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

"When she was come to Solomon, she communed with him, of all that was in her heart." -I Kings 10:2 [KJV] Behold a rare instance of sovereign grace. A king and queen met, to talk of the things of God! Human pomp and worldly grandeur, do not always shut the heart against the grace of God. Though “Not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called” (I Corinthians 1:25.) yet it pleases our Saviour to call some. He chooses one and another of the wise, mighty, and noble, to bow to His grace, honour His name, and shine as distinguished lights in the world. But in general, the gospel runs most and thrives best among the poor. “Hearken, my beloved, hath not God chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom?”   (James 2:5.) Here is a visit paid by a happy queen to a wise king. They were both wise and happy; for they were wise unto salvation.  (1st.) See the cause of her visit. She heard of Solomon’s fame concerning ...

"And Enoch walked with God." -Genesis 5:24 [KJV] I have often considered, and as often found pleasure in the consideration of the very honourable testimony which the Holy Ghost hath given to the faith of the patriarchs, both in the old and new testaments. What wonders were wrought by faith! "They walked with God! They endured (saith the sacred writer)  as seeing Him who is invisible."  They communed with God, and were as conscious of His spiritual presence, and spiritual society, as we are of sensible objects. Hence, by these acts of frequent communion, their souls found a growing likeness. The more they loved God, the more their minds were led by grace into an increasing conformity to what they loved. This assimilation is a natural consequence, even among natural things. He that walketh with wise men will be wise. We naturarly imbibe the manners, the sentiments, yea, the very habits of those with whom we like to associate. How much more must a freque...

"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you." -I Peter 4:12 [KJV]   The " fiery trial ," then, is not a strange thing which happens only to a few of the Lord's family, but is more or less the appointed lot of all. Do we not hear the Lord saying to His Zion, "I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction?"  All then that are chosen must pass through the furnace of affliction, and all know experimentally the fiery trial, for by it they are made partakers of Christ's sufferings.  But this is indispensable in order to be partakers of His glory. "If so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together."  Thus they suffer with Him, "that when His glory shall be revealed, they may be glad also with exceeding joy."  And this suffering with and for Christ in the furnace of affliction salts the soul, preserves it from corrupti...