itally important consequences, the grand article of
Renwick's testimony,--the Redeemer's Headship over the Church and the
nations, and the cognate principles of the supremacy of the word, the
spiritual independence of the Church, and the claim of the subjection of
the nation and its rulers to the authority of the reigning Mediator.
Whether viewed in the light of the past or of the present state of the
nations, as of America, and the kingdoms of the antichristian earth; or
of prophecy yet unfulfilled, a testimony for these truths is of grand
and overwhelming importance. This is emphatically, the _present
truth_--the cause of God and truth, now to be pleaded in the earth. It
is "the word of Christ's patience," which we are required to hold fast.
It is at our peril If we be found neutral here; our preservation from
the coming "hour of temptation," is alone to be expected in fidelity to
the great trust committed to us. We are assured in the faithful word of
prophecy, that the Redeemer will ere long take to Him his power to
reign. The "Little Stone" shall bruise and break in pieces the feet and
toes of the "great Image,"--the representative of the world-powers,--and
become a "great mountain," and fill the earth. Then shall the cause for
which Christ's witnesses testified in sackcloth, and for which chosen
martyrs died, gloriously triumph. "The kingdoms of this world shall
become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ."

The peaceful, triumphant death of Renwick, shows impressively that there
is a reward to the righteous; that a life of self-denial and devoted
piety appears at the close, enstamped with heaven's approval; and that
labours and sufferings for Christ's sake conduct to the joy of completed
victory, and to perfect communion with the Redeemer, and the redeemed in
glory. "Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright; for the end of
that man is peace." (Ps. xxxvii. 37.) "After this, I beheld, and lo, a
great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and
kingdoms, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before
the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands. And cried
with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God, which sitteth upon the
throne, and unto the Lamb." (Rev. vii. 9, 10.)

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 1: Hist of Ch. of Scotland, vol. ii. p. 64]

[Footnote 2: Calvin and Geneva, vol. I., II.]

[Footnote 3: See Appendix,--Note A.]

[Footnote 4: Dodds' "Fifty Years'