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

" God's sovereignty is exercised without restriction in the regeneration of the elect. Since the natural heart of man cannot be changed by either influence or persuasion, an effectual work of grace alone can give him a new heart. Therefore, the grace of regeneration does not force the chosen sinner against his will. But the Spirit of regeneration works a change in the will of the passive sinner.  Recipients of God's grace obey His commandments willingly, but it cannot be said that we do what we do out of our own mere--nothing more or less than what is specified--pleasure. Christians may do the will of God freely, but they do not do it out of their mere pleasure in the sense of their arbitrary wills. Our wills are subordinate to God's will. He works in us to will and to do of His good pleasure, and His people are willing in the day of God's power ( Psalm 110:3 ; Philippians 2:12, 13 )."     -W. E. Best, excerpt from God's Sovereignty is Absolu...

"The law worketh wrath." -Romans 4:15 [KJV] Our misery, as sinners, is greatly heightened, for want of duly considering the end and design of the Holy Law, and of THE EVERLASTING GOSPEL; and through our blending them together in our consciences. Consider what is meant by the word, working wrath.  (1st.) “Sin is the transgression of the law,” (I John 3:4.)   (2d.) The law was added because of transgressions , (see Galatians 3:19.)  (3d.) “By the law is the knowledge of sin.”   Therefore, (4th.) “By the deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified in God’s sight , ” (Romans 3:20.)  For, (5th.) It is a ministration of condemnation, (see II Corinthians 3:9.) “Cursed is every one who continueth not in ALL things, which are written in the book of the law to do them , ” (Galatians 3:10.) Hence is it any marvel, that we, that are transgressors of the law, and cursed by the law, if we examine ourselves by the law, and judge of ourselves according to th...

"That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ." -I Peter 1:7 [KJV] Trials and temptations are the means which God employs to manifest to the soul the reality and strength of the faith which He bestows upon it; for there is in every trial and temptation opposition made to the faith that is in the heart; and every trial and temptation, so to speak, threaten the life of faith. And they threaten it in this way. Under the trial God for the most part hides Himself. He puts forth, indeed, a secret power whereby the soul is held up, or otherwise it would sink into utter despair, and be overcome and swallowed up by the power of unbelief. Hence comes the conflict between the trial that fights against the faith and the faith which fights against or rather under the trial. Now, when in this trial, in this sharp conflict, in t...

"I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and behold, a Watcher, and an Holy One came down from heaven ." -Daniel 4:13 [KJV] See my soul, that which terrified the impious monarch in his visions of the night, ought to be to thee a subject of holy joy! When Jesus proclaims the day of vengeance which is in His heart; he adds also, The year of My redeemed is come! A day is enough for destruction; a year, yea, an everlasting year, will not be too long to make His people happy. But what a striking character is this of  "a Watcher, and an Holy One!" To whom but to Jesus can it possibly refer? Jesus, at the call of God His Father, stood up from everlasting, to watch over His church, to water it every moment; yea, to keep it night and day least any hurt it. And who shall describe in how many ways the Lord Jesus is for ever performing this blessed office, and hath been, and will be to all eternity? Is He not for ever in the midst of them, to do all that is nee...