"Salvation is of the LORD." -Jonah 2:9

" But some are fallen asleep." -I Corinthians 15:6 [KJV] It is the united testimony of faithful witnesses, that Jesus is risen indeed. But what is this truth of a risen Saviour, to a dead sinner? He hears it, but without any affections of heart, joy of soul, desires to rise with Christ, or hopes of enjoying Him. But when, by the grace of Christ, the soul is quickened to know Him, then the believer rejoices in His resurrection, as the best news that ever saluted his ears, or reached his heart.  Then, he delights to read the testimony of the witnesses, to this glorious event. Yea, he also becomes a witness of it himself, for he has an inward testimony of it by faith. My heart has felt joy on seeing Charity-children at Easter, with this label upon their breast, He is risen . It is this blessed truth, which changes the king of terrors, into an angel of comfort: turns that frightful monster, death, into the image of sweet sleep.  For Christ died for OUR sin, and rose...

“Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the L ORD , and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God." -Isaiah 62:3 [KJV] It is very easy to conceive how the Lord of Hosts in the day of salvation becomes for a crown of glory and for a diadem of beauty unto His people, as a prophet hath said, Isaiah 28:5 . But that the church, and every individual redeemed of the church, shall be the Lord's crown and diadem. Oh, the wonders of grace!  Pause, my soul, over the sweet scripture, and take to thyself the blessedness of it. What a variety of images and similitudes thy God hath made use of to manifest how highly He prizeth His redeemed. "Yea, He loveth the people," said one of old; "all His saints are in Thy hand." He calleth them jewels, precious stones, His treasure, His chosen, His inheritance, His portion, His crown, His diadem. And what a thought is it for thee, my soul, to meditate upon, that though in thyself thou art nothing, yet conside...

“And also I have withholden the rain from you, when there were yet three months to the harvest: and I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon another city: one piece was rained upon, and the piece whereupon it rained not withered.” -Amos 4:7 [KJV] How powerless we are as regards the rain that falls from the sky! Who can go forth when the sun is shining and bid the rain to fall? Or when rain is falling, who can go forth and restrain the bottles of heaven? He Who gives us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness, also turns a fruitful land into barrenness for the wickedness of them that dwell therein. Equally sovereign is the blessing that God gives to the preached gospel. He holds the blessing in His own hand; it is His to give, and His to withhold. If He bless, it is because He has promised it; but when, where, and to whom it shall come, is at His own sovereign disposal. Yet what do we naturally desire when ...