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

" Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God." -Philippians 1:11 [KJV] He, who does not see himself stript of righteousness, his eyes were never yet opened, nor his heart convinced of sin by the Spirit of God. He, who imagines that he possesses an inherent righteousness of his own, in which he can stand before God, and answer all the demands of His holy law, deceives his own soul. He, who seeks to be made righteous, to be justified in God’s sight, and to obtain a title to heaven, in any other way than the righteousness of Christ, rejects Christ, and disbelieves the Scripture . He, who does not delight in the fruits of righteousness, and desire to abound in them, and to be filled with them, is a stranger to our righteous Saviour, and destitute of the power of our most holy faith.  Mind, (1st.) “The fruits of righteousness.” Why do we not always speak in scripture phrases, and use words which the Holy ...

"That ye may be able to comprehend with all saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge." -Ephesians 3:18, 19 [KJV] Did Paul pray that the church might be thus blessed? So should all faithful pastors. And there is enough in Jesus to call up the everlasting contemplation of His people. All the dimensions of divine glory are in Jesus. Who, indeed, shall describe the extent of that love which passeth knowledge? But, my soul, pause over the account. What is the breadth of it? Jesus's death reaches in efficacy to all His seed—all His children: to thee, my soul; for thou art the seed of Jesus. And though that death took place at Jerusalem near two thousand years since, yet the efficacy of His blood, as from an high altar, as effectually washes away sin now, as in the moment it was shed. Remember, Jesus still wears the vesture dipped in blood. Remember, Jesus still appears as the Lamb sla...

"For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh." -II Corinthians 4:11 [KJV] What is meant by the expression, "our mortal flesh?" It does not mean the carnal mind, but our earthly tabernacle; and the expression is similar to another in this chapter, "We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us."   It is, then, in this poor body, compassed with infirmities, that the life of Jesus is made manifest. This divine life will often spring up in fervent breathings after God, in the actings of living faith, in the sweet intercourse the people of God have with one another, in reading the Scriptures, in the application of precious promises, and under the preached word. From time to time it bubbles up like a spring from its source. Sometimes indeed it runs underground, buried as it were under the load ...

" Thou God seest me." -Genesis 16:13 [KJV] “Why sayest thou, O trembling sinner! My way is hid from the Lord, and my judgment is passed over from my God?” The Lord here asks thy reason, and reproaches thy speech (Isaiah 40:27.) Look at Hagar, and be ashamed of the unbelieving surmises of thy heart. She was a dear child of God: yet she is left to suffer sore distresses. Her mistress treats her cruelly. She flees to a solitary wilderness: here was no eye of pity, no hand to relieve, no friend to comfort her: and, what must add to her sorrow and heighten her distress, she was with child. She fled from her station in providence. But the God of providence follows her,—the angel of the Lord—rather, the Lord, the Angel, the Messenger of the covenant—the Lord Jesus the Saviour.  He found her, called her by name, inquires the cause of her distress, and bids her return to her mistress. Hagar knew her Saviour. She sets up a memorial of His sympathizing love for her, and ...

"For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not." -II Corinthians 8:12 [KJV] Sweet thought this to comfort the soul under small attainments, "If there be first a willing mind." Surely, Lord, Thou hast given me this; for Thou hast made me willing in the day of Thy power (Psalm 110:3) . I feel as such, my soul going forth in desires after Thee, as my chief and only good; though, alas! how continually do I fall short of the enjoyment of Thee. I can truly say, "whom is there in heaven, or upon earth, that I desire in comparison of Thee?" When Thou art present, I am at once in heaven; it makes a very heaven in my soul: Thou art the God of my exceeding joy. When Thou art absent my soul pines after Thee. And truly, "I count all things but dung and dross to win thee;" for whatever gifts Thou hast graciously bestowed upon me, in the kindness of friends, in the affe...

"There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the L ORD , that shall stand." -Proverbs 19:21 [KJV] A man in his fleshly mind is generally devising some method or other whereby he may escape a practical subjection to the gospel; some way or other whereby he may escape walking in the path of self-denial and mortification of the flesh, and the crucifixion of "the old man with the affections and lusts." He is generally seeking some way or other to indulge the flesh, and yet, at the same time, to stand in gospel liberty, to have everything that can gratify his carnal mind, and, at the same time, have a well-grounded hope of eternal life. But the Lord says, No, these two things are not compatible; he that shall live with Christ must die with Christ; he that shall reign with Christ must suffer with Christ; he that shall wear the crown must carry the cross.   So, that whatever devices there be in a man's heart, or whatever ways a...

" That also He should gather together in one, the children of God that were scattered abroad." -John 11:52 [KJV] These words are like Sampson’s riddle, which, some read thus: Food came from the devourer, and sweetness from that which is violent, or fierce , (see Judges 14:14.) Caiaphas the high-priest, though a devourer of Jesus, yet holds forth precious food; though violent and fierce against Christ, yet he delivers sweet truth. Truth is truth, though from the tongue of an enemy: yea, it is a double confirmation of truth. If Christ be preached, let us rejoice, though even by bad men, and from bad principles. Judas preached; the Holy Ghost causes this wicked high-priest, to prophecy of Jesus. By these words, the Holy Ghost plainly instructs us in these precious truths.— O that we may receive them in love!  (1st.) That though the whole world is become guilty before God, yet He has a peculiar, chosen number, who are here called, “the children of God.” They were ...