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

  ‘LORD, GRANT ME DIVINE COMMUNION’ "Now the hand of the Lord had been upon me the evening before ….. " (Ezekiel 33:22) In the matter of judgment this may be the case, and if so, let me consider the reason for such a visitation and accept it as from His hand. I am not the only one who is chastened in the night season; let me cheerfully submit to the affliction and carefully endeavor to profit by it. But the hand of the Lord may also be felt in another manner, strengthening the soul and lifting the spirit upward toward eternal things. O that I may in this sense feel the Lord dealing with me! A sense of the divine presence and indwelling bears the soul toward heaven as upon the wings of eagles. At such times we are full to the brim with spiritual joy, and forget the cares and sorrows of earth; the invisible is near, and the visible loses its power over us. My servant-body waits at the foot of the hill, and my master-spirit worships upon the summit in the presence ...

"In Whom, also, after that ye believed, ye were sealed, with that Holy Spirit of promise." -Ephesians 1:13 [KJV] Some consider this sealing as the highest assurance, which but few obtain; others, as a state of perfection in holiness, and an entire freedom from the being of sin. This some pretend to, but no one ever yet arrived to, in this life. But it is plain the apostle means nothing more, than what all believers in common are favoured with. Not after ye believed, but in believing, ye were sealed, says the learned Mr. Hervey. That is, as soon as ye received the truth in the love of it, ye were sealed by the Spirit, as the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.  Consider, (1st,) what is implied in being sealed. A seal is to make an impression of its contents. Sealing an instrument, is making it valid, and acknowledging it as our act and deed. The heart of a believing sinner, melted by the Word and Spirit of God, is the subject of this sealing. The contents ...

" To this man will I look, even to him that is poor, and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My word." -Isaiah 66:2 [KJV] The Lord, whose throne is in the highest heaven, and whose footstool is the earth, here inquires after a place of residence and rest. As though about to quit His throne, He looks unto man. Behold, He tabernacles in man, He makes the human nature His temple. Hence, He looks to His brethren in flesh, however poor, miserable, and distressed. As His look of love is towards them, so He brings them to look for mercy from Him.  But we are all naturally too rich in our own eyes, to be indebted to His grace; too stubborn of spirit, to bow to His sceptre; and too stout-hearted, to hearken to His voice, and submit to His righteousness. Well, glory to the Lord! He has mercy for rebels, as well as a heaven for saints; yea, of sturdy rebels, He makes humble saints. How? Thus, “The day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, ...

" The nations shall bless themselves in Him, and in Him shall they glory." -Jeremiah 4:2 [KJV] “Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood, out of every kindred and tongue, and people and nation.” This is part of the new song, which is sung at the right hand of God, in honour and glory to the Lamb (Revelation 5:9.) Shall we not honour and glorify Him here below? What should be the employ of the redeemed and called, every day they live on earth, till they join their brethren in heaven? Why, to bless themselves in the Lord. Bless one’s self! Is not that boasting and vain glory?  Yes, if it arises from any merit, self-righteousness, or excellence, which we fancy we possess. But we are to bless ourselves, because we are in the Lord, and blessed by our God and Father, with all spiritual blessings, in Christ Jesus. Though a sinner, a miserable sinner, yea, a law-accursed sinner in thyself, yet bless thyself, as a rich saint, a holy, happy soul in Chri...

" We see Jesus." - Hebrews 2:2 [KJV] Fine sights of human pomp and worldly grandeur captivate carnal minds, and delight natural senses. It is common to hear persons say in an ecstasy, O, I could sit all night to see a fine play! But one sight of the matchless charms, and dazzling glories of our Saviour, makes all things appear mean and contemptible. We turn our eyes from them, and say, I put away these childish things: I have an heavenly object, infinitely superior to such low, mean, perishing vanities.  I know one, who, having heard that faithful minister of Christ, Mr. Whitefield, when he first preached in the fields, upwards of thirty years ago, on being asked which he liked best, to hear him preach, or see Vauxhall? profanely replied, “Whitefield only preaches of heaven, but Vauxhall is heaven itself.” Poor soul! he was then blind to his want of Christ, and to His glory and excellency. But, to the praise of His rich grace, that poor sinner is out of hell, a...

" Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you, from the foundation of the world." —Matthew 25:34 [KJV] This is a joyful word to our hearts now, "COME, let us reason together, saith the L ORD ; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow: though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." —Isaiah 1:18 . This is another precious word from Jesus to our souls, "COME unto Me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." O, but this last COME, from the lips of our KING, will be the most joyful crowning word of all! The best wine is reserved for the last. Every soul who hath tasted of the first on earth, shall assuredly drink his fill at the fountain-head, in a blissful, never-ending eternity of glory.  "Ye blessed of My Father;" beloved from eternity, and blessed to eternity. Chosen in Me, blessed in Me with all spi...

" But thanks be to God Who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." —I Corinthians 15:57 [KJV] Death, though conquered by Jesus; though disarmed of its strength and sting by our victorious Lord, so that it cannot destroy, nay, not wound or hurt the soul of any one of His dear members; yet it is still an enemy, a formidable, disagreeable enemy to nature. When we are left to our natural conceptions, death appears to us with the grim visage of "the king of terrors." We cannot get rid of our fears, nor are we able to make Him put on a more amiable aspect. But when in the simplicity of little children, we go to our heavenly Father, and tell Him how we are affrighted and terrified at the thought and approach of that dreadful enemy, He drives away our fears and terrors, and relieves our minds.  But how does our affectionate Father effect this? by telling us we are perfect and sinless, and therefore we have overcome death, we shall never die, we...