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

" My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you." —Galatians 4:19 [KJV] Many sincere disciples, who are convinced of sin, hope in themselves cut off, and have fled to Jesus for refuge , are often distressed because they have not been under such dreadful terrors of legal wrath which others talk of, and are mistaken for the pangs and travail of the new birth. But there is no authority from scripture to conclude we must have such great terrors of hell and damnation ere we come to and believe on Christ. Nay, the law may work great wrath in the conscience, and yet the soul never be converted to Jesus and the holiness of the gospel.  The Spirit is a sovereign Agent. Enlightened, convinced souls are differently wrought on; some feel more, others less terror; but each see the sinfulness of sin, their lost state by nature, the spirituality of the law and the preciousness of Jesus before they will come to Him. On such the dear Saviour ...

" We are come to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling." —Hebrews 12:24 [KJV] When from zeal and affection for their beloved Master, the disciples would have called for fire from heaven, "He rebuked them, saying, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of." In young disciples there is often much heat of zeal which is not according to knowledge; they know but little what evils they are called from, and what privileges they are come to. It behoves all to be diligent in reading, hearing, and studying, the truths of Jesus.  So the Spirit makes wise heads and joyful hearts. To see, taste, and feel somewhat of Jesus from the law, the types and figures, the prophesies, promises, and the gospel, is the chief concern of simple souls; so their hearts are daily more and more established in faith; and they know more assuredly that they are really come to Jesus. When we read of Moses sprinkling the people, and crying out, "Beh...

" Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life; and they are they which testify of Me." —John 5:39 [KJV] It was an excellent reply of a Christian lady to a scoffing infidel, who vented profane banter upon the scriptures, and asked, What proof she could give of the truth of holy writ? 'Yourself, Sir,' said she, 'is one;' for it is written, "There shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts." —II Peter 3:3 . Even Satan, when he tempted our Lord, though he dared to pervert, yet he never once attempted to deny holy scripture to be the truths of God. Shame to professors who are ignorant of God's word. For Jesus and eternal life are revealed therein.  Even devils, who have no hope from the scriptures, seem well versed in them. But may not Jonadab's question to Amnon be put even to some of God's children, "Why art thou, being a king's son, lean from day to day?" —II Samuel ...

" No man having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." —Luke 9:62 [KJV] The eye, though a little member, yet perhaps of all others is the greatest inlet to temptation. The first motion to sin entered by seeing. Eve SAW the fruit was good and pleasant to the eye. Looking begat longing; so lust was conceived, and brought forth sin. Sin when it was finished brought forth death upon her and all her posterity. When Satan dared to tempt Jesus, he began the attack by presenting to His view the kingdoms of the world and the glories thereof. Seeing this, what reason is there, with Job, to make a covenant with our eyes! with David, to pray daily, "Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity!"   No state more awful than to set out in the best cause, and to turn back to the worst enemy. The last end of such is most dreadful. Most deplorable indeed, to turn away from following Jesus, and make shipwreck of faith and a good conscie...

"I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her." —Hosea 2:14 [KJV] Carnal ease begets spiritual sloth. Outward prosperity often brings leanness of soul. Worldly joys, vain pleasures, and sensual gratifications, are contrary to the spiritual delights, holy comforts, and godly conversation of the soul. Of this observation we have awful evidence. Woeful experience proves it. It is seldom seen that the church of Christ in general, or individual members thrive and prosper in soul, when all without is easy, prosperous, and joyful to the flesh.  Like "Jeshurun, we wax fat and kick, forsake God, and lightly esteem the rock of our salvation." —Deuteronomy 32:15. But the Head of His church, ever jealous for His own glory, ever watchful in love over His own members, will not suffer them to perish with a surfeit from worldly kindness. They shall rather bleed by the loving stroke of His hand, than fall a sacrifice to the world ...

" They who feared the L ORD , spake often one to another; the L ORD hearkened and heard it." —Malachi 3:16 [KJV] The tongue, though but a little member, yet is capable of being employed to the best services, or to the worst purposes. We are assured he is a perfect man who offends not in word. He is a man after God's own heart who prays daily, "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my Redeemer." —Psalm 19:14 . "Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge amongst you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom." —James 3:13.   Thus perfection, real godliness, and true wisdom are ascribed to our words and conversation. "By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." —Matthew 12:37 . Most weighty considerations! Let us take heed that we offend not with our tongue. But most encouraging assurance, ...

" We know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." —II Corinthians 5:1 [KJV] It is the grand device of that arch-deceiver, Satan, to represent the religion of Jesus as tending to melancholy, gloom, and sadness; but daily experience proves the reverse; for under a sense of a crazy, disordered body, from views of its approaching dissolution, with thoughts of its being shortly committed to the silent grave, who can put on an air of composure, joy, and delight, except the Christian? Who such cause for continual felicity, as he who knows his lease is well nigh expired of his present house, that shortly it is to be pulled down; but yet, through the kindness and love of his heavenly Father, a free grant of his eternal inheritance is given him, "of a house not made with hands?"   What comfort must it yield to him to KNOW the nature of the purchase, the certa...