Behold, I Come As A Thief
“Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.”—Revelation 16:15
Vain confidence begets spiritual sloth. Licentious principles harden the heart in sin, deafen the ear to the calls of grace, and cause the tongue to pronounce evangelical excitements to love and obedience, legal. But the faith of Jesus enlivens to duty, and inspires the soul with godly jealousy and holy watchfulness. So the members of Jesus are blessed, blessed in him with all spiritual blessings; and they enjoy a sweet sense of blessedness in obeying him. ‘Behold I come,’ saith Jesus our head. In the faith of this enable me, Lord, to watch alway, saith every living member. We know but in part; there are infinitely greater blessings to be found in Jesus, more of his Knowledge, his love, his peace, of his image, greater conformity to, and likeness of him. For this we are called to watch and wait, and pray continually, lest we lose the garments of truth, the clothing of humility, the adorning of the gospel, and sorrow overtake us, and shame cover us. So also to watch against the desperate wickedness of our nature, the devices of Satan, and the deceits of an ensnaring world. None fully know the dangers to which they are exposed, and how dreadfully they may be suffered to fall. Most true, Jesus both can and will keep all his members, by his power through faith unto salvation. But it is as true, thou wilt have sad evidence of thy interest in him, while his word is not thy rule of conduct. ‘Watch,’ saith he.
Comfort and peace are enjoyed in the way of circumspection and watchfulness, while with care and diligence we study to approve ourselves as God’s children, by a holy walk and godly conversation. Awful instances are frequent and visible, of many souls ‘who did run well for a season but Satan hindered them. They have forsaken the precious truths of Jesus, the world has enslaved them, and their garments are defiled with gross and abominable sins. Their minds appear destitute of faith, love, and holiness, and their shame is seen and manifest. A state, how deplorable, how much to be dreaded: all from neglecting to watch. Serious thoughts are terrifying, self-examination is avoided, the view of death fills them with horror, an appearing but forsaken Jesus they dread. Yet he will come, and every eye must see him; though as a thief, suddenly. To his faithful ones not dreadfully, to rob and destroy them; but to gather them together, that they may be ever with him. And now ‘little children, abide in him; that when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.’ 1 John 2:28
William Mason (1719-1791) was a High-Calvinist author. For many years he served as a Justice of the Peace, and in 1783 was appointed a Magistrate. He served as editor of the Gospel Magazine before and after the editorship of Augustus Toplady. He is best known for a morning and evening devotional entitled, “A Spiritual Treasury For The Children Of God.”
