The Beatitudes

The Beatitudes

Thomas Watson, 1660

CHOICE EXCERPTS

God has two fires

"I have refined you in the furnace of affliction."

Isaiah 48:10

"Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal

fire prepared for the Devil and his demons! And they

will go away into eternal punishment!" Mt. 25:41, 46

God has two fires--

one where He puts His gold,

one where He puts His dross.

The fire where He puts His gold, is

the fire of affliction--to purify them.

The fire where He puts His dross, is

the fire of damnation--to punish them.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

There are nails in that cross!

"If anyone would come after Me, he must deny

himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me."

Luke 9:23

Self-denial is the highest sign of a sincere Christian.

Hypocrites may have great knowledge and make large

profession--but it is only the true-hearted saint who

can deny himself for Christ.

Self-denial is the foundation of godliness, and if this

foundation is not well-laid, the whole building will fall.

If there is any lust in our souls which we cannot deny

--it will turn at length, either to scandal or apostasy.

Self-denial is the thread which must run along through

the whole work of piety.

A man must deny self-esteem. Every man by nature

has a high opinion of himself. He is drunk with spiritual

pride. A proud man disdains the cross. He thinks himself

too good to suffer. Oh deny self-esteem! Let the plumes

of pride fall off!

A man must deny carnal self. This I take to be the

chief sense of the text. He must deny carnal ease.

The flesh cries out for ease. It is loath to put its neck

under Christ's yoke or stretch itself upon the cross. The

flesh cries out, "Oh! the cross of Christ is heavy! There

are nails in that cross which will lacerate, and fetch

blood!" We must deny our self-ease, and be as a deaf

adder, stopping our ears to the charmings of the flesh!

Those who lean on the soft pillow of sloth, will hardly

take up the cross.

This self-denying frame of heart is very hard. This is "to

pluck out the right eye." It is easier to overcome men and

devils, than to overcome self. "Stronger is he who conquers

himself, than he who conquers the strongest walled city."

SELF is the idol, and how hard it is to sacrifice this idol

and to turn self-seeking into self-denial! But though it is

difficult--it is essential. A Christian must first lay down

self--before he can take up the cross.

Alas! how far are they then from self-denial, who cannot deny

themselves in the least things; who in their diet or apparel,

instead of martyring the flesh--pamper the flesh! Instead of

taking up the cross--take up their cups! Is this self-denial,

to let loose the reins to the flesh? Oh Christians, as ever you

would be able to carry Christ's cross, begin to deny yourselves.

"Everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or

father or mother or children or property, for My sake, will

receive a hundred times as much in return and will have

eternal life!" Matthew 19:29. Here is a very choice bargain!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This perfume of free grace!

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs

is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:3

Only those who are poor in spirit, are capable of

receiving grace. He who is swollen with self-excellency

and self-sufficiency--is not fit for Christ. He is full already.

If the hand is full of pebbles--it cannot receive gold. The

glass is first emptied, before you pour in wine. God first

empties a man of himself, before He pours in the precious

wine of His grace.

He who is poor in spirit--is a Christ-admirer. He has high

thoughts of Christ. He sees himself naked--and flies to

Christ, to be clothed in the garments of His righteousness.

He sees himself wounded--and as the wounded deer runs

to the water--so he thirsts for Christ's blood, the water of

life. "Lord!" says he, "give me Christ or I die!" His conscience

has turned into a fiery serpent and has stung him; now he

will give all the world--for a brazen serpent! He sees himself

in a state of death; and how precious is one leaf of the tree

of life, which is both for food and medicine! The poor in spirit

sees that all his riches lie in Christ--"wisdom, righteousness,

sanctification" In every need, he flies to this storehouse! He

adores the all-fullness in Christ.

He who is poor in spirit--is an exalter of free grace. None so

magnify God's mercy--as the poor in spirit. The poor are very

thankful. When Paul had tasted mercy--how thankfully does

he adore free grace! "The grace of our Lord was exceeding

abundant" (1 Timothy 1:14). It was super-exuberant grace!

He sets the crown of his salvation--upon the head of free

grace! As a man who is condemned and has a pardon sent to

him--how greatly he proclaims the goodness and mercifulness

of his prince! So Paul displays free grace in its magnificent

colors. He interlines all his epistles with free grace! As a vessel

which has been perfumed, makes the water taste of it--so Paul,

who was a vessel perfumed with mercy, makes all his epistles

to taste of this perfume of free grace! Those who are poor

in spirit, bless God for the least crumb which falls from the table

of free grace! Labor for poverty of spirit. Christ begins with this,

and we must begin here if ever we are saved. Poverty of spirit

is the foundation stone, on which God lays the superstructure

of eternal glory!

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs

is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:3

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Worms should be made kings!

"Don't be afraid, little flock, because your Father

delights to give you the kingdom!" Luke 12:32

See here the mercy and bounty of God, who has prepared

a kingdom for His people. It is a favor that we poor worms

should be allowed to live. But that worms should be made

kings--this is divine bounty! It is mercy to pardon us--but it

is rich mercy to crown us! 'Behold, what kind of love is this!'

Earthly princes may bestow great gifts on their subjects--but

they keep the kingdom to themselves. Though Pharaoh advanced

Joseph to honor and gave him a ring from his finger--yet he kept

the kingdom to himself. 'Only in the throne will I be greater than

you' (Genesis 41:40). But God gives a kingdom to His people--He

sets them upon the throne!

How David admires the goodness of God in bestowing upon him

a temporal kingdom. 'Then king David went in, and sat before the

Lord and said--Who am I, O Lord God--and what is my house, that

You have brought me hitherto?' (2 Samuel 7:18). He wondered

that God should take him from the sheepfold--and set him on the

throne--that God should turn his shepherd's staff into a king's

scepter! O then, how may the saints admire the riches of grace--

that God should give them a glorious kingdom above all the

princes of the earth--nay, far above all heavens!

God thinks nothing too good for His children. We many times think

much of a tear, a prayer, or to sacrifice a sin for Him--but He does

not think a kingdom is too much to bestow upon us! How will the

saints read over the lectures of free grace in heaven, and trumpet

forth the praises of that God, who has crowned them with such

astonishing loving-kindness!

See here, that which may make the people of God long for death.

Then, they shall enter upon their glorious kingdom! Indeed the

wicked may fear death. It will not lead them to a kingdom--but to

a horrid prison. Hell is the jail where they must lie rotting forever

with the devil and his demons!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Only the blood of Christ can soften it!

"I will take away their hearts of stone and

give them tender hearts!" Ezekiel 11:19

Oh the misery of a hard heart!

A heart of stone is insensible. A stone is not

sensible of anything. Lay a heavy weight upon

it; or grind it to powder--it does not feel. So it

is with a hard heart--it is insensible to both its

own sin and God's wrath. The stone in the

kidneys is felt--but not the stone in the heart.

"Having lost all sensitivity" (Ephesians 4:19).

A heart of stone is inflexible. A stone will not

bend. Just so, the hard heart will not comply with

God's command. It will not stoop to Christ's scepter.

A heart of stone will sooner break, than bend by

repentance. It is so far from yielding to God, that

like the anvil--it beats back the hammer. A heart

of stone will "always resist the Holy Spirit." (Acts 7:51)

A hard heart is void of all grace. While the wax is

hard--it will not take the impression of the seal.

Just so, the heart, while it is hard--will not take the

stamp of grace. It must first be made tender and

melting. The plough of the Word will not penetrate

a hard heart!

A hard heart is good for nothing--but to make

fuel for hellfire. "Because of your hardness and

unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath for

yourself in the day of wrath!" (Romans 2:5).

Hell is full of hard hearts--there is not one soft heart

there! There is much weeping there--but no softness.

We read of "vessels of wrath--prepared for destruction"

(Romans 9:22). Hardness of heart, fits these vessels

for hell, and makes them like withered wood, which

is fit only to burn!

Hardness of heart makes a man's condition worse

than all his other sins besides. If one is guilty of

great sins--yet if he can mourn, there is hope. But

hardness of heart binds guilt fast upon the soul. It

seals a man under wrath. It is not heinousness of

sin--but hardness of heart--which damns!

Oh the misery of a hard heart!

A stony heart is the worst heart. If it were bronze,

it might be melted in the furnace; or it might be

bent with the hammer. But a stony heart is such,

that only the arm of God can break it--and only

the blood of Christ can soften it!

"I will take out your stony heart of sin and give

you a new, obedient heart." Ezekiel 36:26

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

View sin in the red glass

View sin in the red glass of Christ's sufferings.

The least sin cost His blood. Would you take a true

view of sin? Go to Golgotha! Jesus Christ poured out

His soul, as an offering for sin! Read the greatness

of your sin--in the deepness of Christ's wounds! Let

not Satan cast such a mist before your eyes--that

you cannot see sin in its right colors! Remember,

not only do great sins carry men to hell--but lesser

sins as well. "The wages of sin is death!" Every sin

is damnable. There is death and hell in every sin.

The least sin without repentance--will be a lock

and bolt to shut men out of heaven.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A tear dropping from the eye of faith

"Blessed are those who mourn." Matthew 5:8

It is a sign that the Sun of Righteousness has risen

upon us, when our frozen hearts thaw and melt for sin.

Weeping for sin is a sign of the new birth. As soon as

the child is born--it weeps. Mourning shows a 'heart

of flesh' (Ezekiel 36:26). A stone will not melt. When

the heart is in a melting frame--it is a sign the heart

of stone is taken away.

"Let your tears flow like a river. Give yourselves no

rest from weeping day or night." Lament. 2:18

Tears for sin, are blessed tears.

Tears poison our corruptions. Salt-water kills worms.

Just so, the brinish water of repenting tears will help to

kill that worm of sin which would gnaw the conscience.

Mourning also fences us against the devil's temptations.

Temptations are called 'fiery darts' (Ephesians 6:16),

because indeed they set the soul on fire. Temptations

enrage anger, and inflame lust. Now the waters of holy

mourning, quench these fiery darts! Wet gunpowder will

not easily catch fire. Just so, when the heart is wetted

and moistened with sorrow--it will not so easily catch

the fire of temptation.

Penitential tears are precious. Tears dropping from a

mournful, penitent eye, are like water dropping from

the roses--very sweet and precious to God. A fountain

in the garden makes it pleasant. That heart is most

delightful to God--which has a fountain of sorrow

running in it. 'Mary stood at Christ's feet weeping'

(Luke 7:38). Her tears were more fragrant than her

ointment. The incense, when it is broken, smells

sweetest. When the heart is broken for sin, then

our services give forth their sweetest perfume.

Surely, God delights much in tears--else He would

not keep a bottle for them. "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. Tears are powerful orators for God's

mercy. Tears melt the heart of God. When a man

comes weeping in prayer and smites on his breast,

saying, "God be merciful to me a sinner!"--this melts

God's heart towards him. Tears, though they are

silent--yet have a voice, "The Lord has heard the

voice of my weeping!" (Psalm 6:8). Tears in the

child's eye sometimes move the angry father to

spare the child. Penitential tears melt God's heart

and bind His hand. Tears have a mighty influence

upon God.

Repentant tears are sweet. Mourning is the way to

solid joy. A Christian thinks himself sometimes in the

suburbs of heaven--when he can weep. Sugar when

it melts is sweetest. When a Christian melts in tears,

now he has the sweetest joy. When the daughter of

Pharaoh descended into the river--she found a babe

there among the reeds. Just so, when we descend into

the river of repenting tears--we find the babe Jesus

there, who shall wipe away all tears from our eyes.

Tears water our graces and make them flourish. Where

the springs of sorrow run--there the heart bears a fruitful

crop. The tender-eyed Christian usually brings forth more

of the fruit of the Spirit. A weeping eye is the water-pot

to water our graces!

If there is so much profit and benefit in gospel-sorrow,

then let every Christian wash his face every morning in

the laver of tears.

Our mourning for sin here--will prevent mourning in hell.

Hell is a place of weeping (Matthew 8:12). The damned

mingle their drink with weeping. God is said to have His

bottle for our tears. Those who will not shed a bottle-full

of tears--shall hereafter shed rivers of tears. "Woe to you

who laugh now--for you shall mourn and weep!" (Luke 6:

25). You have sometimes seen sugar lying in a damp

place, dissolve into water. Just so, all the sugared joys

of the wicked, dissolve at last into the water of tears!

There is but one way to blessedness, and that is through

the valley of tears. If you do not go this way, you will miss

Paradise. "I tell you, unless you repent, you shall all likewise

perish"' (Luke 13:3). There is only one way leading to heaven,

and that is a tear dropping from the eye of faith. A man

may have a disease in his body, which twenty medicines will

heal. But only the medicine of repentance, will heal the

mortal disease of sin.

Think what a sinner you have been. You have filled God's

book with your debts--and what need you have to fill His

bottle with your tears!

He who weeps here is a blessed mourner. He who weeps

in hell is a cursed mourner. If God's bottle is not filled

with tears--His vial will be filled with wrath!

Repentant tears are but finite. It is but a short time that we

shall weep. After a few showers fall from our eyes, we shall

have a perpetual sunshine. "God shall wipe away all tears!"

(Revelation 7:17). When sin shall cease--tears shall cease!

"Weeping may endure for a night--but joy comes in the

morning!" (Psalm 30:5)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The way to be like Jesus

To render evil for evil is brutish;

to render evil for good is devilish;

to render good for evil is Christian.

"Blessed are the meek." Matthew 5:5

Meekness is a grace whereby we are enabled by

the Spirit of God, to moderate our angry passions.

Meekness has a divine beauty and sweetness in

it. This meekness consists in three things:

the bearing of injuries,

the forgiving of injuries,

the recompensing good for evil.

Meekness is opposed to:

anger,

malice,

revenge and

evil-speaking.

Meekness is a great ornament to a Christian. "The

ornament of a meek spirit--which is so precious to

God!" (1 Peter 3:4). How lovely is a saint in God's

eye, when adorned with this jewel! No garment

is more befitting to a Christian, than meekness.

Therefore we are bid to put on this garment, "Put

on therefore as the elect of God--meekness."

(Colossians 3:12)

Meekness is a noble and excellent spirit. A meek man

is a valorous man. He gets a victory over himself! Anger

arises from weakness of character. The meek man is able

to conquer his fury. "He who is slow to anger is better

than the mighty; controlling one's temper is better than

capturing a city." (Proverbs 16:32). To yield to one's

anger is easy--it is swimming along with the tide of

corrupt nature. But to turn against nature--to resist

anger, to "overcome evil with good"--this is truly

Christian.

Meekness is the best way to conquer and melt the

heart of an enemy. Meekness melts and thaws the

heart of others. The greatest victory is to overcome

an enemy--without striking a blow! Mildness prevails

more than fierceness. Anger makes an enemy of a

friend. Meekness makes a friend of an enemy.

Meekness is the way to be like Jesus--"Learn of

Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart." Mat. 11:29.

It is not profession which makes us like Jesus--but

imitation. Where meekness is lacking--we are like

brutes. Where it is present--we are like Jesus.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The hypocrite's desire

"Let me die the death of the righteous!"

Numbers 23:10

This was Balaam's desire. The hypocrite, when he

is about to die and can keep his sins no longer--

now he desires a passport to carry him to heaven!

Such desires as these are found among the damned.

Hypocrites have desires--but no endeavors.

They would like to go to heaven--but they

will take no pains. But true desire is always

quickened into endeavor.

The hypocrite would have . . .

heaven--and his sins too,

heaven--and his pride too,

heaven--and his covetousness too.

"They have gone astray and have followed

the path of Balaam--who loved the wages

of unrighteousness." 2 Peter 2:15

The true Christian says, "Give me Christ on any

terms. Let God propound whatever articles He

will--I will subscribe to them. Would He have me

deny myself? Would He have me mortify sin? I

am content to do anything--just so that I may

have Christ!" Hypocrites would have Christ--but

they will not part with their beloved lust for Him!

The hypocrite does not desire grace for itself.

He desires grace--only as a bridge to lead him

over to heaven. He does not so much search

after grace--as glory. He does not so much

desire the way of righteousness--as the crown

of righteousness. His desire is not to be made

like Christ--but to reign with Christ. This is the

hypocrite's desire.

But a child of God desires grace for itself, and

Christ for Himself. To a believer, not only is

heaven precious--but Christ is precious, "Yes, He

is very precious to you who believe!" 1 Peter 2:7

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Cruel mercy

"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain

mercy." Matthew 5:7

When the sun shines--the ice melts. When the Sun of

righteousness once shines with beams of grace upon

the soul--then it melts in mercy and tenderness.

Mercifulness is a melting disposition whereby we lay

to heart the miseries of others, and are instrumental

for their good. We must chiefly be merciful to the

SOULS of others. Indeed soul-mercy is the chief of

mercies. The soul is the most precious thing; it is a

rich diamond set in a ring of clay. Had we seen that

madman in the gospel cutting himself with stones--

it would have moved our pity (Mark 5:5). To see a

sinner stabbing himself and having his hands imbrued

in his own blood, should cause us to sincerely pity him.

That is a cruel mercy--when we see men go on in

sin, and we let them alone. And that is a merciful

cruelty--when we are sharp against men's sins and

will not let them go to hell quietly.

Fond sentimentality is no better than cruelty.

The surgeon cuts and lances the flesh--but it is in

order to a cure. They are healing wounds. So when

we lance men's consciences and let out the blood of

sin, we exercise spiritual surgery. This is showing

mercy.

"Rescue others by snatching them from the fire!"

(Jude 23). If a man had fallen into the fire, though

you hurt him a little in pulling him out--he would be

thankful and take it as a kindness. Some men, when

we tell them of sin say, 'O, you are unloving!' No! it

is showing mercy. If a man's house were on fire, and

another should see it and not tell him of it, for fear of

waking him--would not this be cruelty? When we see

others sleeping in their sin, and the fire of God's wrath

ready to burn them up--and we are silent--is not this

cruelty?

They are unmerciful ministers who, instead of

breaking the bread of life--fill their people's heads

with airy speculations and notions! Some ministers

endeavor only to be admired. They go into the pulpit

only to amuse the people. Such ministers give poison

to their people in a golden cup! They are the devil's

ambassadors, who ride up and down, and with Satan

compass the earth--to deceive and devour souls!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The children which faith bears

"Those who have believed God might be careful

to devote themselves to good works." Titus 3:8

Grace does not lie as a sleepy habit in the soul,

but will put forth itself in vigorous and glorious

actings. Grace can no more be concealed, than

fire. Grace does not lie in the heart as a stone

in the earth--but as seed in the earth. It will

spring up into good works! "Our people must

also learn to devote themselves to good works."

Titus 3:14

The lamp of faith must be filled with the oil of

charity. Faith alone justifies--but justifying faith

is never alone. You may as well separate weight

from lead, or heat from fire--as works from faith.

Good works, though they are not the causes of

salvation--yet they are evidences of salvation.

Though they are not the foundation--yet they

are the superstructure. Faith must not be built

upon works--but works must be built upon faith.

"You are married to Christ--that we should bring

forth fruit unto God." Romans 7:4. Faith is the

grace which marries Christ, and good works

are the children which faith bears.

Works are distinct from faith--as the sap in the

vine is different from the clusters of fruit which

grow upon it.

Works are the touchstone of faith. "Show me

your faith by your works." James 2:18

Works honor faith. These fruits adorn the 'trees

of righteousness'. This queen--faith, has the

handmaids of good works waiting upon her.

Good works are more visible and conspicuous than faith.

Faith is a more hidden grace. It may lie hidden in the

heart and not be seen--but when works are joined with

it, now it shines forth in its native beauty! Though a

garden is ever so decked with flowers--yet they are not

seen until the light comes. So the heart of a Christian

may be enriched with faith--but it is like a flower in the

night. It is not seen until works come. When this light

shines before men, then faith appears in its orient colors!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Strewing flowers on a dead corpse!

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall

see God." Matthew 5:8

External morality is not heart-purity. A person

may be clothed with great moral virtues, such as

justice, charity, prudence, and temperance--and

yet go to hell.

We must not rest in mere outward morality. A swine

may be washed--yet be a swine still. Morality does

but wash a man--grace changes him. Morality may

shine in the eyes of the world--but it differs as much

from purity, as a pebble differs from a diamond!

Morality is but strewing flowers on a dead corpse!

A man who is but highly moral--is but a tame devil.

How many have made 'morality' their Savior!

Morality will damn--as well as vice! A boat may

be sunk with gold--as well as with dung.

The moral person, though he will not commit gross

sins--yet he is not sensible of heart sins. He is not

troubled for unbelief, hardness of heart, vanity of

thoughts. He abhors gross-sins, not gospel-sins.

The snake has a fine appearance--but has a deadly

sting! Just so, the moral man is fair to look on--but

has a secret antipathy against the holy ways of God.

Morality is not to be rested in. The heart must be pure.

God would have Aaron wash the inner parts of the

sacrifice (Leviticus 9:14). Morality does but wash the

outside; the inside must be washed. "Blessed are the

pure in heart, for they shall see God." Matthew 5:8

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

How befilthying a thing it is

"Unto Him who loved us, and washed us from

our sins in His own blood!" Revelation 1:5

We are all loathsome to God, before we are

washed pure in the blood of Christ!

By nature, we are all in a filthy and cursed condition.

We are a lump of clay and sin mingled together. Sin

not only blinds us--but defiles us. It is called filthiness

(James 1:21). And to show how befilthying a thing

it is, it is compared . . .

to a plague of the heart (1 Kings 8:38),

to corruption (Deuteronomy 32:5),

to vomit (2 Peter 2:22),

to a menstrual cloth (Isaiah 30:22).

If all the evils in the world were put together and their

quintessence strained out--they could not make a thing

so black and polluted as sin is! A sinner is a devil in

a man's shape! When Moses' rod was turned into a

serpent--he fled from it. If God would open men's eyes

and show them their deformities and damnable spots

--they would fly from themselves, as from serpents!

When grace comes--it washes off this hellish filth!

It turns ravens into swans. It makes those who are

as black as hell--to become as white as snow!

"Christ gave Himself for us to redeem us from all

wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that

are His very own." Christ shed His blood--to wash

off our filth. The cross was both an altar and a laver.

Jesus died not only to save us from wrath (1 Thes.

1:10)--but to save us from sin! (Matthew 1:21).

Out of his side came water which signifies our

cleansing--as well as blood which signifies our

justifying (1 John 5:6).

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Caterers for their lusts!

"If I regard iniquity in my heart" Psalm 66:18

What is it to regard iniquity in the heart?

When we INDULGE in sin. When sin not only lives

in us--but when we live in sin. Some will leave all

their sins, but one. Jacob would let all his sons go,

but Benjamin. The fowler holds the bird fast enough

by one claw. Just so, Satan can hold a man by one sin.

Others HIDE their sins. Many deal with their sins

as Moses' mother dealt with her son. She hid him

in the basket, as if she had left him--but her eye

was still upon him--and in the end, she became his

nurse (Exodus 2:9). Just so, many seem to leave

their sins--but they only hide them from the eye

of others. Their heart still goes after them, and at

last they nurse and give breast to their sins.

To regard iniquity is to DELIGHT in iniquity. Though

a child of God sins--yet he does not take a delight in

sin. "I do the very thing I hate" (Romans 7:15). But

the wicked make a recreation of sin. They "delight in

wickedness" (2 Thessalonians 2:12). Never did one

feed with more delight on a meal he loves--than a

wicked man does upon the forbidden fruit!

To regard iniquity is to make PROVISION for sin. "Make

no provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof."

(Rom. 13:14). The wicked are caterers for their lusts.

This is to make provision for the flesh--when one studies

to satisfy the flesh and provide fuel for lust. Thus Amnon

made provision for the flesh (2 Samuel 13:5). He pretends

to be sick, and his sister Tamar, must be his nurse. She

must serve his food to him--by which means he defiled

her virginity. It is sad when men's concern is not to be

holy--but to satisfy lust!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

If death gives them a jog

"And as it is appointed unto men once to die, and

after that to face judgment." Hebrews 9:27

The wicked tread upon the banks of the bottomless

pit. If death gives them a jog--they tumble in!

"Prepare to meet your God!" Amos 4:12

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Run to this heavenly Father!

"The Father of mercies and the God of all comfort."

2 Corinthians 1:3

Christians should look upon God under this notion--the

Father of all mercy, sitting upon a throne of grace. We

should run to this heavenly Father in all conditions!

We should run to our Father with our sins, as that sick

child who, as soon as he found himself ill--he ran to his

father to help him, "My head! My head!" 2 Kings 4:19

So in case of sin--run to God and say: "My heart! My

heart! O this dead heart--Father, quicken it! This hard

heart--Father, soften it! Father, my heart, my heart!"

We should run to our Father with our temptations.

A child, when another strikes him, runs to his father.

So when the devil strikes us with his temptations, let

us run to our Father: "Father, Satan assaults and hurls

in his fiery darts at me! Father, it is Your child who is

assaulted by this red dragon! Father, take off the

tempter!"

"Cast all your care upon Him, because He cares about

you!" 1 Peter 5:7. What a sweet privilege is this! When

any burden lies upon our hearts--we may go to our

Father and unload all our cares and griefs into His

loving bosom! "Cast your burden on the Lord, and He

will support you; He will never allow the righteous to

be shaken!" Psalm 55:22

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Sin first enslaves--and then damns!

"I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a

slave to sin." John 8:34

"You are of your father the Devil, and you want

to carry out your father's desires!" John 8:44

It is the sad misery of an unregenerate person,

that he is in a state of vassalage. He is under the

tyranny of sin. "It is the greatest slavery in the

world for a man to be a slave to his own passions!"

A wicked man is as much a slave--as he who works in

the galley! Look into his heart--and there are legions

of lusts ruling him! He must do what sin will have him

to do. A slave is at the service of a usurping tyrant. If

he bids him dig in the mine, or hew in the quarries, or

tug at the oar--he must do it. Thus every wicked man

must do what corrupt nature, inspired by the devil, bids

him to do. If sin bids him to be drunk, or to be unchaste

--he is at the command of sin, as the donkey is at the

command of the driver.

Sin first enslaves--and then damns!

"But now that you have been set free from sin and have

become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to

holiness, and the result is eternal life." Romans 6:22

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"They wear themselves out with all their sinning!"

Jeremiah 9:5

Sin lays a heavy yoke upon men. The commands of

sin are burdensome. Let a man be under the power

and rage of any lust (whether it be covetousness or

ambition), how he tires and excruciates himself! What

hazards does he run, even to the endangering of his

health and soul, that he may satisfy his lust!

"Virtue is easier than vice." Temperance is easier than

drunkenness. Doing justice is less burdensome than

crime. There is more difficulty and perplexity in the

contrivement and pursuit of wicked ends--than in

obeying the sweet and gentle precepts of Christ.

Hence it is, that a wicked man is said to 'pregnant with

evil and conceives trouble' (Psalm 7:14), to show what

anxious pain and trouble he has in bringing about his

wickedness! Many have gone with more pain to

hell--than others have to heaven!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

God is still the same God

"Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have

called you by name; you are Mine. When you go

through deep waters and great trouble, I will be

with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty,

you will not drown! When you walk through the fire

of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames

will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." Isaiah 43:1-3

God is still the same God.

He has as much love in His heart to pity us,

and as much strength in His arm to help us!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He is precious

"To you who believe, He is precious." 1 Peter 2:7

See the preciousness in Christ.

His name is precious; it is as ointment poured forth.

His blood is precious; it is as balm poured forth.

His love is precious; it is as wine poured forth.

Jesus Christ is made up of all sweets and delights.

He Himself is all that is desirable. He is . . .

light to the eye,

honey to the taste,

joy to the heart.

"Yes, He is altogether lovely. This is my Beloved,

and this is my Friend!" Song of Songs 5:16

We truly love Christ, when we love Him for His

loveliness, namely--that infinite and superlative

beauty which shines in Him.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

When we were bitten by the old serpent

"Christ loved the church and gave Himself

up for her!" Ephesians 5:25

Love made our dear Lord suffer for us. The pelican

out of her love to her young ones, when they are

bitten by serpents, feeds them with her own blood

to recover them. Just so, when we were bitten by

the old serpent, Christ fed us with His own blood,

that He might recover us.

"May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so

great you will never fully understand it!" Ephes. 3:19

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Such a wonder-working grace

"In every situation take the shield of faith,

and with it you will be able to extinguish the

flaming arrows of the evil one!" Ephes. 6:16

"Everyone born of God overcomes the world.

This is the victory that has overcome the

world--even our faith." 1 John 5:4

Why is faith such a wonder-working grace?

Faith unites the soul to Christ, and that blessed

Head sends forth grace into the members. "I can

do all things through Christ, who give me strength!"

Philippians 4:13. Faith goes to Christ--and fetches

His strength into the soul.

Faith works a contempt of the world into the heart.

Faith gives a true map of the world, "When I surveyed

all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to

achieve--everything was meaningless, a chasing after

the wind; nothing was gained under the sun!" Ecc. 2:11

Faith shows the world in its night-dress, having all its

jewels pulled off. Faith makes the world appear in its

true state. Faith shows the soul better things than the

world. It gives a sight of Christ and eternal glory. It

gives a prospect of heaven. Faith climbs up above sense

and reason, into heaven and sees Christ--and the soul,

having once viewed His superlative excellencies, becomes

crucified to the world. Says the Christian, "Yes, everything

else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of

knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have discarded everything

else, counting it all as garbage, so that I may have Christ!"

Philippians 3:8

Faith gets strength from God's promises. Faith lives upon

the promises. Take the fish out of the water--and it dies.

Take faith out of a promise--and it cannot live. The promises

are breasts of consolation. The child by sucking the breast,

gets strength. Faith gets strength by sucking the breast of

a promise. When faith begins to be weak and is ready to

faint in the day of battle, then the promises muster their

forces together, and all come in for faith's relief--and now

it is able to hold out in the fiery trial.

Faith gives the soul a right notion of suffering. Faith draws

the true picture of sufferings. What is suffering? Faith says,

"it is but the suffering of the body--which must shortly by

the course of nature, drop into the dust." Thus faith gives

the soul a just measure of sufferings--which enables a

Christian to prostrate his life at the feet of Christ.

Faith picks sweetness out of suffering. The bee gathers

the sweetest honey from the bitterest herb. So faith

gathers the sweetest comforts, from the sharpest trials.

Faith looks upon suffering as God's love-token! "Afflictions

are sharp arrows--but they are shot from the hand of a

loving Father!" Faith can taste honey at the end of the

afflicting rod. Faith fetches joy out of suffering, "Your

sorrow will turn to joy!" John 16:20. Faith gets honey

from the belly of the lion. Faith finds a jewel under the

cross! "We know that all things work together for the

good of those who love God: those who are called

according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A lovely garment

"Be clothed with humility." 1 Peter 5:5

Humility is a lovely garment. Let a child of God

look at his face every morning in the looking-glass

of God's Word, and see his sinful spots. This will

make him walk humbly all the day after. God

cannot endure to see his children grow proud.

He allows them to fall into sin, as he did Peter,

that their plumes of pride may fall off, and that

they may walk humbly.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The scars and infirmities of God's children!

"I will spare them as a father spares an

obedient and dutiful child." Malachi 3:17

God will bear with many infirmities in His children.

A father bears much with a child he loves. We often

grieve the Spirit, and abuse His kindness. God will

pass by much disobedience in His children.

"He has not seen iniquity in Jacob." Numbers 23:21

God's love does not make Him blind. He sees sin in

His people--but not with an eye of revenge. He see

their sins with an eye of pity. He sees sin in His children

as a physician sees a disease in his patient. He has not

seen iniquity in Jacob, so as to destroy him. God may

use the rod (2 Samuel 7:14), not the scorpion. O how

much is God willing to pass by in His children--because

they are His children!

God takes notice of the good that is in His children--and

passes by the infirmity. God does quite contrary to us.

We often take notice of the evil that is in others and

overlook the good. Our eye is upon the flaws of others.

But God takes notice of the good that is in His children.

God sees their faith--and winks at their failings! "Sarah

obeyed Abraham, calling him Lord." The Holy Spirit does

not mention her unbelief and laughing at the promise--

but takes notice of the good in her. God puts his finger

upon the scars and infirmities of His children!

How much did God wink at, in Israel His firstborn!

Israel often provoked Him with their murmurings--

but God answered their murmurings with mercies.

He spared them--as a father spares his son.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The sacred ointment

They godly often spot themselves with sin.

Though sin is in itself deadly--but being tempered with

repentance and mixed with the sacred ointment of

Christ's blood--the venomous damning nature of it is

taken away!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

They are not eagles--but earthworms!

Those who are God's children, are of a more noble

and celestial spirit than men of the world. They "set

their minds on things above, not on earthly things"

(Colossians 3:2). 'Whoever is born of God, overcomes

the world' (1 John 5:4). The children of God live in a

higher region. They are compared to eagles (Isaiah

40:31), in regard of their sublimeness and heavenly

mindedness. Their souls are fled aloft. Christ is in their

heart (Colossians 1:27) and the world is under their

feet (Revelation 12:1).

Men of the world are ever tumbling in thick clay.

They are 'sons of earth'. They are not eagles--

but earthworms! The saints are of another spirit.

They are born of God and walk with God as the

child walks with the father. "Noah walked with God"

(Genesis 6:9). God's children show their high pedigree

in their heavenly life (Philippians 3:20).

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Our father, which art in hell

"You have taken off your old self with its practices

and have put on the new self, which is being renewed

in knowledge in the image of its Creator." Col. 3:9-10

The child resembles the father. God's children are like

their heavenly Father. They bear His very image and

impress.

Wicked men say they are the children of God--but there

is too great an unlikeness. The Jews bragged that they

were Abraham's children--but Christ disproves them by

this argument, because they were not like Him. "You are

determined to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth

that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things!"

(John 8:40). "You--Abraham's children, and go about to

kill Me! You are more like Satan, than Abraham!" "You

are of your father the devil!" (verse 44). Such as are

proud, earthly, and malicious may truly say, "Our father

which art in hell." It is blasphemy to call God our Father,

and make the devil our pattern! God's children resemble

Him in meekness and holiness. They are His walking

pictures. As the seal stamps its print and likeness upon

the wax--so does God stamp the print and image of

His own beauty upon His children.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

God is either ignorant, or impotent

All mankind are divided into two ranks--either they

are the children of God, or the children of the devil.

The first sign of heavenly sonship, is tenderness of heart.

"Because your heart was tender" (2 Chronicles 34:27). A

childlike heart is a tender heart. He who before had a flinty

heart--has now a fleshy heart. A tender heart is like melting

wax to God. He may set whatever seal He will upon it. This

tenderness of heart shows itself three ways.

[1] A tender heart grieves for sin. A child weeps for

offending his father. Peter showed a tender heart when

Christ looked upon him and he remembered his sin, and

wept like a child. It is reported that Peter never heard a

rooster crow, but he wept. The least hair makes the eye

weep. The least sin makes the heart smite.

[2] A tender heart melts under mercy. The heart is

never so kindly dissolved, as under the sunbeams of God's

mercy. See how David's heart was melted with God's

kindness: "Who am I, O Sovereign Lord, and what is my

family, that You have brought me this far?" (2 Samuel

7:18). There was a gracious thaw upon his heart. So says

a child of God, "Lord, who am I--a piece of dust and sin

kneaded together--that the orient beams of free grace

should shine upon me? Who am I, that You should pity

me when I lay in my blood--and spread the golden wings

of mercy over me!" The soul is overcome with God's

goodness--the tears drop, and the love flames. God's

mercy has a melting influence upon the soul.

[3] A tender heart trembles under God's threatenings.

"My flesh trembles in fear of You!" (Psalm 119:120). If the

father is angry--the child trembles. When ministers denounce

the threats of God against sin--tender souls sit in a trembling

posture. This trembling frame of heart, God delights in. "To

this man will I look, even to him who trembles at Your word!"

(Isaiah 66:2). A wicked man, like the Leviathan, 'is made

without fear' (Job 41:33). He neither believes God's promises

--nor dreads God's threatenings. Let judgment be denounced

against sin--he laughs. He thinks that God is either ignorant

and does not see--or impotent and cannot punish. "The

mountains quake before Him and the hills melt away. The

earth trembles at His presence!" (Nahum 1:5). But the hearts

of the ungodly are more obdurate than the rocks! A hardened

sinner like Nebuchadnezzar has "the heart of a beast given to

him" (Daniel 4:16). A childlike heart is a tender heart. The

heart of stone is taken away.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

More odious to God than a serpent!

"You are of purer eyes than to behold evil."

Habakkuk 1:13

God is holy. Purity is the chief robe with which God

adorns Himself. Will this holy God endure to have

an impure heart come near Him? Will a man lay a

viper in his bosom! God's image consists in holiness.

To those who do not have this image and superscription

upon them, He will say "I never knew you!" God delights

in no heart, but where He may see His own likeness. Love

is founded upon likeness. God loves the pure in heart.

The holy God and the unrepentant sinner--cannot

dwell together. None can dwell together but friends

--but there is no friendship between God and the

sinner, both of them being of a contrary judgment

and disposition. An impure heart is more odious

to God than a serpent! God gave the serpent its

venom--but Satan fills the heart with sin. 'Satan

has filled your heart!' Acts 5:3. The Lord abhors

a sinner! He will not come near him--having his

plague-sores running. 'My soul loathed them!'

Zechariah 11:8

Heaven is a pure place. It is an "undefiled inheritance"

1 Peter 1:4. No unclean beasts shall come into

the heavenly ark! "Nothing evil will be allowed to

enter!" Revelation 21:27

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."

Matthew 5:8. Purity of heart is the jewel which is hung

only upon the elect! Chastity distinguishes a virtuous

woman from a harlot. Just so, the true Christian is

distinguished from the hypocrite--by his heart-purity.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A dead wife cannot please her husband

"Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure.

But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and

unbelieving, because their minds and consciences

are defiled." Titus 1:15

Until the heart is pure--all our holy things (that is--our

religious duties) are polluted. They are but splendid sins!

Under the law, whatever a leper touched was unclean.

If he had touched the altar or sacrifice, the altar would

not cleanse him--but he would defile the altar.

A filthy hand defiles the purest water. Just so, an

impure heart defiles all religious duties--he drops

poison upon them all.

A pure stream running through muddy ground, is polluted.

Just so, the holiest duties, running through an impure heart,

are polluted. A sinner's works are called "dead works" (Heb.

6:1). And those works which are dead, cannot please God.

A dead wife cannot please her husband.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

There goes an idolater!

"Covetousness which is idolatry." Colossians 3:5

Covetousness is the root of idolatry. The covetous

person bows down to the image of gold. His money

is his god--for he puts his trust in it.

Money is his creator. When he has abundance

of wealth, then he thinks he is 'made'.

Money is his redeemer. If he is in any trouble,

he flies to his money and that must redeem him.

Money is his comforter. When he is sad he counts

over his money, and with this golden harp he drives

away the evil spirit.

When you see a covetous man, you may say,

"There goes an idolater!"

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

An evil heart of unbelief

"An evil heart of unbelief." Hebrews 3:12

An unbelieving heart is evil in the highest degree.

It is full of the poison of hell. Unbelief is the foul

medley of all sins--the root and receptacle of sin.

Unbelief is a God-affronting sin. It calls in question

God's power, mercy and truth. "The one who does

not believe God, is actually calling God a liar!" Can

a greater affront be cast upon the God of glory!

Unbelief hardens the heart. These two sins are linked

together--"He upbraided them with their unbelief and

hardness of heart" (Mark 16:14). Unbelief breeds the

stone of the heart. He who does not believe God's

threatenings--will never fear Him. He who does not

believe God's promises--will never love Him. What is

said of the Leviathan, is true of the unbeliever. "Its

heart is as hard as rock, as hard as a millstone!"

(Job 41:24). Unbelief first pollutes the heart--and

then hardens it!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Let that room be washed with holy tears!

Holiness is the angels' glory. They are pure virgin-spirits.

Take away purity from an angel--and he is but a devil!

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall

see God." Matthew 5:8

The heart must especially be kept pure, because the

heart is the chief seat or place of God's residence. God

dwells in the heart. He takes up the heart for His own

lodging, therefore it must be pure and holy.

A king's palace must be kept from defilement, and

especially his throne. How holy ought that to be! If

the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, the heart

is the holy of holies! Oh take heed of defiling the

room where God chiefly dwells! Let that room be

washed with holy tears!

The heart must especially be pure, because it is

the heart which sanctifies all that we do. If the

heart is holy, all is holy--our affections holy, our

duties holy.

Purity of heart is that which beautifies a soul in God's

eye. You are but a spiritual leper--until you are pure

in heart. God is in love with the pure heart, for He sees

His own picture drawn there. The pure in heart, have

the embroidery and workmanship of the Holy Spirit

upon them.

The pure heart is God's paradise where He delights

to walk. It is God's lesser heaven. The dove delights

in the purest air. The Holy Spirit who descended in

the likeness of a dove, delights in the purest soul.

God says of the pure in heart, as of Zion, "This is

My rest forever, here will I dwell" (Psalm 132:14).

God loves the loveliest complexion. The pure in heart

is Christ's bride, decked and bespangled with the

jewels of holiness. "You have ravished My heart with

one of your eyes!" (Song 4:9). Your eyes, that is,

your graces; these as a chain of diamonds, have

drawn My heart to you.

Of all hearts, God loves the pure heart best. You

who dress yourself by the looking-glass of the Word

and adorn 'the hidden person of your heart', are most

precious in God's eyes, though you may be as bleary

eyed as Leah, or as lame as Barzillai. Yet being 'pure

in heart', you are the mirror of beauty and may say

"Yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord!"

(Is. 49:5). How may this raise the esteem of purity!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Before conversion

Before conversion, the sinner is compared . . .

to a stone for his hardness of heart (Zech. 7:12),

to a wolf for his savageness (Matthew 7:15)

to a lion for his fierceness (Isaiah 11:6),

to a bee for his sting (Psalm 118:12),

to an adder for his poison (Psalm 140:3).

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Fading, not filling

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for

righteousness, for they will be filled." Mt. 5:6

Here is the excellency of righteousness above all

other things. A man may hunger after the world

and not be filled. The world is fading, not filling.

Cast three worlds into the heart--yet the heart is

not full. But righteousness is a filling thing; nay,

it so fills that it satisfies!

A man may be filled and not satisfied. A sinner

may take his fill of sin--but that is a sad filling.

It is far from satisfaction. He shall have his belly

full of sin; he shall have enough of it--but this is

not a filling to satisfaction. This is such a filling

that the damned in hell have! They shall be

full of the fury of the Lord!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Oh, take heed of this sweet poison!

The love of sin makes sin taste sweet, and this

sweetness in sin bewitches the heart.

It is worse to love sin than to commit it. A man

may be overtaken with sin (Galatians 6:1). He

who has stumbled upon sin unawares will weep

--but the love of sin hardens the heart and keeps

the devil in possession. In true mourning there

must be a grieving for sin. But how can a man

grieve for that sin which his heart is in love with?

Oh, take heed of this sweet poison! The love

of sin freezes the soul in impenitence.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Suck damnation out of the

sweet flower of God's mercy!

"I will have peace even though I follow my

own stubborn heart." Deuteronomy 29:19

How many, spider-like, suck damnation out of

the sweet flower of God's mercy! "Oh," says

one, "Christ died for me!" Many a bold sinner plucks

death from the tree of life, and through presumption,

goes to hell by that ladder of Christ's blood--by which

others go to heaven! It is sad when the goodness of

God, which should 'lead to repentance' (Romans 2:4),

leads to presumption.

O sinner, do not hope yourself into hell. Take heed

of being damned upon a presumption! You say

"God is merciful"--and therefore you go on securely

in sin. But who is mercy for--the unrepentant sinner

or the mourning sinner? 'Let the wicked forsake his

way, and return to the Lord, and He will have mercy

upon him' (Isaiah 55:7). No mercy without forsaking sin!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

288 opinions about the way to happiness

In what does happiness consist?

Millions of people mistake both the nature of happiness, and the way there. Some of the learned have noted 288 opinions about the way to happiness--and all have shot wide of the mark!

How do men thirst after the world--as if the pearl of happiness hung upon an earthly crown! "Oh," says one, "if I had but such an estate--then I would be happy! Had I but such a comfort--then I would sit down satisfied!" Well, God gives him that comfort and lets him suck the very juice out of it--but, alas, it falls short of his expectation. It cannot fill the emptiness and longing of his soul!

Happiness does not lie in the acquisition of worldly things. Happiness cannot by any chemistry--be extracted from the world. Christ does not say, 'Happy are the rich,' or 'Happy are the noble.' Yet too many idolize these things. How ready is man to terminate his happiness in external worldly things! If they have but worldly accommodations, they are ready to say with that brutish fool in the gospel, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years, take your ease--eat, drink and be merry!"

But alas! The tree of happiness does not grow in an earthly paradise. Has not God 'cursed the ground' because of sin? Yet many are digging for happiness here--as if they would fetch a blessing out of a curse! A man may as well think to extract oil out of a stone, or fire out of water--as happiness out of earthly things!

King Solomon had more worldly things than any man. His crown was hung full of jewels. He had treasuries of gold. He had the flower and quintessence of all delights--sumptuous fare, stately edifices, vineyards, lands, all sorts of music to enchant and ravish the senses with joy. If there were any rarity--it was present in king Solomon's court. Thus did he bathe in the perfumed waters of pleasure.

Never did the world cast a more smiling aspect upon any man! Yet when he comes to give his impartial verdict, he tells us that the world has 'vanity' written upon its frontispiece; and all those golden delights he enjoyed, were but a painted felicity--a glorious misery! "Behold! All was vanity!" Happiness is too noble and delicate a plant, to grow in this world's soil. Worldly joys are but sugared lies--pleasant deceits--which have not one grain of true happiness! Nothing on earth can satisfy the soul's desires!

"The world passes away!" (1 John 2:17). Worldly delights are winged. They may be compared to a flock of birds in the garden--which stay a little while--but when you come near to them--they take their flight and are gone! Just so, "riches make themselves wings; they fly away like an eagle toward heaven!" They are like a meteor which blazes--but soon burns out. They are like a castle made of snow--lying under the fiery beams of the sun. Worldly comforts are like tennis balls--which are bandied up and down from one to another. They are like a bouquet of flowers--which withers while you are smelling it. They are like ice--which melts away while it is in your hand.

Those things which do more vex than comfort--cannot make a man truly happy. As riches are compared to wind--to show their vanity; so they are compared to thorns--to show their vexation. Thorns are not more apt to tear our garments--than riches to tear our hearts! They are thorns in the gathering--and they prick with anxious care. They pierce the head with care of getting, so they wound the heart with fear of losing. Happiness is not to be fetched out of the earth! Worldly comforts cannot make you happy. You might live rich--and die cursed! You might treasure up an estate--and God might treasure up wrath!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Most fish

Most fish go to the Devil's net! "Enter through

the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad

is the road that leads to destruction, and many

enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow

the road that leads to life, and only a few find it!"

Matthew 7:13-14

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A godly man hates

A righteous person breathes after holiness (Psalm 119:5).

Though sin cleaves to his heart--yet his heart does not

cleave to sin. "I do the very thing I hate!" (Romans 7:15).

A godly man hates the sin to which Satan most tempts,

and his heart most inclines (Psalm 119:128).

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The depth of mercy, and the height of love!

"Behold! How great is the love the Father has lavished

on us--that we should be called children of God!"

1 John 3:1

God showed power in making us His creatures--but love

in making us His sons. Plato gave God thanks that He had

made him a man and not a beast--but what cause have

they to adore God's love--who has made them His children!

That we may the better behold God's love in making us

His children, consider three things.

1. We were deformed--so did not DESERVE to be made

God's children. God did not adopt us when we were clothed

with the robe of innocence in paradise, when we were hung

with the jewels of holiness; but when we were in our blood

and had our leprous spots upon us! The time of our loathing

--was the time of God's loving!

2. As we did not deserve to be made God's children, so

neither did we DESIRE it. No rich man will force another to

become his heir against his will. If a king should go to adopt

a beggar and make him heir of the crown, if the beggar should

refuse the king's favor and say, 'I had rather be a beggar still

--I do not want your riches'; the king would take it in high

contempt of his favor, and would not adopt him against his

will. Thus it was with us. We had no willingness to be made

God's children. We desired to be beggars still--but God out

of his infinite mercy and indulgence, not only offers to make

us children--but makes us willing to embrace the offer

(Psalm 110:3). What stupendous love was this!

3. It is the wonder of love that God should adopt us for

His children, when we were ENEMIES. No man would

adopt an enemy to be his heir. But that God should make

us Hs children--when we were His enemies; that He should

make us heirs to the crown--when we were traitors to the

crown--oh amazing, astonishing love!

We had done God all the injury and spite we could, defaced

His image, violated His law, trampled upon His mercies--but

when we had angered Him, He adopted us! What stupendous

love was this! Such love was never shown to the angels! When

they fell, God did not make them children--but prisoners. They

were heirs only to 'the treasures of wrath'! (Romans 2:5).

Let us admire His wondrous love. When we were breathing

forth enmity against God--He conquered our stubbornness

with kindness, and not only pardoned--but adopted us! It is

hard to say which is greater--the mystery, or the mercy.

This is such amazing love as we shall be searching into and

adoring to all eternity! The bottom of it cannot be fathomed

by any angel in heaven. God's love in making us His children

is a rich love. It is love in God to feed us--but it is rich love

to adopt us! It is love to give us a crumb--but it is rich love

to make us heirs to a crown!

It is a distinguishing love, that when God has passed by so

many millions, He should cast a favorable aspect upon you!

Most are made vessels of wrath, and fuel for hell. And that

God should say to you, 'You are My son!'--here is the depth

of mercy, and the height of love! Who, O who, can tread

upon these hot coals, and his heart not burn in love to God!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Pharisaic purity

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall

see God." Matthew 5:8

If the heart is not pure, we differ nothing from a

Pharisaic purity. The Pharisees' holiness consisted

chiefly in externals. Theirs was an 'outside purity'.

They never minded the inside of the heart. 'Woe

unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You

are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and

the dish, but inside you are filthy--full of greed

and self-indulgence! Hypocrites! You are like

whitewashed tombs--beautiful on the outside

but filled on the inside with dead people's bones

and all sorts of impurity!' (Matthew 23:25, 27).

The Pharisees were good only on the surface. They

were like a rotten post, overlaid with fine paint.

"For I tell you that unless your righteousness

surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers

of the law, you will certainly not enter the

kingdom of heaven!" Matthew 5:20

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

For every crumb of His patience

"When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried

out, the hearts of the people are filled with schemes

to do wrong." (Ecclesiastes 8:11).

God forbears punishing--therefore men forbear repenting.

He does not smite upon their back by correction--therefore

they do not smite upon their thigh by humiliation (Jer. 31:19).

The sinner thinks thus: "God has spared me all this while;

surely He will not punish me." "He says to himself--God has

forgotten; He covers His face and never sees!" (Psalm 10:11).

In infinite patience God sometimes adjourns His judgments a

while longer. He is not willing to punish (2 Peter 3:9). God is

like the bee, which naturally gives honey--but stings only

when it is provoked. But alas, how is His patience abused!

God's patience hardens most. Because God stops the vial

of His wrath--sinners stop the conduit of tears!

To be hardened under God's patience, makes our condition far

worse. Incensed justice will revenge abused patience! God was

patient towards Sodom--but when they did not repent, He made

the fire and brimstone flame about their ears! Sodom, which was

once the wonder of God's patience--is now a standing monument

of God's severity. Long forbearance is no forgiveness. God may

keep off the stroke awhile--but His justice is not dead--but only

sleeps. God has leaden feet but iron hands. The longer God is

taking His blow--the sorer it will be when it comes. The longer

a stone is falling--the heavier it will be at last. The longer God

is whetting his sword--the sharper it cuts!

How dreadful will their condition be--who sin because God is

patient with them. For every crumb of His patience--God

puts a drop of wrath into His vial. The longer God forbears

with a sinner--the more interest he is sure to pay in hell.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A watery eye and a whorish heart

"Blessed are those who mourn." Matthew 5:4

Gospel-mourning is joined with self-loathing. The

sinner admires himself--the penitent loathes himself.

"You shall loath yourselves in your own sight for all

your evils." Ezekiel 20:43 A true penitent is troubled

not only for the shameful consequence of sin--but for

the loathsome nature of sin; not only the sting of sin

--but the deformed face of sin. The true mourner

cries out, "O these impure eyes! O this heart which is

a conclave of wickedness!" He not only leaves sin--

but loathes sin.

Gospel-mourning must be purifying. Our tears

must make us more holy. We must so weep