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

" Let me see the king’s face." -II Samuel 14:32 [KJV] Beloved Absalom was now in a state of exile from his royal father. He had shed his brother Amnon’s blood. The king was enraged against him. Though he suffered Absalom to return to his house at Jerusalem, yet says he, “Let him not see my face.” Still there was love, great love in David’s heart, towards his son. Thus, O believer, thy heavenly Father may hide away His face in anger, because of thy provocations. That’s thy hell. But His love never abates. It is always the same towards thee, from everlasting to everlasting. That’s thy heaven to know.  Was it not so, hell had long since been thy portion and mine. O think of, believe in, rejoice for everlasting, unchangeable love: love, that will never be wearied out by thy sins, till it hath brought thy soul, where sin and sorrow shall be no more for ever. But, was Absalom quiet and easy, to return to his house at Jerusalem? No, amidst all his enjoyments, there was...

"Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace." -Romans 14:19 [KJV] What a sweetness is contained in the word "peace." Bunyan well represents this in his Pilgrim's Progress , where he speaks of Christian, after having been entertained in the "house Beautiful," going to sleep in the chamber called "Peace." And what blessed sensations are couched in that word "Peace!" It was the legacy that Jesus left to His Church. "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you ; " and the apostle says of it that it "passeth all understanding." Now many even of the Lord's people seem as if they wanted and were expecting raptures. There is, I believe, a vast deal of enthusiasm in the natural mind of man, as is evident from what I may call its religious history in all ages; and this leads many who, in other points, seem rightly taught to look for w...

"For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer." -I Timothy 4:4, 5 [KJV] I have often thought that there is somewhat in our ordinary meals, and especially the evening meal, which hath a tendency to call up the exercise of grace. Surely our family refreshments should remind us of the Lord's family; and our own supper, of the Lord's supper. The thing itself might well be supposed to call up our attention, and to create holy conversation concerning Him and His table, and of that supper of the Lamb in heaven, at which believers hope very shortly to meet as one family, to rise up no more for ever. And, as at the Lord's table, so at our own; every thing is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. My soul, mark what this scripture saith, concerning our food; "Every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if received with thanksgiving, ...

" Behold My servant, Whom I uphold; Mine elect, in Whom My soul delighteth." -Isaiah 42:1 [KJV] Angels reproved disciples of old with, “Why stand ye gazing up into heaven?” (Acts 1:11.) How much do we deserve this reproof? Why stand ye gazing upon the vanities of the earth? Soul, what art thou looking at? What is the object of thy intention tonight? Be it what it may, God calleth to thee, and demands audience of Him, and attention to Him. It is for your comfort and His glory. The Majesty of heaven speaks to sinful worms of the earth. Behold. Take off your eyes and thoughts from every object; be all eye, ear, and attention to Me. Ye poor, miserable, law-condemned, sin-distressed souls, look at, and take special notice of My servant. Wonder, adore, rejoice, and love.  My beloved, My co-equal Son, Who is Lord of all, becomes man, takes on Him the form of a servant, to do My will perfectly, and to finish your salvation completely. Whom I uphold. Carnal reason bow. ...

"And He said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven." -Luke 10:18 [KJV] It deserves our utmost attention and prayerful consideration to see, by the eye of faith, the display of wisdom and power shining forth in the way in which the all-wise God sent His dear Son "to destroy" or, as the word is in the original, to unloose "the works of the devil" (I John 3:8) . Satan had, so to speak, spun a ravelled knot when he cast the cords of sin round man's heart. This tangled and tight-drawn knot could not be cut through as by a sword of omnipotent power; but had by infinite wisdom and patience to be unravelled through its whole length. The work which Satan had done was to be undone. Disobedience had to be repaired by obedience—the voluntary obedience of the Son of God, and therefore of infinite value. Sin had to be atoned for by sacrifice—the sacrifice of the nature which had sinned, in union with the Person of the Son of God, an...

"But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!" -Luke 12:50 [KJV] My soul, look at Jesus under His straitenings, and thou wilt find it the best support and encouragement under thine. He had in view, when He thus expressed Himself, the water-spouts, and the billows of divine wrath against sin, which, as the sinner's Surety, were to be poured upon Him. Jesus calls it a baptism. I cannot sufficiently admire the word, because it is my Lord's, and because it is so applicable. Afflictions, then, are baptisms to His people, when commissioned by His grace, and when blessed by His Holy Spirit.  Never lose sight of them, my soul, in this view; they will be always sacred: and from the straitenings of Jesus, until His were accomplished, do thou at all times fetch relief and encouragement under thine. He that felt straitening for Himself, well knew how to enlarge thine heart: and He that knew the baptism He had to go throu...

" Freely ye have received, freely give." -Matthew 10:8 [KJV] Christ spake these words to His apostles. They had their commissions immediately from Him, to preach His everlasting gospel. Many of the clergy, who pretend to be their successors, cannot receive this saying. Their learned lumber (because unsanctified) cost them too much to be dispensed for nought. Free-grace truths they cannot give freely. They have not freely received them into their own hearts. Expect to receive nothing from such unconverted ministers. Pity them: pray for them. Avoid their errors: be courteous to their persons. Private Christians, as well as ministers, have freely received out of the fulness of Christ: therefore, O soul! you and I are concerned in these words.  (1st.) What have we received? the free favour of God; in the rich grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. This comprehends all things from God: this includes all things in God. Have we repentance unto life? It is by His grace. Have w...