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

"This is His commandment, that we should believe on the name of His Son JESUS CHRIST, and love one another." -I John 3:23 [KJV] When a weary traveller has lost his way, what pleasure must the sight of a * directory afford him? How must his joy be increased, if it informs him he is near a dear friend’s house, who will kindly receive him? Weary pilgrim, look at this directory, and rejoice. You are near a dear Friend, who will kindly receive, and heartily welcome you. Obey this command, and enjoy the comfort.    Consider, (1st.) who commands. God the Father of heaven: that God against whom you have sinned, and by sin art become miserable. He would have you be both holy and happy. You can be neither without believing. Both are enjoyed in faith.    (2d.) The command. Believe . By the ten commandments thou art condemned: thou art brought in guilty by them. The law ministers nothing but wrath and condemnation. God be merciful to us miserable sinners! God shews ...

"And there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day." -Genesis 32:24 [KJV] My soul, here is a lovely portion for the morning. For the morning, did I say? Yea, both for night and morning, and, indeed, until the everlasting morning break in upon thee, and all the shadows of the night flee away. For are not all the seed of Jacob like their father, wrestlers in the actings of faith, and the fervour of prayer, until they come off, like him, prevailing Israels? And who was this man which wrestled with the patriarch? Let scripture explain scripture, and give the answer.  By his strength, said the prophet Hosea 12:3-5 “He had power with God; yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed; he wept and made supplication unto him; he found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us; even the LORD God of Hosts, the LORD is his memorial." Here then light is thrown upon the subject. He that is called a man in one scripture, is called an angel in this other. ...

"Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ." -Philippians 1:27 [KJV] What is this conversation? The word means the whole of your walk before God and before man. It is a very comprehensive term in the original, meaning, literally, "Conduct yourselves as citizens." It therefore includes the whole of our spiritual fellowship and daily intercourse with God and man. It thus views us as citizens of no mean city; as citizens, I may indeed say, of a heavenly city, the new Jerusalem; and it bids us walk and speak, live and act, as becometh citizens of a heavenly country. This, then, is the meaning of the word "conversation" in our text, and by it we are called to walk with God as becometh the gospel. He has reconciled us to Himself by the blood of His dear Son; and when we receive the atonement, or reconciliation, as the word means, then we can walk with God in peace, equity, and amity, for sin, which made the breach, is remov...