"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...

" The following is a general definition of the sovereign first cause, as far as human words dare attempt. The eternal God is independent and self-existent. His purpose and actions originate within Himself without external influence. The absolutely Holy One is the Creator, Sustainer, and Controller of all His creation for His own glory.  Therefore, God is indescribable in His Essence, inconceivable in His mode of existence, and illimitable in His infinity. He is fully known only to Himself because the infinite One can be comprehended only by an infinite mind. Furthermore, this infinitely Holy God can do nothing that is not eternally just ( Isaiah 45:5-7, 9 )." -W. E. Best

" Put Me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified." -Isaiah 43:26 [KJV] The Lord had just laid open the rich love of His gracious heart to poor sinners, in fully blotting out their transgressions and in not remembering their sins. To keep down their pride and exalt the riches of His mercy, He tells them plainly, I do all this, for My own sake. But He knows what is in man. He sees the abominable pride of our hearts, and how many would reject His free declaration, and not accept of free-grace mercy, by free-gift of love, without money and without price. Such will have some hand in procuring pardon and justification, by fulfilling terms, and performing conditions. These words may be considered,  (1st.) as a reflection upon such persons, and a derision upon their notions. Says the Lord, Put Me in remembrance . What spiritual act could you do, when dead in trespasses and in sins, in order to obtain life? What good works sprang...

"What will ye see in the Shulamite? As it were the company of two armies." - Song of Solomon 6:13 [KJV] Are you not often a mystery to yourself? Warm one moment, cold the next; abasing yourself one half-hour, exalting yourself the following; loving the world, full of it, steeped up to your lips in it to-day; crying, groaning, and sighing for a sweet manifestation of the love of God tomorrow; brought down to nothingness, covered with shame and confusion, on your knees before you leave your room; filled with pride and self-importance before you have got down stairs; despising the world, and willing to give it all up for one taste of the love of Jesus when in solitude; trying to grasp it with both hands when in business. What a mystery are you! Touched by love, and stung with enmity; possessing a little wisdom, and a great deal of folly; earthly-minded, and yet having the affections in heaven; pressing forward, and lagging behind; full of sloth, and yet taking the ...