THE LATE REV. ARTHUR TRIGGS. - The Gospel Magazine

The Gospel Magazine. 337
And these seasons of tried faith are all leading on to the great end
beyond the oft-feared dark "valley of the shadow of death," where
even then the soul shall find her true Lux in Tenebris, for "Thou art with
me," and" Even there shall Thy hand lead me." Jesus can make all
things, all times, and all circumstances to be good for His children; and
grant unto them thus some sweet foretastes of that perfect rest, that
time of unbroken fellowship and communion, which probably with Peter
in the frailty of our flesh, we think we have already reached and desire
to tabernacle in. For, again and again He sees the need to stir
us up and remind us at such hallowed seasons, " For ye are not as yet
come to the rest and to the inheritance, which the Lord your God giveth
you. But when ye go over Jordan, and dwell in the land which the
Lord your God giveth you to inherit, and when He giveth you rest from
all your enemies round about, so that ye dwell in safety, etc." (Deut.
xii. 9, 10.) When we can say, "Lord, it is good for us to be here,".
beloved reader, it is already heaven begun in our souls.
Oh, child of God, consider your high calling and its accompanying
privileges! "Christ in you the hope of glory!" Christ in you here
is the beginning of that mystery of Eternity, when, as the City complete,
the Bride perfected, you shall be seen" having the glory of God,"
absorbed in Him, One in His ~lory, changed into the same image, and
like Him, for you" shall see Him as He is !" He looks upon you now
in the character He has purchased for you, the Lord our Righteousness.
Jesus can present ;His Bride in nothing short of that, and His
Father can require no higher, nor more holy, presentation.
We have not to wait for heaven to know" in part" what heaven is.
It is where He is! and since He has in His wondrous condescension
stooped to dwell in the lowly and contrite heart, there is heaven begun
in your heart and mine, 0 grJ,ce-saved sinner! Wondrous Love!
Ineffable Peace! Grace past all telling! And yet He was pleased
to reveal this" secret of His Presence" to Mary as she sat at His feet;
to John as he leaned on Jesus' bosom; to Enoch as he walked with God;
and to you and me in however humble a measure! Now let our hearts
question, Is this my posture at this time ~ Are we daily realizing so sweetly
the Presence of Jesus our Covenant-Head within us, for us, over us,
round about us, that we exclaim, "It is good to be here" ~ Yes, whatever
our condition, our circunlstance, our experience, it is good to be here,
since Jesus i with us. Oh! not to be where we cannot invite His
Presence, where we caunot perceive Him! Let this thought be
practical to "and Guide us! Oh! not t