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

“ Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the L ORD our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright. Save, L ORD : let the King hear us when we call.” -Psalm 20:7-9 [KJV] You may easily perceive how mightily people are mistaken, and, therefore, no marvel they live so uncomfortably; that they are in fear of death, and thereby in bondage all their life long, while they run for the refreshment of their spirits, to their own righteousness, to the plea of their own works, and will have their hearts eased upon that they themselves do; whereas, nothing gets a gracious discharge from their Father, but only Christ, and His righteousness. Therefore, beloved, however it may, with some, be a harsh thing, to take men off from their own righteousness, in respect of speaking comfort unto them, and to lead them to the righteousness of Christ revealed in the gospel, as that from which they may draw all their comfo...

It has been suggested by many that if we preach salvation as a sovereign gift of God, it will cause men to sit still and fold their arms. I t will not ! But if men did so, we could not help their case by giving them error. Our calling is not to prove to you the reasonableness of any truth. God's Word is true whether men believe it or not! Our business is not to defend any truth from its consequences. As preachers of the Lord, we are to assert the truth because it is God's W ord; then if our hearers do not like it, they must settle the quarrel with their Master. We are messengers; Christ is our message! The Lord has to reveal and apply the message. He must make the unwilling willing, to make the ungodly godly, and bring the rebel to the feet of Christ or else salvation will not be accomplished. - Gospel report by preacher Henry Mahan