A Drama in Five Acts

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1 Corinthians 7:29-31

But this I say, brothers, the time is short: it remains, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;…

1. Holy Scripture gives not a special rule for each particular case, but rather instructs us by general principles applicable to all cases, otherwise a library would be required rather than a volume. The apostle had to answer several questions with regard to marriage. These he answers with an "I suppose," or again, "Howbeit, for this speak I, not the Lord"; as if he felt himself quite unequal to meet every case; but he lands here on sure ground, and seems to say, "Of this one thing I am quite sure; that the time is short, and therefore, whether ye are married or not, &c., &c., ye should act in all these things as knowing their temporary character."

2. This morning we shall go to a play, for the word "fashion" is borrowed from the changing scenes of the drama.

I. THE DRAMA AS WITNESSED BY THE WORLDLING.

I. Act I. introduces those that have wives.Scene 1. is a wedding.Scene 2. Domestic happiness and prosperity.Scene 3. Children climbing the father's knee and lisping their mother's name. "Now," says our companion, "I crave for nothing more than this." He is right in valuing the blessing, but wrong in making it his all. Will he see his error before the curtain falls?Scene 4. A cemetery, and the headstone, with "Here he lies." Alas, deluded wordling! Where hast thou now a home? What family hast thou now to care for? The first act is over; "This also is vanity."

II. Act II. introduces "they that weep." The cloudy and dark days have come. A beloved child dies. Anon, the merchant suffers a tremendous loss. Then the wife is smitten. Our man of the world, much moved, foreseeing his own sorrows therein, cries, "Surely this is real; you cannot call this a fleeting sorrow or a light affliction. Everything worth living for is gone!" Sympathising deeply, we nevertheless venture to say that these trials to the Christian are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Let the curtain drop — let us enter into an eternal state, and what and where are these temporary griefs?

III. Act III. presents us with a view of those who rejoice. The first-born son has come of age, or it is the daughter's wedding, or it is a gain in business, and the man is full of rejoicing. Our friend is smiling at this sunny picture. "There," says he, "is not that real? What more do you want?" If we gently hint to our friend that all this passes away he laughs us to scorn.

IV. In Act IV. they that buy demand our attention. The merchant is neither a mourner nor a man of mirth; he is attending to the one thing needful, the most substantial of all concerns. There are his money-bags, the rolls of bonds, the banker's books, the title-deeds, &c. He has made a good thing of life, and still he adheres to business, and is still piling up his heap, adding field to field and estate to estate. "Is that all a shadow?" says our friend. "It will satisfy me at any rate." Alas, poor fool, the snow melts not sooner than the joy of wealth, and the smoke of the chimney is as solid as the comfort of riches.

V. In Act V. the rich man whom lately we saw married, then saw in trouble, then rejoicing and then prospering in business, has entered upon a green old age; he has retired, and has now come to use the world. Now he keeps a liberal table, excellent horses, and many servants, &c., and our friend says, "Ay, there is something very real here; what do you think of this?" When we hint that the grey hairs of the owner of all these riches betoken that his time is short, and that if this be all he has he is a very poor man, our friend replies, "Ah! ah! you are always talking in this way." O world, thou hast line actors, to cheat men so well. The whole matter is a mere show, but yet men give their souls to win it. "Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread?"

II. THE CHRISTIAN VIEW OF THIS DRAMA. Life is real; life is earnest to the Christian for activity for God; in the solemn responsibility which it brings; in the gratitude which we owe to God. The unreality of this world to him is found in the fact that time is short. This is the wand which touches the substance and makes it, before the eye of wisdom, dissolve into a shade.

1. When the apostle declares that they that have wives should be as though they had none, he does not teach us to despise the married state, but not to seek our heaven in it, nor let it hinder our serving the Lord. It is supposed that a man without a wife —

(1) Can give his time to the cause of God: the man with a wife should do the same, and so he will if God hath blessed him with one who will second his holy endeavours.

(2) Has no care: a man with a wife Should have none, for he should cast all his cares on God who careth for him.

(3) Will find it easier to die, for there will be none of that sorrow at leaving his beloved family: the man with a wife and family should, by faith, find it just as easy since the promise runs, "Leave thy fatherless children, and let thy widows trust in Me."

2. Every Christian man must weep; but the apostle says that our sorrows are to be regarded by us, because time is short, as though they were no sorrows at all. A man who knows that his trials will not last long, can be cheerful under them.

3. The Christian has his rejoicings, indeed, he is commanded to rejoice. But still, believer, in all thy joys, remember to hold them with a loose hand.

4. So, too, in the matter of buying and possessing. It is not wrong for a Christian to trade and to trade well. But, still, while we buy and sell it should always be thus — "This is not my real trade; for my treasure is beyond the skies, where moth devours not, and where rust cannot consume."

5. The creatures of God are given us to be used, but the Christian must use them as though he did not use them, and learn in whatsoever state he is to be content. That man is the full-grown and true Christian whom circumstances cannot alter!

III. THE CURTAIN WHICH IS SOON TO DROP bears the device, "Time is short." At what a rate we whirl along! Childhood seems to travel in a waggon, but manhood at express speed. As we grow older the speed increases till the grey-headed old man looks back upon all his life as but a day. We heard of one who had seen Wesley preach, and he knew others in his youth who told him of the yet older time, and going through the history of some ten or twelve persons you are carried back to the days of the Conqueror. But while time is thus short its end is absolutely sure. That curtain yonder must fall soon! It must fall; it is inevitable, and it may be very near. How soon it may be we cannot tell! And to those who have no God, death, while inevitable and very near, will be most awful. When men buy property on a short lease they will not give much for it; wherefore spendest thou thy soul to buy this world? What will it profit thee, if thou gain it, if thy soul be lost?

IV. LET US WALK OUT OF THIS THEATRE OF UNREAL SHOW AND SEE SOMETHING REAL AND LASTING. There is —

1. The soul. Then let me see to it and make my calling and election sure; for I shall have been of all fools the most mad if I shall have trifled with these things and yet have neglected my soul. The Roman emperor, Claudius, invaded Britain, but his performance only consisted of gathering pebbles and shells from the sea-coast. This shall be my triumph, if here in this world I live only to gather wealth.

2. Other men's souls. What am I doing for them? Dig up your buried talents and work while it is called day.

3. Christ's Church. The Church that is to shine like the stars in heaven for ever, what am I doing for her? As a member, do I contribute to its strength?

4. Christ Himself. Am I glorifying Him here on earth?

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