ON THE NEW CREATURE
24. ON THE NEW CREATURE
The heart cannot be too deeply impressed with the absolute necessity of regenerating grace, nor seek to earnestly for the promised blessing. If the value of one immortal soul exceeds in amount all the wealth of the globe, yes, ... read more
ON THE PARABLE OF THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS
51. ON THE PARABLE OF THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS
The parables of our Savior are full of wisdom and beauty. They are intended to convey some great truth, to which the various appendages are in general to be considered rather as natural accompaniments tha ... read more
ON THE PROHIBITION IN PARADISE
4. ON THE PROHIBITION IN PARADISE
Much of the beauty of Scripture is lost to us for lack of spiritual discernment. The ways of God appear dark, in proportion to the thick film which rests upon our understanding.
It is awful to reflect, how weak, poll ... read more
ON THE SPECIAL GIFTS OF GOD.
ON THE SPECIAL GIFTS OF GOD.
THE IMPORTANCE OF HUMILITY IN CONTEMPLATING
THE PURPOSES OF JEHOVAH.
THE STABILITY OF THE NEW COVENANT.
How precious are the gifts of God; no human mind can estimate their worth; their value exceeds an angel's ... read more
ON THE SPIRIT OF PRAYER
43. ON THE SPIRIT OF PRAYER
There cannot be a greater blessing imparted to us, than a spirit of prayer. It is the pledge of all other blessings. When it pleases God to bestow a spirit of prayer, every other spiritual blessing is, as it were, waiting t ... read more
ON THE SPIRITUAL CONFLICT (continued)
We have seen the sentiments of the Saxon Reformer respecting that corner-stone of the Reformation, the doctrine of justification by faith; how zealous he was for the absolute freeness of Divine grace, and yet how zealous for the interests of holiness. We ... read more
ON THE THORNS IN THE PARABLE
50. ON THE THORNS IN THE PARABLE
In the instructive parable of the sower, our divine Redeemer, who spoke as never man spoke, has discovered to us the nature of those thorns which choke and render unfruitful the good seed of the word of God. "The thor ... read more
ON THE THREE ENEMIES
52. On the Three Enemies
Why are so many souls deceived and plunged into destruction? Because they will not think. Lack of thought is one of the fruitful sources of human misery. "My people do not consider." A thoughtless mind is one of the characte ... read more
ON THE TOTAL DEPRAVITY OF THE HEART
6. ON THE TOTAL DEPRAVITY OF THE HEART
The corruption of the human race after the fall, was radical and universal. "God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil contin ... read more
ON THE TWO COVENANTS
12. ON THE TWO COVENANTS
The covenant of WORKS, in the order of time, was proclaimed to Adam before the covenant of GRACE. But, the covenant of grace, called in Scripture the everlasting covenant, was entered into by the divine people in the Godhead, ... read more
ON THE TWO GREAT INSTRUMENTS IN THE CONVERSION OF SINNERS
27. ON THE TWO GREAT INSTRUMENTS IN THE CONVERSION OF SINNERS
The written word of God is one of the sacred instruments in the hands of the eternal Spirit for the regeneration of sinners. "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul."
The p ... read more
ON THE TWO WAYS
30. ON THE TWO WAYS
"Unto this people you shall say, thus says the Lord: behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death." (Jer. xxi, 8.) These important words were spoken to the Jews, when the king of Babylon was drawing near to besie ... read more
ON TRIALS
54. On Trials
When I look into the world, and see all around me in pursuit of happiness; that certain something unpossessed, yet still desired; which eludes the grasp of thousands, who think they have just to make one effort more to seize the flatteri ... read more
ON TRUE HAPPINESS
71. ON TRUE HAPPINESS
There is one important truth which cannot be too deeply engraven on the heartthat TO BE HOLY IS TO BE HAPPY. This truth, being once admitted, accounts for the misery of thousands who are in search of happiness. They mistake its ... read more
ON TRUE RELIGION
72. ON TRUE RELIGION
True religion neither courts the observation, nor seeks the applause of men. It grows and thrives most in retirement. Its effects, indeed, are widely felt, and its blessings extensively diffused; but its salutary streams are fed b ... read more
ON TRUE RELIGION
72. ON TRUE RELIGION
True religion neither courts the observation, nor seeks the applause of men. It grows and thrives most in retirement. Its effects, indeed, are widely felt, and its blessings extensively diffused; but its salutary streams are fed b ... read more
ON UNBELIEF
5. ON UNBELIEF
Unbelief is a sin of much greater extent than is generally imagined. Some people confine the sin of unbelief to Jews, Muhammadans, and Pagans; to atheists, deists, and skeptics. They deem it a breach of charity to charge this moral evil ... read more
ON UNION TO CHRIST
35. ON UNION TO CHRIST
How beautiful is our Savior's parable of the vine! It illustrates in the most convincing manner this great truth, that "he who has the Son, has life; and he who has not the Son of God, has not life." We have in this parable a ... read more
ON WATCHFULNESS
48. ON WATCHFULNESS
This life is a state of probation. Hence trials are necessary in order to prove us, as gold is tried in the fire. God cannot be tempted with evil, neither does he tempt any man; but we are tempted when we are drawn aside of our own ... read more
PAUL'S DESCRIPTION OF CHRISTIAN CHARITY.
PAUL'S DESCRIPTION OF CHRISTIAN CHARITY.
ON SELF-EXAMINATION.
The doctrine of the Cross shines with peculiar luster in the writings of Paul. Its sublimity far surpasses the conception of the strongest intellect; while, through its simplicity, the mos ... read more
PAUL'S DISINTERESTEDNESS (unselfishness).
PAUL'S DISINTERESTEDNESS (unselfishness).
HIS PARENTAL SOLICITUDE FOR HIS SPIRITUAL CHILDREN.
HIS SELF-RENUNCIATION.
HIS CHRISTIAN FORBEARANCE WITH WEAK BRETHREN.
Disinterestedness formed a beautiful feature in the character of Paul. It is the a ... read more
PAUL'S DOCTRINE ON JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH.
The doctrine of justification by faith, through the righteousness of Jesus Christ, is the grand characteristic of the Gospel, which distinguishes it from all 'human' schemes of salvation. It is the revelation and work of God himself. Its design is to h ... read more
PAUL'S EXPERIENCE IN THE CONFLICT BETWEEN THE FLESH AND THE SPIRIT.
PAUL'S EXPERIENCE IN THE CONFLICT BETWEEN THE FLESH AND THE SPIRIT.
Through the remaining darkness of our minds, how many conflicting opinions divide the Christian world. Each disputant claims truth to be on his side, and is ready to anathematize all ... read more
PAUL'S FAITHFULNESS IN REPROVING.
PAUL'S FAITHFULNESS IN REPROVING.
HIS OBEDIENCE TO CIVIL GOVERNMENT.
Among the many duties which compass the walk of the believer, few are more difficult to perform, than that of Christian reproof. We might naturally expect, that the great Apostle w ... read more
PAUL'S HUMILIATING CONFESSION
PAUL'S HUMILIATING CONFESSION.
THE OPPOSITION HE MET WITH FROM THE JEWS.
HIS RECEPTION AT JERUSALEM BY THE APOSTLES.
THE NATURAL ENERGY OF HIS CHARACTER.
PRIDE is the great opposer of regenerating grace, and would, if unsubdued, forever close th ... read more
PAUL'S PROPHETIC VIEW OF THE SECOND ADVENT OF CHRIST.
PAUL'S PROPHETIC VIEW OF THE SECOND ADVENT OF CHRIST.
HIS CAUTIONS AGAINST UNBELIEF AND SPIRITUAL PRIDE.
While drawing the features of our fallen race, the inspired apostle dipped his pencil in the darkest colors- but, when consoling the suffering C ... read more
PAUL'S SOURCES OF CONSOLATION
PAUL'S SOURCES OF CONSOLATION
THE COVENANT TITLES OF JEHOVAH,
THE IMMUTABILITY OF THE DIVINE COUNSEL,
THE SUFFICIENCY OF THE SAVIOR'S GRACE,
THE EFFICACY OF HIS POWER,
THE ASSURANCE OF FUTURE GLORY.
Nothing can be more interesting to a Chris ... read more
Prophetic Views of the Messiah's Kingdom
62. PROPHETIC VIEWS OF THE GLORY OF THE MESSIAH'S KINGDOM
"Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end." Isaiah 9:7
As the astronomer, through his powerful telescope, discovers worlds unseen by the unassisted eye, so the bel ... read more
Reflections on the New Year
68. REFLECTIONS ON THE COMMENCEMENT OF A NEW YEAR
Samuel then took a large stone and placed it between the towns of Mizpah and Jeshanah. He named it Ebenezer"the stone of help"for he said, "Up to this point the Lord has helped us!" 1 Samuel 7:12
... read more
Salvation by Grace
8. SALVATION BY GRACE
"By grace are you saved. " Ephes. 2:13
Awful would have been the condition of fallen man, had he been left to work out his deliverance by the Covenant of works. The command- 'Do this, and live,' as well as the threatening- ... read more
Seeking after God
35. SEEKING AFTER GOD
"O God, you are my God; early will I seek you." Psalm. 63:1
The real value of a thing is not to be estimated by the eagerness with which it is sought. If this were to be our rule of judging, we would be sadly deceived.
To ... read more
THE ALMOST CHRISTIAN
22. THE ALMOST CHRISTIAN
In this day of outward profession, it is most needful frequently to reflect how far a person may go in the way of religion, and yet prove nothing at the last but an 'almost Christian'. This will prove to us the importance of ... read more
The Beauty of Holiness
2. THE BEAUTY OF HOLINESS
"Who else among the gods is like you, O Lord? Who is glorious in holiness like youso awesome in splendor, performing such wonders?" Exodus 15:11
"Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor. Let all the earth tremble befo ... read more
The Believer's Path to Glory
37. THE BELIEVER'S PATH TO GLORY
"We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God." Acts 14:22
When I consider how short-sighted we are, and that all which lies before us is "a dark unknown," it is our happiness, as well as our s ... read more
The Believer's Portion
38. THE BELIEVER'S PORTION
"He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" Romans 8:32
Who can grasp the fullness of this revelation of mercy? The Possessor of a ... read more
The Believer's Review of His Christian State
69. THE BELIEVER'S REVIEW OF HIS CHRISTIAN STATE
"Remember how the Lord your God led you through the wilderness for forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would really obey his commands. ... read more
The Blessedness of a Childlike Spirit
20. THE BLESSEDNESS OF A CHILDLIKE SPIRIT, AND A GRATEFUL HEART
"Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father." Gal. 4:6
No language can adequately express the condescension and forbearance ... read more
The Blessedness of the Righteous
36. THE BLESSEDNESS OF THE RIGHTEOUS
"Salvation belongs unto the Lord; your blessing is upon your people." Psalm 3:8
Moses, who saw with inspired vision the blessedness of the righteous, might well exclaim while blessing the children of Israel; " ... read more
The Blessing of Peace
22. THE BLESSING OF PEACE
"Then said Jesus to them again; Peace be unto you." John 22:21
"Fools make a mock at sin." Possessed, it may be, of wealth and power, they glory in their shame, despise the godly, and dare even the vengeance of God. The ... read more
The Burden of Sin Deplored
31. THE BURDEN OF SIN DEPLORED
"For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened." 2 Cor. 5:4
The worldly-minded professor and the formalist, are alike insensible to the evil of sin. With their lips, indeed, they can say, "We do earnestly ... read more
The Character and the Promise
41. THE CHARACTER AND THE PROMISE, INSEPARABLY CONNECTED IN THE HOLY SCRIPTURES
But all will be well for those who are godly. Tell them, "You will receive a wonderful reward!" But say to the wicked, "Your destruction is sure. You, too, will get what ... read more
The Christian's Rest
47. THE CHRISTIAN'S REST
"We who have believed enter into rest." Hebrews 4:3
As there is a heaven in going to heaven, so there is a rest, before we enter into the rest of Paradise. The soul which loves Christ supremely, which abides in him by fai ... read more
The Desire for More
64. THE DESIRE FOR MORE
"He that loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loves abundance with increase. This is also vanity." Eccles. 5:10
Covetousness, in the language of inspiration, is the desire of having more. If we are h ... read more
The Dying Love of Christ
10. THE DYING LOVE OF CHRIST
"I a the good shepherd; the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep." John 10:11
The parable of the good Shepherd is beautiful and affecting. The Jews could fully enter into the character of a shepherd. They were we ... read more
THE EFFECTS OF THE APOSTLES PREACHING.
THE EFFECTS OF THE APOSTLES PREACHING.
HIS PROPHETIC WARNINGS OF SPIRITUAL DECLENSIONS.
HIS GLORYING IN THE CROSS OF CHRIST.
HIS TENDERNESS OF SPIRIT.
HIS VIEW OF THE LAW AND THE GOSPEL.
Light and darkness are not more opposed to each other, tha ... read more
The Evil of Pride
25. The Evil of Pride
"God resists the proud." James 4:6
There are two principles which rule and govern the hearts of natural men- Pride and sensuality. These two evils are continually in operation, the one, against the soul-humbling, the other, a ... read more
The Fall of Man, and His Recovery by Grace
6. THE FALL OF MAN, AND HIS RECOVERY BY GRACE
"O Israel, you have destroyed yourself; but in me is your help." Hosea 13:9
God is the Almighty Sovereign of the universe! He made all things by the word of his power; and for his pleasure they are, an ... read more
The Harmony of Christian Graces
21. THE HARMONY OF CHRISTIAN GRACES
"I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me forever." Jeremiah 32:39
When we contemplate the Church of God as described in the Holy Scriptures, we must be struck with that unity of principle, ... read more
The Importance of Self Knowledge
63. THE IMPORTANCE OF SELF-KNOWLEDGE
"Let no man deceive himself." 1 Cor. 3:18
What a compound of contrarieties is this heart of mine! Heavenly Father! how wonderful is your forbearance; how amazing your patience! I pray unto you for humility. You ... read more
The Inward Conflict
29. THE INWARD CONFLICT
"I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out." Romans 7:18
How varied is the life of the true believer. At one time on the mount, a ... read more
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