Body of Practical Divinity

Body of Practical Divinity

By Thomas Watson

CHOICE EXCERPTS

Mirror and fountain

The Scripture is a mirror to show us our sins;

Christ's blood is a fountain to wash them away.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A lamp for my feet

"Teach me Your ways, O Lord, that I may

live according to Your truth!" Psalm 86:11

Let us lead Scripture lives. Oh that the Bible might

be seen printed in our lives! Obedience is an excellent

way of commenting upon the Bible. Let the Word be

the sun-dial by which you set your life. What are we

the better for having the Scripture, if we do not direct

all our speech and actions according to it? What is a

carpenter the better for his rule about him, if he sticks

it at his back, and never makes use of it for measuring

and squaring his work? So, what are we the better for

the rule of the Word, if we do not make use of it, and

regulate our lives by it? How many swerve and deviate

from the rule!

"Your Word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my

path." Psalm 119:105. It is not only a light to our eyes

to mend our sight--but to our feet to mend our walk.

Oh, let us lead Bible lives!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Why is salvation by faith?

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through

faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift

of God--not by works, so that no one can boast."

Ephesians 2:8-9

"Jesus said to the woman--Your faith has saved

you; go in peace." Luke 7:50

Why is salvation by faith?

To exclude all glorying in the creature. Faith is a

humble grace. If salvation were by repentance or

works, a man would say, "It is my righteousness

which has saved me!" But if it is of faith, where is

boasting? Faith fetches all from Christ--and gives

all the glory to Christ!

God's believing people are a humble people.

"Be clothed with humility." God's people shrink into

nothing in their own thoughts. David cries out, "I am

a worm, and not a man!" Though a saint, though a

king--yet a worm! When Moses' face shined, he

covered it with a veil. When God's people shine most

in grace--they are covered with the veil of humility.

Abraham the father of the faithful, confesses, "I am

nothing but dust and ashes." "God resists the proud."

Surely, God will not take to be with Himself in glory,

such as whom He resists.

God's believing people are a willing people.

Though they cannot serve God perfectly--they serve

Him willingly. They do not grudge God a little time

spent in His worship. They do not murmur at sufferings.

They will go through a sea and a wilderness--if God calls.

"Your people shall be a willing people." This spontaneity

and willingness is from the attractive power of God's

Spirit. The Spirit does not force--but sweetly draws the

will. This willingness makes all our services acceptable.

God sometimes accepts of willingness without the

work--but never the work without willingness.

God's believing people are a consecrated people.

They have "holiness to the Lord" written upon them.

"You are a holy people to the Lord your God." God's

people are separated from the world--and sanctified

by the Spirit. The priests under the law were not only

to wash in the laver--but were arrayed with glorious

apparel. This was typical, to show that God's people

are not only washed from gross sins--but adorned

with holiness of life. They bear not only God's name

--but His image! Holiness is God's stamp; if He does

not see this stamp upon us, He will not own us for

His believing people.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Worse than a dog!

Sin cleaves to us, as blackness to the skin of the Ethiopian,

so that we cannot get rid of it. Paul shook off the viper on

his hand--but we cannot shake off this inbred corruption!

Sin comes not, as a lodger, for a night--but as an indweller.

"Sin which dwells in me." Romans 7:17. Sin is an evil

spirit, which haunts us wherever we go.

Sin, though latent in the soul, and as a spring which runs

underground--often breaks forth unexpectedly. Christian,

you cannot believe that evil which is in your heart, and

which will break forth suddenly--if God should leave you!

"Is your servant a dog that he should do this monstrous thing?"

2 Kings 8:13. Hazael could not believe he had such a root of

evil in his heart, that he would rip up pregnant women. "Is

your servant a dog?" Yes, and worse than a dog--when

that corruption within is stirred up!

If one had come to Peter and said, "Peter, within a few hours

you will deny Christ;" he would have said, "Is your servant a

dog?" But alas! Peter did not know his own heart, nor how far

that corruption within would prevail upon him. The sea may be

calm, and look clear; but when the wind blows--how it rages

and foams! So though now your heart seems good--yet, when

temptation blows--how may sin reveal itself, making you foam

with lust and passion!

Who would have thought to have found adultery in David,

and drunkenness in Noah, and cursing in Job? If God leaves

a man to himself--how suddenly and scandalously may sin

break forth in the holiest men on the earth!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

See its ugly face!

What a heinous and execrable thing is sin! Sin is

the distillation of all evil. The Scripture calls it the

"accursed thing." It is compared to the venom of

serpents, and the stench of sepulchers. The devil

would paint sin with the pleasing colors of pleasure

and profit--that he may make it look fair; but I

shall pull off the paint, that you may see its

ugly face! We are apt to have slight thoughts of

sin, and say to it, as Lot of Zoar, "Is it not a little

one?" But sin is a great evil.

Sin fetches its pedigree from hell; sin is from the

devil. "He who commits sin is of the devil." Satan

was the first actor of sin, and the first tempter to

sin. Sin is the devil's first-born!

Sin is a defiling thing--a polluting thing. It is to the

soul--as rust is to gold, as a stain to beauty. It makes

the soul red with guilt, and black with filth! Sin in

Scripture is compared to a "menstruous cloth," and

to a "plague-sore." Sin has blotted out God's image,

and stained the orient brightness of the soul.

Sin makes God loathe a sinner; and when

a sinner sees his sin--he loathes himself!

Sin stamps the devil's image on a man. Malice is

the devil's eye, hypocrisy his cloven foot. Sin turns

a man into a devil. "One of you is a devil!" John 6:70

Sin is an act of rebellion against God. A sinner tramples

upon God's law, crosses His will, and does all he can to

affront, yes, to spite God!

Sin strikes at the very Deity. Sin is God's would-be

murderer. Sin would not only unthrone God--but

un-God Him. If the sinner could help it, God would

no longer be God.

Sin is an act of ingratitude and unkindness. God feeds

the sinner, keeps off evils from him, be-miracles him

with mercy; but the sinner not only forgets God's

mercies--but abuses them! He is the worse for mercy;

like Absalom, who, as soon as David had kissed him,

and taken him into favor, plotted treason against him!

Like the mule, who kicks the mother after she has given

it milk. God may upbraid the sinner, "I have given you

your health, strength, and estate; but you requite Me

evil for good; you wound Me with My own mercies! Did

I give you life--to sin against Me? Did I give you wages--

to serve the devil? Is this your kindness to your Friend?"

Sin is a disease. "The whole head is sick!" Some are sick

with pride, others with lust, others with envy. Sin has

distempered the intellectual part--it is a leprosy in the

head; it has poisoned the vitals. It is with a sinner as with

a sick patient--his palate is distempered--the sweetest

things taste bitter to him. The Word, which is "sweeter

than the honey-comb," tastes bitter to him. Nothing

can cure this disease, but the blood of the Physician!

Sin is an irrational thing. It makes a man act not only

wickedly--but foolishly. It is absurd and irrational to

prefer the less, before the greater. The sinner prefers

the passing pleasures of sin, before eternal rivers of

pleasures. Is it rational to lose heaven--for the

indulging of a lust? Is it rational to gratify an

enemy? When sin burns in the soul, Satan warms

himself at this fire. Men's sins feast the devil.

Sin is a painful thing. It costs men much labor to

pursue their sins. How do they tire themselves in

doing the devil's drudgery! "They weary themselves

to commit iniquity." What pains did Judas take to

bring about his damnation! Many a man goes to

hell, in the sweat of his brow.

Sin is the only thing God has antipathy against.

God does not hate a man because he is poor, or

despised in the world. The only thing which draws

forth the keenness of God's hatred, is sin. "Oh, do

not do this abominable thing, which I hate!" And

surely, if the sinner dies under God's hatred, he

cannot be admitted into the celestial mansions. Will

God let that man live with Him--whom He hates?

God will never lay such a viper in His bosom!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Well-colored dirt

Did God make our bodies out of the dust, and that

dust out of nothing? Let this keep down pride! When

God would humble Adam, He uses this expression,

"You were made from dust." Why are you proud,

O dust and ashes?

David says, "I praise You because I am fearfully

and wonderfully made." Your being wonderfully

made--should make you thankful; your being

made from the dust--should keep you humble.

If you have beauty, it is but well-colored dirt!

"For you were made from dust, and to the dust

you will return." Genesis 3:19

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The trials and sufferings of the godly

God's own people often suffer great afflictions.

"This is what the wicked are like--always carefree,

they increase in wealth. Surely in vain have I kept

my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in

innocence. For I am afflicted all day long!"

Psalm 73:12-14

How can this be consistent with God's justice?

'God's ways of judgment are sometimes secret, but

never unjust!' The Lord never afflicts His people

without a cause; He cannot be unjust towards them.

There is some good in the godly--therefore the wicked

afflict them; there is some evil in them--therefore God

afflicts them!

God's own children have their blemishes. "But aren't

you also guilty of sins against the Lord your God?"

2 Chr. 28:10. These spiritual diamonds--have they no

flaws? Do we not read of the spots of God's children?

Are not they guilty of much pride, passion, worldliness?

Though, by their profession, they should resemble the

birds of paradise, to fly above, and feed upon the dew

of heaven; yet, as the serpent, they often lick the dust!

The sins of God's people, do more provoke God than

the sins of others. "The Lord saw this and was filled

with loathing. He was provoked to anger by His own

sons and daughters." Deut. 32:19. The sins of others

pierce Christ's side; the sins of His people wound His

heart! Therefore is not God just in all the afflictions

which befall them? "You only have I chosen of all the

families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for

all your sins." Amos 3:2. I will punish you sooner,

surer, sorer--than others.

The trials and sufferings of the godly, are to

refine and purify them. God's furnace is in Zion. Is

it any injustice in God to put His gold into the furnace

to purify it? Is it any injustice in God, by afflicting His

people, to make them partakers of His holiness? What

more proclaims God's faithfulness--than to take such

a course with them as may make them more holy?

"I know, O Lord, that Your laws are righteous, and

in faithfulness You have afflicted me." Psalm 119:75

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A sleeping lion

"Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why

do the treacherous live at ease?" Jeremiah 12:1

Such as are highest in sin--are often highest in

prosperity. This has led many to question God's

justice. Diogenes, seeing a thief live on affluently,

said, "Surely God has cast off the government of

the world, and does not care how things go on

here below."

How can it be consistent with God's justice,

that the wicked should prosper in the world?

If God lets men prosper a while in their sin--His

vial of wrath is all this while filling; His sword is

all this time sharpening. Though God may forbear

with men a while--yet long forbearance is not

forgiveness. The longer God is in taking His blow,

the heavier it will be at last! As long as there is

eternity, God has time enough to reckon with

His enemies!

God's justice may be as a sleeping lion--but the

lion will awake at last, and roar upon the sinner!

"Yes, Lord God Almighty, Your punishments are

true and just." Revelation 16:7

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Who are you, O man, to talk back to God?

"I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I

will have compassion on whom I have compassion.

It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or

effort, but on God's mercy." Romans 9:15-16

God has a sovereign right and authority over man.

He can do with His creatures as He pleases. Who shall

dispute with God? Who shall ask Him a reason of His

doings? "Who are you, O man, to talk back to

God? Shall what is formed say to him who formed

it--Why did you make me like this?" Romans 9:20

"Our God is in heaven and does whatever He pleases."

Psalm 115:3

"The Lord does whatever He pleases in heaven and

on earth, in the seas and all the depths." Psalm 135:6

God sits as judge in the highest court, and is not bound

to give a reason for His proceedings. "He puts down one,

and raises up another." He has salvation and damnation

in His power. He has the key of justice in His hand, to

lock up whomever he will, in the fiery prison of hell! And

He has the key of mercy in His hand, to open heaven's

gate to whomever He pleases! The name engraved upon

His vesture is, "King of kings, and Lord of lords!" He sits

Lord paramount, and who can call Him to account? The

world is God's house, and shall not He do what He

desires in His own house?

"My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please!"

Isaiah 46:10

"Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns!"

Revelation 19:6

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

God bottles every tear!

Is God a God of infinite knowledge? This is comfort

to the child of God. Christian, you set hours apart for

God, your thoughts run upon Him as your treasure;

God takes notice of every good thought! "He had a

book of remembrance written for those who thought

upon His name." You enter into your closet, and pray

to your Father in secret; He hears every sigh and

groan! "My groaning is not hidden from You." You

water the seed of your prayer with tears--God bottles

every tear! "You keep track of all my sorrows. You

have collected all my tears in Your bottle. You have

recorded each one in Your book!" Psalm 56:8

The infiniteness of God's knowledge is a comfort, in

the case of saints who have not a clear knowledge of

themselves. They find so much corruption--that they

judge they have no grace. "If it is so--why am I thus?

If I have grace, why is my heart in so dead and earthly

a frame?" Oh remember, God is of infinite knowledge.

He can spy grace where you cannot; He can see grace

hidden under corruption, as the stars may be hidden

behind a cloud. God can see that holiness in you, which

you cannot discern in yourself. He can spy the flower

of grace in you, though overtopped with weeds.

"Because there is some good thing in him." God sees

some good thing in His people--when they can see no

good in themselves; and though they judge themselves

harshly, He will forgive their sins and infirmities.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

God sees through these fig-leaves!

"My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden

from Me, nor is their sin concealed from My eyes!"

Jeremiah 16:17

If God is a God of infinite knowledge, then see the

folly of hypocrisy. Hypocrites carry it fair with

men--but care not how bad their hearts are; they

live in secret sin. "They say--How can God know?

Does the Most High have knowledge?" "What does

God know? Can He judge through thick darkness?"

"God has forgotten, He hides His face, He will

never see it!"

But, "His understanding is infinite!" He has a window

to look into men's hearts! He has a key to open up the

heart. "Your Father who sees in secret." God sees in

secret. As a merchant enters debts in his book, so God

has His debt-book, in which He enters every sin!

The hypocrite thinks to disguise and juggle with God--but

God will unmask him. "God shall bring every work into

judgment, with every secret thing." "For they have done

outrageous things . . . I know it and am a witness to

it--declares the Lord." Jeremiah 29:23

The hypocrite hopes he shall color over his sin, and

make it look very good. Absalom masks over his

treason with the pretense of a religious vow. Judas

cloaks his covetousness, with the pretense of "charity

to the poor." Jehu makes religion a cloak for his selfish

design. But God sees through these fig-leaves!

He who has an eye to see--will find a hand to punish!

Since God is infinite in knowledge, we should always feel

as under His omniscient eye. "I have set the Lord always

before me." The consideration of God's omniscience would

be preventive of much sin. The eye of man will restrain

from sin; and will not God's eyes much more?

"Will he even assault the queen right here in the palace,

before my very eyes? the king roared." Esther 7:8. Will

we sin when our Judge looks on? Would men speak so

vainly, if they considered God overheard them? What care

would people have of their words, if they remembered that

God heard, and His pen was writing everything down in

heaven? Would they commit immorality, if they believed

God was a spectator of their wickedness, and would punish

them in hell for it? Would they defraud in their dealings,

and use false weights, if they knew God saw them; and

for making their weights lighter--would make their

damnation heavier?

Is God omniscient, and His eye chiefly upon the heart?

Then be sincere--be what you seem! "The Lord does not

look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward

appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." 1 Sam. 16:7

Men judge the heart--by the actions.

God judges the actions--by the heart.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The best friend--but the worst enemy!

Woe to all such, as have God against them. He lives

forever to be avenged upon them. "Can your heart

endure, or can your hands be strong in the day that

I shall deal with you?" Such as oppose His people,

trampling these jewels in the dust; and such as live

in contradiction to God's Word--engage the Infinite

Majesty of heaven against them! How dreadful will

their case be! "As surely as I live, when I sharpen

My flashing sword and begin to carry out justice,

I will bring vengeance on My enemies and repay

those who hate Me!"

If it is so dreadful to hear the lion roar, what must

it be when he begins to tear his prey? "Consider

this, you who forget God, lest I tear you in pieces!"

Oh that men would think of this--who go on in sin!

Shall we engage the great God against us? God

strikes slow--but heavy! "Have you an arm like

God?" Can you strike such a blow? God is the best

friend--but the worst enemy! If He can look men

into their grave, how far can He throw them? "Who

knows the power of His wrath?" What fools are they,

who, for a drop of pleasure--drink a sea of wrath!

Paracelsus speaks of a craze some have, which

will make them die dancing. Just so--sinners

go dancing to hell!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

What is the chief end of man?

Question: What is the chief end of man?

Answer: Man's chief end is to glorify God,

and to enjoy Him forever.

"My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When

can I go and meet with God?" Psalm 42:2

Is the enjoyment of God in this life so sweet? How

wicked are those who prefer the enjoyment of their

lusts, before the enjoyment of God! 'The lust of the

flesh, the lust of the eye, the pride of life,' is the

evil trinity they worship.

Lust is an inordinate desire or impulse, provoking the

soul to that which is evil. Lust, like a feverish heat, puts

the soul into a flame. Aristotle calls sensual lusts, brutish,

because, when any lust is violent--reason and conscience

cannot be heard. These lusts besot and brutalize the man.

How many make it their chief end, not to enjoy God--but

to enjoy their lusts! Lust first bewitches with pleasure--and

then comes the fatal dart! This should be a flaming sword

to stop men in the way of their carnal delights--Who, for

a drop of pleasure, would drink a sea of wrath?

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A weeping creature

"Open to Me, My sister, My darling, My dove,

My flawless one." Song of Songs 5:2

Christ calls His spouse His "dove". The dove is a

weeping creature. Grace dissolves and liquefies

the soul, causing a spiritual thaw. The sorrow of

the heart, runs out at the eye.

A godly heart grieves that it is not more holy.

It troubles him that he falls short of the rule and

standard which God has set. "I should", he says,

"love the Lord with all my heart. But how defective

my love is! How far short I come of what I should

be, no, of what I might have been!"

A godly man sometimes weeps out of the sense

of God's love. Gold is the finest and most solid of

all the metals, yet it is soonest melted in the fire.

Gracious hearts, which are golden hearts--are the

soonest melted into tears, by the fire of God's love.

A godly person weeps because the sins he commits

are in some sense worse than the sins of other men.

The sin of a justified person is very odious, because

it is a sin of unkindness. Peter's denying of Christ was

a sin against love. Christ had enrolled him among the

apostles. He had taken him up into the Mount and

shown him the glory of heaven in a vision. Yet after

all this mercy, it was base ingratitude that he should

deny Christ. This made him go out and 'weep bitterly.'

He baptized himself, as it were, in his own tears.

The sins of the godly go nearest to God's heart.

The sins of the wicked--anger the Lord.

The godly man's sins--grieve Him.

The sins of the wicked--pierce Christ's side.

The sins of the godly--wound His heart.

How far from being godly--are those

who scarcely ever shed a tear for sin!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

If our hearts are not rocks

"And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled

Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the

death of the cross." Philippians 2:8

See here the astonishing humility of Christ. That Christ

should clothe Himself with our flesh--a piece of that earth

which we tread upon--oh infinite humility! For Christ to be

made flesh, was more humility than for the angels to be

made worms! He stripped Himself of the robes of His glory,

and covered Himself with the rags of our humanity!

Christ's humiliation consisted in His being born, and

that in a poor condition; and His undergoing . . .

the miseries of this life,

the cursed death of the cross,

and the wrath of God.

The prime cause of Christ's humiliation was free grace!

Love was the intrinsic motive. Christ came to us, out

of pity and love. Not our deserts--but our misery,

caused Christ to humble Himself. This was a plot of

free grace--a design of pure love! Christ incarnate,

is nothing but 'love' covered with flesh! As Christ's

assuming our human nature was a masterpiece of

wisdom, so it also was a monument of free grace!

Behold the infinite love of Christ! Had not He been

made flesh--we would have been made a curse! Had

He not been incarnate, we would have been incarcerate,

and had been forever in the prison of hell.

Consider where Jesus came from. He came from

heaven, and from the richest place in heaven--His

Father's bosom, that hive of sweetness.

Consider for whom Jesus came. Was it to His friends?

No! He came for sinful man--who had defaced His image,

and abused His love, and rebelled against Him! Yet He came

to man, resolving to conquer our obstinacy with His kindness.

If He would come to any, why not to the fallen angels?

The angels are of a more noble origin, are more intelligent

creatures, and more able for service! But behold the love of

Christ--He did not come to the fallen angels--but to sinful

mankind!

Among the several wonders of the magnet is that it will not

draw gold or pearl--but despising these, it draws the iron to

itself--one of the most inferior metals. Just so, Christ leaves

angels, those noble spirits, the gold and the pearl--and

comes to poor sinful man, and draws him into His embraces!

Consider in what manner Jesus came. He came not in

the majesty of a king, attended with His royal retinue

--but He came poor.

Consider the place Jesus was born in--

a feeding trough was His cradle,

the cobwebs were His curtains,

the beasts were His companions!

Christ was so poor, that when He needed money,

He had to work a miracle to obtain it. When He

died, He made no will.

Consider why Jesus came. That He might take

our sins upon Him--and so appease God's wrath

for us, and bring us into His kingdom!

He was poor--that we might become rich!

He was born of a virgin--that we might be born of God!

He took our flesh--that we might have His Spirit!

He lay in the feeding trough--that we might lie in paradise!

He came down from heaven--that we might go up to heaven!

And what was all this, but love? If our hearts are not

rocks, this love of Christ should affect us. "May you

experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you

will never fully understand it!" Ephesians 3:19

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Do not be proud of your fine feathers!

Behold here a sacred riddle or paradox--"God was manifest

in the flesh." That man should be made in God's image, was

a wonder--but that God should be made in man's image, is

a greater wonder!

That the Ancient of Days--should be born;

that He who thunders in the heavens--should cry in the cradle;

that He who rules the stars--should suck the breast;

that Christ should be made of a woman--and of that

woman which He Himself made;

that the mother should be younger than the child she bore;

this is the most astonishing miracle! "God was manifest in

the flesh" is a mystery we shall never fully understand until

we come to heaven, when our light shall be clear, as well as

our love perfect.

"He humbled Himself and became obedient to

death--even death on a cross!" Philippians 2:8

"God made Him who had no sin--to be sin for us!"

2 Corinthians 5:21

This was the lowest degree of Christ's humiliation.

That Christ, who would not endure sin in the angels,

should endure to have sin imputed to Himself--is the

most amazing humility that ever was!

Christian! Learn to be humble! Do you see Christ humbling

Himself--and are you proud? It is the humble saint, who is

Christ's picture! Christians, do not be proud of your fine

feathers! Have you an estate? Do not be proud. The earth

you tread on is richer than you! It has mines of gold and

silver in its depths. Have you beauty? Do not be proud. It

is but water mingled with dirt! Have you skill and abilities?

Be humble. Lucifer has more knowledge than you! Have you

grace? Be humble. It is not of your own making--it was

given to you by God. You have more sin than grace; more

spots than beauty. Oh look on Christ--this rare pattern of

humility--and be humbled! It is a sad sight, to see God

humbling Himself--and man exalting himself; to see a

humble Savior--and a proud sinner! God hates the very

semblance of pride! "I hate pride and arrogance!"

Proverbs 8:13

"If God," says Augustine, "did not spare the angels

when they grew proud; will He spare you--who are

but dust and sin?"

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Walking pictures of Christ!

"Leaving you an example--so that you

should follow in His steps." 1 Peter 2:21

"The one who says he remains in Him should

walk just as He walked." 1 John 2:6

"I have set you an example that you should

do as I have done for you." John 13:15

True religion is to imitate Christ.

There are four things in which we should

labor to be like Christ.

1. Be like Christ in DISPOSITION.

He was of a most sweet disposition.

He has a heart to pity us.

He has breasts to feed us.

He has wings to cover us.

He would not break our heart--but with mercy. Let us

be like Him in sweetness of disposition. Do not be of a

morose spirit. It was said of Nabal, "He's so ill-tempered

that no one can even talk to him!" Some are so sour, and

breathe forth nothing but revenge! Or they are like those

two men in the gospel, "possessed with devils, coming

out of the tombs. They were so violent that no one could

pass that way." Let us be like Christ in mildness and

sweetness. Let us pray for our enemies--and conquer

them by love. David's kindness melted Saul's heart.

A frozen heart will be thawed, with the fire of love.

2. Be like Christ in HUMILITY.

"He humbled himself." He left the bright robes of His

glory--to be clothed with the rags of our humanity--a

wonder of humility! Let us be like Christ in this grace.

Humility is the glory of a Christian. We are never so

lovely in God's eyes--as when we are black in our own

eyes. In this let us be like Christ. Indeed, what cause

have we to be humble--if we look within us, about us,

below us, and above us!

If we look within us--here we see our sins represented

to us in the looking-glass of conscience--lust, envy, passion.

Our sins are like vermin crawling in our souls. "How many

are my iniquities!" Job 13:23. Our sins are as the sands

of the sea for number; as the rocks of the sea for weight!

Augustine cries out, "My heart, which is God's temple--is

polluted with sin!"

If we look about us--there is that which may humble us.

We may see other Christians outshining us in graces, as

the sun outshines the lesser planets. Others are laden with

fruit--and perhaps we have but here and there, a berry!

If we look below us--there is that which may humble us.

We may see the mother earth, out of which we came.

The earth is the most ignoble element. "They were viler

than the earth." Job 30:8.

"Then the Lord God formed the man out of the dust from

the ground." Genesis 2:7. "You will return to the ground

from which you came. For you were made from dust, and

to the dust you will return." Genesis 3:19. You who are

so proud, behold your pedigree--you are but walking dirt!

And will you be proud? What is man? The son of dust!

And what is dust? The son of nothing!

If we look above us; there is that which may humble us.

If we look up to heaven, there we may see God resisting

the proud. God pursues the proud in vengeance. He threw

proud Lucifer out of heaven! The proud man is the mark

which God shoots at--and He never misses the mark!

Oh then--be like Christ in humility!

3. Be like Christ, in the contempt of the WORLD.

Christ was not ambitious for titles or honor. He declined

worldly dignity and greatness--as much as others seek it.

When they would have made Him a king--He refused it.

He chose rather to ride upon the foal of a donkey, than

be drawn in a chariot. He chose rather to hang upon a

wooden cross--than to wear a golden crown! He scorned

the pomp and glory of the world. He ignored secular

affairs. "Who made Me a judge?" He did not come into

the world to be a judge--but a Redeemer. He minded

nothing but heaven.

Let us be made like Him--in heavenliness and contempt

of the world. Let us not be ambitious for the empty honors

and glories of the world. Let us not purchase the world--

with the loss of our soul. What wise man would damn

himself--to grow rich? or throw his soul down to hell--to

to build up an earthly estate?

Be like Christ in a holy contempt of the world.

4. Be like Christ in HOLINESS of life.

No temptation could fasten upon Him. Temptation to Christ,

was like a spark of fire upon a marble pillar, which glides off.

"As the One who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in

all your conduct." 1 Peter 1:15.

A Christian should be both a magnet and a diamond!

A magnet--in drawing others to Christ; a diamond

--in casting a sparkling luster of holiness, in his life.

Oh let us be . . .

so just in our dealings,

so true in our promises,

so devout in our worship,

so unblamable in our lives;

that we may be the walking pictures of Christ!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

How shall we know if we have saving faith?

By the noble fruits and effects of saving faith.

True faith is a Christ-prizing grace--it puts a high

valuation upon Christ. "To you who believe--He is

precious." See how Paul styles all things in comparison

with Christ, "I count all things but rubbish, that I may

win Christ." Do we set a high estimate upon Christ?

Could we be willing to part with the wedge of gold

--for the Pearl of great price?

True faith is a refining grace. Faith is in the soul as

fire among metals--it refines and purifies. Morality

may wash the outside--but faith washes the inside.

"Having purified their hearts by faith." Faith makes

the heart a holy of holies. Faith is a virgin-grace;

though it does not take away the life of sin--yet it

takes away the love of sin. Examine if your hearts

are an unclean fountain, sending out the mud and

mire of pride and envy. If there are legions of lusts

in your soul, there is no faith. Faith is a heavenly

plant, which will not grow in an impure soil.

True faith is an obediential grace. "The obedience

of faith." Faith melts our will into God's. It runs at God's

call. If God commands duty (though cross to flesh and

blood) faith obeys. "By faith Abraham obeyed." Faith is

not an idle grace. As it has an eye to see Christ--so it

has a hand to work for Him. It not only believes God's

promises--but obeys His commands. It is not having

knowledge that will evidence you to be believers; the

devil has knowledge, but lacks obedience--and that

makes him a devil. The true obedience of faith, is a

cheerful obedience. God's commands do not seem

grievous. Have you obedience, and obey cheerfully?

Do you look upon God's command as your burden--

or privilege; as an iron fetter about your leg--or as

a gold chain about your neck?

True faith is an assimilating grace. It changes the

soul into the image of the object; it makes it like Christ.

Never did any look upon Christ with a believing eye--but

he was made like Christ. A deformed person may look on

a beautiful object, and not be made beautiful; but faith

looking on Christ--transforms a man, and turns him into

His similitude.

Looking on a bleeding Christ--causes a soft bleeding heart.

Looking on a holy Christ--causes sanctity of heart.

Looking on a humble Christ--makes the heart humble.

As the chameleon is changed into the color of that

which it looks upon--so faith, looking on Christ,

changes the Christian into the similitude of Christ.

True faith grows. All living things grow. Growth of faith

is seen by doing duties in a more spiritual manner, with

more fervency. When an apple has done growing in

bigness, it grows in sweetness. Just so, duties performed

in love and are sweeter, and come off with a better relish.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Lord has two heavens

"Just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in

all you do; for it is written--Be holy, because I

am holy." 1 Peter 1:15-16

God is not drawn to any person's outward beauty,

great abilities, noble blood or worldly grandeur. But

He is drawn to a heart embellished with holiness.

Christ never admired anything but the beauty of

holiness. He slighted the glorious buildings of the

temple--but admired the woman's faith, and said,

"O woman, great is your faith!" As a king delights

to see his image upon a piece of coin; so where

God sees His likeness--He gives His love! The Lord

has two heavens to dwell in--and the holy heart

is one of them!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Spiritual joys

What are the differences between worldly joys

and spiritual joys? The gleanings of spiritual joys,

are better than the vintage of the worldly joys.

Spiritual joys help to make us BETTER; worldly

joys often make us worse. "I spoke unto you in

your prosperity; but you said--I will not hear."

Pride and luxury are the two worms which

are bred from worldly pleasures.

But spiritual joy is cordial medicine, which

not only comforts, but purifies--

it makes a Christian more holy;

it causes an antipathy against sin;

it infuses strength to live and suffer for Christ.

Some colors not only delight the eye--but

strengthen the sight. Just so, the joys of God

not only refresh the soul--but strengthen it.

"The joy of the Lord is your strength."

Spiritual joys are INWARD, they are heart joys.

"Your heart shall rejoice." True joy is hidden within;

worldly joy lies on the outside, like the dew which

wets the leaf. "Laughter can conceal a heavy heart;

when the laughter ends, the grief remains." Like a

house which has a gilded frontispiece--but all the

rooms within are in shambles. But spiritual joy lies

most within. "Your heart shall rejoice." Divine joy

is like a spring of water, which runs underground.

Others can see the sufferings of a Christian--but

they cannot see his joy. His joy is hidden manna

--hidden from the eye of the world; he has joyful

music which others cannot hear. The marrow lies

within--the best joy is within the heart.

Spiritual joys are SWEETER than worldly joys.

"Your love is sweeter than wine!" Spiritual joys are

a Christian's festival; they are the golden pot, and

the sweet manna. They are so sweet, that they make

everything else sweet! Spiritual joys sweeten health

and estate, as sweet water poured on flowers makes

them more fragrant and aromatic. Divine joys are so

delicious and ravishing, that they put our mouth out

of taste for earthly delights; just as he who has been

drinking cordials, tastes little sweetness in water.

Paul had so tasted these divine joys, that his mouth

was out of taste for worldly things. The world was

crucified to him--it was like a dead thing, he could

find no sweetness in it.

Spiritual joys are more PURE; they are not tempered

with any bitter ingredients. A sinner's joy is mixed with

dregs--it is embittered with fear and guilt--he drinks

wormwood wine. But spiritual joy is not muddied with

guilt--but like a crystal stream, it runs pure. Spiritual

joy is a rose without prickles; it is honey without wax.

Spiritual joys are SATISFYING joys. "Ask, that your

joy may be full." Worldly joys can no more fill the heart,

than a drop can fill an ocean! They may please the palate

or imagination--but cannot satisfy the soul. "No matter

how much we see--we are never satisfied. No matter

how much we hear--we are not content." Eccles. 1:8.

But the joys of God satisfy. "Your comforts delight my

soul." Psalm 94:19. There is as much difference between

spiritual joys and earthly joys--as between a banquet

which is eaten--and one which is painted on the wall!

Spiritual joys are STRONGER joys than worldly joys.

"Strong consolation." Hebrews 6:18. They are strong joys

indeed, which can bear up a Christian's heart in trials

and afflictions. "Having received the word in much

affliction--with joy." These joys are roses which grow

in winter! These joys can sweeten the bitter waters of

Marah! He who has these joys--can gather grapes from

thorns, and fetch honey out of the carcass of a lion!

At the end of the rod--a Christian tastes honey! "As

sorrowing--yet always rejoicing."

Spiritual joys are UNWEARIED joys. Other joys, when

in excess, often cause loathing; too much honey nauseates.

One may be tired of pleasure--as well as labor. King Xerxes

offered a reward to him who could find out a new pleasure.

But the joys of God, though they satisfy--yet they never glut.

A drop of joy is sweet--but the more of this wine the better!

Such as drink of the joys of heaven--are never glutted. Their

satiety is without loathing, because they still desire more of

the joy with which they are satiated.

Spiritual joys are ABIDING joys. Worldly joys are soon

gone. Such as bathe in the perfumed waters of pleasure--

may have joys which seem to be sweet--but they are swift.

They are like meteors--which give a bright and sudden flash,

and then disappear. But the joys which believers have are

abiding; they are a blossom of eternity--a pledge of those

rivers of pleasure which run at God's right hand! "In Your

presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal

pleasures!" Psalm 16:11

If God gives His people such joy in this life, oh! then, what

glorious joy will He give them in heaven! "Enter into the joy

of your Lord!" God keeps His best wine until last. What joy

will that be--when the soul shall forever bathe itself in the

pure and pleasant fountain of God's love! What joy will that

be--to see the orient brightness of Christ's face, and have

the kisses of those lips which drop sweet-smelling myrrh!

How may this set us all longing for that place where sorrow

cannot live--and where joy cannot die!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

You have but a little way to go!

"Our salvation is nearer now than when we

first believed." Romans 13:11

You are within a few days march of heaven!

Salvation is near to you. Christians, it is but a

little while, and you will be done weeping and

praying--and be triumphing! You shall put off

your mourning garments--and put on white

robes! You shall put off your battle armor--and

put on a victorious crown! You are almost ready

to commence eternal glory!

When a man is almost at the end of a race--will

he tire, or faint away? You have but a little

way to go--and you will set your foot in heaven!

Though the way is uphill and full of thorns; yet

you have gone the greatest part of your way,

and shortly shall rest from your labors!

"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father

has been pleased to give you the kingdom!"

Luke 12:32

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

For to me, to live is Christ

Paul was a great admirer of Christ. He desired to know

nothing but Christ, and Him crucified. "For to me, to

live is Christ and to die is gain!" Philippians 1:21

"For to me, to live is Christ." That is, "Christ is my life!"

Or thus, "My life is made up of Christ." As a wicked man's

life is made up of sin, so Paul's life was made up of Christ

--he was full of Christ. That I may give you the sense of

the text more fully, take it in these three particulars:

[1] "For to me, to live is Christ," that is--Christ is the

PRINCIPLE of my life. I fetch my spiritual life from Christ,

as the branch fetches its sap from the root. "Christ lives in me."

Gal. 2:20. Jesus Christ sends forth life into me, to quicken me

to every holy action. Thus, Christ is the principle of my life;

from His fullness I live--as the branch lives from the root.

[2] "For to me, to live is Christ," that is--Christ is the

END of my life. I live not for myself--but for Christ. All

my living, is to do service to Christ. "Whether we live, we

live unto the Lord." Rom. 14:8. We lay out ourselves wholly

for Christ. The design of our life is to exalt Christ, and to

make the crown upon His head flourish. In this sense, Christ

is the end of my life--when my whole life is a living for Christ.

[3] "For to me, to live is Christ," that is--Christ is the

JOY of my life. Psalm 43:4, "God my exceeding joy,"

or the cream of my joy. A Christian can rejoice in Christ,

when worldly joys are gone. When the tulip in a garden

withers--a man still rejoices in his jewels which are locked

up in the house. Just so--when worldly joys are gone--a

saint can rejoice in Christ, the pearl of great price. In this

sense, Christ is the joy of my life--if Christ were gone, my

life would be a death to me.

"For to me, to live is Christ!" Christ is the principle of

my life, the end of my life, the joy of my life. If we can

say, "For to me, to live is Christ," we may comfortably

conclude, "and to die is gain!"

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A love letter sent to you from God

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly."

Colossians 3:16

STUDY the Scripture. It is a copy of God's will. Be

Scripture-men, Bible-Christians. Search the Scripture,

as for a vein of silver. This blessed Book will fill your

head with knowledge, and your heart with grace!

There is majesty sparkling in every line of Scripture.

There is a melody in Scripture. This is that blessed

harp which drives away sadness of spirit. How sweetly

does this harp of Scripture sound, what heavenly music

does it make in the ears of a distressed sinner, especially

when the finger of God's Spirit touches this instrument!

There is divinity in Scripture. It contains the marrow

and quintessence of true religion. It is a rock of diamonds,

a mystery of piety. The lips of Scripture have grace poured

into them. The Scripture speaks of faith, self-denial, and all

the graces which, as a chain of pearls, adorns a Christian.

Oh, then, search the Scripture! Had I the tongue of angels,

I could not sufficiently set forth the excellency of Scripture.

It is a spiritual telescope, in which we behold God's glory;

it is the tree of life, the oracle of wisdom, the rule of manners,

the heavenly seed of which the new creature is formed.

'The two Testaments,' says Austin, 'are the two breasts which

every Christian must suck, that he may get spiritual nourishment.'

These holy leaves of Scripture are for the healing of our souls.

The Scripture is profitable for all things. If we are deserted--

here is spiced wine that cheers the heavy heart; if we are

pursued by Satan--here is the sword of the Spirit to resist him;

if we are diseased with sin's leprosy--here are the waters of the

sanctuary, both to cleanse and cure. Oh, then, search the

Scriptures!

Read the Bible with reverence. Think, in every line you

read--that God is speaking to you. The ark wherein the

Word was put was overlaid with pure gold, and was carried

on bars, that the Levites might not touch it. Exodus 25:14.

Why was this--but to give reverence to the Word?

Read with seriousness. It is matter of life and death;

by this Word you must be tried and judged.

Read the Word with affection. Get your hearts quickened

with the Word. Labor that the Word may not only be a lamp

to direct--but a fire to warm. Read the Scripture, not only as

a history--but as a love letter sent to you from God, which

may affect your hearts. Pray that the same Spirit who wrote

the Word may assist you in reading it; that God's Spirit would

show you the wonderful things of His law, so that the Word

will become effectual.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine!

If God is infinite, see what a full portion the saints have.

They have Him who is infinite, for their portion! His fullness

is an infinite fullness; and He is infinitely sweet, as well as

infinitely full. He is infinitely full of beauty and of love. His

riches are called unsearchable, because they are infinite.

Stretch your thoughts as much as you can, there is that

in God which exceeds; it is an infinite fullness.

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than

all we ask or imagine!" Ephesians 3:20. What can an

ambitious person ask? He can ask crowns and kingdoms,

millions of worlds; but God can give more than we can ask,

nay, more than we can imagine, because He is infinite!

We can imagine--what if all the dust were turned to silver;

what if every flower were a ruby; what if every sand in the

sea were a diamond; yet God can give more than we can

imagine, because He is infinite. Oh, how rich are they

who have the infinite God for their portion! Well

might David say, "Surely I have a delightful inheritance!"

We may go with the bee from flower to flower--but we shall

never have full satisfaction until we come to the infinite God!

Jacob said: "I have enough!" In the Hebrew it is, "I have all!"

because he had the infinite God for his portion!

God being an infinite fullness, there is no fear of lack for any

of the heirs of heaven. Though there are millions of saints and

angels who have a share in God's riches, yet He has enough

for them all--because He is infinite! Though a thousand men

behold the sun--there is light enough for them all. Put ever so

many buckets into the sea--there is water enough to fill them.

Though an innumerable company of saints and angels are to be

filled out of God's fullness, yet God, being infinite, has enough

to satisfy them. God has land enough to give to all His heirs.

There can be no lack, in that which is infinite.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Totus oculus

"Him who is perfect in knowledge." Job 37:16

God's knowledge is infallible; there is no mistake in

His knowledge. Human knowledge is subject to error.

A physician may mistake the treatment of a disease;

but God's knowledge is unerring. He can neither deceive,

nor be deceived. He cannot deceive--because He is

truth; nor be deceived--because He has infinite wisdom.

God's knowledge is instantaneous. Our knowledge is

successive--one thing after another. God knows things

past, present, and to come--at once. They are all

before Him in one entire prospect.

God's knowledge is retentive; He never loses any of His

knowledge; He remembers as well as understands. Many

things elapse out of our minds--but God's knowledge is

eternalized. Things transacted a thousand years ago,

are as fresh to Him as if they were done but the last

minute! Thus He is perfect in knowledge.

God is totus oculus, "All eye!"

It ought to be so; for He is the "Judge of all the world."

There are so many causes to be brought before Him, and

so many people to be tried, that He must have a perfect

knowledge--or He could not do justice. A human judge

cannot proceed without a jury; the jury must search the

cause, and give in the verdict. But God can judge without

a jury. He knows all things in and of Himself, and needs

no witnesses to inform Him. A human judge judges only

matters of fact--but God judges the heart! He not only

judges wicked actions--but wicked designs! He sees the

treason of the heart, and punishes it.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Enough to put them into a cold sweat!

The sinner takes liberty to sin; he breaks God's laws

with greediness, as if he could not sin fast enough.

Remember--the pleasures of sin are but for a season,

but the torments of the wicked are forever! Sinners

have a short feast--but a long reckoning!

"The smoke of their torment rises forever and ever,

and they will have no relief day or night." Rev. 14:11

Here is thunder and lightning to the wicked. God

is eternal, therefore the torments of the wicked are

eternal! God lives forever; and as long as God lives,

He will be punishing the damned! Remember, one

of God's names is Eternal, and as long as God is

eternal, He has time enough to reckon with all

His enemies!

Origen erroneously thought, that after a thousand

years, the damned would be released out of their

misery. But the worm, the fire, the prison--are

all eternal.

Eternity is a sea without bottom and banks. After

millions of years, there is not one minute in eternity

spent; and the damned must be ever burning--but

never consumed; always dying--but never dead.

"They shall seek death--but shall not find it."

The fire of hell is such, as multitudes of tears will

not quench it; and length of time will not finish it!

The vial of God's wrath will be always dropping upon

the sinner! As long as God is eternal, He lives to be

avenged upon the wicked.

Oh eternity! eternity! who can fathom it? Mariners

have their plummets to measure the depths of the

sea; but what line or plummet shall we use to fathom

the depth of eternity? The breath of the Lord kindles

the infernal lake, (Isaiah 30:33) where shall we get

buckets to quench that fire?

Oh eternity! If all the body of the earth and sea were

turned to sand, and all the air up to the starry heaven

were nothing but sand--and a little bird should come

every thousand years, and fetch away in her bill but

the tenth part of a grain of all that heap of sand; what

numberless years would be spent before that vast heap

of sand would be fetched away! Yet, if at the end of all

that time, the sinner might come out of hell--there would

be some hope. But that word "Forever" breaks the heart!

What a terror is this to the wicked--enough to put

them into a cold sweat--to think, as long as God is

eternal, He lives forever to be avenged upon them!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A divine chemistry

"For our momentary light affliction is producing

for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight

of glory!" 2 Corinthians 4:17

The wisdom of God is seen in making the most

desperate evils, work to the good of His children.

As several poisonous ingredients, wisely tempered

by the skill of the apothecary, make a sovereign

medicine--so God makes the most deadly afflictions

work together for the good of His children. He uses

severe afflictions to purify them, and prepare them

for heaven.

These hard frosts hasten the spring flowers of glory!

The wise God, by a divine chemistry, turns our

afflictions into cordials. He makes His people gainers

by losses; and turns their crosses into blessings!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Sweet in the mouth, but bitter in the belly

See the evil effects of sin!

Sin has degraded us of our honor. God made us in His

own image; but sin has debased us. Sin has plucked

off our coat of innocence, and now it has debased us,

and turned our glory into shame.

Sin disquiets the peace of the soul. "But the wicked are

like the tossing sea, which cannot rest, whose waves cast

up mire and mud. "There is no peace," says my God, "for

the wicked." Isaiah 57:20-21. Whatever defiles, disturbs.

As poison corrupts the blood, so sin corrupts the soul. Sin

breeds a trembling at the heart; it creates fears, and there

is "torment in fear." Sin makes sad convulsions in the

conscience. Judas was so terrified with guilt and horror,

that he hanged himself to quiet his conscience. In order

to ease his conscience--he threw himself into hell.

Sin produces all temporal evil. It is the Trojan horse,

which has sword, and famine and pestilence, in its

belly. Sin is a coal, which not only blackens--but

burns. Sin creates all our troubles; it puts gravel into

our bread, and wormwood in our cup. Sin rots the

name, consumes the estate, buries loved ones.

Sin unrepented of, brings final damnation. The canker

which breeds in the rose is the cause of its perishing;

just so--the corruptions which breed in men's souls are

the cause of their damning. Sin's pleasure will turn to

sorrow at last; like the book the prophet ate--sweet

in the mouth, but bitter in the belly. Sin brings

the wrath of God--what tears can quench that fire?

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A dish which men cannot refrain from

"How long will you love vanity?" Psalm 4:2

How strange it is, that anyone should love such a deadly

evil as sin! Sin is a dish which men cannot refrain from,

though it makes them sick. What pity it is, that so sweet an

affection as love, should be poured upon so filthy a thing as

sin! Sin brings a sting in the conscience, and a curse in the

estate; yet men love it. A sinner is the greatest self-denier;

for his sin he will deny himself a part in heaven.

Do anything rather than sin. Oh, hate sin! There is more evil

in the least sin--than in the greatest bodily evils which can

befall us. There is more evil in a drop of sin--than in a sea of

affliction! Affliction is like a rip in a coat--but sin a stab at the

heart! In affliction there is some good--in this lion there is

some honey to be found. "It is good for me that I was afflicted."

Psalm 119:71. "Affliction is God's flail to thresh off our husks.

Affliction does not consume--but refines." (Augustine) But there

is no good in sin; it is the quintessence of evil. Sin is worse than

hell; for the pains of hell are a burden to the creature only; but

sin is a burden to God!

Is sin so great an evil? Then how thankful should you be to God,

if He has taken away your sin! "I have taken away your sins."

Zech. 3:4. If you had a disease on your body--how thankful would

you be to have it taken away! Much more to have sin taken away.

God takes away the guilt of sin by pardoning grace, and the power

of sin by mortifying grace.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The devil's workshop

"The human heart is most deceitful and desperately

wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?" Jer. 17:9

Sin has defiled the heart. The heart is deadly wicked.

It is a lesser hell. In the heart are legions of lusts,

obdurateness, infidelity, hypocrisy, sinful lusts. It boils

as the sea--with passion and revenge. "The hearts of

men, moreover, are full of evil and there is madness

in their hearts while they live." Ecclesiastes 9:3. The

heart is the devil's workshop, where all mischief is

framed.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The effectual call

"Those He predestined, He also called." Romans 8:30

The cause of the effectual call is God's electing love.

It is not because some are more worthy to partake

of the heavenly calling than others. What worthiness

is in us? What worthiness was there in Mary Magdalene,

out of whom seven devils were cast? What worthiness

in the Corinthians, before God called them by His gospel?

They were "idol worshipers, adulterers, male prostitutes,

homosexuals, thieves, greedy people, drunkards, abusers,

and swindlers." 1 Cor. 6:9-10. Before effectual calling,

we are not only "without strength," but "enemies to

God." So that the foundation of effectual calling is

election--and not merit.

The effectual call is powerful. God puts forth infinite

power in calling home a sinner to Himself. He not only

puts forth His voice--but His arm! He conquers the pride

of the heart, and makes the stubborn will, to yield and

stoop to His grace; He makes the stony heart bleed.

The effectual call is mighty and powerful. God puts forth

a divine energy, nay, a kind of omnipotence; it is such

a powerful call, that the will of man has no power

effectually to resist.

Consider what you were before God called you! "You

were dead, doomed forever because of your many sins!"

Ephesians 2:1. When God called Paul, he found him

persecuting; when he called Zacchaeus, he found him

using extortion. When God calls a man by His grace, He

finds him seeking after his lusts; as when Saul was called

to the kingdom, he was seeking the donkeys. Admire

God's love, exalt His praise--that He should call you

when you were in the hot pursuit of sin!

What mercy is this--that God should call you, and pass

by others! "Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in

Your sight!" That God should pass by wise and noble

people; or people of sweeter disposition, better morals,

greater abilities, guilty of less vice--and that the lot of

free grace should fall upon you--oh, the astonishing

love of God!

As God so governs the clouds, that He makes them

rain upon one place, and not upon another--just so,

at a sermon the Lord opens the heart of one, and

another is no more affected with it than a deaf man

with the sound of music! Here the banner of free

grace is displayed!

When two are living together--husband and wife, or

father and child--that God should call one by His grace,

and leave the other in his sins, and let the other perish

eternally--oh infinite rich grace! How should they that

are called be affected with God's sovereign love! How

should the vessels of mercy run over with thankfulness!

Such as are trophies of mercy, should be trumpeters of

praise. Thus Paul, being effectually called by God, and

seeing what a debtor he was to free grace, breaks forth

into admiration and gratitude, "Thanks be to God for

His indescribable gift!" 2 Corinthians 9:15

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

There are many roaring devils around us!

There is nothing that more troubles a child of God, than

that he fears he shall never hold out. "These weak legs

of mine," he says, "will never carry me to heaven." But

he is kept by the power of God! Once in Christ--forever

in Christ. A believer may fall from some degrees of grace;

but not from the state of grace.

How despairing is the Arminian doctrine of falling from

grace! Today a saint--tomorrow a reprobate; today a

Peter--tomorrow a Judas! This is like boring a hole in

a vessel--to make all the wine of his joy run out. Were

the Arminian doctrine true, what comfort would it be--to

have one's name written in the book of life--if it might

be blotted out again? But be assured, for your comfort,

that grace--if it is true--though ever so weak, shall

persevere.

"Who are kept by the power of God through

faith unto salvation." 1 Peter 1:5

See whence it is--that believers persevere in holiness.

It is to be ascribed solely to the power of God. It is

a wonder that any Christian perseveres, if you consider:

(1.) Corruption within. There is more sin than grace;

yet grace is habitually predominant. Grace is like a

spark in the sea--it is a wonder that it is not quenched!

It is a wonder that sin does not destroy grace.

(2.) Temptations without. Satan envies us happiness,

and he raises his militia, and stirs up persecution. He

shoots his fiery darts of temptations--which are called

darts for their swiftness, fiery for their terribleness. We

are every day beset with devils! As it was a wonder that

Daniel was kept alive in the midst of the roaring lions,

so there are many roaring devils around us--and

yet we are not torn in pieces! Now, whence is it, that

we stand against these powerful temptations? We are

kept by the power of God!

(3.) The world's old snares--riches and pleasure.

How many have been shipwrecked upon these golden

rocks! "Demas has deserted me, because he loved this

present world." 2 Timothy 4:10

What a wonder any persevere in holiness--that the earth

does not choke the fire of all holy affections! Whence is

this, but from the power of God? We are kept by His power.

"My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow Me.

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish--ever!

No one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who

has given them to Me, is greater than all. No one is able

to snatch them out of the Father's hand!" John 10:27-29

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Losers!

"The hopes of the godly result in happiness, but

the expectations of the wicked are all in vain."

Proverbs 10:28

See the great difference between the death of

the godly and the wicked. The godly are great

gainers at death--but the wicked are great

losers at death. They lose four things:

(1.) They lose the world; and that is a great

loss to the wicked. They laid up their treasure

upon earth, and to be turned out of it all at

once is a great loss.

(2.) They lose their souls. Matthew 16:26-27.

The soul is more precious than the whole world!

But the sinner's soul is lost; not that the souls

of the wicked are annihilated at death--but

tormented!

(3.) They lose heaven. Heaven is the region

of happiness and perfection.

(4.) They lose all hope. Though they lived wickedly,

they hoped God would be merciful, and they hoped

they would go to heaven. Their hope was not an

anchor--but a spider's web! At death they lose their

hopes, and see they did but flatter themselves into

hell! "Such is the destiny of all who forget God; so

perishes the hope of the godless. What he trusts in

is fragile; what he relies on is a spider's web."

Job 8:13-14. It is dreadful to have life and hope

cut off together!

"When a wicked man dies, his hope perishes."

Proverbs 11:7

"The desire of the ri