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

There is one word in the Bible which in itself forms a complete library, and that word is Christ, the uncreated Word. And when the redeemed and regenerated child of God, brought from the Adam-darkness of a state of nature into a state of grace, is savingly acquainted with this divine Word, he is then made "wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus" [II Timothy 3:15 ] . And as the Lord the Spirit leads him on, in daily acts of faith, by living upon, walking with, and rejoicing in the glorious person and the finished salvation of the Lord Jesus Christ, he is brought also to what the apostle calls, "all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God and of the Father and of Christ in Whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" [ Colossians 2:2-3 ] . And what tends to endear this science to the awakened soul yet more is that in learning to know Christ, we learn at the same time to know ourselves...

  "Thou hast ascended on high, T hou hast led captivity captive; T hou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the L ORD God might dwell among them." -Psalm 68:18 [KJV] What a painful thing it is to be rebellious! There is hardly any feeling worse than rebellion to a man whose conscience is made tender in God's fear. To have rebellion against a holy and wise God; rebellion against His dealings with us in providence; against His teachings in grace; because we have not more of the light of His countenance; because we have not more and clearer testimonies and manifestations! We know in our judgment that God cannot err in any of His dealings, and yet to find at times such awful rebellion against God, O how painful it is! The least trifle can work up rebellion. It does not want a storm or a gale to lift up its proud waves. The slightest breath, the faintest breeze that blows, will at times stir up the billows of the rebellious heart, and make it swe...