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

"Now when Jesus was risen early, the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven devils."   -Mark 16:9  [KJV] My Lord! I have often found occasion to stand amazed at the wonders of Thy grace, as set forth in Thy blessed word. Every thing manifests that it is altogether free and undeserved; nothing, in the objects of it, having the least tendency to call it forth into exercise; no, not even our misery: for though our misery afforded an opportunity for the greater display of it, yet Thy grace was long before our misery, originating as it did in Thine own everlasting love.     Every circumstance connected with the manifestation of Thy grace calls forth astonishment. The greatness, the continuance, the unceasing nature of it, notwithstanding all the undeservings of the objects of Thy rich bounty; all tend to excite astonishment in my soul. But, Lord! when at an time I behold abounding grace shewn, where there have been abound...

"Man's goings are of the L ORD ; how can a man then understand his own way?"   -Proverbs 20:24 [KJV] Does not your heart sometimes quake with fear lest you have nothing but a nominal profession, lest the god of this world be blinding you, and lest your conscience be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin? It is good to have such fears. He who feareth not, who has no solemn apprehensions, no anxious inquiries, who is never exercised with some internal trepidation of soul, it is much to be feared has never known what it is to have "the candle of the Lord searching the inward parts of the belly."   But if God has quickened your soul into spiritual life, and you have ears to hear, I would just put two questions to you: Have you obtained righteousness by a manifestation of Christ's righteousness; pardon by the application of Christ's blood; love by a shedding abroad of love; deliverance by a discovery of God's outstretched hand? My other question is th...