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

"And because ye are sons, GOD hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father ." -Galatians 4:6 [KJV] It is the peculiar glory of gospel grace, that sinners are made sons of God. Here is the joyful knowledge of it, by the Spirit. Here is the precious boldness of children to God, my Father. The glory of the whole Trinity is in this verse, Lord help us to consider—the Spirit—His cry—and where He cries.  (1st.) The Spirit. Mind, He is called the Spirit of Christ, the Son of God. For He comes to us from Christ, His office is to testify of Christ, to glorify Him; for He takes of the things of Christ, and shews them to us (John 16:14.) He convinces us of sin: our want of righteousness: gives us a right judgment of Christ, and His work for our salvation: leads us to Christ, begets us to a lively hope in Him, and becomes to our souls, a spirit of adoption, because we are the sons of God, by faith in Christ.  Then, (2d.) He gives us a cry. He ...

"A friend that sticketh closer than a brother." -Proverbs 18:24 [KJV] And who is this , my soul; indeed, who can it be, but Jesus? None among the fallen race of Adam could ever redeem his brother; or, if he could, would have done it, at the expence of his own soul. But Jesus did all this, and more, when our cause was desperate, and gave Himself a ransom for His redeemed.  Oh for grace to mark the features of His love. It began in eternity, it runs through all time, and continues everlasting. As Jesus is Himself, so is He in His love; the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever. And how hath he shewn it?  First, by engaging as our Surety; then paying all our debts; fulfilling the whole law; purchasing our persons; undertaking for our duty; nay, even to the conquering the stubbornness of our nature, and making us willing to be saved in the day of His power (see Psalm 110:3) ! And what is it now? Having accomplished redemption for us by His blood, He is gone to ...

"The fear of the LORD is his treasure." -Isaiah 33:6 [KJV] "The fear of the LORD is his treasure." And, oh, what a treasure is this fear! Treasure in ancient times was generally hidden; it was concealed from the eye of man, hoarded up, and not brought out ostentatiously to view. Wealthy men of old hid the knowledge of their treasures, lest they should be spoiled of them by the hand of violence.  So spiritually, the fear of the Lord is hidden in the heart, and lies deep in the soul; it is not spread out ostentatiously to view, but is buried out of sight in a man's conscience. But though hidden from others, and sometimes even from ourselves, this "fear of the LORD" will act as circumstances draw it forth.  There may be times and seasons when we seem almost hardened and conscience-seared; sin appears to have such power over us, and evil thoughts and desires so carry us away, that we cannot trace one atom of godly fear within; and the soul ...