  pray  for  it,  that  so  our  glory  may  by  a  condescension 
of  grace  enhance  Christ's  excelling  glory,  and  that  even  in  the 
great  day  of  final  award  He  may  not  be  ashamed  to  call  us 
brethren. 

Turning  to  a  parable  of  nature,  we  perceive  the  bright  and 
morning  star  which  renews  our  gladness,  to  be  none  other  than 
the  sweet  calm  evening  star  of  our  twilight  solace.  So  and 
much  more  art  Thou,  Good  Lord  Jesus,  the  consolatory  Star 
of  this  vigil  of  our  mortality ;  and  so  dost  Thou  reveal  Thyself 
as  the  all-surpassing  Star  of  the  festival  of  our  immortality. 

17.  And  the  Spirit  and  the  bride  say,  Come.  And  let  him 
that  heareth  say,  Come.  And  let  him  that  is  athirst 
come.  And  whosoever  will,  let  him  take  the  water 
of  life  freely. 

The  Church  has  no  independent  existence.  Christ,  Whose 
mystical  body  she  is,  is  her  Head  :  the  Holy  Ghost,  Whose 
temple  she  is,  is  her  overruling  Will  and  Power.  Severed  from 
the  Head  she  would  die  :  emptied  of  the  Indwelling  Presence 
she  would  return  to  corruption. 

Yet  is  not  all  this  even  on  her  side  by  constraint,  but 
willingly.  The  Bridegroom  chooses  the  Bride  by  free  will  of 
Divine  Love  :  the  Bride  by  free  will  of  love  human  and  super 
human  chooses  the  Bridegroom.  The  Most  Holy  Spirit  freely 
chooses  His  Temple  :  the  living  and  breathing  Temple  in  the 
fortress  of  her  will  and  the  secret  place  of  her  affections  freely 
enshrines  her  God. 

In  the  peaceful  verse  under  contemplation,  "  the  Spirit  and 
the  Bride  "  speaking  with  one  voice  say  "  Come "  with  one 
will.  The  Indweller  is  Love  :  and  therefore  the  Temple  is. 
full  of  love.  God  the  Holy  Spirit  is  that  Person  of  the  All 
Holy  Trinity  Who  "  Proceedeth  "  :  He  has  imparted  Himself 
to  Christ's  mystical  Bride,  and  by  His  Divine  impulse  she 
pants  to  share  every  good  and  every  perfect  gift  which  is  hers 


542  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

with  the  worldwide  family  of  man.     Because  a  Flowing  River 
is  His  emblem,  therefore  a  stagnant  pool  never  can  be  hers. 

Fire  also  is  His  symbol.  His  Flame  has  kindled  hers  :  and 
therefore  from  her  spreading  flame  the  hearer  who  hath  ears 
to  hear  likewise  catches  fire,  and  echoes  and  cries  and  cannot 
but  cry  "  Come." 

"And  let  him  that  is  athirst  come."— We  thirst:  with  the  call 
to  come  give  us  the  will  to  come,  most  Bountiful  Lord  Jesus. 
Thou  Who  turnedst  water  into  wine ;  Who  saidst,  "  Give  Me 
to  drink " ;  Who  criest,  "  If  any  man  thirst  let  him  come 
unto  Me  and  drink";  Who  saidst,  "With  desire  I  have 
desired  "  ;  Who  declarest,  "  My  Blood  is  drink  indeed  " ;  Who 
saidst  in  extremity,  "  I  thirst "  ;  suffer  us  not  to  make  ourselves 
as  Dives,  but  join  us  to  Thyself  and  quench  our  thirst. 

When  the  Spirit  saith,  "  Come,"  He  fulfils  in  our  ears  that 
all-gracious  promised  ministry  whereby  He  brings  to  our 
remembrance  the  blessed  sayings  of  Christ ;  Who  in  the  course 
of  His  earthly  ministry  said  likewise,  "  Come,"  sometimes  to 
one,  sometimes  to  another,  sometimes  to  a  multitude;  and 
Who  while  addressing  each  however  individually  conveyed  also 
a  message,  charge,  lesson,  to  many  others,  and  even  by  analogy 
or  inference  to  all.  Let  us  arise  and  go  to  Him  Who  came  to 
us  before  He  bade  us  come  to  Him. 

"  The  Voice  of  my  Beloved  !  behold,  He  cometh         " 

"Come  ye  after  Me."— Lord  Jesus,  Whose  call  the'b'lessed 
brothers  Peter  and  Andrew  obeyed  with  warm  hearts,  grant  to 
€ach  of  us  like  warmth  and  like  obedience ;  a  good  start  a 
good  course,  a  good  goal.  Call  us  all,  I  beseech  Thee,  grant 
saving  grace  to  us  all. 

"  First  be  reconciled  to  thy  brother,  and  then  come  and  offer 
thy  gift."— Lord  Jesus,  since  I  can  never  deliver  my  brother, 
grant  me  at  least  never  to  wrong  him.  Enable  us  by  love  to 
serve  one  another  and  to  offer  ourselves  unto  Thee. 

Me  and  my  gift ;  kind  Lord,  behold, 

Be  not  extreme  to  test  or  sift  : 
Thy  Love  can  turn  to  fire  and  gold 
Me  and  my  gift. 

Myself  and  mine  to  Thee  I  lift : 
Gather  us  to  Thee  from  the  cold 

Dead  outer  world  where  dead  things  drift. 
If  much  were  mine,  then  manifold 

Should  be  thi  offering  of  my  thrift : 
I  am  but  poor,  yet  love  makes  bold 
Me  and  my  gift. 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  543 


"  All  that  are  in  the  graves  shall  hear  His  Voice,  and  shall 
come  forth." — Lord  Jesus,  Who  in  pure  Love  madest  Thy 
grave  with  the  wicked  and  with  the  rich  in  Thy  death,  for  that 
same  Love's  sake  turn  the  wicked  from  their  evil  ways,  and 
enrich  all  souls  with  heavenly  treasure  :  that  so  when  a  great 
company  hearing  Thy  Voice  shall  come  forth  from  their  graves, 
they  may  have  their  portion  in  the  resurrection  of  life. 

"  Whosoever  cometh  to  Me,  and  heareth  My  sayings,  and 
doeth  them,  I  will  shew  you  to  whom  he  is  like :  he  is  like  a 
man  which  built  an  house,  and  digged  deep,  and  laid  the 
foundation  on  a  rock." — Lord  Jesus,  grant  us  grace  to  come  to 
Thee  in  obedience,  and  by  constant  obedience  to  abide  with 
Thee  ;  that  our  foundation  may  be  upon  the  Rock  of  Ages, 
and  that  underneath  us  may  be  the  Everlasting  Arms.  Hold 
us  fast  that  we  may  cleave  unto  Thee ;  embrace  us  that  we 
may  cling  unto  Thee. 

"  I  will  come  and  heal  him." — Lord  Jesus,  Who  knowing 
whereof  we  are  made,  and  remembering  that  we  are  but  dust, 
beholdest  all  our  palsies  and  grievous  torments  of  body  and 
soul,  have  compassion  on  us  and  heal  us.  We  are  not  worthy : 
yet  speak  the  word. 

"Come  unto  Me,  all  ye  that  labour  and  are  heavy  laden, 
and  I  will  give  you  rest." — Lord  Jesus,  help  us  to  take  Thy 
yoke  upon  us,  and  learn  of  Thee  :  that  being  meek  and  lowly 
our  souls  may  rest  in  Thee  all  the  while  we  labour  and  bear 
our  due  appointed  burden  patiently. 

"  I  am  not  come  to  call  the  righteous,  but  sinners  to  re 
pentance." — Lord  Jesus,  Who  earnest  from  heaven  to  earth  to 
call  us,  wean  us  from  earth  that  we  may  ascend  to  Thee  in 
heaven.  Thou  leftest  heaven  for  love  of  us  :  forbid  it,  that  we 
should  not  leave  anything  or  everything  for  love  of  Thee  ! 
Thou  sinless  earnest  in  contact  with  sin  for  love  of  us  :  enable 
us  for  love  of  Thee  to  repent  and  sin  no  more. 

"  Ye  shall  not  have  gone  over  the  cities  of  Israel,  till  the 
Son  of  Man  be  come." — Lord  Jesus,  Who  art  Thyself  our 
Way  and  our  End,  surfer  not  persecution  or  pleasure  or  any 
circumstance,  to  hinder  our  pressing  forward  to  meet  Thee  at 
Thy  coming.  Be  Thou  here  our  city  of  refuge,  and  hereafter 
our  home. 

"  Come." — Lord  Jesus,  Whom  holy  Peter  loved  and  Who 
didst  much  more  love  Peter,  grant  us  faith  all-venturesome  for 
Thy  sake,  hope  for  an  anchor  sure  and  steadfast,  love  responsive 
to  Thy  loving  call. 

"  I  am  the  Bread  of  Life  :  he  that  cometh  to  Me  shall  never 


544  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 


hunger." — Lord  Jesus,  evermore  give  us  this  Bread,  give  us 
Thyself.  Thou  Who  in  love  givest  Thyself  to  us  in  the 
Blessed  Sacrament  of  Thy  Body  and  Blood,  grant  us  grace  in 
love  to  receive  Thee,  in  love  to  retain  Thee,  in  love  to  be 
joined  to  Thee  eternally. 

"All  that  the  Father  giveth  Me  shall  come  to  Me  ;  and  him 
that  cometh  to  Me  I  will  in  no  wise  cast  out." — Lord  Jesus, 
draw  ^  us,  we  will  run  after  Thee.  Bring  us  into  the  many 
mansions  of  Thy  Father's  house  that  we  may  be  glad,  and 
rejoice  in  Thee  remembering  Thy  Love.  Make  us  upright 
that  we  may  love  Thee. 

"  I  came  down  from  heaven,  not  to  do  mine  own  Will,  but 
the  Will  of  Him  that  sent  Me."— Lord  Jesus,  Who  for  us  men 
and  for  our  salvation  earnest  down  from  heaven,  I  beseech 
Thee  assist  us  by  Thy  grace  so  to  do  Thy  Will  and  the  Will  of 
Him  that  sent  Thee,  that  in  heart  and  soul  we  may  mount  up 
and  abide  with  Thee  in  heaven. 

"  No  man  can  come  to  Me,  except  the  Father  which  hath 
sent  Me  draw  him  :  and  I  will  raise  him  up  at  the  last  day." — 
Lord  Jesus,  our  Great  High  Priest,  vouchsafe  to  intercede  for 
us  with  the  Father  that  He  may  draw  us.  Receive  Thou  us, 
and  raise  us  up  at  the  last  day.  Whom  have  we  in  heaven 
but  Thee  ?  and  sinners  as  we  are,  whom  hast  Thou  on  earth 
but  us? 

"  No  man  can  come  unto  Me,  except  it  were  given  unto 
him  of  My  Father."— Lord  Jesus,  we  plead  Thy  Strength,  we 
plead  with  Thee  our  own  weakness.  Can  a  woman  forget  her 
sucking  child  ?  Yea,  Lord  :  yet  wilt  not  Thou  forget  us. 

"  If  any  man  will  come  after  Me,  let  him  deny  himself,  and 
take  up  his  cross  daily,  and  follow  Me." — Lord  Jesus,  grant  us 
daily  grace  for  daily  need.  Daily  patience  for  a  daily  cross. 
Daily,  hourly,  incessant  love  of  Thee,  to  take  up  our  cross 
daily  and  bear  it  after  Thee. 

"  If  any  man  thirst,  let  him  come  unto  Me,  and  drink." — 
Lord  Jesus,  if  we  thirst  not,  give  us  thirst ;  if  we  thirst,  give 
us  to  drink.  Withhold  not  from  us  Thyself  and  Thy  Most 
Holy  Spirit,  that  we  thirst  no  more,  neither  go  elsewhere  to  draw. 

"  I  am  come  that  they  might  have  life,  and  that  they  might 
have  it  more  abundantly." — Lord  Jesus,  in  Whose  hand  is  the 
soul  of  every  living  thing  and  the  breath  of  all  mankind,  to 
the  lifeless  impart  life,  to  the  living  increase  life  :  for  Thou 
Thyself  art  the  Life,  and  apart  from  Thee  we  have  no  life. 

"  Lazarus,  come  forth." — Lord  Jesus,  Who  in  love  to  Martha 
and  her  sister  and  Lazarus  gavest  them  back  to  one  another 


THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP.  545 

for  yet  a  brief  space  of  mortal  life;  give  back  to  us,  I  beseech 
Thee,  our  beloved  whom  Thou  hast  taken  to  Thyself:  reunite 
us  not  in  mortal  life  but  immortal,  not  for  a  little  while  but  for 
ever.  This  I  pray  for  generation  after  generation  of  mankind 
until  all  be  fulfilled  ;  and  the  last  acceptable  souls  going  home 
to  Thee,  find  with  Thee  those  also  who  shall  not  return  to  them. 

"  They  shall  come  from  the  east,  and  from  the  west,  and 
from  the  north,  and  from  the  south,  and  shall  sit  down  in  the 
kingdom  of  God." — Lord  Jesus,  grant  us  wisdom  with  the 
Wise  Men  and  with  all  who  tread  in  their  steps,  not  to  grudge 
any  long  journey  that  leadeth  to  Thee,  but  in  patience  to 
possess  our  souls. 

"If  any  man  come  to  Me,  and  hate  not  his  father,  and 
mother,  and  wife,  and  children,  and  brethren,  and  sisters,  yea, 
and  his  own  life  also,  he  cannot  be  My  disciple." — Lord  Jesus, 
what  Thou  requirest  enable  us  to  do  and  be,  for  verily  flesh 
and  blood  enter  not  into  the  kingdom  of  God.  Grant  us  self- 
restraint,  self-denial,  self-oblation,  the  lesser  love  enhancing 
the  greater;  the  pure  sacrifice  which  is  acceptable  to  Thee. 

"Suffer  the  little  children  to  come  unto  Me,  and  forbid  them 
not :  for  of  such  is  the  kingdom  of  God." — Lord  Jesus,  give 
us  Thine  own  grace  of  love  and  care  for  little  children,  that  we 
may  bring  them  to  Thee  in  Holy  Baptism,  and  watch  over  them 
body  and  soul.  And  I  beseech  Thee  make  us  like  them,  that 
so  Thou  mayest  love  and  care  for  us  with  them. 

"  If  thou  wilt  be  perfect,  go  and  sell  that  thou  hast,  and 
give  to  the  poor,  and  thou  shalt  have  treasure  in  heaven  :  and 
come  and  follow  Me." — Lord  Jesus,  with  Thy  call  pour  forth 
grace  responsive  to  that  call ;  that  so  high  saints  may  walk  on 
high  with  Thee,  perfect  as  Thou  art  perfect.  Yet  call  to  mind, 
I  beseech  Thee,  that  compassion  whereby  Thou  saidst,  "  He 
that  is  able  to  receive  it,  let  him  receive  it," — call  to  mind  Thy 
condescension  when  by  the  mouth  of  St.  Peter  Thou  pro- 
testedst,  "Whiles  it  remained,  was  it  not  thine  own?  and 
after  it  was  sold,  was  it  not  in  thine  own  power  ? " — and 
pardon  even  every  one  that  prepareth  his  heart  to  seek  God, 
the  Lord  God  of  his  fathers,  though  he  be  not  cleansed 
according  to  the  purification  of  the  sanctuary.  Be  merciful  to 
first  and  last. 

"  Zacchseus,  make  haste,  and  come  down ;  for  to-day  I 
must  abide  at  thy  house." — Lord  Jesus,  when  Thou  biddest 
us  come  down,  give  us  grace  to  humble  ourselves.  Thou  art 
our  salvation  :  come  Thou  to  our  hearts  and  abide  there  this 
day,  every  day,  for  ever. 

M  M 


546  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

"The  Son  of  Man  is  come  to  seek  and  to  save  that  which 
was  lost." — Lord  Jesus,  Only  Sacrifice,  Only  Saviour,  Thou 
Who  seekest  us  to  save  us,  give  us  gracious  yearnings  that 
seeking  Thee  we  may  be  saved.  We  are  lost  if  Thou  seek  us 
not :  self-lost  if  we  seek  not  Thee.  From  utter  irretrievable 
loss,  O  Saviour  of  the  lost,  deliver  us. 

"  I  am  come  a  light  into  the  world,  that  whosoever  believeth 
on  Me  should  not  abide  in  darkness." — Lord  Jesus,  suffer  us 
not  to  love  darkness  rather  than  light ;  but  help  us  so  to  do 
good  works  and  come  into  the  light,  that  our  deeds  may  be 
made  manifest  that  they  are  wrought  in  God. 

"  Watch  therefore  :  for  ye  know  not  what  hour  your  Lord 
doth  come." — Lord  Jesus,  we  know  not,  but  Thou  knowest. 
Thou  Who  in  loving  pity  watchest  over  us,  grant  us  in  longing 
love  to  watch  for  Thee.  Alas  for  me  !  grant  me,  even  me, 
such  great  love. 

"  When  the  Son  of  Man  shall  come  in  His  glory  .  .  .  then 
shall  He  sit  upon  the  Throne  of  His  glory  :  and  before  Him 
shall  be  gathered  all  nations." — Lord  Jesus,  when  rocks  cannot 
hide  us  or  mountains  cover  us,  be  Thou  our  shield  and  hiding- 
place  from  the  wrath  to  come. 

"  Come,  ye  blessed  of  My  Father,  inherit  the  kingdom  pre 
pared  for  you  from  the  foundation  of  the  world." — Lord  Jesus, 
Thou  waitest  to  be  gracious.  We  wait  for  Thy  loving-kindness 
in  the  midst  of  Thy  temple.  The  eyes  of  all  wait  upon  Thee  : 
give  us,  I  pray  Thee,  our  meat  in  due  season,  row  that  meat 
which  endureth  unto  everlasting  life,  hereafter  the  marriage 
supper  of  Thy  kingdom. 

"  If  I  go  and  prepare  a  place  for  you,  I  will  come  again,  and 
receive  you  unto  Myself." — Lord  Jesus,  let  us  not  faint,  but 
have  patience,  awaiting  the  fulfilment  of  this  Thine  all-consol 
atory  promise.  For  Thou  the  Truth  art  True,  though  every 
man  were  a  liar. 

"  I  will  not  leave  you  comfortless  :  I  will  come  to  you." — 
Lord  Jesus,  never  suffer  us  to  despond,  saying,  the  Lord 
hath  forsaken  me,  and  my  Lord  hath  forgotten  me.  Heaven 
and  earth  shall  pass  away,  but  Thy  word  shall  not  pass 
away. 

"  If  a  man  love  Me,  he  will  keep  My  words  :  and  My 
Father  will  love  him,  and  We  will  come  unto  him,  and  make 
Our  abode  with  him." — Lord  Jesus,  Blessed  be  Thou  Who  for 
love  of  us  becamest  lonely  in  life,  while  men  hid  as  it  were 
their  faces  from  Thee,  and  unutterably  lonely  in  Thy  last 
Agony,  when  the  Father  Himself  hid  His  Face  from  Thee. 


THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP.  547 

It  was  our  loneliness  Thou  enduredst  in  our  stead :  Blessed 
be  Thou. 

"  Come  and  dine." — Lord  Jesus,  mortal  life  is  our  night  of 
abstinence  :  grant  us  eternal  life  for  our  day  of  feasting. 
Blessed  is  he  that  eateth  Bread  in  the  kingdom  of  God  :  in 
the  Church  Militant  here,  in  the  Church  Triumphant  hereafter. 
With  Thee  here  in  a  Mystery :  with  Thee  hereafter  face  to  Face. 

"  If  I  will  that  he  tarry  till  I  come,  what  is  that  to  thee  ? 
follow  thou  Me."— Lord  Jesus,  Who  sweetly  orderest  all  things, 
give  to  each  one  of  us,  I  beseech  Thee,  the  special  grace 
proper  to  his  vocation  :  that  the  contemplative  may  sit  ever  at 
Thy  Feet  in  spirit,  and  the  active  may  follow  in  Thy  blessed 
footsteps  which  went  about  doing  good.  Amen  and  Amen. 

"  Come.  .  .  .  And  whosoever  will,  let  him  take  the  water 
of  life  freely." — Once  more  our  will  is  made  the  turning-point. 
God's  Will  is  revealed  in  that  word  of  mercy  "  Come  "  :  man's 
will  is  still  in  question. 

Do  I  then  ignore  or  deny  the  doctrines  of  Prevenient  Grace 
and  Predestination  ?  God  forbid  ;  but  neither  when  He  saith 
Come,  can  I  deny  or  ignore  that  so  He  saith.  He  Who  is  the 
Truth  cannot  but  mean  Come  when  He  saith  Come. 

Yet  Christ  declares  plainly  :  "  No  man  can  come  unto  Me, 
except  it  were  given  unto  him  of  My  Father  " — establishing 
the  necessity  of  Prevenient  Grace. 

I  know  it :  yet  saith  He  to  me,  Come. 

And  St.  Paul  writing  under  Inspiration  states  :  "  Whom  He 
did  predestinate,  them  He  also  called." 

This  also  I  know  :  yet  surely  He  Who  saith  to  me  Come, 
calleth  me. 

What  then  do  I  think  ?  God  helping  me,  I  will  think  this. 
The  Divine  Call  has  been  addressed  to  me,-  has  reached  me, 
has  urged  my  will,  convinced  my  understanding,  moved  my 
heart.  At  the  Judgment  Bar  never  can  I  plead,  No  man  hath 
hired  me ;  never  can  I  claim  the  few  stripes  of  one  who  knew 
nothing  of  his  Lord's  Will.  I  observe  moreover  that  my  call 
being  a  practical  one,  demanding  not  intellect  on  my  side  but 
obedience,  enjoins  practice  rather  than  subtil  theory,  and  is  re 
sponded  to  by  simplest  obedience.  My  understanding  breaks 
down  :  so  be  it.  Please  God,  my  will  shall  not  break  down, 
nor  my  faith  make  shipwreck. 

O  Love  of  Christ,  constrain  me,  constrain  all. 

"  Rejoice  greatly,  O  daughter  of  Zion  ;  shout,  O  daughter  of 
Jerusalem  :  behold,  thy  King  cometh  unto  thee  :  He  is  just, 
and  having  salvation." 


548  THE  FACE   OF  THE  DEEP. 

This  Call  which  cries  "  Come,"  and  addresses  "  whosoever 
will,"  is  a  call  to  refreshment,  solace,  overflowing  plenty, 
boundless  endless  supply,  sustenance  of  immortality.  A  call 
without  stint,  without  bar :  "  Whosoever  will,  let  him  take  the 
water  of  life  freely." 

Yet  some  Christians  traverse  the  world  like  walking  funerals 
rather  than  like  wedding-guests  !  (Know  thyself.)  "  But  be 
ye  doers  of  the  word,  and  not  hearers  only,  deceiving  your  own 
selves.  For  if  any  be  a  hearer  of  the  word,  and  not  a  doer,  he 
is  like  unto  a  man  beholding  his  natural  face  in  a  glass  :  for 
he  beholdeth  himself,  and  goeth  his  way,  and  straightway 
forgetteth  what  manner  of  man  he  was." 

18.  For  I  testify  unto  every  man  that  heareth  the  words  of 

the  prophecy  of  this  book,  If  any  man  shall  add  unto 
these  things,  God  shall  add  unto  him  the  plagues  that 
are  written  in  this  book. 

19.  And  if  any  man  shall  take  away  from  the  words  of 

the  book  of  this  prophecy,  God  shall  take  away  his 
part  out  of  the  book  of  life,  and  out  of  the  holy  city, 
and  from  the  things  which  are  written  in  this  book. 

Our  Lord  deigns  to  testify  "unto  every  man  that  heareth  .  .  ."  : 
thus  acting  in  accordance  with  a  revelation  vouchsafed  of  His 
own  Nature  :  "  That  was  the  true  Light,  which  lighteth  every 
man  .  .  .  ,"  and  in  harmony  with  His  declaration  before 
Pontius  Pilate  :  "  To  this  end  was  I  born,  and  for  this  cause 
came  I  into  the  world,  that  I  should  bear  witness  unto  the 
truth." 

O  Lord,  if  I  myself  have  fallen  into  either  deadly  error 
against  which  Thou  here  testifiest :  "  I  acknowledge  my 
transgressions.  .  .  .  Against  Thee,  Thee  only,  have  I  sinned, 
and  done  this  evil  in  Thy  sight :  that  Thou  mightest  be 
justified  when  Thou  speakest,  and  be  clear  when  Thou 
judgest  .  .  .  Hide  Thy  Face  from  my  sins,  and  blot  out  all 
mine  iniquities." 

Were  it  not  for  the  blessing  (ch.  i.  3)  pronounced  on  him  that 
readeth  and  on  them  that  hear  the  words  of  this  Prophecy,  and 
keep  those  things  which  are  written  therein,  well  might  we 
weep  much,  confessing  our  utter  unworthiness  to  open  and  to 
read  the  Book,  01  so  much  as  to  look  thereon. 

It  is  well  to  fear  and  obey.  It  is  ill  to  fear  instead  of 
obeying. 

Some  can  meditate  and  interpret.  All  can  meditate  and  pray. 

To  interpret  should  do  good.     To  pray  will  do  good. 


THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP.  549 

Interpretation  may  err  and  darken  knowledge.  Prayer 
fetches  down  wisdom  from  the  Father  of  lights. 

Prayer  is  the  safeguard  of  interpretation,  and  without 
interpretation  is  still  profitable. 

We  seem  to  bring  something  of  our  own  to  interpretation, 
and  if  puffed  up  may  destroy  ourselves.  Prayer  avows  desti 
tution,  and  lays  hold  on  the  riches  of  Him  Who  made  us. 

Interpretation  is  safe  and  seemly  for  some.  Prayer  is 
safe  and  seemly  for  all. 

"  If  any  man  shall  add.  .  .  .  And  if  any  man  shall  take 
away.  .  .  ." — The  ruinous  sin  here  denounced  of  adding  to 
this  Revelation  to  be  punished  by  added  plagues,  or  of  taking 
away  from  it  to  be  punished  by  expulsion  from  blessings,  is 
foreshadowed  in  two  Prophecies  of  Jeremiah  :  "  Thus  saith 
the  Lord  concerning  Shemaiah  the  Nehelamite  ;  Because  that 
Shemaiah  hath  prophesied  unto  you,  and  I  sent  him  not,  and 
he  caused  you  to  trust  in  a  lie  ;  therefore  thus  saith  the  Lord ; 
Behold,  I  will  punish  Shemaiah  the  Nehelamite,  and  his  seed  : 
he  shall  not  have  a  man  to  dwell  among  this  people  ;  neither 
shall  he  behold  the  good  that  I  will  do  for  My  people,  saith 
the  Lord  ;  because  he  hath  taught  rebellion  against  the  Lord  " — 
"Thou  shalt  say  to  Jehoiakim  king  of  Judah,  Thus  saith  the 
Lord  ;  Thou  hast  burned  this  roll,  saying,  Why  hast  thou 
written  therein,  saying,  The  king  of  Babylon  shall  certainly 
come  and  destroy  this  land,  and  shall  cause  to  cease  from 
thence  man  and  beast  ?  Therefore  thus  saith  the  Lord  of 
Jehoiakim  king  of  Judah  ;  He  shall  have  none  to  sit  upon  the 
throne  of  David  :  and  his  dead  body  shall  be  cast  out  in  the 
day  to  the  heat,  and  in  the  night  to  the  frost." 

"  God  shall  take  away  his  part  out  of  the  Book  of  Life,  and 
out  of  the  holy  city,  and  from  the  things  which  are  written  in 
this  book." — The  Revised  Version  gives  a  noteworthy  variation  : 
"  God  shall  take  away  his  part  from  the  Tree  of  Life,  and  out 
of  the  holy  city,  which  are  written  in  this  book."  Sad  it  were 
to  forfeit  the  Book  of  Life  and  the  holy  city  :  sadder  still  to 
forfeit  the  Tree  of  Life,  which  represents  to  us  Jesus. 

Jesus  alone  :— if  thus  it  were  to  me  ; 

Yet  thus  it  cannot  be  ; 

Lord,  I  have  all  things  if  I  have  but  Thee. 

Jesus  and  all  : — precious  His  bounties  are, 

Yet  He  more  precious  far  ; 

Day's-eyes  are  many,  one  the  Morning  Star. 

Jesus  my  all : — so  let  me  rest  in  love, 

Thy  peaceable  poor  dove, 

Some  time  below  till  timeless  time  above. 


THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP. 


The  wilfully  dead  sever  themselves  from  the  Tree  of  Life, 
the  wilfully  foul  from  the  holy  city.  Dreadful  were  it  simply 
to  be  shut  up  with  self  in  the  darkness  of  a  grave-like  solitude. 
What  will  it  be  to  be  shut  up  as  in  a  grave  where  the  worm 
dieth  not,  and  where  the  whole  congregation  of  the  denied 
dead  being  dead  yet  cannot  die  ?  Yet  if  I  can  face  the  being 
divorced  from  that  Tree  of  Life  which  is  Christ,  well  may  I 
face  any  and  every  other  loss.  Yea,  let  Ziba  take  all  !  nor  will 
I  cry  unto  the  King  of  any  lesser  matter. 

20.  He  which  testifieth  these  things  saith,  Surely  I  come 
quickly.     Amen.    Even  so,  come,  Lord  Jesus. 

If  up  to  this  point  we  have,  however  feebly,  feared,  hoped, 
believed,  loved  with  St.  John,  now  on  once  again  hearing  the 
Voice,  "  Surely  I  come  quickly,"  we  should  be  prompt  with 
him  to  answer  :  "  Even  so,  come,  Lord  Jesus." 

No  hope  or  fear,  faith  or  love  of  ours,  is  worthy  to  welcome 
Christ  :  yet  woe  is  us  if  they  welcome  Him  not.  Woe  is  us  if 
amid  and  above  terror  and  clouds  of  His  approach  we  hail  not 
His  Presence  as  the  very  bow  in  the  cloud.  And  as  sometimes 
a  second  bow  fainter,  less  perfect,  further  off,  appears  in  the 
train  of  the  chief  rainbow,  so  in  His  train  will  reappear  our  lost 
beloved  ones  who  loved  us  much  and  Him  much  more  ;  a  hem 
as  it  were  to  His  garment,  an  outer  edge  to  His  glory,  an  over 
flow  to  our  full  cup  of  bliss.  "  And  now  men  see  not  the 
bright  light  which  is  in  the  clouds."  "  He  shall  pray  unto 
God,  and  He  will  be  favourable  unto  him  :  and  he  shall  see 
His  Face  with  joy." 

O  Thou  Who  art  as  the  light  of  the  morning  when  the  sun 
riseth,  even  a  morning  without  clouds,  revive  our  drooping 
souls  as  the  tender  grass  springing  out  of  the  earth  by  clear 
shining  after  rain,  springing  out  of  the  earth  toward  Thee. 
Although  Thy  Church  be  not  so  with  God,  in  Whose  sight  no 
man  living  shall  be  justified,  yet  have  respect  unto  Thine 
everlasting  covenant  ordered  in  all  things  and  sure  ;  and  bring 
to  pass  her  full  salvation,  and  fulfil  all  her  desire,  and  make  us 
all  to  grow.  Amen. 

Can  man  rejoice  who  lives  in  hourly  fear? 

Can  man  make  haste  who  toils  beneath  a  load  ? 

Can  man  feel  rest  who  has  no  fixed  abode  ? 
All  he  lays  hold  of  or  can  see  or  hear 
Is  passing  by,  is  prompt  to  disappear, 

Is  doomed,  foredoomed,  continueth  in  no  stay  : 

This  day  he  breathes  in  is  his  latter  day, 
This  year  of  Ume  is  this  world's  latter  year. 


THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP.  551 

Thus  in  himself  is  he  most  miserable  : — 
Out  of  himself,  Lord,  lift  him  up  to  Thee, 
Out  of  himself  and  all  these  worlds  that  flee  ; 
Hold  him  in  patience  underneath  the  rod, 
Anchor  his  hope  beyond  life's  ebb  and  swell, 
Perfect  his  patience  in  the  love  of  God. 

21.  The  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be  with  you  all. 
Amen. 

Or  according  to  the  Revised  Version :  " .  .  .  be  with  the 
saints." 

If  a  doubt  exists  as  to  which  is  the  more  accurate  translation, 
by  becoming  saints  we  shall  in  any  case  secure  St.  John's 
benediction. 

At  the  very  commencement  (ch.  i.  i)  "The  Revelation  of 
Jesus  Christ  "  addressed  us  :  here  at  the  very  end  "  The  grace 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ"  waits  for  us.  All  that  lies  between 
has  not  effected  towards  ourselves  its  purpose  unless  we 
conclude  the  whole  matter  in  a  culminating  grace  by  fearing 
God  and  keeping  His  commandments. 

We  have  heard  enough  when  God  ceases  to  speak,  and  have 
learned  enough  when  we  have  learned  His  Will. 

Jesus  Christ,  our  Starting  Point,  our  Way,  our  Goal,  look 
upon  us  with  Thy  most  gracious  eyes,  with  the  eyes  of  Thy 
most  overcoming  pity,  with  the  eyes  that  recalled  St.  Peter  to 
himself,  to  the  Communion  of  Saints,  to  Thee.  Amen. 


If  I  have  been  overbold  in  attempting  such  a  work  as 
beg  pardon. 


FOR  EACH. 

My  harvest  is  done,  its  promise  is  ended, 

Weak  and  watery  sets  the  sun, 
Day  and  night  in  one  mist  are  blended, 
My  harvest  is  done. 

Long  while  running,  how  short  when  run, 
Time  to  eternity  has  descended, 
Timeless  eternity  has  begun. 

Was  it  the  narrow  way  that  I  wended  ? 
Snares  and  pits  was  it  mine  to  shun? 
The  scythe  has  fallen  so  long  suspended, 
My  harvest  is  done. 


552  THE  FACE  OF  THE  DEEP. 


FOR  ALL. 

Man's  harvest  is  past,  his  summer  is  ended, 

Hope  and  fear  are  finished  at  last, 
Day  hath  descended,  night  hath  ascended, 
Man's  harvest  is  past. 

Time  is  fled  that  fleeted  so  fast : 
All  the  unmended  remains  unmended, 
The  perfect,  perfect :  all  lots  are  cast. 

Waiting  till  earth  and  ocean  be  rended, 
Waiting  for  call  of  the  trumpet-blast, 
Each  soul  at  goal  of  each  way  it  wended, — 
Man's  harvest  is  past. 


THE   END. 


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