Perilous Times!

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Perilous Times!
J.C. Ryle, 1886
2 Timothy 3:1-5
"But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come!
For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters,
proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal,
despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of
pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness
but denying its power. And from such people turn away!"
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Perilous Times!
2 Timothy 3:1-5
The subject which forms the title of this paper, deserves very
serious consideration. The passage of Scripture which heads this
page is one which ought to make all Englishmen think.
Are we in "the last days" of which Paul speaks? Here is a picture
of them drawn by the unerring hand of an inspired apostle. Do we
see nothing like it in the world around us? Are we sure there is
nothing like it in our own land at this very moment? These are
very solemn questions. They ought to ring in our ears like the
blast of a trumpet at midnight!
I am no prophet. I never forget that we are poor judges of our
own days. I will not undertake to say positively that the end of
the world is at hand. But I have not the slightest hesitation in
saying that we live in very "perilous times." I firmly believe that
there has seldom been a period in the history of this country,
when there has been so much to fill an Englishman's mind with
anxiety. Never, I am sure, has there been a period, when it was so
necessary for every English Christian to stand to his arms, to be
at his post, and to do his duty.
I. In the first place, I will show in what respect our times
are specially "perilous."
I am going to write things which will not please everybody. I am
prepared for that. "If I yet pleased men — I would not be the
servant of Christ." Some will think me to be a foolish alarmist,
and deny that there is any danger. Be it so. The faithful prophets
are never popular. Wicked King Ahab said of the faithful prophet
Micaiah, "I hate him; for he does not prophesy good concerning
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me, but evil" (1 Kings 22. 8). None are so blind as those who will
not see. Some will think me to be a gloomy, melancholy man, and
charge me with ignoring the immense amount of good that is
going on in the country. Be it so. Nothing is easier than to look at
only one side of the account, and from that one side to draw a
very wrong conclusion. No doubt there is a great amount of good,
but side by side there is even a greater amount of evil. I stand to
my point. Whether men will hear me or not, I say that here in
England we are living in "perilous times."
(a) The times are perilous in the matter of
RELIGION. What are the facts?
Infidelity abounds. Multitudes of people in every part of the
country seem to have totally cast off all religion. They go neither
to Church nor Chapel. They openly sneer at the Bible, as an oldfashioned,
defective book, and give God no place in their
thoughts. Is not this perilous?
Romanism is increasing. Real Popery has revived, and extreme
Ritualism is helping it. Multitudes of Churchmen are little better
than Papists! They scoff at Protestantism and the Reformation.
They delight in the very Popish ceremonial which our forefathers
deliberately rejected. They avow their belief in the worst and
most mischievous Popish doctrines, and boldly preach, teach, and
defend them. Is not this perilous?
Indifferentism grows everywhere. Multitudes seem to care
nothing about the distinctive doctrines of Christianity, and to
perceive no difference between truth and error. Everybody is
thought right — and nobody is wrong! It is thought that religion
is "only a matter of words and names" — and it does not matter a
jot what a man believes! Is not this perilous?
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Religious divisions are painfully numerous. Every year they seem
to increase and multiply. Between Church and Dissent — between
High Church and Low Church and Broad Church — between
Baptists and Pseudo-Baptists — between Plymouth Brethren and
all other Christians — how vast the gulfs of separation! Yet
division is a sure sign of weakness. "A house divided against
itself cannot stand." English Christianity cannot stand much
longer in its present rent, and torn, and convulsed condition.
Surely this is perilous!
I go a step further.
(b) I say that the times are perilous in the matter of
morality. What are the facts?
Look at the drunkenness of the times. In spite of Christianity,
temperance, teetotalism, and education — we are a very
intemperate people. The number of public-houses, gin-palaces,
and beer-shops in every large town — tells a tale which cannot be
mistaken. The sums of money spent in liquor and beer every year
are perfectly astonishing! The testimony of judges and
magistrates about the effects of drinking, as a main cause of
crime, is enough to make one's blood run cold. Is not this
perilous?
Look at the immorality in our times. I do not only allude to the
coarser forms of sin in this respect, when I say this, though I
might say much. I have in view the wide-spread decay of morals
among young women of all classes. I challenge anyone to deny
that novels and romances are read now-a-days in many a
household, which contain scenes and descriptions that would not
have been tolerated thirty years ago. There is a hideous
familiarity with that which is "racy" and indelicate. Is not this
perilous?
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Look at the covetousness of our times. I do not speak so much of
miserly habits, as of the intense love of money which overspreads
all classes. To pile up a fortune in a few years, to speculate
successfully, to obtain the power of every kind of self-indulgence
at a bound — how thoroughly this is the life of many people! The
history of joint-stock companies, and banks, and railways, in the
last few years — is a disgraceful tale, and shows how men will
do anything to get money. Is not this perilous?
I go a step further.
(c) I say that the times are perilous in a POLITICAL point
of view. What are the facts?
The mad love of change seems to be carrying men of all parties
before it, like a flood. Clamor and murmuring are allowed to have
all their demands gratified. Reason, and argument, and the
lessons of experience — are thrust aside in the face of any
popular outcry. Highly educated statesmen do not try to lead the
people, but allow the people to lead them. Mob-law and mass
meetings are the honored institutions of the day. The masses, so
called, are the idol to which all bow down. Power is thrust into
the hands of the poorest and most ignorant people — almost
unasked and unwished for. Our rulers coolly pass sweeping
measures into laws, which they tell us are "a leap in the dark,"
and an experiment! High statesmanship seems thrown to the
winds, and expediency is the only principle of government. Is not
this perilous?
Nor is this all. Religion is gradually being elbowed and jostled
out of Parliament; and the less it is named there, the better both
Lords and Commons are pleased. The barriers and safeguards
against Popery, which our forefathers placed round the British
Constitution — are one by one kicked down, ignored, or thrown
overboard. Faster and faster the process goes on every year. In
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fact, at the rate we are moving, many of us may live to see a
Papist on the throne of England — or a republican form of
government in the place of a monarchy — or a totally secular
form of national education — or the Pope allowed to celebrate
mass at St. Paul's Cathedral — or the national debt repudiated —
or the House of Peers abolished — or the landed gentry and
nobility stripped of their hereditary property — or Popery reestablished
as the dominant Church!
As monstrous and absurd as these things may sound, there is not
one of them which seems impossible to me at the present rate of
progress. I see nothing too monstrous to happen, under the
influence of the prevailing mania for giving way to clamor, and
for incessant change. The devil of political disorganization seems
to be thoroughly unchained and let loose in England; and I defy
any one to say what may not happen before long. Is not this
perilous?
I go one step further.
(d) The times are perilous in a SOCIAL point of
view. What are the facts?
The whole framework of society appears to be falling to pieces.
The mutual respect that ought to exist between class and class,
old and young, superior and inferior — seems to be fast melting
away and disappearing. Between rulers and subjects, between
parents and children, between masters and servants, between
employers and employed — there no longer exist the healthy
relations that there once were. Everyone wants to be master.
Everybody wants his own selfish interests alone to be considered
— and nobody thinks of his neighbor. A fierce intolerance of any
opposition or interference may be observed on every side. Calm
and dispassionate discussion is scouted. What may we learn from
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strikes, dynamite outrages, Irish murders, boycotting, anti-rent
paying, and wholesale intimidation?
These things all tell one tale. They show that the cement has
fallen out of the walls of society. The whole machine is unscrewed,
and unpinned, and out of order! The very foundations
of our social fabric are giving way. Is not this perilous?
I touch on all these things very slightly. I might easily add dark
colors to the picture. But I have said enough, I suspect, to set any
sensible man thinking. I have brought forward facts, plain facts,
which I defy anyone to dispute about Romanism, morality,
politics, and social order. I say confidently that the existence of
these facts justifies the assertion with which I began. They prove
that our times are "perilous times."
Now I am one of those old-fashioned people who believe that
God's eyes are always upon nations, and that He deals with them
even now according as they deal with Him. I believe implicitly
that "righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any
people" (Proverbs 14.34). I cannot see false religion increasing,
the tone of morality lowering, expediency becoming the leading
principle of governments, social order breaking up — I cannot see
all this without many fears. I fear for the future of my country, as
an Englishman. I fear for the future of my children, when I am
dead, as a father. I fear for the future of English religion, as a
Christian. I fear for the general cause of morality and order
throughout the world, which England always influences.
If things go on as they do much longer — there will be a fearful
crash some day. God's patience will be exhausted, and He will let
loose on us some fearful judgment! If things go on as they do
much longer, the sun of old England will go down amidst a
hurricane of confusion and trouble, such as the world has never
yet seen.
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II. I will now show, in the second place, what are OUR
SPECIAL DUTIES at the present crisis.
I address myself in this part of my paper especially to all who
profess and call themselves Christians. I turn to those who
believe that the Bible is true, and that Christianity is the real
strength of a nation. I call on all such persons, by whatever name
or denomination they may be called, to awaken and be doing. I
tell them that in these "perilous times" Christ expects every
English Christian to do his duty. There is yet hope. It is not too
late to win the battle.
We must not be cowards, because the times are perilous. "If we
faint in the day of adversity — then our strength is small."
Greater is He who is for us — than all who are against us. God
Himself is on our side. If we are genuine Christians, and truehearted
Englishmen — if the blood of Wycliffe, and Ridley, and
Latimer, and Hampden is in our veins — we need not be afraid to
contend earnestly for truth, and to resist sin.
We must not sit still and attempt nothing, because our numbers
are small. The three hundred who followed Gideon were worth
more than the whole host of the Midianites. It is minorities and
not majorities, that in every age have spread truth, put down
error, and shaken the world. To crouch down in a corner, with
affected humility, and say "it is no use to attempt anything,
because we cannot do everything" — is a most mischievous
course. It may please the devil, but it offends God.
We must not fold our arms and say, "I have no influence, and can
do nothing. The times are perilous, I grant, but I can do no
good." This is nothing but laziness! Every man and woman on
earth has some influence, and every one is accountable to God for
using it aright. Whether in town or in country, whether in
crowded London or in the least rural hamlet — every one can do
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something to mend the times. God expects every one to do what
he can.
(a) Our first duty is to make sure work of the salvation of
our own souls. Let us never rest until we know and feel that we
ourselves have got hold of thorough-going, solid Bible religion —
and that we are justified, converted, and saved. If Church and
State and society are all alike going to pieces and foundering
under our feet — then let us give all diligence to know that we
have a sure home in Heaven. Surely when all around us is
cracking, heaving, and reeling towards a fall — then it is no time
to he halting between two opinions, and leaving doubtful our own
interest in Christ. O no!
The first lesson that "perilous times" should teach, is a very plain
one. They cry aloud, with no uncertain voice, "Are you safe? Are
you in Christ? Do you read your Bible? Do you pray? Is your
heart changed? Escape for your life! Why do you tarry? Come into
the ark! Come into the ark — before the flood begins!"
(b) Our second duty is to PRAY night and day that God
may intervene, and drive back the flood of evil which
seems bursting on our country. All who pray for themselves
can do something here. So long as Abraham prayed for Sodom,
his prayer was heard. When Herod put forth his hand against the
Church, slew James, and put Peter in prison — then the prayers
of the Church were heard. And God is not changed. He still holds
the hearts of rulers and statesmen in His hands, and can make
them do whatever He wills. He can raise up champions for the
truth, and turn the counsels of Popish and infidel Ahithophels to
foolishness. If the times are so "perilous" at this moment, then
"Let us pray."
(c) Our third duty is to work hard to maintain true
religion, and to oppose error. With the Bible in our hands
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and Bible arguments on our lips — let us never be afraid to meet
the Papist, the semi-Papist, the worldling, and the Sadducee. Let
us boldly tell the Romanist that Christ is the only true Priest, and
that until he can make a new Bible, he can never show us a
foundation for his doctrines. Let us boldly tell the infidel that
until he can explain away the resurrection of Christ, the spread of
Christianity in the world, the fact of the Bible being the book that
it is — we laugh at his assaults. Let us boldly remind
the politicians who would shut out the Bible from the council
chamber and the school, that without the Bible their vaunted
liberty would never have existed. Let us proclaim fearlessly, both
in public and in private, our entire belief in the divine authority
of God's word. No man on earth has such a right to be bold, as
the believer in the Bible.
(d) Our fourth duty is to impress on all around us the
immense importance of the fifth and seventh
commandments. It is clear as daylight to my mind, that
myriads of my fellow-countrymen are forgetting these two mighty
laws of God. Ignorance of the spirit of the fifth commandment is
the true secret of the abounding social disorder that we see
around us. Ignorance of the spirit of the seventh commandment
accounts for much of that fearful immorality which is creeping
into all classes of society. One remedy for "perilous times" is
more full preaching of God's law.
(e) Our fifth duty is to cultivate and press on all around
us a spirit of cheerfulness and contentment. Let us
constantly remind all whom we meet, what immense cause we
have for thankfulness, even in the imperfect condition of things
in which we live in England. Let us bid men look abroad and
mark the condition of other lands. Let us challenge them
confidently to name a single country on earth where there is . . .
such liberty for all,
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such equal rights for all,
such security for life and property,
such a clear stage for every one
— as we have here.
Nothing is easier than to find fault. No people on earth are more
fond of grumbling than English people. It is a downright national
sin! It ought to be denounced and cried down both publicly and
privately, a thousand times more than it is. If English people
were not so foolishly ready to magnify the defects of their own
condition, and to overlook its advantages — the trade of English
mob-leaders would soon come to a standstill. In times like these
it is of the utmost importance to be continually saying, "Know
your privileges! Learn to be more thankful! Do not meddle with
those that are given to change!" (Proverbs 24.21).
(f) Our sixth duty is to support the government in every
time of disorder and riot, and to come forward heartily
in aid of the law. The government of the day, no doubt, may
make mistakes. Its members are only men, and not infallible. But
the worst government, is better than no government at all. "The
powers that be, are ordained of God" (Romans 13.1). To support
the government in maintaining law and order, and in putting
down confusion, is not only a prudent act, but a plain Christian
duty. The man who takes the law into his own hands, and injures
life and property in carrying out his own views — is one with
whom no Christian ought to have the slightest sympathy. The
blind intolerance of those politicians who denounce everyone
who does not agree with them, as an enemy to mankind — is a
spirit which comes from beneath, and not from above.
The servant of that God who bears with such a mass of infirmity
as He sees in His people, should strive to be like his Master. He
should urge patience and tolerance in political matters on every
one whom he meets. He should denounce and oppose violence
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and intimidation, not merely as follies, but as sins. In times like
these, it is a positive Christian duty to be on the side of order.
(g) Our last, but not our least important duty, is to be
continually looking for the coming and kingdom of our
Lord Jesus Christ. This is the great event which will wind up
the affairs of all nations. Then, and then only, will sin, disorder,
and superstition be put down completely, and come to an end.
When shall that event take place? I cannot tell. "Of that day and
hour — no man knows." But I can bring before my readers a
passage of Scripture which I commend to their special attention.
"There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth,
nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and
tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of
what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be
shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a
cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to
take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your
redemption is drawing near." Luke 21:25-28
I make no comment on these words of my Master. I place them
before my readers in their naked simplicity, and prefer letting
them speak for themselves. If the words of the apostle which
begin this paper, and the words of the Lord Jesus which I have
just quoted, only set my readers thinking — then I shall be
abundantly thankful.
We are in the last days — and perilous times have come!
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