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

"If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable." -I Corinthians 15:19 [KJV] Here is a supposition, and a consequence drawn from it. Consider, (1st.) This hope in Christ. It is not common to all men. It is a precious grace of the Holy Spirit. It springs from faith in Christ. It looks to the promises in Christ, and is nourished and supported by them. It is a lively hope. We are “begotten again to it, according to the abundant mercy of God our Father, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”   (I Peter 1:3.) By it, we are made to differ from all other men, who, though they may talk of hope in God, yet have no hope; but are without Christ, and without God in the world (Ephesians 2:12.)   Here is the proof of it: “Every man who hath this hope in him, purifieth himself, even as He is pure”   (I John 3:3.) Mind—Christ is the object of this hope. It is in, or on Christ. The man who is the subject of it, purifies himse...

"And on His head were many crowns." -Revelation 19:12 [KJV] Every view of Jesus is blessed. But there are some views which the heart of a believer finds a peculiar gratification in contemplating. The Holy Ghost hath in this scripture given a very interesting representation of Jesus. Heaven is opened; Jesus appears in His well-known characters, "faithful and true."  A "white horse"  He rides on, to manifest His equity and justice. His vesture is "dipped in blood," to intimate that by blood He hath purchased His kingdom. And His glorious name, "the Word of God , "  is also mentioned to testify the greatness and almightiness of His person.  But amidst these distinguishing characteristics, the coronation of the Lord Jesus is particularly striking. "On His head were many crowns."  The crown of Godhead is His by right, in common with the Father. And the crown of God-man mediator is His also, being His by gift, by purcha...

"And you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins." -Ephesians 2:1 [KJV]   Death in sin is of course a figure, and must be interpreted as such; for moral death is its meaning, and by moral death we understand the utter absence of everything holy, heavenly, spiritual, and divine; the entire want of participation in, and conformity to the life which God lives as essentially and eternally holy, pure, wise, and good, and for ever dwelling in the glorious light of His own infinite perfections.   To be dead, then, is to have no present part or lot with God; no knowledge of Him, no faith, no trust, no hope in Him; no sense of His presence, no reverence of His terrible Majesty; no desire after Him or inclination toward Him; no trembling at His word, no reliance on His promise, no longing for His grace, no care or concern for His glory. It is to be as a beast before Him, intent like a brute on satisfying the cravings of lust, or the movements of mere anima...