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

" From that time many of His disciples went back, and walked no more with Him." -John 6:66 [KJV] Thus was fulfilled that word, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3.) This chapter is like a touch-stone. Herein our Lord tries His disciples, to see who are real sterling, and who not. Many are His professed, but few His real disciples. Sifting times will come. They make manifest. The hottest place in hell is prepared for those who turn their backs upon the Son of God on earth.  Lord, grant that our faces may be set like a flint towards Thee. For, blessed be Thy name, Thou hast said of those who continue with Thee in Thy temptations: “I appoint unto you a kingdom: ye shall eat and drink at My table” (Luke 22:29, 30.) But those who are not agreed with Christ, have not the mind of Christ: will not walk long with Him. See this exemplified.  (1st.) Some of these disciples followed Christ for the loaves and fishes, vs. 26 . Those who follow Christ, t...

"Then ceased the work of the house of God." -Ezra 4:24 [KJV] Ah, how distressed was Zion, when this decree took place; and yet the history of the church plainly proves that the hand of the Lord was in it. My soul, are thine exercises sometimes similar? Doth it seem to thee, as if the work of God in thee was at a stand? Nay, as if it was totally over? Pause; recollect there is a set time to favour Zion. Thy Jesus is of One mind, and who can turn Him?   He is everlastingly pursuing the designs of His love. And as Zion was graven upon the palms of His hands, and her walls were continually before Him, when she appeared in her most desolate circumstances; so the work of His grace, in the hearts of His people, doth not remit, though, to thy view, all thy promising beginnings seems to be blighted, and, as it seems in thy apprehension, thou findest growing imperfection.  And is not Jesus, by this very means, emptying thee of self, and all the pride of self-attainments? ...

“Surely, shall one say, In the LORD have I righteousness and strength .” -Isaiah 45:24 [KJV] Have you learnt that you are a sinner in the sight of God? Have you ever felt the length, breadth, and spirituality of his holy law? Do you feel in your very soul that without Christ’s righteousness being imputed to you, and His blood being sprinkled upon your conscience, you must die in your sins and never reach the heavenly shore? Has this ever been, or is it still a matter of solicitude to you?  Has it ever caused sighs and groans to come out of your heart? Has the spirit of prayer ever been given, to make you plead with the Lord for the forgiveness of your sins, through the merits of a crucified Saviour? And have you any hope but in His blood, righteousness and finished work?   Now if the Lord has been pleased to exercise your soul on this way, if He has not yet granted the longing desire of your heart, He certainly will in due time reveal His dear Son in you as the Go...