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Ministry by C. H. Mackintosh
– Part One

 
Introduction
"Thou and thy house"
Two Houses
Noah       Abraham
Exodus    Numbers
Joshua      Eli
Divine Principles
New Testament
Failure
Our Meetings
The Christian at Home
Rank in Life
Management of our Children
Subjection
God's Moral Government
Management of Servants
Conclusion
Next
 





INTRODUCTION


C. H. Mackintosh (1820-96)

Mr. C. H. Mackintosh – who not-withstanding the attacks on FER, remained in fellowship with him to the end – is one of the best known teachers of those used in an out-standing way in the recovery of the truth.

He wrote in a clear forceful style which may surprise – and challenge – those who have only seen extracts from his ministry and have thought of it as nice and comfortable.

Thou and thy House is presented here because it is possibly the most thorough examination of the teaching as to the believer's household and its practical bearing.


Other pages relating to C. H. Mackintosh:
Biography: C. H. Mackintosh
Biography: F. E. Raven: His Friends: C. H. Mackintosh
History: The First 50 Years: A History

G. A. R.

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"THOU  AND  THY  HOUSE"
C. H. Mackintosh

That we are to bring our children up for the Lord, is plainly the teaching of this word, "But bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord". To do this rightly, we must ourselves be daily walking, before our children, in the practical exhibition of His character, and counting much on the sympathies and grace of His heart: remembering that He says to us, "Without me ye can do nothing".

It is also our duty to teach our children, in due time, some use-ful occupation for "necessary uses". "And let ours also learn to maintain good works (or, profess honest trades, margin), for necessary uses". Compare Ephesians 6: 4; Titus 3: 14. These are the points which do severely test our practical Christianity. If the first and all-important duty has not been faithfully dis-charged, before it is needful to press the second, deep trial must come in, and who can tell how long we may have to endure it, before the Lord Himself appears for our help?

May the "God of all grace" lead us all to know more fully, and value more highly, our blessed privileges, and be more faithful to our great responsibilities as His servants in connection with our families at home.     CHM


Two Houses

There are two houses which occupy a very prominent place on the page of inspiration, and these are, the house of God, and the house of God's servant.

Now, while many minds may be prepared to enter into the truth and importance of all the principles connected with God's house,


Noah

When the iniquity of the antediluvian world had risen to a head, and the end of all flesh had come before a righteous God, who was about to roll the heavy tide of judgement over the corrupted scene, these sweet words fell upon Noah's ear,


The reader will not, I trust, imagine that the necessity for the work of the Holy Ghost, in the regeneration of the children of Christian parents, is denied or interfered with. God forbid. "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God". This is as true of a Christian's child as of every one else. Grace is not hereditary.

The sum of what I would press upon Christian parents is, that scripture inseparably links a man with his house, and that the Christian parent is warranted in counting upon God for his children, and responsible to train his children for God. Let any one who denies this interpret Ephesians 6: 4.


That this is a principle involving vast practical consequences, we shall, with God's blessing and grace, see, ere we close this paper; but we must first seek to establish its truth from the word of God.

The same ark that lay open to him lay open to them also. Why? Was it because they had faith? No; but because he had, and they were connected with him.


Abraham

The next passage to which I shall refer occurs in the life of Abraham.

This, to a tender conscience, cannot fail to prove a most pungent principle.

But not only does God so rule His house: He likewise loves, approves of, and treats with His marked and honoured confidence, those who do the same.

Now, the question for the Christian parent's conscience really is, "am I counting upon God for my house, and ruling my house for God?"

And here, perhaps, my reader may feel disposed to demand fuller scripture proof than has yet been adduced, as to our warrant for counting upon God for our houses.


Exodus

We now turn to the opening chapters of the book of Exodus, where we find that one of Pharaoh's four objections to the full deliverance and separation of Israel, had specific reference to "the little ones".

The reason why they should take the little ones and all with them, was because they were going to hold a feast unto the Lord.


It will be said that there cannot be any analogy between the actual removal of people from one country to another, and the training of our children. I reply, the analogy only applies in principle. It is perfectly evident that we cannot take our children to heaven, in the sense in which the Israelites took theirs to Canaan. God alone can fit our children for heaven, by implanting in them the life of His own Son; and He alone can bring them to heaven, in His own time.

But, then, although we can neither fit our children for, nor bring them to, heaven, we can, nevertheless, by faith, train them for it; and it is not merely our duty – a poor, cold, and unworthy expression – but our high and holy privilege so to do. Hence, therefore, if the principle on which, and the object with which, we train our children are manifestly worldly, we do, virtually, and so far as in us lies, leave them in the world.

And, on the other hand, if our principle and object are, unequivocally, heavenly, then do we, so far as in us lies, train them for heaven. This, my beloved reader, is all that is meant, in this tract, by leaving our children in Egypt or taking them to Canaan. We are responsible to train our children, though we cannot convert them; and God will assuredly bless the faithful training of those whom He has graciously given us.



But what shall my child say to me, if I tell him that I am earnestly seeking Christ and heaven for him while, at the same time, I am educating him for the world?

Now, I would affectionately, yet faithfully, suggest the question, whether much of the failure in practical testimony for Christ is not justly traceable to the neglect of the principle involved in the expression, "Thou and thy house".


There is, I should say, a very serious error involved in a Christian parent's committing the training of his children to unconverted persons, or even to those whose hearts are not one with him as to separation from the world. It is natural that a child should look up to, and follow the example of, one who has the training and management of him. Now, what can a teacher make of a child, save what he is himself? Whither can he lead him but to where he is himself? What principles can he instil save those which govern his own mind, and form the basis of his own character?

Well, if I see a man governed by worldly principles – if I see plainly, from his whole course and character, that he is an unconverted persons shall I commit to him the training or instruction of my children, or the formation of their characters? It would be the height of folly and inconsistency so to do. As well might a man who desired to make an oval-shaped bullet cast the melted lead into a circular mould.

The same principle applies to the reading of books. A book is decidedly a silent teacher and former of the mind and character; and if I am called to look well to the character and principles of the living teacher, I am equally so to look to those of a silent teacher. I am quite convinced that, in reference both to books and teachers, we need to have our consciences stirred and instructed.


Numbers

In the book of Numbers "the little ones" are again introduced to our notice. We have just seen that the real purpose of a soul in communion with God was to go up with the little ones out of Egypt.


Very many content themselves with the assurance that, at some time or other, their children will be converted. But this is not taking God's ground with them now. If we have the assurance that they are within the range of God's purpose, why do we not act upon that assurance? If we are waiting to see certain evidences of conversion in them, before we act as Scripture directs, it is plain that we are looking at something besides God's promise. This is not faith.

The Christian parent is privileged to look upon his child now, as one to be trained for the Lord. He is bound to take this ground, in faith, and train Him thus, looking to God, in the fullest assurance, for the result. If I wait to see fruits, this is not faith.

Besides the question arises, what are my children now? They may be going about like idle, wilful vagrants, bringing sad dishonour on the name and truth of Christ, and yet, all the while, I satisfy myself by saying. I know they will be converted yet. This will never do.

My children should be now a testimony for God; and they can only be this by my taking God's ground with them, and going on with Him about them.


But, let us remember, that the way to prove our entrance into the blessing is by fulfilling the responsibility.

Throughout the book of Deuteronomy, the children of Israel are, again and again, instructed to set the commandments, the statutes, the judgements, and precepts of the law before their little ones;


Joshua

I now pass on to that truly memorable resolution of Joshua, "Choose you this day whom ye will serve … but as for me and my houses we will serve the Lord", Joshua 24: 15. Observe, "Me and my house".


Eli

The opening of the first book of Samuel affords most solemn demonstration of the truth of this:

Here we see that, no matter what the personal character of the servant of God may be, yet, if he fail in the due regulation of his house, God will not hold him guiltless.

But, how many parents have since trodden in Eli's footsteps!


Divine Principles

Here, however it may be objected that, up to this point, we have been breathing only the atmosphere of Old Testament scripture, and that the principles and proofs have been only thence deduced; now, on the contrary,

God's approval or disapproval of things, flows out of what He is in Himself; and, in this matter, in particular, inasmuch as God rules His own house according to what He is Himself, He commands His servants to rule their houses upon the same principle.


New Testament

But let us turn to the New Testament and see if we cannot find in its sacred pages ample proof of our thesis.

In Christ's commission to His Apostles, we find these words,

In all these scriptures, we find the same great truth maintained, namely, that when God visits a man with blessings and responsibilities, He visits His house with the same.


Failure

In all these things, as well as in many others, there has been the deepest and most marked failure – failure which has grieved that Holy Spirit of God whereby we profess to be sealed, and which has brought dishonour upon that holy name by which we are called.


Our Meetings

But, if our writings are not the thing, what shall we say of our meetings – meetings for worship, meetings for prayer, meetings for general edification?

Some there are who present themselves in the assembly with their hearts big with thoughts about something they are going to do or say.

But, further, how many there are who attend Christian assemblies with unpurged consciences, unjudged hearts, and unmortified flesh!

Thus, we see, there are various causes conspiring to sap the springs of life and vigour in the public meetings, and various reasons for the generally low tone and enfeebled testimony amongst us.


The Christian at Home

Nor is it a mere church question – a mere difference of judgement as to points of truth, however important in themselves.

Now, under the term "house," three things are included, viz., the house itself, the children, and the servants.

This is plain enough. If I want to know how I am to provide for and rule my house, I have only carefully to study the way in which God provides for and rules His house. This is the true way to learn.

Some may shake their heads and say, This is all very fine, but where will you get it?


Rank in Life

But what can be more dishonouring to God than to see the house of His servant the very reverse of what He would have it?

This was descending to very minute particulars. The same might be said of the following passage from Amos:

But, let me ask, how did we get rank in life? or, in what life is it?

It may, however, be further urged that Christianity affords no warrant for filthy and irregular houses. This is most true.


The Management of our Children

The next point suggested by the expression, "Thou and thy house," is the management of our children.

This is a solemn and searching truth, in the light of which we may clearly see the evil of urging our children along a path upon which we profess to have for ever turned our backs, as believing firmly that it terminates in hell fire.


The Christian parent may ask, What am I to teach my child? The answer is simple.

  • Teach him only such things as will prove useful to him as a servant of Christ. Do not teach him aught which you know would prove a positive source of defilement or weakness to him; should he remain here.

  • We are seldom at a loss to know what kind of food to give our children. We are tolerably well aware of what would prove nourishing and what would prove the reverse.

  • Now, were the instincts of the new nature as true and as energetic in us, as those of the old, we should, I am persuaded, be at as little loss to decide in reference to what we should teach our children. In this, as in everything else, it may be said, "If thine eye he single, thy whole body shall be full of light".

  • If we have a deep sense of Christ's glory, and a sincere desire to promote it, we shall not be left in perplexity; but if our body is not "full of light," we may be assured our "eye" is not "single".


But it may be urged, Our children will crave a little worldly enjoyment, and we must indulge them. We cannot put old heads upon young shoulders.

This I feel to be a startling inquiry; yet it is one which we are bound to follow up to the uttermost.


I would, however, desire to remind the children of Christian parents that they are solemnly responsible to hearken to God's holy word, quite irrespective of the conduct of their parents.

God's truth is not affected by the actings of men; and wherever one has heard the testimony of God's love, in the death and resurrection of Christ, he is responsible for the use he makes thereof, even though he should not have seen its sacred influence and power exemplified in the life of his parents.

I would press these facts upon the serious attention of all children of Christian parents.


But it will be said, How are our children to get on? must they not earn their bread? Unquestionably. God formed us for work. The very fact of my having a pair of hands proves that I am not to be idle.


Subjection

However, it is not merely in reference to the object set forth in our children's education that we have failed, and so marred the testimony; but also in the matter of keeping them in general subjection to parental authority.


"And ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath; but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord", Eph. 6: 4. There is great danger of provoking our children to wrath by inordinate strictness and arbitrary treatment.

We may constantly find ourselves seeking to mould and fashion our children according to our own tastes and peculiarities, rather than to "bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord". This is a very great mistake, and will surely issue in failure and confusion.

We shall gain nothing, in the way of testimony for Christ, by moulding and fashioning nature into the most exquisite shapes. Moreover, it does not require faith to train and cultivate nature; but it does require it to bring up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Some, however, may say that the apostle in the above passage, is speaking of converted children. To this I reply, that there is nothing about conversion in the passage.

But, it may be said, We must wait for evidences of conversion.


In this, as in everything else, our place is to obey, and leave results with God. The moral condition of the soul may be tested by the command; but where there is the disposition to obey, the power to do so will surely accompany the command, and the fruits of obedience will follow, "in due season, if we faint not".


God's Moral Government

Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed".

Nor is the exemplification of this principle confined merely to Old Testament times. By no means. Look at the case of Barnabas.


It was nature in Barnabas that led him to wish for the company of one who "departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work".

It was amiable nature, yet it was nature, and it triumphed, for he took Mark and sailed to Cyprus, his native country, where, in the freshness of his Christian course, he had sold his property, in order to be a more unshackled follower of Him who had not where to lay His, head. See Acts 4: 36-37.

This is no uncommon case. Many set out with a surrender of heart! and nature with their respective claims. The blossom on the tree of Christian profession looks fair, and emits a fragrant perfume; but: alas! it is not followed by the rich and mellow fruit of autumn. The influences of earth and nature gather around the soul, and nip its beauteous blossoms, and all ends in barrenness and disappointment. This is very sad, and is always attended with the very worst moral effect upon the testimony.

It is not at all a question of ceasing to be a saved person. Barnabas was a saved person. The influences of Mark and Cyprus could not blot out his name from the Lamb's book of life, but they did most thoroughly blot out His name from the records of testimony and service here below. And was not this something to be lamented? Is there nought to be deplored or dreaded, save the loss of personal salvation? Most despicable is the selfishness that can think so.

For what purpose does the blessed God take so much pains and trouble in maintaining His people here? Is it that they may be saved and made meet for glory? No such thing. Saved they are already, by the accomplished redemption of Christ and, therefore, meet for glory. There is no middle step between justification and glory, for "whom he justified them he also glorified".

Why, therefore, does God leave us here? That we may be a testimony for Christ. Were it not for this, we might just as well be taken to heaven the moment of our conversion. May we have grace to understand this point, in all its fullness and practical power!


It is here there has been So much failure in the management of our houses. We have forgotten the principle of righteous rule which God has set before us, and in the exercise of which He has given us an example.


The epistles of Peter develop the doctrine of God's moral government. He it is who asks the question, "Who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?" Now, some may find a difficulty in reconciling this enquiry with Paul's statement, "All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution". It were needless to say that the two ideas are in perfect and beautiful harmony.

The Lord Jesus Himself, who was the only perfect and unwavering follower of that which is good, who, from first to last, "went about doing good," found, in the end, the cross, the spear, the borrowed grave. The apostle Paul, who, beyond all other men kept close to the Great Original which was set before him, was called to drink an unusually large cup of privation and persecution. And, to this moment, the more like Christ, and the more devoted to Him any one is, the more privation and persecution he will suffer. Were any one, in true devotedness to Christ and love to souls, to take his stand publicly in some Roman Catholic district, and there preach Christ, his life would be in imminent danger.

Do all these facts interfere with Peter's enquiry? By no means. The direct tendency of God's moral government is to protect from injury all who are "followers of that which is good," and to bring down punishment upon all who are the reverse; but it never interferes with the higher path of ardent discipleship, or deprives any one of the privilege and dignity of being as like Christ as he will; "For unto you it is given, on behalf of Christ (to uper Cristou), not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him (uper autou) having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear in me", Phil. 1: 29-30.

Here we are taught that it is an actual gift conferred upon us to be allowed to suffer for Christ, and this in the midst of a scene in which, on the ground of God's moral government, it can be said, "Who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?" To recognize and be a subject of God's government is one thing, and to be a follower of a rejected and crucified Christ, is quite another.

Even in Peter's epistle, which, as we have remarked, has, as its special theme, the doctrine of God's government, we read, "But, if doing well and suffering for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable to God. For unto this were ye called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow his steps". And again, "If any suffer as a Christian," from being morally like Christ" let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this matter".


But it may be said, The parental relationship is one of love. True; it is founded in love: "Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed on us that we should be called the sons of God".

Now, in every case in which this great truth has been lost sight of by Christian parents, their houses have been thrown into confusion.

Nor do people always take a correct view of this matter, and trace the failure up to its legitimate source.

But the sum of the matter is this, the wilfulness of my children reveals the wilfulness of my own heart, and a righteous God is using them to chasten me, because I have not chastened myself.


Nothing can be more melancholy than to hear a mother say to a child, "We must not let your father know anything about this". Where such a course of reserve and double dealing is adopted there must be something radically and awfully wrong, and it is a moral impossibility that anything like godly order can prevail, or right discipline be carried out.

Either the father must, by inordinate severity or unwarrantable strictness, be "provoking his children to wrath," or the mother must be pampering the child's will at the expense of the father's character and authority. In either case there is an effectual barrier to the testimony, and the children suffer grievous injury.

Hence, Christian parents should see well to it that they always appear before their children, and also before their servants, in the power of that unity which flows from their being perfectly joined together in the Lord.

If, unhappily, any shade of difference should arise in reference to the details of domestic government, let it be made a matter of private conference, prayer, and self-judgment in the presence of God; but never let the subjects of government see such a manifest proof of moral weakness, for it will surely cause them to despise the government.


But let all be viewed in the light of testimony for God's Son. It is to further this we are left here.


Management of Servants

As to the management of servants, in a Christian household, the principle is equally simple.


Conclusion

I must now close. I have not written, the Lord knows, to wound any one.

May God Almighty, in His great grace, produce, by His Holy Spirit, in the hearts of all His beloved saints, a more ardent purpose of soul to raise, in this closing hour, a fuller, brighter, more vigorous and decided testimony for Christ,

C.H.M.

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