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

"He wist (- knew ) not that the LORD was departed from him." -Judges 16:20 [KJV] What do I read? Sampson’s name enrolled in the list of the ancient heroes of faith? See Heb. 11:32. What! he who loved a harlot, and was so blinded by his lust, as to bring on himself the most dreadful evils, even unto death? Yes . Grace reigned then. It reigns still, through the righteousness of Christ unto sinners .  What! That they should continue in sin, because grace abounds? God forbid! See the most awful evils it brought upon this man of God. Behold in him how sin blinds the eyes, hardens the heart, and stupefies the conscience. Think of this, and tremble at the first approach of sin and lust.  (1st.) Sampson’s lust to a vile, unchaste woman, had so blinded his reason, that he put his life into her hands three times. Yet he could not see that she had no regard for him, but only wanted to destroy him. Here was a judgment upon his sinful passions. The Philistines put out hi...

"By night on my bed I sought Him whom my soul loveth." -Song of Solomon 3:1 [KJV] Pause, my soul, over this account which the church gives of herself, and see whether such be thine exercises. It is night indeed in the soul whenever Christ is absent, or His presence not enjoyed. And though, blessed be God, the believer's interest in Christ varies riot, yet his joy in the sense of safety is not always the same. Though it be the bed of affliction, or the bed of sickness, it is not the bed of carnal security, when the soul seeks Jesus. We cannot be said to be in a cold, lifeless, and indifferent state, while Jesus is sought for. It may be night indeed, it may be a dark season; yet, nevertheless, when we can say, "With my soul have I sought Thee in the night, yea, with my spirit within me will I seek Thee early : " surely, this earnestness implies grace, and love, and desire, in lively exercise. However dull, stupid, and unprofitable, at times, ordinan...

"Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord." -II Peter 1:2 [KJV] If we do not know Jesus for ourselves, by some spiritual discovery of His Person and work, what testimony have we of an interest in His grace? Because, there is no grace except that which flows through Him, for "grace and truth came by Jesus Christ."   This is what we should ever labour after. Our daily, hourly desire and prayer should be, to have spiritual discoveries of Christ; to see Him by the eye of faith; to enter into His glorious Person and finished work; to realise His presence, taste His love, and know Him and the power of His resurrection. This is what Paul so earnestly laboured after (Philippians 3:10) ; and for the excellency of this knowledge He suffered the loss of all things, and counted them but dung that he might win Christ.  To know Him as our Surety and Sin-bearer, our Advocate and Intercessor, our Friend, Husband, and Bro...