ILLLSTEATIVE SCRIPTURE READINGS. FOR THE VISITATION OF THE POOR AND PRIVATE MEDITATION. "seek ye out of the book of the lord and read." Is. xxxiv, 16. rSIHD EDITIOX. LOXDOX : WILLIAM ilACmXOSH, 24, PATERjS^OSTER EOW ; JAMES XISBET & CO., 21, BEENEIiS ST., OXFORD ST. 186G. In. cloth, 2f..; leather, with lapi)ets, 3». ^xtxKci% fx0m ^tbhbjn znli ^ntimonmh. " A little work wliich will prove extremely useful to district visitors. Passages of Scripture suitable to persons in different states of mind have been selected, classified under various headings, and woven together so as to form connected Bible retidings on a number of siibjects. The book is cheap, and well printed and bound." — Church Revifio " The compiler of this volume has carried out his plan with much wisdom, and the result is, to concentrate into a focus the scattered rays of Divine light in a form that can hardly fail to prove helpful to the afflicted themselves, and to those who are called upon to visit them We have no doubt that so useful a book will command an extensive circulation." — Record. "The compiler of this volume has rendered great service to a large class of readers," &c. — ClericulJournal. "This is really a good pocket companion. Would that the pockets of millions might but become familiar with it ! The book is the best of its class we have ever seen, and we greatly prize it. The illustrations are rich and most varied, and the scriptures selected are all to the point." — British Standard. " As a profitable companion in the closet, and a valuable auxiliary in the work of evangelistic visitation, this accurate production cannot be too highly commended. With this aide memoire in hand no Christian can plead unfitness for the work of household instruc- tion." — Church Standard. "The way in which the passages are connected is both skilful and natural, more complete, we think, than anything else of the kind we know. It is alsQ useful as a manual of private devotion." — Freeman. " The compiler of these ' Scripture Readings' will have cause to thank God for pixtting it into his heart to issue such a volume. It is really a book amongst books — one of a thousand. Let every Christian visitor of our poorer brethren at once obtain it. In these days its wide circulation will fui-nish the best possible antidote to the prevailing spirit of scepticism. We intend to make the volume our own ' Pocket Companion.' " — Our Own Fireside. " A most useful little book I hope it will have a large sale, and be honoured by the Divine blessing."— Eev. W. Meynkll Whittemore. " I like the book exceedingly, it supplies the very want I used to feel so painfully when I was a district visitor .... besides being very suitable for private devotion."- M — . D — . "Gems' of Scriptvire reading strung and classified together. A very suitable book for district visitors .... so arranged that they can easily turn to the words most needed. We can indeed recommend iV— Gospel Magazine. ,, Useful for the purpose intended." — Guardian. „The treasures of the inspired Word are strikingly brought out. . . . . Some of the prayers compiled in Bible language are very searching and beautiful. Such a book must be prized, not only as a companion for the visitor, but as a manual for personal use in quiet hotu's." — Christian World, PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION. The Author, in presenting his Christian brethren with a Second Edition of "Illustrative Scripture Ee.adixgs," has only to express his gratitude for the encouragement which his little volume has received from Christians of aU denominations, and to invite them, most heartily, -while praising God that His gracious blessing has not been withheld in the past, to earnestly pray that these selections from the Holy Scriptures may be made increasingly useful in the future. PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION. The principal object of the Author in compiling the following Illustrative Scripture Readings, has been to aid the Christian Visitor in his important work, by endeavouring to supply the long- felt want of a concise, correct, and interestiag arrangement of the Scriptures, adapted for reading to the poor. For this purpose the whole word of God has been carefully examined, and with the aid of Concordances, &c., all the most important passages have been selected, and separately classified with repeated revision under the various headings of the forty chapters of which the work is composed. These chapters have been again separated into two hundred and eleven minor divisions, and the passages themselves woven together so as to form connected Bible Readings, suitable for the various states of mind which are daily met with, in house to house visitation. The mission of the Christian Visitor is one of great importance and responsibility. He goes forth as the representative of his Master to carry the ' Gospel ' into the homes of ' the poor,' — to make known to the unconverted ' the acceptable year of the Lord,' and to warn them of 'the day of vengeance of our God:' to ' proclaim deliverance to the captives' of sin and Satan, — 'recover- ing of sight to the blind ' in heart : to direct them to the Friend of Sinners, who alone can 'heal the broken-hearted,' — ' set at liberty them that are bruised,' and comfort aU that mourn in Zion' by IV PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION. giving them • beauty for aslies,' the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.' To enable the Christian faithfully to fulfil these solemn duties, God has placed in his hands his own word, and commanded him to • seek out of the book of the Lord and read ;' declaring that, that 'word shall not rettm unto Him void, but shall prosper in the thing whereto He s at it.' But how many Visitors there are, who from a want of a lorough knowledge of the contents of the Bible, experience the greatest difficulty in knowing where to find tho words which are specially addressed, and therefore specially adapted, to the various states of mind they meet with in their visits ! The consequence is, unsuitable words are chosen ; that which applies to the Christian only, is read to the unconverted ; and still more often, the message sent by God in his own words to the individual, is not faithfully delivered by the messenger, because the ' sword of the Spirit ' is allowed to remain in the scabbard, and the words of a man are substituted for 'the ^ue sayings of God.' The Author ventures to hope, that many who can sympathize with him in. this painful experience, will find "Illustrative ScrarxuRE Readings " for the Visitation of the Poor, a friend in need. He trusts also, that this combination of Scripture truth will be found useful as a pocket companion for private meditation, and as a book of reference to many, who are often engaged in the study of God's word, but have no time to consult the pages of more elsborate volumes. In conclusion, the Author would add, that the whole work has been compiled in humble dependence upon the Holy Spirit for the wisdom reqmred ; and it is now sent forth to the world, accompanied with earnest prayer, and confident hope, that the blessing of God may attend its use to the salvation of sinners, and the sanctifica- tion of saints, and thus to the advancement of the Redeemer's Kingdom. K these objects are realized, even in a humble measure, the Compiler will rejoice in knowing his labours have not been in vain, and to the Divine Author of the sacred words of which this book is composed, shall be all the glory. Amen. TART FIRST |IIiistrati&^ ^m|to §l^a:Mn0B. CONTENTS. THE CHRISTIAN Afflicted Backsliding , Confident Doubting Dying Lukewarm Mourning Perplexed Persecute!) Poor Rejoicing Tempted Tried . Unchaeitabl CHAP. 1 2 3 4 5 Clajt^r £xx%l THE CHRISTIAN AFFLICTED. Divine sympathy. *" Although affliction cometli not forth of tlie dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the ground; yet man is born unto trouble as the sparks fly upward. ^£ut like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame ; he remem- bereth that we are dust. ^He maketh sore, and bindeth up : he woundeth, and his hands make whole : *he heareth the cry of the afflicted, ^a7id the Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing, and will make all his bed in his sickness ; ^for the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." 1 Job V, 6, 7. » Ps. ciii, 13, 14. a Job v, 18. ♦ Job xxxiv, 28. 6 P3. xli, 3. 6 jas. V, 16. Prayer for restoration to health. ^"Hear my prayer, Lord, and give ear unto my cry ; hold not thy peace at my tears. Make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is : that I may know how frail I am. Behold, thou hast made my days aa an hand-breadth ; and my age is as nothing before 'thee : *verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. ^Wearisome nights are appointed to me. When I lie down, I say, THE CHBISTIAN AFFLIC1.LD, * When shall I arise, and the night be gone ?' and I am full of tossings to and fro unto the dawning of the day. ^Beniember the word unto thy servant, ujDon which thou hast caused me to hope. This is my comfort in my afihction : for thy word hath quickened me. ^Make me glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted me. ^0 Lord, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction; ^be merciful unto me and raise me up; '0 spare me, tliat I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more." 1 Ps. xxxix, 12, 4, 5. 2 Job vii, 3, 4. 3 Ps. cxix, 49, 60. * Ps. xc, 15. 6 Jer. xvi, 19. 6 Ps. xli, 10. ' Ps. xxxix, 13. ELLUSTRATio:^. Jlezehiali raised up from sickness. ^"Hezekiah, king of Judah, ^was sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah came to him, and said unto him ; ' Thus saith the Lord : Set thine house in order ; for thou shalt die, and not live.' ^Theii Hezekiah turned his face to- ward the wall, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore, and said ; ' Bemember now, Lord, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a jDerfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. In the cutting off of my days, I shall go to the gates of the grave : I am deprived of the residue of my years. I shall not see the Lord, even the Lord, in the land of the living : I shall behold man no more with the inhabitants of the world. Mine ago is departed, and is removed from me as a shepherd's tent : he will cut me off with pining sickness ; fi'om day even to night wilt THE CKRISTIAN AFFLICTED. thou make an end of me. Mine eyes fail with i looldng upward : Lord, I am oppressed ; — undertake for me.' * "And it came to pass before Isaiah was gone | out into the middle court, that tlie word of the I Lord came to him, saying ; * Turn again, and j tell Hezekiah, the captain of my people : Thus ! saith the Lord, the God of David thy father ; | I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears : | behold, I will heal thee. On the thii'd day | thou shalt go up unto the house of the Lord ; l and I win add unto thy days fifteen years.' " 1 2 Kings xviii, 14. « 2 Kings xx, 1. ■* Is. xxxviii, 2, 3, 10-12, U. * 2 Kings XX, 4-6. Exhortation to patience and resignation. ' '* The Lord doth not afflict willingly : ^ there' fore, despise not the chastening of the Lord ; neither be weary of his correction : for whom the Lord loveth he correcteth ; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. ^ " Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an exam- ple of suffering affliction, and of patience. — Behold, we count them happy who endui'e. — Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord ; — that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. ^"Tribulation worketh patience ; and patience, experience ; and experience, hope. And hope maketh not ashamed ; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts, by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. ^And our light afflic- tion, which is but for a moment, worketh for THE CHUISTIAN AFFLICTED. US a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory ; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporal ; but the things which are not seen are eternal. ^Atid I reckon that the sufferings of this pre- sent time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. '^For we know that if our earthly house of this taber- nacle were dissolved, we have a building of Grod, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. ^** The God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you per- fect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." 1 Lam. iii, 31, 33. ^Erov.iii, 11, 12. s Jas. v, 10, 11. * Rom. v, 3-5. 6 2 Cor. iv, 17, 18. • Bom. viii, 18. 7 2Cor.v, 1. 8 i Pet. v, 10, 11. €l^itx 3nmh, THE CHRISTIAN BACKSLIDING. Invitation to return to God. ' '' Thus saith. the Lord ; My people have committed two evils ; they have forsaken me, | the fountain of living waters ; and hewed them | out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no j water. — '^Beturn, thou backsliding Israel, saith I the Lord, and I will not cause mine anger to i fall upon you ; for I am merciful, saith the | Lord, and I will not keep anger for ever ; only i acknowledge thine iniquity that thou hast trans- ! grossed against the Lord thy God. — Return, ye j backsliding children, and I will heal your back- j sliding; ^turn ye even to me, with all your | heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and ' with moiu-ning ; and rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God. ^For the Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down ; ^and the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name's sake." 1 Jer. ii, 5, 13. » Jer. iii, 12, 13, 22. s joel ii, 12, 13. * Pa. cxlv, 14. * 1 Sam. xii, 22. Exhortatio7i to confession of sin. \ ^ '* If any man sin, we have an advocate with I the Father, Jesus Chi'ist the righteous. ^If we \ sav that we have not sinned, we make liim a ! B3 : 6 THE CHRISTIAN BACKSLIDrN-Q. liar, hit if we confess our sins, lie is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrigliteousness. ^ ** Israel, return unto the Lord thy God, for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. Take with you words, and turn to the Lord. Say unto him ; ' Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously. * Though our iniquities testify against us, do thou it for thy name's sake ; for our backslidings are many — we have sinned against thee.' ^ '' Come, and let us return unto the Lord ; for he hath torn, and he wiU heal us ; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. ^Let us search. and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord. Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens, for we have transgressed and have rebelled. — ^ Our God is gracious, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness." 1 1 John ii, 1. 2 1 John i, 10, 9. 3 Hos. xiv, 1, 2. * Jer. xiv, 7. 6 Hos. vi, 1. 6 Lam. iii, 40-42. ' Joel ii, 13. The prayer of repentance. * ** Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, Lord. Lord, hear my voice, let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. If thou, Lord, shouldst mark iniquities, Lord, who shall stand ? but there is forgiveness with thee, that thou may est be feared. ^ Against thee, thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight : that thou mightest be justi- fied when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Purge me with hyssop and I fihall be clean ; wash me, and I shall be whiter THE CHRISTIAN BACKSLIDmO. tlian snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness, that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Eestore tmto me the joy of thy salvation ; and uphold me with thy free Spiiit. ^'' I have sinned greatly in that I have done; and now, I beseech thee, Lord, take away the iniquity of thy servant ; for I have done very foolishly. * Behold, Lord, for I am in distress ; mine heart is tui'ned within me ; for I have grievously rebelled. ^Turn me again, God, and cause thy face to shine ; and I shall be saved." 1 Ps. cxxx, 1-4. 2 Ps. li, 4, 7-12. s 2 Sam. xxiv, 10. ♦ Lam. i, 20. 6Ps. Ixxx. 3. Ahindant pardoyi promised. **' Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of Hosts ; I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and as a cloud, thy sins ; ^I -^01 forgive thy inic|uity, and I will remember thy sin no more. ^Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life. * Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your soids. ^For if my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, 8 THE CHRISTIAN BACKSLrDi:N'G. j and turn from their wicked ways ; then will I ! hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin. | ^I will heal their backsliding, I will love them i freely ; for mine anger is tiu^ned away." ' 1 Is. xliv, 6, 22. 2 Jer. xxxi, 34. 3 Deut. iv, 9. * Jer. vi, 16. j ^ 2 Chron. vii, 14. 6 Hos. xiv, 4. i iLLUSTiiATiON. The fall of Peter. *** Jesus went forth from Jerusalem, with his disciples, ^into the Mount of Olives. And he saith unto them ; * All ye shall be offended because of me this night.' But Peter said unto him, * Although all shall be offended ; yet will not I.' And Jesus saith imto him, * Yerily I say unto thee, that this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.' But Peter spake the more vehemently ; * If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise.' "And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane ; ^and Judas also knew the place, and having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons, *and led Jesus away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled who sought false witness against him, to put him to death. " But Peter followed Jesus afar off into the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end. And a damsel came unto him, saying, * Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.' But he denied before them all, saying, * I know not what thou sayest.' And when he was gone out into the porch, THE CHRISTIAN BACKSLIDING. anotlier saw liiin, and said unto them that were there, 'This fellow was also with Jesus ot Nazareth.' And again he denied with an oath, < I do not know the man.' And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to him ' Surely thou also art one of them ; lor thy speech bewrayeth thee.' Then began he to curse and to swear, saving, * I know not the man.' And immediately the cock crew. 5'' And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter ^and he remembered the word of Jesus, who said unto him, ' Before the cock crow thou Bhalt deny me thrice.' And he went out, and when he thought thereon, he «wept bitterly. iJohnxviii 1. 2 Mark xiv, 26, 27, 29-32. s John xviii, 2, 3. *Mi?txJ^57;59, 58,69-74. '^Luke xxii, 61. eMatt. xxYi. 75. 7 Mark xiv, 72. 8 Matt, xxvi, 75. Chastisement to he expected. 1 " Happy is the man whom- God correcteth ; therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty. ^Because thou hast forgotten the God of thy salvation, and hast not been mind- ful of the rock of thy strength, Hhou art chas- tened of the Lord, that thou shouUst not be condemned with the world. ^ *" Despise not thou the chastemng ol the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him ; for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and Bcourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endui-e chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons ; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? ^Hast thou not procured this unto thyself, in that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God, when he led thee by the way ? 10 THE CHRISTIAN BACKSLIDING. Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backsliding shall reprove thee. Know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God. ^*'Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the Lord thy God chasteneth thee ; 'and thy sins have withholden good things from thee. ^Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him." » Job V, 17. « Is. xvii, 10. » 1 Cor. xi, 32. < Heb. xii, 5-7. 6 Jer. ii, 17, 19. « Deut. viii, 5. ' Jer. v, 25. 8 peut. viii, 6. Exhortation to watchfulness, &,'c. *" Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. ^"Wherefore let him that tliinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. ^Be watchfid, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die ; for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Eemember therefore how thou hast re- ceived and heard, and hold fast, and repent. * Watch and pra}^, that ye enter not into temp- tation ; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. *Fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you. ^" Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless be- fore the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God, our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen." iProv. xvi, 18. » 1 Cor. x, 12. » Rev. iii, 2, 3. < Matt, xxvi, 41. » 1 Sam. xii, 24. « Jude i, 24, 25. Cljuj^t^r ^\xk THE CHRISTIAN CONFIDEXT. 2'he blessedness of trust in God. ^ '* Blessed is tliat man that maketli the Lord his trust. ^Pqp ^j^g Lord God is a sun and shield : the Lord will give grace and glory ; ^and he that believe th on him shall not be con- founded. '^The fear of man bringeth a snare : but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe. ^In the fear of the Lord is sti'ong con- fidence : and his childi^en shall have a place of refuge. ^For the name of the Lord is a strong- tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. — "^ This is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his wiU, he heareth us. And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him." » Ps. xl, 4. 2 Ps. Ixxxiv, 11. 3 1 Pet. ii, 6. * Prov. xxix, 25. * Prov. xiv, 2b. 6 Prov. xviii, 10. ' 1 John v, 14, 15. ILLI7STEATI0N. Faul sMpwrecIced. ^*' It was determined that Paul, and certain other prisoners, should sail into Italy. And the centui-ion found a ship, and he put t/ani therein. And when thei/ had sailed slowly many days, thei/ came unto a place called ' The fair havens.' Now when much time was spent, and sailing was dangerous, Paul admonished 12 THE CHRISTIAN CONFIDENT. them and said ; * Sirs, I perceive tliat this voyage will be with hui't and much damage, not only of the lading, and ship, but also of our lives.' — Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul. But not long after there arose against them a tempestuous wind, and neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on them, and all hope that they should be saved was then taken away. '* But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, * Sirs, I exhort you to be of good cheer : for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the shij). For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, saying : Fear not, Paul ; thou must be brought before Csesar, and lo, God hath given thee all them that sail' with thee. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer : for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.' ** And when the fom^teenth night was come, as they were driven up and down, about mid- night the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country. Then fearing lest they should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day. And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, sajdng ; ' This is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and 9ontinued fasting. Wherefore I pray jom to take some meat ; for this is for your health : — THE CHRISTIAIT CONriDENT. li for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.' And when he had "thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in pre- sence of them all. — And they were in all in the ship two hundred three score and sixteen souls. ''And when it was day, they knew not the land : but they discovered a certain creek with a shore. And they committed themselves unto the sea, and ran the ship aground ; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the vio- lence of the waves. — And the soldiers' coimsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out and escape. But the centu- rion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose ; and commanded that they which could swim shoiild cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land ; and the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. — And so it came to pass, that they es- caped all safe to land." i Acts xxvii, 1, 6, 7-11, 14, 20, 21-27, 29, 33-35, 37, 39-44. Divine encouragement. "■ '' Thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel ; In quietness and in confidence shall be tht/ strength. ^Fear not ; for thou shalt not be ashamed ; ^For them that honour me I will honour. * Thou shalt be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green ; and shall not be 14 THE CHRISTIAN CONiTDENT. careful in the year of di'ouglit, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. ^" When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid : yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it Cometh : the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken ; ^for the Lord knoweth them that trust in him." 1 Is. XXX, 15. 2 Is. liv, 4. 3 1 Sam. ii, 30. * Jer. xvii, 8. 5 Prov, iii, 24-26. ^ Nah. i, 7. ILLTJSTEATION. Tlic captive Jews in the furnace. ^ "Nebuchadnezzar, the ILing of Bah i/Ion, made an image of gold, and set it up in the plain of Dura. Then the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image ; and they stood before the image that he had set up. " Then an herald cried aloud : — ' To you it is commanded, people, nations, and languages, that at what time ye hear the sound of all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set uj). And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.' " Therefore, when all the peojole heard the sound of music, thei/ fell down and worshipped the golden image. " At that time certain Chaldeans came near and accused the Jews, and said to the king : THE CITRISTIAN CONFIDENT. 16 * king, live for ever. — There are certain Jews, Shadracli, Meshach, and Abednego, ivho tave not regarded thee : they serve not thy gods, nor worship the goklen image which thou hast set up.' Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring them. Then they brought these men before the king. And lie said unto them, *■ Is it true — do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image ? Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the music, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made, well : — but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a biu-ning fiery furnace ; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands ?' "And theij answered and said to the king: * We are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our Grod whom we serve is able to deliver us from the bui'ning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, king. But if not, be it known unto thee, king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.' " Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and he commanded that they should heat the fur- nace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated. Then these men were boimd in their garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery fiu-nace. " And the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsel- lors ; * Did not we cast three men bound into 16 THE CHRISTIAN CONFIDENT. the furroace ? Lo, I see four men loose, walk- ing in the midst of tlie fire, and they have no hurt ; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of Grod.' Then he came near to the mouth of the furnace, and said : — ' Ye servants of the most high Grod, come forth, and come hither.' Then thetj came forth of the midst of the fire. And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them. ** Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said : * Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and de- livered his servants that trusted in him, and hath changed the king's word, and jdelded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any go'd except their own God. — There is no other God that can deliver after this sort.' " » Dan. iii, 1-9, 12-21, 24-29. The song of the steadfast believer, ^ '' My soul, wait thou only upon God ; for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation : he is my defence ; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory : the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. '^For the Lord God will help me ; therefore shall I not be confounded ; therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. ^In God I have put THE CHRISTIAN COlTFrDENT. 17 my trust ; I will not fear what flesh can do un- to me. * Behold, Grod is my ' salvation ; I will trust, and not be afraid : for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song ; he also is become my salvation. ^The Lord is my light and my salvation ; whom shall I fear ? the Lord is the strength of my life 5 of whom shall I be afraid? Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear ; though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. ^The Lord is on my side ; I will not fear : — what can man do unto me ? 'In the Lord put I my trust. ^ " The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures : he leadeth me beside the still waters. He re- storeth my soul : he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. ^I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep : for thou, Lord, onlymakest me dwell in safety. ^^Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil : for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. ^^ Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. ^- Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life : and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. '^ " Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee ; which j thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee j before the sons of men ! Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of I man ^* Blessed be the Lord my strength, my 03 18 THE CHUISTIAN CONFIDENT. goodness, and my fortress ; my liigli tower, and my deliverer ; my shield, and lie in whom I trust. ^^0 Lord of Hosts : blessed is the man that trusteth in thee." iPs. Ixii, 5-7. '-^Is. 1, 7. sps.lvi, 4. *Is. xii, 2. aps. xxvii, 1, 3. ePs. cxviii, 6. 7Ps. xi, 1. 8 Ps. xxiii, 1-3. ^Ps. iv,8. »» Ps. xxiii, 4. iiPs. Ixiii, 7. 12 Ps. xxiii, 6. " Pg. xxxi, 19, 20. " Ps. cxliv, 1, 2. i»Ps. Ixxxiv, 12. Exhortation to strong confidence. ^ '' Trust in God at aU times ; ye people, pour out your heart before him. — Grod is a refuge for us. ^It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. ^Through God we shaU do valiantly ; for he it is that shall tread down our enemies. *It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes ; ^for the Lord will give strength imto his people ; the Lord will bless his people with peace. ^ Trust ye in the Lord for ever : for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength. "^"Cast not away your confidence, -which hath great recompense of reward. ^For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the be- ginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end." 1 Ps. Ixii, 8. 2 Ps. cxviii, 8. 3 Ps. Ix, 12. ■» Ps. cxviii, 9. 5 Ps. xxix, 11. « Is, xxvi, 4. ' Heb. x, 35. a Heb. iii, 14. Cl^agte cf 0nrt]^, THE CHEISTIAN DOUBTING. Complaint of the soul in darhiess. ^ '' The Lord liatli forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me, -my soul is cast down within me. ^Oh that I knew where I might find him! *Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not. ^Be- hold, I go forward, but he is not there ; and backward, but I cannot perceive him : on the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him : he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him. ^But I will wait upon the Lord, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him. "' " Why art thou cast down, my soul ? and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God : for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God." 1 Is. xlix, 14. 8 Ps. xlii, 6. 3 Job xxiii, 3. * Job ix, 11. 6 Job xxiii, 8, 9. ^is. viii, 17. "Ps. xlii, 11. Encouragement to trust in God. ^ '* He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. 2 Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart; for consider how great things he hath done for you. ^ Andhe ye mind- ful always of his covenant ; the word which he 20 THE CHEISTIAN DOtTBTINO. commanded to a thousand generations ; even of the covenant which he made with Abraham, and of his oath unto Isaac; and hath con- firmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant. ^For the Lord will not forsake his people for his great name's sake. ■,■,■,-, i 5 "In returning and rest shall ye be saved ; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength. ^For the Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace. ^ Wait on the Lord ; be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart. Wait, I say, on the Lord." iPhil.i, 6. 2 1 Sam. xii, 24. M Chron. xyi, 15-17. « 1 Sam. xii, 22. 5ls.xxx, 15. epg.xxix, 11. 'Ps.xxvu, 14. tLLTJSTiiATlON. Peter walking on the sea. ^''One evening the disciples of Jesns went down unto the sea, and entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them, Hut was alone on the land. ^And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew, Und the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves. . i ^ t '' And in the foui'th watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, 'It is a spirit;' and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, ' Be of good cheer : — It is I ; be not afraid.' '' And Peter answered him and said, ' Lord, THE CHRISTIAN DOUBTING. 21 if it be thou, bid me come unto tbee on tbe water.' And be said, * Come.' And when Peter was come down out of the sbip, be walked on tbe water, to go to Jesus. But wben be saw tbe wind boisterous, be was afi-aid; and be- ginning to sink, be cried, saying, 'Lord, save me.' And immediately Jesus stretcbed fortbbis band, and caugbt bim, and said unto bim, * tbou of bttle faitb, wberefore didst tbou doubt?' "And wben tbey were come into tbe sbip, tbe wind ceased. Tben tbey tbat were in tbe sbip came and worshipped bim, saying, ' Of a truth thou art the Son of God.' " 1 Johnvi, 16, 17. 23J[ark vi,47. 3johnvi,18. ♦ Matt. xiv, 24-33. The prayer of a desponding saint. 1" Hear my prayer, Lord, give ear to my supplications : in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness. For tbe enemy hath persecuted my soul ; he bath smitten my life down to the ground; be bath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead. Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate. I remember the days of old ; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands. I stretch forth my bands imto thee : my soul tbirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. ^As tbe hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, God. 3" Hear me speedily, Lord : my spirit fail- eth: *0 my God, my soul is cast down within me. Why hast thou forgotten me ?_ Why go I mourning because of tbe oppression of the 22 THE CHRISTIAN DOUBTING. enemy? ^ Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name. ^Hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. Quicken me, Lord, for thy name's sake : for thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble." 1 Ps. cxliii, 1, 3-6. 2 Ps. xlii, 1. 3 Ps. cxliii, 7. * Ps. xlii, 6, 9. ^Ps. cslii, 7. 6 Ps. cxliii, 7, 11. Divine consolations. ^ '* thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted ; ^ wherefore didst thou doubt? ^Behold, I have graven theerupon the palms of my hands ; *I will never leave thee nor forsake thee ; ^I will not forget thee. ''For the moun- tains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be re- moved, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee. ■^'^ Verily, verily, I say unto 3"ou; he that believeth on me hath everlasting life. ^ There- fore let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid; ^and be not faithless, but believing. ^^For my sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me : and I give unto them eternal life ; and thej^ shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." 1 Is. liv, 11. 2 Matt, xiv, 31. 3 ig. xlix, 16. * Heb. xiii, 5. 5 Is. xlix, 15. eis. liv, 10. ' John vi, 47. 8 jolm xiv, 27. 9 Jolm XX, 27. 10 John x, 27, 28. ILLXJSTEATION. The Unbelief of Thomas. ^'' One day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the THE CHRISTIAN DOTJBTrNG. 23 disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus (after his resurrection) and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, ' Peace be unto you.' And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side, ^and up- braided them with their unbehef and hardness of heart, because they beheved not them which had seen him after he was risen. ^Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. "But Thomas, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, *We have seen the Lord.' But he said unto them, 'Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.' ''And after eight days again the disciples were within, and Thomas with them. Then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, ' Peace be unto you.' Then said he to Thomas, ' Eeach hither thy finger, and behold my hands ; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side : and be not faithless, but believing.' And Thomas answered and said unto him, ' My Lord and my Grod.' Jesus saith unto him, ' Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed : blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.' " 1 John XX, 19, 20. 2 Mark xyi, 14. 3 Jolm xx, 20, 24-29. Exhortation to helieve the promises, ^^c. ^"Having therefore these ^exceeding great and j)recious promises, ^let us draw near with a 24 THE CHRISTIAN DOUBTING. true heart, in full assurance of faith ; and let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering ; for he is faithful that promised. *" For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Chi^ist (of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named), that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man ; that Chi'ist may dwell in your hearts by faith ; that ye being rooted and grounded in love, 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 know- ledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. " Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." 1 2 Cor. vii, 1. « 2 Pet. i, 4. s Heb. x, 22, 23. * Eph. iii, 14-21. I itgter i'xti^. THE CHEISTIAN DYINa. Consoling truths. ^**Preciotjs in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. ^ Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth : * Yea,' saith the Spirit, * that they may rest from their labours ; .and their works do follow them.' ^ " Since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by -the ear, neither hath the eye seen, what God hath prepared for him that waiteth for him. *He will swallow np death in victory ; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces : for the Lord hath spoken it. ^ And there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying ; neither shall there be any more pain : for the former things are passed away. ^Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. 'And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life." I Ps. cxvi, 15. 2 KeT. xiv, 13. 3 Is. Ixiv, 4. ♦ Is. xxv, 8. 5 Eev. xxi, 4. e Matt, xiii, 43. ^ 1 John ii, 25. Promises of Divine siipj^ort. ^ " Fear thou not ; for I am with thee : be not dismayed ; for I am thy God : I will strengthen thee ; yea, I will help thee ; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. D 26 THE CHRISTIAN DYING. *As tliy days, so shall thy strength, be. ^My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee > rest. ^Fear not; for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name ; thou art mine. When thou passest thi'ough the waters, I will be with thee ; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel — thy Saviour. ^The eternal Grod is thy refuge, and underneath are I the everlasting arms. ^I will ransom thee from the power of the grave ; I will redeem thee from death : death, I will be thy plagues ; grave, I will be thy destruction." I lis. xli, 10. &Deut. xrxiii, 25. 3 Ex. xxxiii, 14. lis. xliii, 1-3. i 5 Deut. xxxiii, 27. ^Hos. xui, 14. I I Triumphant faith. I ^" All the days of my appointed time will I I wait, till my change come. ^ Christ shall be I magnified in my body, whether it be by life or by I death. For to me, to live is Clirist, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour ; yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Clmst; which is far better. ^And I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth : and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God. Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another. ^For God will redeem my soul from the jDower of the grave ; and he shall receive me. — ^The time of my de- parture is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I THE CHRISTIAN DYING. 27 have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me ; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." 1 Jobxiv, 14. « Phil, i, 20-23. 3 job xix, 25-27. * Ps.xlix, 15. s 2 Tim. iv, 6-8. Resignation to the Divine will. ^ *' Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word ; ^for I know that thou wilt bring me to death, and to the house appointed for all living. • 3" Into thine hand I commit my spirit : thou hast redeemed me, Lord God of truth. *I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy like- ness. = In thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. ^Whom have I in heaven but thee ? and there is none upon earth that I desii-e beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth : but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.'* iLukeii, 29. ajobxxx, 23. 3 Pg. xxxi, 5. ♦Ps. xvii, 15. sPs. xvi, II. 6 Ps. ixxiii, 25, 26. Victory through the risen Saviour. 1 '' Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ fi'om the dead ; to an inheritance incorruptible, and un- defiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, ready to be 28 THE CHRISTIAN DYING. revealed in the last time — wherein ye greatly rejoice. 2 "For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. And as in Adam all die, even so in Cliiist shall all be made alive. ^For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will Grod bring with him. ^A^idwhen Chi'ist, who is our life, .^hall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory ; ^who shall change our vile body tha{" it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body. ^It is sown in corruption ; it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonour ; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness ; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body ; it is raised a spiritual body. '' It doth not yet appear what we shall be : but we know that when he shall aj)pear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. ^ ' ' Beho] d, I shew you a mj^stery : we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment — in the twinkling of an eye — at the last trump. For the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruiDtible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and tliis mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to jiass the saying that is written : * Death is swallowed up in victory.' "0 death, where is thy sting ? grave, where is thy victory ? The sting of death is sin ; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be THE CHRISTIAN DYrN^Q. 29 to God, who givetli us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 " None of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord ; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord ; whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. A?id to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. 10 u ^Q^ the Gi-od of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Grhost. "Grrace be imto jou, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ." 1 1 Pet. i, 3-6. 2 1 Cor. xv, 21, 22. s 1 Thess. iv, 14. * Col. iii, 4. » Phil, iii, 21, « 1 Cor. xv, 42-44. ^ 1 John iii, 2.8 1 Cor. xy, 51-57. » Rom. xIt, 7-9. lo Rom. xv, 13. ii 1 Cor. i, 5. r>3 Cl^Hgter Stet|, THE CHRISTIAN LUKEWARM. The danger of coldness of heart. ' *' The Lord your God proveth you, to know wlietlier ye love the Lord jowc Grod with, all your heart and with all your soid. Ye shall walk after the Lord your Grod, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him. ^Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiv- ing your own selves. For if any be a hearer of. the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass : for he beholdeth himseK, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. — ^Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold; but he that shaE. endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. *'' Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbeUef, in departing from the living God ; but exhort one another daily, while it is called ' to-day ;' lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfidness of sin. ^Examine yourselves, whether ye be in THE CHBISTIAN LUKEWARM. 31 the faith ; prove yoiir own selves. — *Let us fear, lest a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. ''For if we suffer, we shall also reign with liim : lut if we deny him, he also will deny us." I Deut. xiii, 3, 4. 2 Jas. i, 22-25. 3 Matt, xxiv, 12, 13. ♦ Heb. iii, 12, 13. ^ 2 Cor. xiii, 5. sHeb.iv, 1. ^ 2 Tim. ii, 12. The Saviour'* s displeasure incurred. ^*' These things saith He ^that liveth, and was dead, ^the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of Grod : * ' I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy fust love. ^I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot : I would that thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I have need of nothing ; and Ifnowest not that thou art wi'etched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.' ^"Whosoever shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father who is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father who is in heaven. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. "No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. ^And he that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me : and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. ^Eemember therefore 32 THE CHRISTIAN LUKEWARM. from whence thoii art fallen, "be zealous, and rej)ent, ^^and do the first works." 1 Rev. ii, 1. 2 Rev. i, 18. a Kev. iii, 14. ♦ Rev. ii, 4. 5 Rev. iii, 15-17. « Matt, x, 32, 33,38. ^Lukeix, 62. SMatt. x, 37. » Rev. ii, 5. lo Rev. iii, 19. ii Rev. ii, 5. Ft ay er for quichening grace. ^"Let my cry come near before thee, Lord, for I have gone astray like a lost sheep. ^ Wilt thou not revive me again: that /may rejoice in thee ? ^ Quicken me, Lord, according to thy loving kindness; *0 Lord, revive thy work. ^Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation ; and uphold me with thy free Spirit. ^Examine me, Lord, and prove me ; try my reins and my heart. ' Search me, Grod, and know my heart : try me, and know my thoughts : and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. ^My soul cleaveth unto the dust : quicken thou me according to thy word. Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity ; and quicken thou me in thy way." 1 Ps. cxix, 169, 176. 2 Ps. Ixxxv, 6. 3 Ps. cxix, 152. * Hab. iii, 2. * Ps. Ii, 11, 12. 6 Ps. xxvi, 2. '• Ps. cxxxix,23,24. a Pg. cxix,25,37. Exhortation to zeal towards God. ^** Seeing that we have a great liigh priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of G-od, let us hold fast oui* profession ; ^ and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works ; not forsaking the assem- bling of ourselves together. ^For it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing. THE CHRISTIAN LUKEWAEM. 33 *«' Ye are tlie salt of the earth : but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted ? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and x^ut it under a bushel, but on a candlestick ; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. ^Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of Grod, and ye are not your own ? For ye are bought with a price : there- fore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. ^" Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and the finisher of oiu' faith; who for the joy that was set before him endm-ed the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in youi' minds ; ''and look for that blessed hope, and the glorious appear- ing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and puiifyunto him- seK a peculiar people, zealous of good works.'* 1 Heb. iv, 14. 2Heb. x, 24, 25. 3 Qal. iv, 18. * Matt, v, 13-16. » 1 Cor. vi, 19, 20. e Heb. xii, 1-3. ' Tit. ii, 13, 14. 34 THE CHRISTIAN LUKEWARM. ILLUSTRATION. The mission of the converted Gadarene. ^" Jesus arrived at the coimtiy of the Gada- renes, which is over against Galilee. And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man ^with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs ; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. " But when he saw Jesus afar oflP, he ran and worshipped him, and cried with a loud voice, and said, 'What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God ? ^I beseech thee, torment me not.' (For he had com- manded the unclean sj)irit to come out of the man.) * *' And there was a good way off from them a herd of many swine feeding. So the devils be- sought Jesus, saying, ' If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. ' And he said, * Go.' And when they were come out, they went into the swine : and, behold, the whole herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters. And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told everything, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils. And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus, ^and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at his feet, clothed, and in his right mind; and they were afraid. THE CHRISTIAN LUKEWARM. 35 Then tlie whole multitude besought Jesus to depart from them. ^" And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, 'but sent him away, saying, * Eeturn to thine own house, ^and go home to thy fiiends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had com- passion on thee.' ^And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city, ^^ancl in Decapolis, how great things Jesus had done for him ; and all men did marvel." 1 Luke viii, 26, 27. 2 Mark v. 2, 3, 5-7. 3 Luke viii, 28, 29. * Matt, viii, 30-34. & Luke viii, 35, 37. & Mark v, 18, 19. "' Luke viii, 38, 39. 8 Mark v, 19. » Luke viii, 39. lo Mark v, 20. Motives and encouragements to work for Christ. ^"By Jesus let us offer the 'sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fi'uit of our lips, giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not ; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. ^And the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead ; and that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again. ^" Be not thou therefore ashamed of the tes- timony of our Lord, but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God. * Follow righteousness, faith, \ charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord 1 out of a pui-e heart. But foolish and unlearned 36 THE CHRISTIAN LUKEWABM. i questions avoid, knowing that they do gender I strifes. The sei'vant of the Lord must not i strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, ! patient; in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves;' if Glod peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth ; and that they may recover them- selves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken caj)tive by him at his will. .^*'Be not weary in well doing; ^lut go to thy friends and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee; ^and giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue ; and to virtue know- ledge ; and to knowledge temperance ; and to temperance patience ; and to patience godliness ; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of oiu' Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar oif, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election siu^e ; for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall : for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Chiist." iHeb. xiii, 15, 16. 2 2 Cor. v, 14, 15. ^ 2 Tim. i, 8. ♦ 2 Tim. ii, 22-26. » 2 Thcss. iii, 13. « Mark v, 19. ' 2 Pet. i, 5-11. THE CHRISTIAN MOUENINQ. The prayer of a mourning saint. ^*'I WOULD seek xmto God, and unto God would I commit my cause : who doeth great tilings and unsearchable — marvellous things without number : to set up on high those that be low; that those which mourn may be exalted to safety. ^ j^ \]^q (^^y of my trouble I will call upon thee : for thou wilt answer me. ? From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed : — lead me to the rock that is higher than I. *I know, Lord, that thy judgments are right,- and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, ac- cording to thy word unto thy servant. ^Be merciful unto me, God, be merciful unto me : for my soul trusteth in thee ; yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast. I will cry unto God most high; imto God that performeth all tilings for me." iJobv, 8, 9, 11. 2Ps. Ixxxvi, 7. aPs. Ixi, 2. ♦ Ps. cxix, 75, 76. aPs. Ivii, 1, 2. ILLUSTRATION. Death of David^s child. * " The Lord struck the child of David, JTing of Israelj and it was very sick. David therefore 38 THE CHRISTIAN MOUENTNG besouglit God for tlie child, and fasted ; but on the seventh day it died. And the servants of David feared to tell him. But when he saw that theT/ whispered, he perceived that the child was dead. And he came into the honse of the Lord and worshipped ; and he did eat. Then said his servants, 'What thing is this that thou hast done ? thou didst fast and weep for the child while he was alive ; but when he was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread.' And David said, 'While the cliild was yet alive, I fasted and wept ; for I said : Who can tell whether G-od will be gracious to me, that the child may live ? But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast ? Can I bring him back again ? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.' " » 2 Sam. xii, 15, 16, 18-23. Words of comfort for the sorrowful. ^ ** Thus saith the Lord : — 'Eefrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears. ^As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you. — ^Blessed are they that mourn : for they shall be comforted. *I will turn their mourning into joy, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.' ^''The Spirit of the Lord is upon Jesus; because the Lord hath sent him to bind up the broken-hearted, to comfort all that mourn ; to give imto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness ; that they- might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, THE CHRISTIAN MOUENING. 39 that he might be glorified. ^Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall retui^n, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy- shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy ; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away ; 'for the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted." 1 Jer. xxxi, 16. « Is. Ixvi, 13. s Matt, v, 4. * Jer. xxxi, 13. *Is. Ixi, 1-3. 6 Is. U, 11. 7Is. xlix,13. ILLUSTRATION. Lazarus raised from the dead. *" A certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany. Therefore his sisters sent unto Jesus, saying, * Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.' When Jesus heard that, he said, * This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.' And he abode two days still in the same place where he was. And after that he saith unto his disciples, '■ Our friend Lazarus sleepeth ; but I go that I may awake him out of sleep.' Howbeit Jesus spake of his death : but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said he unto them plainly, 'Lazarus is dead.' *' When Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already. And many of the Jews came to Martha and Maiy, the sisters of Lazarics, to comfort them concerning their brother. Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him : but Mary sat still in the house. Then said Martha unto Jesus, * Lord, if thou hadst been 40 THE CHRISTIAN MOURNING. here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, he will give it thee.' Jesus saith unto her, * Thy brother shall rise again.' Martha saith unto him, ' I know that he shall rise again in the resurrec- tion at the last day.' Jesus said unto her, ' I am the resurrection and the life : he that beheveth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live ; and whosoever liveth and believeth in me, shall never die. Believest thou this?' She saith unto him, ' Yea, Lord : I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.' And when she had so said, she went her way and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, ' The Master is come, and calleth for thee.' As soon as Mary heard that, she arose quickly and came unto him. The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, ' She goeth unto the grave, to weep there.' When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit and was troubled. And said, * Where have ye laid him ?' They said unto him, ' Lord, come and see.' — Jesus wej)t. Then said the Jews, ' Behold how he loved him!' He cometh to the grave, — it was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. Jesus said, ' Take ye away the stone.' And they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus cried with a loud voice : — * Lazarus, come forth.' — And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave THE CHRISTIAN MOURNING. 41 cloth.es. Jesus saith unto them, ' Loose him, and let him go.' — Then many of the Jews which came to Mary and had seen the things which. Jesus did, believed on him." 1 John xi, 1, 3, 4, 6, 11, 13, 14, 17, 19-29, 31, 33-36, 38, 39, 41, 43-45. Exhortation to submission to God's will, ^"The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble ; and he knoweth them that trust in him. ^ Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee : he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. ^Qod is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. *The Lord raiseth them that are bowed down : the Lord loveth the righteous. ^And we know that all things work together for good to tbem that love God. ^ '' The Lord will wait that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you : for the Lord is a God of judgment : blessed are all they that wait for him. — Thou shalt weep no more : he will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry ; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee. Though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, — 'though he cause grief, yet will he have com- passion according to the midtitude of his mercies : for he doth not aiilict willingly nor grieve the children of men ; ^and he healeth. the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. ^The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. E3 42 THE CHRISTIAN MOURNING. *°*' Are the consolations of God small with thee ? ^^ Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of Grod, that he may exalt you in due time ; casting all your care upon him ; for he careth for you. ^2;Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, 'What doest thou ?'^^' Truly this is a grief, and ?/ow must bear it. ^*The will of the Lord be done: ^^for he hath done all things well. ^^The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away ; blessed be the name of the Lord." iNah. i, 7. aPs. Iv, 22. 3 Pg. xlvi, 1. * Ps. cxlvi, 8. 5 Rom. viii, 28. ejs.xxx, 18-20. " Lam. iii, 32, 33. 8 Ps. cxlvii, 3. 9 Ps. xxxiv, 17. 10 Job xv, 11. n 1 Pet. v, 6, 7. i« Job ix, 12. 13 Jer. X, 19. 1* Acts xxi, 14. i* Mark vii, 37. is Job i, 21, ILLUSTRATION. Raising of the tvidoiu's son. ^^^ Jesus went into a city called Nain; ^nd many of his disciples went with him, and much people. Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow : and much people of the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, * Weep not.' And he came and touched the bier : and they that bear it stood still. And he said, 'Young man, I say unto thee, arise.' — And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And Jesus delivered him to his mother. And there came a fear on all ; and they glorified God, saying, ' That a great prophet is risen up among us ;' and, * That God hath visited his people.' " 1 Luke vii, 11 16. THE CHRISTIAN MOXJRNING. 43 Consolation on the death of a Christian. *'* Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord ; -for the righteous are taken away from the evil to come ; they shall enter into peace ; ^they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more ; for the Lamb which is in the midst of the thi'one shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters : and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. — *Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. ^'' And I would not have you to be ignorant, brethi'en, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord; that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleej). For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God : and the dead in Christ shall rise first, then we which are alive and" remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. And so shall we ever be with the Lord. — Wherefore comfort one another with these words. ^The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Ainen." »Eev. xiv, 13. » Is. Ivii, 1, 2. 3 Rev. vii, 15-17. * Eev. xiv, 12. s 1 Thess. iv, 13-18. « 1 Thess. v, 28. C^Hgfer ®ifl|t|. THE CHRISTIAN PERPLEXED. Exhortation to seek Divine direction. '**If any of you lack wisdom, let Mm ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea, driven with the wind and tossed. Let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord. 2 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass. Eest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him. 'Tret not thyself because of evil doers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. ^" Stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you. * Wait on the Lord : be of good courage, and he shall sti^engthen thine heart : wait, I say, on the Lord. ^ Trust ye in the Lord for ever; for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength. ^ All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. ' Be carefid for nothing ; but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto G-od. ^ Trust in the Lord with all thine THE CHRISTIAN PERPLEXED. 45 heart; and lean not unto thine own understand- ing. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 9 ''Cast not away your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise." 1 Jas. i, 5-7. 2 Ps. xxxvii, 5, 7, 1, 2. '^2 Chron. xx, 17. * Ps. xx\ii, 14. 5 Is. xxvi, 4. 6 ps. xxv, 10, ' Pliil. iv, 6. 8 Prov. iii, 5, 6. » Heb. x, 35, 36. Prayer for wisdom, Sfc. ^**Bow down thine ear, Lord, hear me. ^Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness be- cause of mine enemies ; make thy way straight before my face. ^Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps sHp not. Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings. ^"O Lord God, give me now wisdom and knowledge. ^Show me thy ways, Lord ; teach me thy paths ; lead me in thy truth, and teach me. ^ Teach me thy way, Lord, and lead me in a plain path. ''My soul melteth for heaviness; strengthen thou me according unto thy word. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Teach me good judgment and knowledge ; for I have believed thy command- ments. ^ Teach me, and I will hold rny tongue ;. and cause me to understand wherein I have erred. ^Let my cry come near before thee, OLord; give me understanding according to thy word." 1 Ps. Ixxxvi, 1. 2 Ps. V, 8. 3 Ps. xvii, 5, 8. * 2 Chron. i, 9, 10. aps. xxv, 4, 5. ePs. xxvii, 11. ' Ps. cxix, 28, 34, 66. sjobvi, 24. 9 Ps. cxix, 169. 46 THE CHRISTIAN PERPLEXED. Selp and guidance promised. ^** Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life ; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself — wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee. ^I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go ; I will guide thee with mine eye. ^My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. ^The Lord shall guide thee continually; ^for God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy." I 2 Chron. i, 11, 12. 2 Ps. xxxii, 8. s Ex. xxxiii, 14. ♦ Is. Iviii, 11. 5Ecc. ii, 26. Thanksgiving for God's counsel. ^ ** I thank thee, and praise thee, thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom, and hast made known unto me now what I desired of thee. Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever ; for wisdom and might are his. ^ By the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer. ^Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee. *What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee; ^and thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward re- ceive me to glory. ^''I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel. 'The meek will he guide in judg- ment : and the meek will he teach his way. — ^This God is our God for ever and ever ; he will be our guide even unto death." 1 Dan. ii, 23, 20. 2 Ps. xvii, 4. 3 is. xxvi, 3. * Ps. Ivi, 3. » Ps. Ixxiii, 24. « pg, xyi^ 7. 7 pg. xxv, 9. « Ps. xlviu. Ci^apto ptrt^. THE CHRISTIAN PEESECUTED. Prayer for deliverance fror^i enemies. ^ " Lord my God, in tliee do I put my trust; save me from all them tliat persecute me, and deliver me. ^0 Lord, thou hast seen my wrong : judge thou my cause. Thou hast seen all their vengeance, — thou hast heard their reproach, Lord, and all their imaginations against me ; the lips of those that rose up against me, and their device against me all the day. ^Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand. The poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless. *They that sit in the gate speak against me ; I was the song of the drunkards. But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, Lord, in an acceptable time. ^'' Mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together, saying, 'God hath forsaken him, — persecute and take him ; for there is none to deliver him.' God, be not far fi-om me : my God, make haste for my help. ^Aiise, God, plead thine own cause : remember how the foolish man re- proacheth thee daily. Forget not the voice of thine enemies : the tumult of those that rise up against thee increaseth continually. 48 THE CHRISTIAN PERSECUTED. " Grod, how long shall the adversary re- proach ? shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever? 'Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, thou that dwellest in the heavens. ^Deliver me, Lord, from mine enemies : I flee unto thee to hide me. ^Uphold me according unto thy word ; and let me not be ashamed of my hope. Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe." 1 Ps. vii, 1. 2 Lam. iii, 59-62. s pg. x, 14. * Ps. Ixix, 12, 13. sPs. Ixxi, 10-12. eps. Ixxiv, 22,23,10. 'Ps. cxxiii, 1. 8 Ps. cxliii, 9. sPs. csix, 116, 117. God^s assistance promised to his people. ^ ** Fear not; I am thy shield, and thy exceed- ing great reward, ^^g thy days, so shall thy strength be. ^ There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee ; I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Only be thou strong and very courageous; be not afi^aid, neither be thou dismayed : for the Lord thy Grod is with thee whithersoever thou goest. ^I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, 'Fear not; I will help thee.' ^Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. — ''Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded : they shall be as nothing ; and they that strive with thee shall perish. Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee. I will help thee, saith the Lord, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel." 1 Gen. XV, 1. a Deut. xxxiii, 25. s Josh, i, 5, 7, 9, ♦ Is. xli, 13. 5 Ex. xiv, 13, 14. 6 Is. xli, ] 1, 12, 14. THE CHRISTIAN PERSECUTED. 49 ILLUSTRATION. Daniel protected in the lion^s den. ^'*It pleased king Darius to set over his kiugdom an liundi-ed and twenty princes ; and over these, tkree presidents ; of whom Daniel was first : because an excellent spirit was found in him. Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom ; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. Then said these men, * We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.' '' Then they assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, ' King Darius, Kve for ever. — We have consulted together to estab- lish a royal statute^ and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, sav6 of thee, king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.' Where- fore king Darius signed the decree. ** Now when Daniel knew that it was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. *' Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. Then they came near, and said before the king, * That Daniel, who is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, king, nor the decree that thou hast F 50 THE CHRISTIAN PERSECUTED. signed, but maketli his petitions three times a day.' Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him. But these men said unto him, * Know, king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is : That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed.' '' Then Darius commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake, and said unto Daniel, *Thy Grod whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.' And a stone was brought and laid upon the mouth of the den ; and tiie king sealed it with his own signet and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel. ** Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting : neither were instru- ments of music brought before him : and his sleep went fi-om him. And he arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice, and said, * Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy Grod whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?' Then said Daniel unto the king, ' king, live for ever. My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me : for- asmuch as before him innocency was found in me ; and also before thee, king, have I done no hurt.' Then was Darius exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take THE CHRISTIAN PERSECUTED. 51 Daniel up out of the den, and no manner of liiu't was found upon him, because he believed in his Grod. ''And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions ; them, their childi-en, and their wives. And the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den." » Dan. vi, 1-7, 9-24. Confidence in the help of God. *" What shall we then say to these things '? If God be for us, who can be against us ? ^He hath said, ' I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee ;' so that we may boldly say, ' The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.' ^I take pleasui'e in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake ; for when I am weak, then am I strong. — *Eejoice not against me, mine enemy ; when I fall, I shall arise ; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me. ^ ' ' The Lord executeth righteousness and judg- ment for all that are oppressed. ^He deliver- eth and rescueth, — he delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. — "In Grod have I put my trust : I will not be afi-aid what man can do unto me." 1 Rom. viii, 31. -^ Heb. xiii, 5, 6. 3 2 Cor. xii, 10. * Mic. vii, 8. 5 Ps. ciii, 6. 6 Dan. vi, 27. 7 pg. M, 11. 52 THE CIIillSTIAN PERSECUTED. ILLUSTRATION. PauV 8 accowit of Ms sul ^"Paul, an apostle (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Clirist, and Grod the Father), saith ; ^ ' Ai-e others ministers of Christ ? I am more ; in laboui^s more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty strijoes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thidce I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep. '* 'In Damascus, the governor under Aretas the king, kej)t the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me. And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaj)ed his hands. " *In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren ; in weariness and painfuhiess, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. — ^But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might fijiish my coiu'se with jo}^, and the ministry which I have re- ceived of the Lord Jesus, to testify the Gospel of the grace of God.' " I Gal. i, 1. 8 2 Cor. xi, 23-25, 32, 33, 26-28. 3 Acts xx, 21. THE CHRISTIAN PEESECUTED. 53 Exhortation to hear persecutmi with meekness. ^*'A11 that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. -Thou therefore en- dure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. ^Let us not be weary in well doing ; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. *'*If when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently : this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called; because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an ex- ample, that ive should follow his steps. Who when he was reviled, reviled not again ; when he suffered, he thi-eatened not ; but committed himseK to him that judgeth righteously. ^''I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that cui'se you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven ; for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. ^Dearly beloved, avenge not youi'selves, but rather give place unto wrath ; for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.' Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him ; if he thirst, give him drink ; for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but over- come evil with good. "'If it be possible, as F3 54 THE CHRISTIAN PERSECUTED. mucli as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. ^ " If ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye : and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled. Be ready alwaj^s to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. For it is better, if the will of Grod be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. ^If any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed ; but let him glorif}^ Grod on this behalf. — Let them that suffer according to the will of God, commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing as unto a faithful Creator." » 2 Tim. iii,12. 2 2Tim.ii,3. a Gal. vi, 9,10. * 1 Pet. ii,20,21,23. 5 Matt. V, 44, 45. 6 Rom. xii, 19-21. ' Rom. xii, 18. « 1 Pet. iii, 14, 15, 17. » 1 Pet. iv, 16, 19. ILLUSTRATION. MaHyrdom of Stephen. ^'* Stephen, a- man full of faith and of the Holy Grhost, did great wonders and miracles among the people. Then there arose certain of the synagogue disputing with him. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake. Then they suborned men, who said, ' We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.' And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council, and set \\^ false witnesses. And all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel. ^ And Stephen said, 'Ye stiff-necked and uncircum- THE CHRISTIAN PEESECUTED. 55 cised in heart and ears, ye do alway resist the Holy Ghost; as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted ? and they have slain them who shewed before of the coming of the Just One ; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers.' "When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, and said, 'Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man stand- ing on the right hand of God.' Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, and cast him out of the city, and stoned him ; Stephen calling upon God, and saying, ' Lord Jesus, re- ceive my spirit.' And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, ' Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.' — And when he had said this, he fell asleep." 1 Acts vi, 5, 8, 9-13, 15. » Acts vii, 2, 51, 52, 54-60. Tlie rewards of suffering for Christ. * " t/'^-sws said : — ^ Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake ; for their's is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Eejoice, and be exceeding glad : for great is your reward in heaven ; for 56 THE CHRISTIAN PERSECUTED. SO persecuted they the prophets which were before you. ^ * * If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own : but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Eemember the word that I said unto you, ' The servant is not greater than his lord.' If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept oy saying, they will keep yoiu-s also. *If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. ^''Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Eejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy : behold, your reward is great in heaven ; for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. ^He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels." I Luke vi, 20. 2 M tt. v, 10-12. 3 John xv, 18-20. * Luke ix, 23. a Luke vi, 22, 23. 6 Rev. iii, 5. €^^Ux Ztxit^. THE CHRISTIAN POOR. 27ie vanity of earthly riches. *** Wealth maketh. many friends ; but the poor is separated from his neighbour. "^Never- theless, a little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked ; ^and better is the poor that walketh in his upright- ness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich. *"How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God ! It is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. ^Therefore better is little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure and trouble there- with. — ^The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low and lifteth up. He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill ; to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory." iProv. xix,4. 2 Ps. xsxvii, 16. 3 Prov. xxviii, 6. * Luke xviii, 24,25. aProv. sv, 16. 6 1 Sam. ii, 7, 8. iLLUSTEATiox. The rich man and Lazarus. ^*' There was a certain rich man, who was clothed in piu-ple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day. And there was a certain 58 THE CHRISTIAN POOB. beggar named Lazarus, wlio was laid at liis gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed with, tbe crumbs whicli fell fi-om tbe ricb man's table. ** And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom. The rich, man also died, and was buried. And in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, ' Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that be may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue ; for I am tormented in this flame.' But Abraham said, ' Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime re- ceivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things : but novv he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed : so that they which would pass fi'om hence to jou can- not; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.' " 1 Luke xvi, 19-26. Exhortation to seek help from God. ^''0 fear the Lord, ye his saints ; for there is no want to them that fear him. The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger : but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing. 2 "If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone ? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent ? Or if he shall ask an q^^, will he offer him a scorpion ? ^ If ye then, being evil. THE CHEISTIAX TO OR. 59 know how to give good gifts unto your cliildi-en, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him ? *"The Lord heareth the poor, ^and he de- livereth him in his affliction. ^He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise theii' prayer. This shall be written for the generation to come ; and the people which shall be created shall praise the Lord, ''For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth ; the poor also, and him that hath no helper. He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the soul of the needy. ^In the days of famine he shall be satisfied — ^ bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure. ^'^The Lord ^ill not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish ; ^^for like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame ; he remembereth that we are dust. ^2" He that spared not liis own Son, but de- livered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things ? ^"^And ye know the grace of oiu- Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for yoiu^ sakes he became poor, that ye, through his poverty, might be rich. ^^ Therefore be careful for no- thing ; but in everything by prayer and suppli- cation, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto (xod. And the peace of Grod, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." 1 Ps. xxxiv, 9, 10. 2 Luke xi, 11, 12. 3 Matt, vii, 11. 'Ps.lxix, 33. 5 Job xxxvi, 15. ePs. cii, 17, 18. ^ Ps. Ixxii, 12, 13. » Pg. xxxvii, 19. 9 Is. xxxiii, 16. 10 Prov. x, 3. uPs. ciii, 13, 14. 12 Rom. viii, 32. la 2 Cor. viii, 9. n Plul. iv, 6, 7. 60 THE CHRISTIAN POOR. ILLUSTRATION. Water provided for Hagar's child. ^" Abraham, the servant of God^ rose up early in the raorning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, his londwomanj j)utting it on her shoulder, and her child, and sent her away. And she departed, and wan- dered in the wilderness of Beer-sheba. '* And the water was spent in the bottle, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs. And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bow shot : for she said, *■ Let me not see the death of the child.' And she sat over against him, and lifted up her voice and wept. ''And God heard the voice of the lad ; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, ' What aileth thee, Hagar ? fear not ; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is.^ — Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand, for I will make him a great nation.' ''And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water ; and she went and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink. And God was with the lad ; and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness." 1 Gen. xxi, 14-20. Special promises to the needy. * " Thus saith the Lord God : — It shall come to pass, that before my people call, I will answer ; THE CHRISTIAN POOR. 61 and wliile they are yet speaking, I will hear. Behold, my servants shall eat, and drink, and shall rejoice. Behold, my servants shall sing for j oy of heart. ^ For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the"" upright. ^The Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor. * ** Call upon me in the day of trouble : I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. ^The need}^ shall not alway be forgotten ; the ex- pectation of the poor shall not perish for ever. ^'* Fear not, I will help thee, saith the Lord, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys : I will make the .wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water ; that they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the Lord hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it. "' " Blessed be ye poor: for your's is the king- dom of Grod. Blessed are ye that hunger now : for ye shall be filled. ^I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, but thou art rich. Fear none of those things which thou shalt siiffer ; be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thQQ a crown of life." 1 Is. Ixv, 13, 24, 13, 14. 2 Ps. xi, 7, » Ps. cxl, 12. * Ps. 1, 15. *Ps.ix, 18. "Is. xli, 14,17, 18,20. ' L\ike vi, 20, 21. 8 Rev. ii, 9, 10. 62 THE CHRISTIAN POOR. ILLUSTRATION. Elijah sustained in famine. ^" There was a sore famine in the land of Samaria, "^for it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. ^And the word of the Lord came unto Elijah, the prophetf saying, * Get thee hence, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith ; and it shall be that thou shalt diink of the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.' So Elijah went and did according unto the word of the Lord. And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening, and he drank of the brook. *' And it came to pass, after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land. And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, ' Arise, and get thee to Zare- phath, and dwell there; behold, I have com- manded a widow woman there to sustain thee.' So he arose and went. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there, gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, ' Fetch me, I pray thee, a Kttle water in a vessel, that I may drink.' And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her and said: * Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand.' And she said : ' As the Lord thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but a handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse : and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it and die.' And Elijah said unto THE CHRISTIAN POOR. 63 her, * Fear not ; go and do as thou hast said : but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and thy son. For thus saith the Lord God of Israel : The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, imtil the day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth.' '*And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord." 1 1 Kings xviii, 2. 2 Jas. v, 17. 3 1 Kings xvii, 2, 1, 2-16. Encouragements to trust God's providence. ^'^Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat ; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. .^Behold the fowls of the air : for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they ? ^ Consider the ravens ; for they neither sow nor reap : which neither have store- house nor barn : and God feedeth them. How much more are ye better than the fowls ! ''And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest ? — Consider the lilies how they grow ; they toil not, they spin not ; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in aU his glory was not arrayed like one of these. — If 64 THE CHRISTIAN POOR. tlien God so clotlie the grass, whicli is to-day in the field, and to-morrow is cast into the oven ; how much more will he clothe you, ye of little faith ! * ''Therefore take no thought, saying, 'What shall we eat ?' or, ' What shall we di'ink ?' or, ' Wherewithal shall we be clothed?' ^neither be ye of doubtful .mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after; and your ^heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of them. But seek ye fii'st the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. Take there- fore no thought for the morrow ; for the mor- row shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. " ' ' Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God. For the Lord giveth food to the hungry, he re- lieveth the fatherless and widow. ^And hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath •promised to them that love him ? — ^ My God shall supply all your need, according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. — Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen." 1 Luke xii, 22, 23. 2 Matt, vi, 26. ^ Luke xii, 24-28. *Matt. vi, 31. 5 Luke xii, 29, 30. 6 Matt, vi, 32-34. '• Ps, cxlvi, 5, 7, 9. 8 Jas. ii, 5. « Phil, iv, 19, 20. ^l^itt (^Itbtxdl^. THE CHEISTIAN REJOICING. The blessings of salvation. Exhortation-. — ^*'0 sing unto the Lord a new song ; for lie hatli done marvellous things : his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory. The Lord hath made known his salvation : his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen. He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel : all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our Grod. — Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. ^^^ Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I wiU declare what he hath done for my soul. ^The sorrows of heU compassed me about: *the pains of hell gat hold upon me. ^In my disti'ess ^called I upon the name of the Lord; * Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.' 'I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and de- livered me fi'om all my fears. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. ^He brought me up also out of a horrible pit — out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock — ^the Hock of Ages; ^°and he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God. G3 66 THE CHRISTIAN REJOICING. ^^ '*I will greatly rejoice in tke Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my Grod ; for lie hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness. ^^What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. "I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. ^*" magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt liis name together. ^^Our soul is escaped as a bii'd out of the snare of the fowlers : the snare is broken, and we are escaj)ed. — ^^Sing unto the Lord, bless his name ; shew forth his salvation from day to day." 1 Ps. xcviii, 1-4. 2 ps. Ixvi, 16. 3 pg. xviii, 5. iPs. cxvi, 3. 3 Ps. XTiii, 6. 6 Ps. cxvi, 4. '? Ps, xxxiv, 4, 6. s pg. xl, 2. 9 Is. xx-^a, 4. 10 Ps- xl, 3. n Is. Ixi, 10. 12 Ps. cxvi, 12, 13, IS Hab. iii, 18. ^ Ps. xxxiv, 3. 1^ Ps. cxxiv, 7. " Pg, xcvi, 2. Praise. — ^"L will praise thee, Lord my God, with all my heart : and I will glorify thy name for evermore. For great is thy mercy toward me : and thou hast delivered my soul fi'om the lowest hell. ^B^jiold, for peace I had great bitterness : but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of coiTuj)tion : for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back. ^** Lord, I will praise thee : though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me. *I will render praises unto thee ; for thou hast delivered my soul fi'om death : wilt not thou deliver my feet from, falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living? ^My heart shall rejoice THE CHRISTIAN REJOICING. 6? in thy salvation; I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me. *Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin ; thou hast taken away all thy wrath : thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger. '^Thou hast, delivered my soul fi-om death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. ^ " Let the words of my mouth, and the medi- tation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. — ^Eeturn unto thy rest, my sold; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee." 1 r5=. IxxxTi, 12, 13. 2 Is. xxxviii, 17. ^ Is. xii, 1. * Ps. hi, 12, 13. sPs. xiii, 5, 6. 6 Ps. Ixxxv, 2, 3. " Ps. cxvi, 8. 8 ps. xis, 14, Ps. cxvi, ". Deliverance from enemies. Exhortation. — ^ ** Sing unto the Lord, praise ye the Lord : for he hath delivered the soul of the poor from the hand of evil doers. ^If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us : then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us. Blessed be the Lord, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. ^Grive thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works, — glory ye in his holy name. *"I will ipraise the Lord according to his righteousness, and will sing praise to the name 68 THE CHRISTIAN REJOICING. of the Lord most high. ^The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer ; in him will I trust : he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, — my saviour. I will call on the Lord, who is worthy to be praised : so shall I be saved from mine enemies. When the floods of ungodly men made me afraid; ^I cried unto the Lord with my voice; with my voice unto the Lord did I make my supplication. I poured out my com- plaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble. "^He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me : for they were too strong for me. ^I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously. ^The Lord is my strength and my shield ; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth ; and with my song will I praise him." iJer. XX, 13. ^Pg. cxxiv, 2, 3, 6, 8. 3 1 Chron. xvi, 8-10. *Ps. vii, 17. 5 2 Sam. xxii, 2-5. 6 Ps. cxlii, 1, 2. ^ 2 Sam. xxii, 18. 8 Ex. XV, 1. 9 Ps. xxviii, 7. Praise. — ^''I will extol thee, Lord; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me. ^Thou hast maintained my right and my cause ; ^yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me : thou hast delivered me fi^om the violent man. There- fore will I give thanks unto thee, Lord. * Who is like unto thee, who deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy, from him that tspoileth him ? ^** When my spirit was overwhelmed within THE CHRISTIAN REJOICING. 69 me, then thou Imewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me. I looked on my right hand, and be- held, but there was no man that would know me : refuge failed me ; no man cared for my soul. I cried unto thee, Lord; I said, 'Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living. Attend unto my cry ; for I am brought very low : deliver me from my per- secutors ; for they are stronger than I.' ^" I will praise thee, Lord, with my whole heart ; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. I will be glad and rejoice in thee : I will sing praise to thy name, thou most High. Tor thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall. ^Let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice : let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them; let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. ^0 Lord, thou art my Grod; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name ; for thou hast done won- derful things ; thy counsels of old are faithful- ness and truth." 1 Ps. XXX, 1. 8 Ps. ix, 4. ^Ps. xviii, 48, 49. « Ps. xxxv, 10. 5 Ps. cxlii, 3-6. 6 Ps. ix, 1, 2. ' Is. xxv, 4. a Ps. v, 11. » Is. xxv, 1, Preservation of life. Exhortation. — ^'^O come, let us sing unto the Lord : let us come before his presence with thanksgiving. "^Q^ivQ unto the Lord the glory due unto his name. ^ Enter into his gates with 70 THE CHRISTIAN EEJOIdNG. thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise : be thankful unto him, and bless his name. 4 u ^jien the waves ^and the sorrows of death compassed me, and the snares of death pre- vented me ; in my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God. He heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came be- fore him, even into his ears. ®The Lord hath chastened me sore, but he hath not given me over unto death. ''I waited patiently for the Lord ; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. ^I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live. ^Many are the afflictions of the righteous : but the Lord de- li vereth him out of them aU. ^°The sorrows of death compassed me, I found trouble and sor- row. Gracious is the Lord, and righteous ; I was brought low, and he helped me. "''Sing unto' the Lord, ye saints of his, and give thanks. ^^ Ye that fear the Lord, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, aU ye the seed of Israel. For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard. ^2 The Lord was ready to save me : therefore we will sing my songs all the days of our life in the house of the Lord." 1 Ps. xcv, 1, 2. 2 Ps. xcvi, 8. 3 Ps. c, 4. ♦ 2 Sam. xxii, 5. 5 Ps. xviii, 4-6. epg. cxviii, 18. ' Ps. xl, 1. 8 pg. cxvi, 1, 2. 9 Ps. xxxiv, 19. 10 Ps. cxvi, 3, 5, 6. uPs.xxx, 4. » Ps. xxii, 23 ,24. " Is. xxxviii, 20. THE CHRISTIAN REJOICING. 71 Praise. — ^''I will sing unto the Lord, be- cause lie hath dealt bountifully with me. ^Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing : thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness ; to the end that my tongue may sing iDraise to thee, and not be silent. Lord my G-od, I will give thanks unto thee for ever ; 3for the grave cannot praise thee, death cannot celebrate thee : they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth. The living — the living he shall praise thee, as I do this day. ^0 Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me. Lord, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave : thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. 5'' Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, Lord, and teachest him out of thy law ; that thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity. ^Unless thy law had been my de- lights, I should then have perished in mine affliction. 'Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word. It is good for me that I have been afflicted ; that I might learn thy statutes. ^0 Lord, truly I am thy servant ; I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord. ^ Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever." 1 Ps. xiii, 6. 2 Ps. XXX, 11, 12. 3 is. xxxviii, 18, 19. * Ps. xxx, 2, 3. 5 Ps. xciv, 12, 13. 6 Ps. cxix, 92. " Ps. cxix, 67, 71. s Ps. cxvi, 16, 17. • Ps. cxlv, 2. Temporal and spiritual mercies. Exhortation. — ' ' ' come, let us worship and bow down : let us kneel before the Lord our 72 THE CHUISTIAN EEJOICINO. maker. For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. ^Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! He satisfieth the long- ing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with good- ness. ^The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. * Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous : for praise is comely for the up- right. ^" The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. ^ Great is our Lord, and of great power : his understanding is infinite ; who covereth the heavens with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth. He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry. "^ The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind : the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down; the Lord preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow ; ^he remembered us in our low estate, and hath redeemed us from our enemies : for his mercy endureth for ever. ^ "Bless the Lord your God for ever and ever. ^° Praise ye the Lord: for it is good to sing praises unto our God ; for it is pleasant ; and praise is comely. Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving ; sing praise upon the harp unto our God. "Let Israel rejoice in him that made him : let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. Let the saints be joyful in glory : let them sing aloud upon their beds. — '-Praise God in his sanctuary : praise him in the firma- ment of his power. Praise him for his mighty THE CHEISTIAN REJOICINa. 73 acts : praise him according to Lis excellent greatness. ^^OfFer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High. ^*'' Bless the Lord, my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits : who forgiveth all thine iniquities ; who healeth all thy diseases ; who redeemeth thy life from destruction ; who crowneth thee with loving- kindness and tender mercies. " Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearken- ing unto the voice of his word. Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts ; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion : bless the Lord, my soul. ^^Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord." 1 Ps. xcv, 6, 7. -^ Ps. CTii, 8, 9. 3 Ps. cxxvi, 3. * Ps. xxxiii, 1. 5 Ps. cxlv, 9. 6 Ps. cslvii, .5, 8, 9. 7 Ps. cxlvi. 8, 9. 8 Ps. cxxxvi, 23,24. 9Xeh. ix, 5. lops. cxlvii, 1, 7. "Ps. cxlix, 2, 5. laPs.cl.l, 2. 1 ' Ps. 1, 14. It Ps. ciii, 1-4, 20-22. i-^ Ps. cl, 6. PeAise. — ^ '* Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth ! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained ; what is man that thou art mindful of him ? and the son of man that thou visitest him ? ^ blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise. ^I will sing of thy power ; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning : for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble. Unto H 74 THE CHRISTIAN EEJOICINa. tliee, my strength, will I sing : for God is my defence, and the Grod of my mercy. *My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness ; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips : when I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. ^'' All thy works shall praise thee, Lord; and thy saints shall bless thee. ^Unto thee, Grod, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks : for that thy name is near, thy won- di'ous works declare. "^Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits ; Hhou crownest the year with thy goodness. ^It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, most High ; to shew forth thy loving-kindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night. ^° Blessed be thou, Lord Grod of Israel oui' Father, for ever and ever. Thine, 0' Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty : for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine ; thine is the kingdom, Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honoiu' come of thee, and thou reignest over all ; and in thine hand is power and might ; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. — Now therefore, our Grod, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name." 1 Ps. viii, 1, 3, 4. aNeh. ix, 5. spg. Hx, 16, 17. * Ps. Ixiii, 5-7. 5 Ps. cxlv, 10. 6 Ps. ixxv, 1. 7 Ps. Lsviii, 19. « Ps. Ixv, 11. » Ps. xcii, 1, 2. 10 1 Chron. xxix, 10-13. €^^itx atadftlj. THE CHRISTIAN TEMPTED. Exhortation to steadfast vigilance. ***Be sober, be vigilant; because your ad- versary the devil, as a roaring lion, wallveth about, seeking whom be may devour ; wbom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing, that the same afflictions are accomplished in your breth- ren that are in the world; "^who are troubled on every side, yet not distressed ; perplexed, but not in despair ; persecuted, but not forsaken ; cast down, but not destroyed ; ^serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears and temptations. •*'' Let no man say when he is tempted, *I am tempted of Grod;' for Grod cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man. But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. — ^If sinners entice thee, consent thou not ; walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path. ^Refuse and say, ' How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God ?' '"Watch and i)ray, that ye enter not into temptation. ®The eternal God is thy refuge; he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee. ^Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ^"Watch ye, — stand fast in the faith, — c^uit 76 THE CHRISTIAN TEMPTED. you like men, — be strong. ^^But let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall." ^ Pet. V, 8,9. 2 2 Cor. iv, 8, 9. 3 Acts xx, 19. ' Jas. i, 13, 14. 6 Prov. i, 10, 15. 6 Gen. xxxix, 8, 9. ' Matt, xxvi, 41. 8 Deut. xxxiii, 27. » Jas. iv, 7. lo 1 Cor. xvi, 13. " 1 Cor. x, 12. ILLUSTRATION. Jesus tempted of the devil. *** Jesus, being full of the Holy Ghost, was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. ^And he was there forty days, tempted of Satan ; and was with the wild beasts. ^And in those days he did eat nothing ; and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. And the devil said unto him, 'If thou be the Son of God, com- mand this stone that it be made bread.' And Jesus answered him, saying, ' It is written : That man shall not live by bread alone, *but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.' Then the devil taketh him up into Jerusalem, the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, and saith unto him, ' If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down ; for it is written: He shall give his angels charge concerning thee : and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash th}^ foot against a stone.' Jesus said unto him, ' It is written again : Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.' ''Again the devil taketh him up into an ex- ceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them ; and saith unto him, ' All these things will I give thee, ^and the glory of them : for that is delivered unto me ; and to whomso- ever I will I give it. All shall be thine, ^if thou THE CHHISTIAN TEMPTED. 77 wilt fall down and worsliip me.' ^And Jesus answered and said unto liim, * Get tliee behind me, Satan : for it is written : Thou shalt wor- ship the Lord thy Grod, and him only shalt thou serve.' " And when the devil had ended all the temp- tation, he departed fi-om him for a season ; ^ and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him." 1 Luke Iv, 1. 2 ^lark i, 13. 3 Luke iv, 2-4. * Matt, iv, 4-9. 5 Luke iv, 6, 7. & Matt, iv, 9. ' Luke iv, 8, 13. '' Matt, iv, 11. Divme strength promised to the weal. ^'' Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat ; -hut the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations. ^Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them ; for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee ; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee ; and the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee ; he will be with thee; fear not, neither be dismayed. *For thus saith the Lord : ^ 'My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness. ^In the world ye shall have tribulation ; but be of good cheer ; I have overcome the world. '^Fear thou not ; for I am with thee : be not dismayed; for I am thy God : I will strengthen thee ; yea, I will help thee ; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. ^I also will keep thee from the hoiu' of temptation ; ^and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.' " iLuke xsii, 31. 2 2 Pet. ii, 9. apeut. xxxi, 6, 8. * Is. lii, 3. 5 2 Cor. sii, 9. « John xvi, 33. ' Is. xli, 10. ^ Rev. iii, 10. 9 Matt, xxviii, 20. H3 78 THE CHRISTIAN TEMPTED. The whole armour of God. *"My brethren, be strong in tlie Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of Grod, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. "Stand therefore; having your loins girt about with truth ; and having on the breast- plate of righteousness ; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gosjpel of peace. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching there- unto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. ^And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly." 1 Eph. vi, 10-18. -i Rom. xvi, 20. Encouragements to fortUude. ^ " The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord : and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down ; for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand. "-And we have not a high priest who cannot be touched THE CHRISTIAN TEMPTED 79 with the feeling of our infirmities ; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. ^In all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a mer- ciful and faithful high priest in things pertain- ing to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that ate tempted. *Let us therefore come boldly imto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. ^"Beware lest ye, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from jour own sted- fastness. But grow in grace, and in the know- ledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." I Ps. xxxvii, 23, 24. «Heb. iv, 15. 3 Feb. ii, 17, 18. ♦ Heb. iv, 16. 6 2 Pet. iii, 17, 18. Cl^iT^te i;hhtettt|. THE CHRISTIAN TRIED. The ohject of earthly trials. " ** My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this: that the trying of youi' faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. "^For though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations ; ^ there hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man ; but Grod is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able, but wiU, with the temptation, also make a way to escape," that ye may be able to bear it. *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 : whom having not seen, ye love ; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy un- speakable and full of glory, — receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.'* 1 Jas. i, 2-4. 2 1 Pet. i, 6. 3 1 Cor. x, 13. * 1 Pet. i, 7-9. ILLUSTRATION". The afflictions of Job. ^ ** There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job ; and he was perfect and up- THE OHBISTIAN TRIED. 81 right, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. This man was the gi-eatest of all the men of the East. — And the Lord said unto Satan : * Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a per- fect and an upright man, — one that feareth God, and escheweth evil ?' Then Satan answered the Lord : ' Doth Job fear God for nought ? Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.' And the Lord said unto Satan : ' Behold, all that he hath is in thy power ; only upon himself put not forth thine hand.' — So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord. ** And there was a day when there came a messenger unto Job, and said : * The oxen were ploughing, and the asses feeding beside them, and the Sabeans fell upon them and took them away ; yea, they have slain the ser- vants with the edge of the sword ; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.' While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said: 'The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them ; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.' While he was yet speaking, there came also another and said : * The Chaldeans fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword ; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.' While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said : 82 THE CHRISTIAN TRIED. ' Thy sons and thy daughters were eating, and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house : and, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead ; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.' — Then Job arose, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, and said : * The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away ; blessed be the name of the Lord.' — In all this Job sin- ned not, nor charged Grod foolishly. -"And the Lord said unto Satan: * Hast thou considered my servant Job, still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me- against him, to destroy him without cause ?' And Satan answered the Lord, and said:' All that a man hath will he give for his life, — but j)ut forth thine hand now and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.' And the Lord said: 'Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.' So went Satan forth fi'om the presence of the Lord, and smote Job with sore boils, from the sole of his foot, unto his crown. Then said his wife imto him : ' Dost thou still retain thine integrity ? Curse God, and die.' But he said unto her: 'What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil ?' — In all this did not Job sin with his lips, ^ but said, ' Behold, I am vile ; *I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.' " And the Lord accepted Job, and gave htm twice as much as he had before. — So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his THE CHRISTIAN TRIED. 83 beginning ; and after this he lived an liundred and forty years, and died, being old and full of days." 1 Job i, 1, 3, 8-22. 2 Job ii, 3-7, 9, 10. ^ Job xl, 3, 4. * Job slii, 6, 9, 10, 12, 16, 17. The trials of the righteous appointed lij God. ^ " The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord's throne is in heaven : his eyes behold, his eye- lids try the childi-en of men. — The Lord trieth the righteous. ^He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may ofler unto the Lord an ofi'ering in righteousness. ^Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness. ^ God chasteneth us for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. ^'' God is in one mind, who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth. He performeth the thing that is appointed for me. — '^We are the clay, and he the potter ; and we all are the work of his hand. — ''The Lord do that which seemetli him good. ^He knoweth the way that I take : when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold." 1 Ps. xi. 4, 5. 2 Mai. iii, 3. a Ps. csii, 4. * Heb. xii, 10. 5 Job xxiii, 13, 14. 6 is. Ixiv, 8. '' 2 Sam. x, 12. ^ Job xxiii, 10. ILLL^STRATION. The tHal of Abraham^ s faith. ^" It came to pass Grod did tempt Abraham, and said, ' Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and ofi'er him there for a burnt oifering upon one of the mountains which I will teU thee of.' 84 TnE CHRISTIAN TRIED. ** And Abraham rose up early in tlie morn- ing, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. Then on the third day Abraham saw the place afar off, and said unto his young men, * Abide ye here with the ass ; and I and the lad will go yonder and worshij), and come again to you.' ^(Accounting that God was able to raise Isaac up, even from the dead.) ^ '* And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son ; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife ; and they went both of them together. And Isaac spake and said, ' My father, behold the fire and the wood : but where is the lamb for a burnt offer- ing ?' And Abraham said, * My son, God will provide himself a lamb.' So they went both of them together. And they came to the place which God had told Abraham of; and he built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. And he stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. "And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, 'Abraham, Abraham;' and he said, ' Here am I.' And the angel said, ' Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou anything unto him : for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son, from me.' THE CHRISTIAN TRIED. 85 *' And Abraham lifted up liis eyes and looked, and behold, behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. And he called the name of that place, 'Jehovah- jireh.' ''And the angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, and said, ' By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son ; that in blessing I will bless thee .... and in thy seed Bhall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice." 1 Gen. xxii, 1-5, 2 Heb. xi, 19. 3 Gen. xxii, 6-18. Exhortation to joyful submission. ^''Blessed is the man that endureth temp- tation : for when he is tried he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath pro- mised to them that love him. "^Therefore no man should be moved by these afflictions ; for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. 3'- Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you; but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Chi-ist's Bufferings; that, when his glory shall be re- vealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. — Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of Grod, commit the keeping of their 86 THE CHRISTIAN TRIED. souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. * ' ' Now the Grod of peace, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Chi'ist; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." iJas.i, 12. « 1 Thess. iii, 3. a 1 Pet. iv, 12, 13, 19. *Heb. xiii, 20, 21. m^ttx fionxtnxd^. THE CHRISTIAN UNCHARITABLE. The importance of Christian love. ^ '' Though I speak with, the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am be- come as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though. I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all know- ledge ; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be bui-ned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. *' Charity suff'ereth long, ajidiskind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, — is not puffed up, — doth not behave itself unseemly, — seeketh not her own, — is not easily provoked, — thinketh no evil ; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in truth. Beareth. all things, — be- lieveth all tilings, hopeth all things, — endur- eth all things ; charity never faileth. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, — these three ; but the greatest of these is charity." 1 1 Cor. xiii, 1-8, 13. Exhortation to forgiveness of injuries. ^"Put on, as th.e elect of God, boly and be- loved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness 88 THE CHRISTIAN UNCHARITABLE. of mind, meekness, long-suffering ; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, ^If thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone ; if lie shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. ^" Peter (one of the disciples) came to Jesus^ and said, ' Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times ?' Jesus saith unto him, 'I say not unto thee, until seven times; but, until seventy times seven.' * '' Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulhl the law of Christ; ^and if any man have a quarrel against any ; even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. ^ " As ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye ? for sin- ners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye ? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye ? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again ; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the childi'en of the Highest ; for he is kind unto the unthank- ful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful." 1 Col. iii, 12, 13. 2 Matt, xviii, 15. » Matt, xviii, 21, 22. * Gal. vi, 1, 2. 6 Col. iii, 13. e Luke vi, 31-36- THE CHRISTIAN UNCHARITABLE. 89 ILLTJSTBATION. ParobU of the unmerciful servant. ^"The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and childi-en, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down and besought him, saying, 'Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.' Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. " But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants, which owed him an hundred pence ; and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, ' Pay me that thou owest.' And his fellow servant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, ' Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.' And he would not, but went and cast him into prison till he should pay the debt. *' So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord after that he had called him, said unto him, * thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me : shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee ?' And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the 13 90 THE CHRISTIAN UNCHARITABLE. tormentors, till he sliould pay all that was due unto him. ^^ Jesus said J 'So likewise shall my heavenly Pather do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their tres- passes. -For if ye forgive men, your heavenly Father will also forgive you ; but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours.'' " I Matt, xviii, 23-35. 2 Matt, vi, 14, 15. The duty of brotherly kindness. *'*Bythis shall all men know that ye are disciples of Jesus if ye have love one to another. 2 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethi'en to dwell together in unity. ^Beloved, let us love one- another : for love is of God ; and eveiy one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not, knoweth not God ; for God is love. In this was mani- fested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live thi^ough him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. *"Let love be without dissimulation. Be kindly affectioned one to another with bro- therly love ; in honour preferring one another. ^Let nothing be done through strife or vain- glory ; but in lowliness of mind, let each esteem other better than themselves. ^We that are THE CHRISTIAN UNCHARITABLE. 91 strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edifica- tion. For even Christ pleased not himself, but as it is written, * The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.' Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God ; '' and let all your things be done with charity. ^"Comfort yourselves together, and edify one another. And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you ; and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake ; and be at peace among yourselves. We exhort you, brethi-en, warn them that are unrul)^ — comfort the feeble-minded, — support the weak, — be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man, but ever follow that which is good, both among youi'selves, and to all mefi. ^In all things shewing yourselves patterns of good works that cannot be condemned ; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. ^°Be all of one mind, having compassion one of another; love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous; not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing : but contrariwise blessing. " And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men ; ^^ knowing that ye are there- unto called, that ye should inherit a blessing." 1 Jolmxiu, 35. « Ps. cxxxiii, 1. « 1 Johniv, 7-11. * Rom. xii, 9, 10. 6 Phil, ii, 3. *Rom. XV, 1-3, 7. < 1 Cor. xvi, 14. 8 i ihess. v, U-15. » Tit. ii, 7, 8. 10 1 Pet. iii, 8, 9. 1 1 1 Xhess. iii, 12. " 1 Pet. iii. 9. 92 THE CHRISTIAN TJNCHAHITABLE. ILLUSTRATION-. Parable of the good Samaritan. ^'^A certain lawyer said unto Jesus, 'Who is my neighbour ?' And Jesus answering said, * A man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. ** And by chance there came down a certain priest that way : and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came ■where he was : and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. Aiid on the morrow when he departed, he took out two- pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, * Take care of him ; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.' '* 'Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves V And he said, ' He that shewed mercy on him.' Then said Jesus unto him, * Go, and do thou likewise.' " 1 Luke X, 25, 29-37. The sin of an uncharitalle spirit. ^ " Judge not, and ye shall not be judged : condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned : THE CHRISTIAN TJNCHABITABLB. 93 forgive, and ye shall be forgiven : give, and it shall be given unto you. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. " AVhy beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye ? Either how canst thou say to thy brother, 'Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye,' when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out fii-st the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye. ^"Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. For one be- lieveth that he may eat all things : another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not ; and let not him which eateth not, judge him that eateth : for Grod hath received him. Who art thou that judgest another man's servant ? to his own master he standeth or falleth ; yea, he shall be holden up ; for Grod is able to make him stand. *'One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord ; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks ; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. " But why dost thou judge thy brother ? or 94 THE CHRISTIAN UNCHARITABLE. why dost thou set at nought thy brother ? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Let us not there- fore judge one another any more : but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. ^ Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a piu'e heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned." iLuke vi, 37, 38, 41, 42. 2 Rom. xiv, 1-6, 10, 12, 13, 19. 3 1 Tim. i, 5. ^ixJr at f ari iixd. PART SECOND. ;ito§trati&^ ^m^hta |le*^Mit0s. CONTENTS THE SINNER A'n'AKEXED Despaieihg . Dying . Humble Hypocritical IMM0R4L Indifferent Penitent Procrastinating Prodigal Profane Proud . Sceptical Self-deceived Sorrowful . Undecided . chap. 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 29 Cl^apto Jiteitt^. THE SINNER AWAKENED. Prayer of the anxious inquirer, ^**GiVE eai', Lord, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications. ^ When thou saidst, * Seek ye my face ;' my heart said unto thee, ' Thy face. Lord, will I seek.' ^Be merciful unto me, Lord ; for I cry unto thee daily. Rejoice the soul of thy servant; for unto thee, Lord, do I lift up my soul. Thou Lord, art good, and ready to forgive ; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. *My soul fainteth for thy salvation : but I hope in thy word. Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, ' When wilt thou comfort me ?' * Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name. ^I o;pen my mouth, and pant : for I Io7iff for thy commandments. Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me. Consider mine affliction, and deliver me, — plead my cause. Let my cry come near before thee, Lord, — let my supplication come before thee, — let thine hand help me ; I have longed for thy salvation, — let my soul live, and it shall praise thee. 'Thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. ^0 satisfy 7ne early with thy mercy; that /may rejoice and be glad all my days." 1 Ps. Ixxxvi, 6. 2 Ps. xxvii. 8. 3 pg. Ixsxvi, 3-5. * Ps. cxix, 81, 82. >Ps. cxlii, 7. eps. cxix, 131, 132, 153, 154, 169, 170, 173-175. ■ Ps ix, 10. 8 Ps. xc, 14. 98 THE SINNER AWAKENED. ILLUSTRATION. Blind Bartimceus receiving sight. ^ '' As Jesus went out of Jericho with, his dis- ciples and a great number of people, blind Bar- timaeus sat by the highway side begging. ^ And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant. And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. And he cried, saying: 'Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.' And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace : but he cried so much the more, 'Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.' And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be brought unto him. ^And they call the blind man, saying unto him, ' Be of good comfort, rise ; he calleth thee.' And he, cast- ing away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. ^And when he was come near, Jesus asked him, saying, ^ ' What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?' The blind man said unto him, 'Lord, that I might receive my sight.' ^And Jesus said unto him, . * Eeceive thy sight ; thy faith hath saved thee.' And immediately he received his sight, ''and followed Jesus in the way, ^glorifying Grod. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto Grod." 1 Mark x, 46. « Luke xviii, 36-40. 3 Mark x, 49, 50- * Luke xviii, 40. ^Markx, 5L 6 Luke xviii, 42,43. ' Mark x, 52- '^ Luke xviii, 43. Invitation to accept salvation. ^ " Thus saith the Lord : — ^Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money ; come ye, huj, and eat, — yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and THE SINNER AWAKENED. 99 without price. Incline your ear, and come unto me, — hear, and j'our soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. ^ Ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart ; ^for to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. ^" I am the bread of life ; he that cometh to me shall never hunger ; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. ^Let him that is athirst come ; and whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. 'Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst ; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. — Come unto me, all ye that laboiu' and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon j'ou, and learn of me ; for I am meek and lowly in heart ; and ye shall find rest unto yqiu- souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." 1 Jer. xxxiii, 2. 2 jg. ly, 1,3. 3 Jer. xxis, 13. * Is. Ixvi, 2. 5 John vi, 35. 6 Rev. xxii, 17. ■? John iv, 14. 8 Matt, xi, 28-30. ILLUSTRATION. Jesus cUttjisijig the leper. When Jesus was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy; who, seeing Jesus, ^came to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down, and saying, ^ ' Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.' *And Jesus, moved with com- passion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, 'I will; be thou clean.' 1 (( 100 THE SINNER AWAKENED. And as soon as lie had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed." 1 Luke V, 12. 2 Mark i, 40. s Luke v, 12. •• Mark i, 41, 42. Encouragement for the seeking soul. ^ " Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord ; "^for they that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 2 The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He wiU fulfil the desire of them that fear him ; he also will hear their cry, and will save them. *The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord. ^'*The kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field ; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. — Again, it is like unto a merchant- man, seeking goodly pearls: who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. ^"Salvation belongeth unto the Lord; ''hut, ask, and it shall be given you ; seek, and ye shall find. For every one that asketh, receiveth ; and he that seeketh, findeth. ^Search the scriptures ; ^ which are able to make thee wise unto salvation tlu'ough faith which is in Christ Jesus. '°" God will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry ; when he shall hear it, he THE SINNER AWAKENED. 101 will answer thee — thou shalt weep no more. ^^For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. ^-If thou seek him, he will be found of thee. ^^Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord." 1 1 Chrou. xvi, 10. 2 Ps. cxxvi, 5. sps. cxlv, 18, 19. * Lnm. iii, 2o, 2(5. * 'MrH. xiii, 44-46. » Ps. iii, 8. ^ Matt. \di, 7, 8. 8 John V, 39. 9 2 Tim. iii, 15. lo Is. xxx, 19. " Ps. crii, 9. " 1 Chi-on. xxviii, 9. !» Ps. Xixi, 24. K3 €l]n^itx ^ntmxt^. THE SINNER DESPAIRING. Lament of the soul in despair. ^ *' Oh that my grief were thoroughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together ! for now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea ; therefore my words are swallowed up. For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit; the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me. ^Even to-day is my complaint bitter ; my stroke is heavier than my groaning. ^I will not refrain my mouth ; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit ; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul. *God hath over- thrown me, and hath compassed me with his net ; he hath fenced up my way that I cannot pass, and he hath set darkness in my paths. He hath destroyed me on every side, and I am gone ; and mine hope hath he removed like a tree. ^Terrors are turned upon me : they pursue my soul as the wind ; and my welfare passeth away as a cloud. He hath cast me into the mire, and I am become like dust and ashes ; ^he hath also kindled his wrath against me. 'I was at ease, but he hath broken me asunder. ^If I justify myseK, mine own mouth shall con- demn me. ^My soul is weary of my life ; I will THE SINNEK DESPAIRING. 103 speak in the bitterness of my soul ; I will say unto God, ' Do not condemn me.' 10 u ^jii the Lord cast off for ever ? and will he be favourable no more ? Is his mercy clean gone for ever ? doth his promise fail for ever- more ? Hath God forgotten to be gracious ? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies ? ^^ Oh that I knew where I might find him ! that I might come even to his seat ! ^-I will look unto the Lord ; I will wait for the God of my salvation ; my God will hear me. ^^I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me. Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud ; and he shall hear my voice. ^^I will bear the indignation of the 1 Lord, because I have sinned against him, until | he plead my cause, and execute judgment for ! me. He will bring me forth to the light, and j I shall behold his righteousness." ! 1 Job vi, 2-4. 2 Job xxiii, 2. 3 job vii, 11. * Job xix, 6, 8, 10. j 5 Job sxx, 15, 19. >^ Job xix, 11. - Job xvi, 12. s Job ix, 20. i 9 Job X, 1, 2. 10 Ps. Ixxvii, 7-9. n Job xxiii, 3. 12 Mic. vii, 7, i I'Ps. Iv, 16, 17. i»Mic. vii, 9. j Prayer for deliverance from sin, *'* Lord God, let my prayer come before thee ; incKne thine ear unto my cry. Thou hast j laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the i deeps. Thy wi^ath Keth hard upon me, and i thou hast afflicted me with all thy waves, j ^Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not i sink : let me be delivered out of the deep waters, j Let not the water-flood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me. Hear me, Lord; for 104 THE SINNER DESPAIRING. tliy loving-kindness is good ; turn unto me ac- cording to tlie multitude of thy tender mercies ; and hide not thy face from thy servant ; for I am in trouble : hear me speedily. Draw nigh imto my soul, and redeem it. ^ While I sufier thy terrors, I am distracted ; thy fierce wrath goeth over me ; thy terrors have cut me off. ■^Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me ; for I am desolate. ^" my God, I cry in the day time, but thou hearest not ; and in the night season. ^I cry unto thee, and thou dost not hear me ; I stand up, and thou regardest me not. "^Why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away mine inic[uity ? ^I will declare mine ini- quity ; I will be sorry for my sin. ^ Enter not into judgment with thy servant ; for in thy sight shall no man living be justified. ^°Help Qne, God of my salvation, for the glory of thy name : and deliver 7ne, and purge away my sins, for thy name's sake." 1 Ps. Ixxxviii, 1, 2, 6, 7. aPs. Ixix, 14-18. 3Ps. Ixxxviii, 15, 16. * Ps. XXV, 16. 5 Ps. xxii, 2. « job xxx, 20. ' Job vii, 21. 8 Ps. xxxviii, 18. » Ps. cxliii, 2. lo Ps. Ixxix, 9. ILLUSTRATION. The impotent man at Bethesda. ^ "There ivas at Jerusalem bj^the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered ; waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water. Whosoever then fii^st after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. THE SINNER DESPAIKING. 105 ** And a certain man was tliere wluch. had an infirmity thirty and eight years. And Jesus went up to Jerusalem and saw him lie therey and knew that he had been now a long time in that case. And he saith unto him, * Wilt thou be made whole ?' The impotent man answered him, * Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool : but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.' Jesus saith unto him, * Eise, take up thy bed, and walk.' And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked. — Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, * Behold, thou art made whole ; sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.' " 1 John V, 2-5, 1,6-9, 14. Mercy 'promised to the vilest sinner, **' Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh ; is there anything too hard for me ? ^My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. ^The Lord, the Lord Grod, is merciful and gracious, long-suffer- ing, and abundant in goodness and truth, keep- ing mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin. — ^*I was found of them that sought me not ; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me. All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a dis- obedient and gainsaying people. 106 THE SINNER DESPAIRINa. ^ " Come now, and let us reason together, saith. the Lord ; though yoiu' sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red, like crimson, they shall be as wool. ^In my wrath I smote thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee. 'A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you, and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. I will also save you from all your uncleannesses ; ®I will be merciful to your unrighteousness ; and your sins and your iniquities will I remem- ber no more." 1 Jer. xxxii, 27. 2 is. Iv, 8, 9. 3 Ex. xxxiv, 6, 7. « Rom. x, 20, 21. 5 Is. i, 18. 6 Is. Ix, 10. 7 Ezek. xxx^a, 26, 27, 29. s Heb. viii, 12. ILLUSTRATION. Conversion of the PJiilippian jailor. ^^'At Philippi, which is the chief city of part of Macedoni-a, the people caught Paul and Silas, and brought them to the magistrates, saying, 'These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city.' And the multitude rose up together against them ; and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely; who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. ''And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God ; and the prisoners THE SINNER DESPAIEINQ. 107 heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's baads were loosed. And the kee23er of the prison awak- ing out of his sleep, and seeing the j)rison doors open, he di^ew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, ' Do thyself no harm : for we are all here.' Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, and brought them out, and said, * Sirs, what must I do to be saved ?' And they said, ' Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.' And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. And when he had brought them into the house, he set meat -before them, and rejoiced, believing in Grod with all his house." lActsxvi, 12, 19, 20,22-34. Invitation to come to Jesus. ^'' Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save ; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear ; ^for with Grod nothing shall be impossible. ^Your inic^uities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you. ^But the Lord is gracious and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. ^He jvill not always chide; 108 THE SINNER DESPAIRIN-0. neitlier will lie keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins ; nor re- warded us according to our iniquities ; for as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. ^Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy ; to deliver their soul from death. '** God will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between Grod and men — the man Christ Jesus ; who gave himself a ransom for all. ^And\Q is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. ®The Spirit and the bride say * Come.' And let him that heareth say ' Come.' And let him that is athirst come; ^^for him that cometh he wiU in no wise cast out. ^^ Jesus came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance ; for they that are whole need not a physician ; but they that are sick. ^^Be not afraid, only believe ; ^^for the blood of Jesus Christ, God'^s Son, cleanseth you from all sin." ils.lix, 1. 2Lukei, 37. sig.Hx, 2. Job xiv, 1, 2, 10. 2 Job xxxiv, 15. 3 i Pet. i, 24, 25. * Ps. cxliv, 4. 5Ps. ciii, 15, 16. 6 Ecc. xii, 5, 7. •? Ps. Ixxxix, 48. 8 Ecc. viii, 8. » Job vii, 9, 10. lo Job xiv, 12. Appeal to arouse the impenitent. ^** It is appointed unto man once to die, but after this the judgment. ^A7id we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. ^God will render to every man according to his deeds. Unto them wlio do not obey the truth, but obey un- righteousness, — indignation and wrath, — tribu- lation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil. But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good. For there is no respect of persons with God. "Thiiikest thou this, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God ? Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and long-suffering ; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance ? but after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasm'est u]3 unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath. — *See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that THE SINNER DYING. Ill spake on earth, mucli more shall not we escape, if we turn awAiy from him that speaketh from heaven. — ^It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. ^For he is not a man, that he should lie ; neither the son of man, that he should repent. Hath he said, and shall he not do it ? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good ? ''"Prepare to meet thy God, — ^for the time is short ; ^and there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. ^^Eepent ye therefore, and be con- verted, that your sins may be blotted out. "For our God is a consuming fire; ^"^mid except ye repent, ye shall perish. — ^^What meanest thou, sleeper? ^*Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord j^our God. ^^It is high time to awake out of sleep. ^^ Arise, call upon thy God." iHeb. ix, 27. 2 2 Cor, v, 10. ^Eom.ii, 6, 8-11, 3-5. *Heb.xii,25. 5 Heb. X, 31. 6 Num. xxiii, 19. ' Amos iv, 12. 8 1 Cor. vii, 29. 9 Ecc. ix, 10. 10 Acts iii, 19. " Heb. xii, 29. 12 Luke xiii, 3. 13 Jonah i, 6. 1* 1 Chron. xxii, 19. 1^ Rom, xiii, 11. le Jonah i, 6. Prayer at the eleventh hour. ^ *' Save me, God ; for the waters are come in unto my soul. I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. ^I am gone like the shadow when it declineth ; I am tossed up and down. ^My heart is sore pained within me : and the terrors of death are fallen upon me. Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me. ^"Bemember, Lord, thy tender mercies 112 THE SUmER DYING. and thy loving-kindnesses ; for they have been ever of old. Eemember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions ; according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness* sake, Lord. ^If my transgressions and my sins be upon me, and / pine away in them, how should / then live ? ^Heal me, Lord, and I shall be healed ; save me, and I shall be saved. '^ Remember how short my time is, — ®cast me not off for ever. Arise for my hel]3, and redeem me for thy mercies' sake. ^Lord, be merciful unto me : heal my soul ; for I have sinned against thee. ^°How many are mine iniquities and sins? make me to know my transgression and my sin, — ^^what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life ? ^^Thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness. — ^"Grod be merciful to me a sinner. ^*'*And now. Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee. Deliver me from all my transgres- sions. ^^ All my- desire is before thee ; and my groaning is not hid from thee. I am feeble and sore broken; ^^hut have mercy upon me, Lord, ^'^and let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his." 1 Ps. Ixix, 1, 2. 2 Ps. cix, 23. ^ Ps. Iv, 4, 5. * Ps. xxv, 6, 7. sEzek.xxxiii, 10, 6 Jer. xvii, 14. ' Ps. Ixxxis, 47. 8 Ps. xliv, 23, 26. 9 Ps. xli, 4. 10 Job xiii, 23. ii Mark x, 17. 12 Neh. ix, 17. 13 Luke xviii, 13. i* Ps. xxxix, 7, 8. i& Ps. xxx\iii, 9, 8. 16 Ps. xxxi, 9. I''' Num. xxiii, 10. ILLUSTRATION. The dying thief. ^"They took Jesus, and led him away ^to the place which is called Calvary. There they THE SINNER DYING. 113 crucified him ^with two thieves, one on the right hand, and another on the left, *and Jesus in the midst. ^'*And one of the malefactors which were hanged, railed on him, saying, ' If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.' But the other answering rebuked him, saj-ing, 'Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condem- nation ? And we indeed justly ; for we receive the due reward of our deeds : but this man hath done nothing amiss.' And he said unto Jesus, ' Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.' And Jesus said unto him, * Yerily I say imto thee, to-day shalt thou be with me in paradise.' " iJohnxix, 16. ^Luke xxiii, 33. SMatt. xxvii, 38. *Johnxix, 18. 5 Liike xxiii, 39-43. iLLUSTEATioN. The hrazeti serpent. ^ '' The children of Israel -spake against God, and against Moses, in the wilderness. And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the)?2, and they bit them ; and much people of Israel died. '' Therefore the peojDle came to Moses, and said, * We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord, and against thee ; pray imto the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us.' And Moses prayed for the people. And the Lord said unto Moses, * Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole : and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.' '* And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if L: 114 THE SINNER DYING. a serpent liad bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived." » Num. XX, 22. « Num. xxi, 5-9. Exhortation to believe in Christ. *** As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wil- derness, even so was the Son of man lifted up ; that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal Hfe. ^ " We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags ; and we all do fade as a leaf ; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. ^But God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world ; but that the world through him might be saved. **' Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world! — ^Look unto him and be ye saved ; ^for the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. '' He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that beHeveth not is condemned already, because he hath not beheved in the name of the only begotten Son of (j}-od. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because theu' deeds were evil. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life : and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life ; but the wrath of God abideth on him. THE SINNER DYING. 115 8 *< Behold, now is tlie accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. — ^Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. ^^For this is the will of God, that every one who seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life ; and he will raise him up at the last day." 1 John iii, 14, 15. 2 is. Ixiv, 6. 3 John iii, 16, 17. * John i, 29. 5 Is. xlv, 22. 6 Matt, xviii, 11. "> John iii, 18, 19, 36. 8 2 Cor. vi, 2. » Acta xvi, 31. ^o John vi, 40. Clja^gte ®ig|toirf]^. THE SINNER HUMBLE. Prayer of the poor in spirit. ^'*I BESEECH thee, Lord God of heaveii, the great and terrible God, that keepeth cove- nant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments ; let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night. "^ ' ' Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty; ^mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up. They are more than the hairs of my head ; therefore my heart faileth me. ^Thou hast heard the desire of the humble; thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear. ^Be pleased, Lord, to deliver me ; Lord, make haste to help me. ®0 my God, 1 am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God ; for my iniquities are increased over my head, and my trespass is grown up unto the heavens. ' '' Lord, what is man, that thou takest know- ledge of him ? or the son of man, that thou makest account of him? ^Woe is me! for I am undone ; because I am a man of unclean lips. ^Behold, I am vile ; what shall I answer THE SINNER HUMBLE. 117 thee ? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth. i^For thou desirest not sacrifice ; else would I give it ; thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit ; a broken and a contrite heart, God, thou wilt not despise." iNeli.i,5,6. 2Ps. cxxxj,i. 3Ps.xl,12. ♦Ps.x, 17. spg.xl, 13. 6 Ezra ix, 6. ^Ps. cxliv,3. 8is.vi,5. 9Jobxl,4. loPs.li, 16,17. ILLUSTRATION. Tlie PJiaHsee and Pullican. ^^^ Jesus spake this parable : — Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a Publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself : ' God, I thank thee that I am not as other men are, extor- tioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this Pitb- lican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.' — And the Publican, stand- ing afar off', would not Kft up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, ' God be merciful to me a sinner.' — I tell you, this man went down to his house jus- tified rather than the other ;' for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased ; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." 1 Luke xviii, 9-14. Promises to the Mmlle soul. ^'*Thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to re- vive the spuit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. I will not 118 THE SINNER HUMBLE. contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth; for the spirit should fail before me, and tlie souls which I have made. Peace, — peace to him that is afar off, and to him that is near, saith the Lord. '^^ Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord, when thou heardest what I spake, and wept before me ; I also have heard thee, saith the Lord. ^Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. "^Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth ; seek righteousness, seek meekness ; it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger. ^Blessed are the | meek; for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed 1 are the poor in spirit ; for theirs is the king- j dom of heaven. ^I will cleanse them from all 1 their inic[uity, whereby they have sinned against me ; and I will pardon all their iniquities, i whereby they have sinned, and whereby they ! have transgressed against me. "'The meek also | shall increase their joy in the Lord, and the j poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One | of Israel." j 1 Is. Ivii, 15, 16, 19. 2 2 Kings xxii, 19. 3 Ps, xxx, 5. * Zeph. ii, 3. I & Matt. V, 5, 3. 6 jer. xxxiii, 8. ' Is. xxix, 19. j I iLLiJSTiiATiON. The Syro-PJicemcian woman. \ ^^' Jesics went into the borders of Tyre and | Sidon, and entered into a house, and would have no man know it, but he could not be hid. For a certain woman, whose daughter had an unclean spii'it, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet. The woman was a Greek, a Syro- THE SLNNER HUMBLE. 119 PhcEnician by nation ; and she besought him, ^saying, ' Have mercy on me, Lord, thou son of David ; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.' But Jesus answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, ' Send her away ; for she crieth after us.' But he answered and said, *I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israeh' Then came she and worshipped him, saying, ' Lord, help me.' But he answered and said, ^ ' Let the childi*en first be filled : for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.' And she answered and said unto him, ' Yes, Lord ; yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs.' And he said unto her, ' For this saying go thy way ; *be it unto thee even as thou wilt ; ^the devil is gone out of thy daughter.' ^And her daugh- ter was made whole from that very hour." 1 Mark vii, 24-26. 2 jjatt. xv, 22-26. 3 Mark yii, 27-29. * Matt. XV, 28. & Mark vii, 29. 6 Matt, xv, 28. Encouragement for the lowly in heart. ^ " The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart ; and saveth such as be of a con- trite spirit. ^Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly ; but the proud he knoweth afar ofi". ^Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him. ^He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. The Lord lifteth up the meek : he casteth the wicked down to the ground. The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy. ^A bruised reed shall he 120 THE SINNER HUMBLE. not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench. ^He shall save the humble person; 'and the meek will he teach his way. ^Your heart shall live that seek God : ^for the Lord taketh pleasure in his people ; he will beautify the meek with salvation. ^'^By humihty and the fear of the Lord, are riches, and honoui', and life. ^^ Surely God scorneth the scorners : but he giveth grace unto the lowly." I Ps. xxxiv, 18. 2 Ps. cxxxviii,6. 3ps.lxxxv,9. ♦ Ps.cxlvii, 3,6,11. 6 Is. xlii, 3. c Job xxii, 29. " Ps. xxv, 9. 8 pg. ixix, 32. « Ps. cxlix, 4. io Proy. xxii, 4. ii Prov. iii, 34. THE SINNER HYPOCRITICAL. Divine censure of pretended religion. '** Jesus spake, saying: — The Scribes and tlie Pharisees say, and do not. For they bind heavy bm-dens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders ; but they them- selves will not move them with one of their fingers. T/iei/ shut up the kingdom of heaven against men ; for tJie?/ neither go in thejn- selves, neither suffer them that are entering to go in. "■'They are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them. -^Tlmj are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful out- ward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so they also out- wardly appear righteous unto men, but within are fidl of h;>^ocrisy and iniquity ; and all their works they do for to be seen of men. "^Well hath Esaias prophesied of hypocrites ; as it is written, ' This people honom-eth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doc- trines the commandments of men.' ^'' Not every one that saith unto me, * Lord, Lord,' shall enter into the kingdom of heaven ; but he that doeth the will of my Father which M 122 THE SINNER HYPOCRITICAL. is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name ? and in thy name have cast out devils ? and in thy name done many wonderful works ? ^We have eaten and di^unk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.' 'Then will I profess unto them, ' I never knew you : de- part from me, ye that work iniquity.' " 1 Matt, xxiii, 1-4, 13. 2 Luke xi, 44. 3 Matt, xxiii, 27, 28, 5. * Mark vii, 6, 7. ^ Matt, vii, 21, 22. » Luke xiii, 26. ' Matt, vii, 23. ILLUSTRATION. The tree known ly its fruit. ^*'A good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit ; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. '^ Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. ^*' A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good ; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil ; for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. — * Wherefore by their fi.'uits ye shall know them." I Luke vi, 43, 44. 2 Matt, vii, 3Lukevi, 45. * Matt, vii, 20. The folly mid misery of hypocrisy. ^ *' The Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. ^ An hypocrite shall not come before him ; ^for what is the hope of THE SIXNXIl HYPOCEmCAL. 123 the hypocrite, though, he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul ? Will God hear his cry when trouble cometh upon him ? * Sinners are afraid, — fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire ? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings ? ^^'The hypocrites in heart heap up wrath. *They hear words, but they will not do them ; for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. ' " Can the rush grow up without mire V can the flag grow without water ? Whilst it is yet in its greenness, and not cut down, it withereth before any other herb. So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite's hope shall perish. His hope shall be cut off, and his trust shall be a spider's web. He shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand : he shall hold it fast, but it shall not endure. ^He buildeth his house as a moth, and as a booth that the keeper maketh. Terrors take hold on hiTn as waters ; a tempest stealeth him away in the night. The east wind carrieth him away, and he departeth : and as a storm hurleth him out of his place. For God shall cast upon him, and not spare : he would fain flee out of his hand. Men shall clap their hands at him, and shall hiss him out of his place. ^'' Knowest thou not this of old, since man was placed upon earth, that the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypo- crite but for a moment ? Though his excellency mount up to the heavens, and his head reach 124 THE SINNEK HYPOCRITICAL. unto the clouds ; yet he shall perish for ever, — he shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found ; and the ejQ also which saw him, shall see him no more." 1 1 Sam. xvi, 7. ^Jobxiii, 16. =' Job xxvii, 8, 9, * Is. xxsiii, 14. 5 Job xxxvi, 13. 6 Ezek. xxxiii, 31. ' Job viii, 11-15. 8 Job xxvii, 18, 20-23. 9 Job xx, 4-9. ILLUSTRATION. The true and, false foundation. ^^^ Jesus said, * Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like. ^I will -liken him unto a wise man, which built ^a house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock. ^And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not : for it was founded upon a rock. *' And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the Winds blew, and beat upon that house, °and the stream did beat vehe- mently, and immediately it fell ; and the ruin of that house was great." 1 Luke vi, 47. 2 Matt, vii, 24. 3 Luke vi, 48. * Matt, vii, 25-27. & Luke vi, 49. Exhortation to aivalce to righteousness. ^"I say unto you, that except your right- eousness shall exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. '^For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have THE SrN'NER HTPOCEITICAL. 125 not submitted themselves unto tlie righteous- ness of Grod. ^"No servant can serve tvro masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Ye are they which justify yourselves before men ; but God knoweth your hearts ; for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. ^*' Tlii/ goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away. ^ Thy heart is not right in the sight of God ; for I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. Eepent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. ^" Awake to righteousness and sin not. — 'Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us; ^and Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. "With the heart man be- lieveth unto righteousness ; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. — -Eepent and turn to God, and do works meet for repent- ance. ^'-'For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." 1 Matt. V, 20. -i Rom. x, 3. 3 Luke xri. 13, 15. * Hos. vi, 4. »ActsTiii,21. 23, 22. ^icor.xr, 31. "001.111,13. 8 Eom. x, 4, 10. ' Acts xxri, 20. i" Ecc. xii, 14. 313 C|a]gto Sitoittktl^. THE SINNER IMMORAL. The ivages of unpardoned iniquity. ^ " The wrath, of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. For they are without excuse, because that when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful ; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolisb lieart was darkened. And knowing the judg- ment of God, that they which commit unright- eousness are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. 2u They that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh ; but they that are after tbe Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death. ; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because tlie carnal mind is enmity against God : for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. ^They that j)lough iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same. By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of bis nostrils are they consumed. ^For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings. His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins. THE SLXXER IMMOEAL. 127 ^**Hear now this, thou that art ffiven to pleasm-es, that dwellest carelessly. Tnou hast said, ' None seeth me.' ^But the Lord is in his holy temple, his eyes behold, his eyelids tiy, the chilch^en of men. U^jon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest ; this shall be the portion of their cup. 'Behold, ye have sinned against the Lord : and be sui'e j'our sin will find you out. ^Evil shall come upon thee; thou shalt not know- from whence it riseth : and mischief shall fall upon thee ; thou shalt not be able to put it off : and desolation shall come upon thee sud- denly, which thou shalt not know. ^ For the face of the Lord is against them that do evil; ^^and his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings. There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of inic|uity may hide themselves. '^"Know ye not that the luuighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived : neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor di'unkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God : ^^for the end of those things is death. ^'God is not mocked: whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption ; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spii^it reap Hfe everlasting." 1 Eom. i, 18, 20, 21, 32, 29, 32. 2 Rom. viii, 5-8. sjobiv, 8, 9, *Prov.v, 21,22. * Is. xlvii, 8, 10. 6Ps.xi,4,6. ■? Nmn. xxxii, 23. 8Is.xl%ii, 11. siPet.iii, 12. 'o Jobxxxiv,21, 22. " lC!or.vi,9, 10. i» Rom. vi, 21. 13 Gal. vi, 7, 8. 128 THE SINNER IMMORAL. jGroA in anger remembers mercy. ^ '* How sliall I pardon thee for tMs ? shall I not visit for these things ? saith the Lord : and shall not my soul be avenged? "^for thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities. "^But have I any pleasui'e at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God : and not that he should return fi'om his ways, and live ? Repent, and tui^n yoiu'selves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. **' How weak is thine heart, saith the Lord God, seeing thou doest all these things ! Thou shalt remember thy ways, and be ashamed ; and I will establish my covenant with thee ; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord : that thou mayest remember, and be confounded, and never open thy mouth any more because of thy shame. ^Ye shall remember j^our ways, and all your doings, wherein ye have been defiled ; and ye shall loathe yourselves in your own sight for all your evils that ye have com- mitted. And ye shall know that I am the Lord, when I have wrought with you for my name's sake, not according to your wicked ways, nor according to your corrupt doings, saith the Lord God." 1 Jer. V, 7, 9. 2 Is, xliii, 24. 3 Ezek. xviii, 23, 30. 4 Ezek. xvi, 30, 61-63. ^ Ezek. xx, 43, 44. ILLUSTRATION. The ttdiiUeress pardoned. ^'' Early one morning Jesus came into the temple at Jerusalem, and all the people came unto him ; and he sat down, and taught them. ''And the Scribes and Pharisees brought unto THE SINNER IMMORAL. 129 Tn'm a woman taken in adulteiy. And wlien they had set her in the midst, they say unto him, * Master, Moses in the law commanded iis, that such should be stoned : but what saj-est thou?' This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, ' He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.' And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being con- victed by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. ''When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said imto her, ' Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?' She said, 'No man, Lord.' And Jesus said unto her, ' Neither do I condemn thee : go, and sin no more.' " iJolmviii, 2, 1,2-11. ♦ The victims of intempemnce ivarned of judgment. ^ " Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. — ^ Who hath woe ? who hath sorrow ? who hath contentions ? who hath babbling ? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes ? They that tarry long at the wine ; they that go to seek mixed wine. "'Come ye,' say they, *I will fetch wine, and we will fill 130 THE SINNER IMMORAL. ourselves with strong drink ; and to-morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.' *They have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way. The priest and the prophet have erred thi-ough strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way thi'ough strong drink ; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment. *' Woe to the drunkards ! Behold, the Lord hath a mighty and strong one, which as a tempest of hail and a destrojdng storm, as a flood of mighty waters overflowing, shall cast down to the earth with the hand; and the drunkards shall be trodden under feet. ^'' Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong diink ; that continue until night, till wine inflame them ! and the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and j)ipe, and wine, are in their feasts ; but they regard not the work of the Lord, neither consider the operation of his hands. Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure : and they shall de- scend into it. • ^" Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest his bottle to him, and makest him di-unken also ! The cup of the Lord's right hand shall be turned unto hini. 'For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup, and the wine is red ; it is full of mixture ; and he poureth out of the same : but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out and diink them. ^And as the fii*e devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth THE SINNER IMMOEAI.. 131 the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust; because they have cast away the law of the Lord of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. ®"Hear thou, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way. Be not among wine-bibbers ; among riotous eaters of flesh. ^°Walk not in rioting and drunkenness : ^^for the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags. ^^Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess ; but be filled with the Spirit. ^^Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth its colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. Thine heart shall utter perverse things : yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. * They have stricken me,' shalt thou say, ' and I was not sick ; they have beaten me, and I felt it not : when shall I awake ? I will seek it yet again.' ^* *' Take heed to yoiu^selves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life. ^°Be not deceived : no drunkards shall inherit the kingdom of God." iProv.xx, 1. 2 Prov. xxiii, 29, 30. 3is. Ivi, 12. * Is. xxviii, 7, 1-3. * Is. V, 11, 12, 14. 6 Hab. ii, 15, 16. 7 Ps. Ixxv, 8. 8 is. v, 24. 9 Prov. xxiii, 19, 20. lo Eom. xiii, 13. ^i Prov. xxiii, 21. i^Eph. v,18. 13 Prov. xxiii, 31-35. " Luke xxi, 34. i5 1Cor.vi,9,10. Exliortation tojleefrom sin and seeh Christ. ^'*The Lord searcheth all hearts, and under- standeth all the imaginations of the thoughts. 132 THE SINNER IMMORAL. If thou seek him, he will be found of thee ; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever. ^''If sinners entice thee, consent thou not. Walk not tliou in the way with them ; refrain thy foot from their imth. ^ Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it — i^ass not by it — turn from it, and pass away. ^Know ye not that the fiiendship of the world is enmity with Grod ? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. *' Submit yourselves therefore to God. Draw nigh to God, and he will di'aw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners : and purify your hearts, ye double-minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep ; let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. ^For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us, that denjdng ungodliness and worldly lufets, we should live soberly, rigliteously, and godly, in this present world. ^ " The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord ; ^who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity. ®Eepent ye, and believe the Gospel, ^that your sins may be blotted out. ^^jBut let not sin reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof; but yield yourselves unto God." 1 1 Chron. xxviii, 9. 2 Pi-qv. i, 10, 15. 3 Prov. iv, 14, 15. ♦ Jas. iv, 4, 7-10. & Tit. ii, 11, 12. « Rom. Ti, 23. ^ Tit. ii, 14. 8 Mark i, 15. » Acts iii, 19. 10 Rom, vi, 12, 13. CJ^H|fer Stfoeutj-fir^t THE SIX NEE IN DIFFERENT. Solemn truths to arouse tlie careless. ^ ' ' God vrh.0 at sundiy times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken imto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heii' of all things, by whom also he made the worlds. Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and up- holding all things hj the word of his power, when he had by himself piu-ged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. — -Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward ; how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation ; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him ; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will ? ^ *' Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets ; ' Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish.' ^For he 134 THE SUMNER INDIFFERENT. that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. ^ ' ' The Lord preserveth all them that love him : but all the wicked will he destroy. ^Far be it from Grod, that he should do wickedness : and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity. For the work of a man shall he ren- der unto him, and cause every man to find according to his waj^s. Yea, surely Grod will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty per- vert judgment. ^"Ye have rejected your Grod, who himself saved you out of all jouv adversities and your tribulations. ^0 that pe were wise, that ije un- derstood this, that ije would consider your latter end! ''Consider your waj's ; ^^*seek the Lord, and his strength : seek his face evermore. ^^For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul ? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul ? — The Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels ; and then he shall re- ward every man according to his works." 1 Heb. i, 1-3. 2 Heb. ii, 1-4. 3 Acts xiii, 40, 41. * Prov. xxix, 1. 5Ps. cxlv, 20. 6 Jobxxxiv, 10-12. 7 1 Srxm. x, 19. 8 Deut. xxxii, 29. 9 Hag. i, 5. 10 Ps. cv, 4. "Matt, xvi, 26, 27. ILLUSTRATION. Parable of the marriage supper. ^'' A certain man made a great supper, and bade many : and sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, ' Come ; for all things are now ready.' ' ' And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, 'I have THE SINNER nODirFEllENT. 135 bouglit a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it; I pray thee have me excused.' And another said, *I have bought five j^oke of oxen, and I go to prove them ; I pray thee have me excused.' And another said, ' I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.' " So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry, said to his servant, ' Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.' *' And the servant said, ' Lord, it is done aa thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.' And the lord said unto the servant, ' Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say imto you, that none of those men which, were bidden shall taste of my supper.' '* 1 Luke xiv, 16-24. Curses pronounced on the disolediejit. ^"It shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes that are written in this book, that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, The Loed thy God ; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee. ''Ciu'sed shalt thou be in the city, and cursed shalt thou be in the field. Ciu'sed shall be thy basket and thy store. Cui'sed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and cui'sed shalt thou be when thou goest out. 136 THE SINNER INDIFFERENT. ^" If ye will not hearken unto me, but walk contrary unto me ; then I will walk contrary unto 3^ou also in fury ; and I, even I, will chas- tise 3'ou seven times for your sins ; and I will break the pride of your power ; and your strength shall be spent in vain. ^ ' ' The Lord shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke, in all that thou settest thine hand unto for to do, until thou be de- stroyed, and until thou perish quickl}^ ; because of the wickedness of thy doings, whereby thou hast forsaken me ; and because thou hearken- edst not unto the voice of the Lord th}^ Grod." 1 Deut. xxviii, 15,58, 15-17, 19. a Lev. xxvi, 27, 28, 19, 20. 3 Deut. xxviii, 20, 45. ILLUSTRATION. Sodom and Gomorrah destroyed. ^ '' The Lord said, ' Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous, I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me ; and if not, I will know.' — And the Lord went his way. ^''And there came two angels to Sodom at even ; and Lot sat in the gate, and, seeing them, rose up to meet them. And they entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and they did eat. ''And the men said unto Lot, *Hast thou here any besides ? — Son-in-law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place ; for we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the THE SDTXER rNDIFFERENT. 137 Lord ; and the Lord hath, sent us to destroy it.* And Lot Trent out, and spake unto his sons-in- law, and said, * Up, get you out of this place ; for the Lord will destroy tliis city.' But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons-in-law. '' And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, ' Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here ; lest thou be consumecl in the inicLuity of the city.' And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters ; the Lord being merciful unto him. And they brought him forth, and set him without the city. *'And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that they said, ' Escape for thy life ; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain ; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.' '^And the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven ; and he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground ; and lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace." 1 Gen. xTiii, 20, 21, 33. 2 Gen. six, 1, 3, 12-17, 24, 25, 28. The Saviour^s loving entreaties. ^" Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning ; from the time that it was, there am I : and now the Lord God, and his Spiiit, hath sent me. 138 THE SIOTfER INDIFFERENT. *' Tlius saith. the Lord, thy Eedeemer, the Holy One of Israel ; I am the Lord thy G-od which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go. that thou liadst hearkened to my commandments ! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea. ^How often would I have gathered tliee even as a hen gather eth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not ! ^"I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no Saviour ; '^ijet ye will not come to me, that ye might have Kfe. ^The Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. ^If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. ' '' Behold, I stand at the door, and knock ; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. ^I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not : for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him; the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. ^'* I am the good Shepherd : the good Shep- herd giveth his life for the sheep. ^°He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved ; but he that believeth not shall be damned." 1 Is. xlviii, 16-18. 2 Matt, xxiii, 37. s Is. xliii, 11. * John v, 40. s Luke ix, 56. e John vii, 37. ^ Rev. iii, 20. » John xii, 46-48. 9 John X, 11. 10 Mark x\i, 16. ®|agt^ %b:it\\i^-%ttonk THE SINNER PENITENT. Prayer for forgiveness of sins. '"Unto tliee, Lord, do I lift up my soul. 'Have mercy upon me, Lord, according to thy loving-kindness : according unto the mul- titude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thi'oughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me fi'om my sin ; for I acknowledge my transgressions ; and my sin is ever before me. ^Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me. *I am weary of my crying: my throat is diied: mine eyes fail while I wait for my Grod., ' ' God, thou knowest my foolishness ; and my sins are not hid fi'om thee. ^Mine iniquities are gone over my head ; as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me. I am troubled ; I am bowed down gi-eatly: I go mourning all the day long. ''Who can understand his errors ? cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins ; let them not have dominion over me. ^"Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean; ^save now, I beseech thee. °I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes; ^^btit in 140 THE SINNER PENITENT. thee do I hope : thou wilt hear, Lord my God, for I am ready to halt, and my sorrow is continually before me. ^^Have mercy on me ; ^-for thy name's sake, Lord, pardon my iniquity ; for it is great. ^^ Hearken therefore unto the supplications of thy servant ; hear thou fi'om thy dwelling- place, even from heaven ; and when thou hearest, forgive. ^^ Behold, God my shield, and look upon the face of thine Anointed." 1 Ps. XXV, 1. 2 Ps. li, 1-3. 3 1 Chron. iv, 10. * Ps. Ixix, 3, 5. 5 Ps. xxxviii, 4, 6. o Ps. xix, 12, 13. ' Matt, viii, 2. 8 Ps. cxviii, 25. ojobxlii, 6. ioPs. xxxviii, 15, 17. ULukexviii, 38. i^Ps.xxv, 11. !■* 2 Cliron. vi, 21. ^ Ps. Ixxxiv, 9. ILLUSTRATION. Repentance of the people of Nineveh. ^''The word of the Lord came unto Jonah the second time, saying, ^ 'Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it ; for their wickedness is come up before me.' ^So Jonah arose and went, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days' journey. And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, ' Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.' *' So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them. For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. And he caused it to be proclaimed and published tlii'ough Nineveh, by the decree of the king and his THE SINNER PENITENT. 141 nobles, saying, * Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything ; let them not feed, nor drink water ; but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily tinto Grod ; yea, let them tiu-n every one from his evil way, and fi-om the violence that is in theii' hands. Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not T ** And God saw their works, that they turned from theu' evil way ; and God repented of the evil that he had said that he would do unto them ; and he did it not." 1 Jonah iii, 1. 2 Jonah i, 2. s Jonah iii, 3-10. Encouragement for the hroJcen-hearted. '''Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be i filled. Blessed are they that moiu-n ; for they I shall be comforted. — = Godly sorrow worketh re- I pentance to salvation not to be repented of. | For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed j after a godly sort; what carefulness it wrought ! ill you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what \ vehement desii-e. ^xhe sacrifices of God are a I broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart ! he will not despise. * " He that covereth his sins shall not prosper ; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. ^ God looketh upon men, and if any say, ' I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not ;' he will deliver his soul from going into the pit, 142 THE SINNER PENITENT. and his life shall see the Kght. ^For the Lord is long suffering to us- ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 'The goodness of God leadeth zis to repentance ; ^ mid if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us fi-om all unrighteousness." iMatt. V, 6, 4. 2 2Cor. vii, 10, 11. spg. li, 17. 4 Prov. xxviii, 13. 5 Job xxxiii, 27, 28. o 2 Pet. iii, 9. ' Rom. ii, 4. 8 1 John i, 9. ILLUSTRATION. The penitent woman forgiven. ^ *' One of the Pharisees desu'ed Jesm that he would eat with him. And Jesus went into Ms house, and sat down to meat. And, behold, a woman in the city, who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, and stood at his feet behind him wee^^ing, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. " Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, ' This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him ; for she is a sinner.' And Jesus answering said unto him, ' Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee.' And he saith, 'Master, say on.' — 'There was a certain creditor which had two debtors ; the one owed him five hundred pence, the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will THE SINNER PENITENT. 143 love him most ?' Simon answered and said, ' I suppose tliat he to whom he forgave most.' And he said unto him, ' Thou hast rightly judged.' " And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, * Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet ; but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss ; but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint ; but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, her sins, which are many, are forgiven ; for she loved much ; but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.' " And he said to the woman, ' Thy sins are forgiven ; thy faith hath saved thee ; go in peace.' " iLukevii, 36-47, 50, 48, 50. ILLTJSTEATION. ParalU of the lost sheep, 8fc. ^ ' ' The Pharisees and Scribes miu-mured against Jesus, saying, * This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.' And Jesus spake this parable unto them, saying, ' Wliat man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilder- ness, ^and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray, ^ until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neigh- bours, saying unto them : Eejoice with me; for 144 THE SINNER PENITENT. I have found my sheep which was lost. — ^I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. '' 'Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek dihgently till she find it ? And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying : Bejoice with me ; for I have found the piece which I had lost. — Likewise, 1 say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of Grod over one sinner that re- penteth.' " 1 Luke XV, 2-4. « Matt, xviii, 12. 3 Luke xv, 4-10. Salvation through faith in Christ. ^ ' ' All we like sheep have gone astray ; we have tui'iied every one to his own way ; hut the Lord hath laid on Jesus Christ the inicjuity of us all. 'Jesus bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness. ^He was oppressed and he was afilicted ; he tvas brought as a lamb to the slaughter ; he was taken from prison and from judgment ; and he was cut off out of the land of the living. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows. He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for oui' iniquities ; the chastisement of our peace was upon him ; and with his stripes we are healed. — * Herein is love, not that we loved Grod, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to THE SINNER PENITENT. 145 be the propitiation for our sins ; ^and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. ^" Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins ; and by him all that believe are justified fi-om all things. 'With the heart man believeth unto righteous- ness ; and with the mouth confession is made imto salvation. ^He that believeth on him is not condemned, ^hut through his name shall receive remission of sins. ^''Wherefore receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls." 1 Is. Uii, 6. « 1 Pet. ii, 24. s ig. Uji, 7, g, 4, 5. ♦ 1 John iv, 10, 5 1 Jolin ii, 2, 6 Acts siii, 38, 39. ' Rom. x, 10. s John iii, 18. « Acts X. 43. lojas. i, 21. iHjiTpter S^foentg-ti^irJy. THE SINNER PROCRASTINATING. The uncertainty of to-morrow. ^"Go to now, ye that say, * To-day or to- morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:' whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life ? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. ^ "The days of our years are three score years and ten ; and if by reason of strength they be four score years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow ; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. ^We are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a shadow. ^"Wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others. Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names. Neverthe- less man being in honour abideth not : he is like the beasts that perish. This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Like sheep they are laid in the grave ; death shall feed on them ; and their beauty shall con- sume in the grave. THE SINNER PROCRASTINATING. 147 «'' Boast not thyself of to-morrow ; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. ^Ye ought to say, ' If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.' "^ For he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things ; and in him we live, and move, and have om* being. ^But now ye rejoice in yoiu- boastings : all such rejoicing is evil. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." 1 Jas. iv, 13, 14. « Ps. xc, 10. 3 Job \aLi, 9. * Ps. slix, 10-14. »Prov. xxYii, 1. «Jas. iv, 15. ^ Acts xvii, 25, 28. 8 Jas. iv, 16, 17. ILLUSTRATION. ParalU of the rich fool. ^ " The ground of a certain rich man brought forth x^lentifully ; and he thought within him- self, saj'ing, ' What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fiaiits ?' And he said, ' This will I do ; I will pull down my barns, and build greater ; and there will I be- stow all my fi-uits and my goods. And I will say to my soul : Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years ; take thine ease, eat, di'ink, and be meny.' ''But God said unto him, 'Thou fool; this night thy soul shall be recjuired of thee ; then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided ?' "So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." 1 Luke xii, 16-21. Exhortation to instant repentance. ^" Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. ^ To- day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your 148 THE SINNER PROCRASTINATING. heart. ^Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God : ^before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chafiP, before the fierce anger of the Lord come upon you. ^Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near ; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts ; and let him retui-n unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him ; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. ^"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. '^ Christ hath once suf- fered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God ; ^and by him all that believe are justified from all things. ^''The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven, with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ ; who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power. ^° Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching. Be ye therefore ready also : for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. But if a servant say in his heart, 'My lord delay eth his coming;' "and shall begin to smite his fellow servants, ^^and to eat and drink, and to be drunken ; the lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will ai^point him his portion with the unbelievers. THE SINNER PROCRASTINATING. 149 "*• He that believeth on the Son of God hath everlasting life ; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life ; but the wrath of God abideth on him. — ^*Escape for thy life, — ^^flee from the wrath to come. ^^ Behold, now is the accepted time ; behold, now is the day of salva- tion. ^"It is high time to awake out of sleep. The night is far spent, the day is at hand ; cast off therefore the works of darkness, and put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Eph. V, 14. 2 Ps. xcv, 7, 8. '^ 1 Chron. xxii, 19. * Zeph. ii, 2. s Is. It, 6, 7. 6 1 Tim. i, 15. ' 1 Pet. iii, 18. 8 Acts siii, 39. 9 2 Thess. i, 7-9. ic Luke xii, 37, 40, 45. n Matt, ssiv, 49. 12 Luke xii, 45, 46. 13 John iii, 3fi. i ' Gen. xix, 17. la Luke iii, 7. 10 2 Cor. vi, 2. i' Rom. xiii, 11, 12, 14. ILLUSTRATION. ParaUc of the ten virgins. ^*'The kingdom of heaven shall be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamj)s, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. Ajid five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them ; but the wise took oil in theii- vessels with their lamps. And while the bride- groom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. " And at midnight there was a cry made, * Behold, the bridegroom cometh ; go 3'e out to meet him.' Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said un- to the wise, ' Give us of your oil ; for our lamps are gone out.' But the wise answered, saving, * Not so ; lest there be not enough for us and you : but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for 3-ourselves.' ''And while they went to buy, the bride- 03 150 THE SINNER PROCRASTINATING. groom came ; and they tliat were ready went in with him to the marriage ; and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other vir- gins, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us.' But he answered and said, * Verily I say unto you, I know you not.' ** Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh." 1 Matt. XXV, 1-13. The danger of rejecting mercy. ^"Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel : — Will ye not receive instruction to hearken to my words? I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking ; but ye hearkened not unto me. I have sent also unto you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, 'Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings.' But ye have not inclined your ear, nor heark- ened unto me. ** Therefore th,us saith the Lord God of hosts : — Behold, I will bring upon you all the evil that I have pronounced : because I have spoken unto you^ but ye have not heard ; and I have called unto yow, but ye have not answered. ^He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh : the Lord shall have yox(, in derision. ^"Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded ; but ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof : I also will laugh at your calamity ; I will mock when your fear cometh ; when youi' fear cometh as THE SINNEE PROCBASTIKATING. 151 desolation, and youi' destruction cometh as a whirlwind; wlien distress and anguisli cometh upon you. ** Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me : for that they hated know- ledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord : they would none of my coimsel : they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. *" Now therefore hear thou the word of the Lord. = Whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet fi'om fear of evil. — Turn you at my reproof : behold, I will pour out my Spirit imto you, I will make known my words unto you. ^For in the way of righteous- ness is life ; and in the pathway thereof there is no death." 1 Jer. xxxv, 13-15, 17. 2 Ps. ii, 4. ^ Prov. i, 24-31. * Amos vii, 16. 5 Prov. i, 33, 23. e Prov. xii, 28. Prayer of the soul aiv aliened from sleep. ^*' Hear my praj^er, God; give ear to the words of my mouth. ^Thou, even thou, art to be feared : and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry ? ^I acknowledge my transgressions ; *what must I do to be saved ? °Have mercy upon me, God, accord- ing to thy loving-kindness : according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies. ^Save me, God, by thy name ; 'deliver me fi-om all my transgressions. ^''We are consumed by thine anger, and by 152 THE SINNEE PHOCRASTINATING. thy wratli are we troubled. Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance. For all oiu- days are passed away in thy wrath : we spend our years as a tale that is told. Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath. ^"And now, our God, what shall we say? for we have forsaken thy commandments. ^'^The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved. ^^0 remember not against us former iniquities. Help us, God, for the glory of thy name : and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name's sake. ^-So teach us to number our days, that we may apply om* hearts unto wisdom." iPs. liv, 2. 2Ps, ixxvi, 7. spg.ii, 3. 4Actsxvi,30. sps.ii^i. 6 Ps. liv, 1. 7 Ps. xxxix, 8. 8 Ps, xc, 7-9, 11. 9 Ezra ix, 10. 10 Jer. viii, 20. ■ n Ps. Ixxix, 8, 9. 12 Ps. xc, 12. m^kx tottttg-fottrt]^. THE SINNER PRODIGAL. Pardon promised to tlie penitent. " *' I AM the Lord, I change not. Ye are gone away : hit return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. ^I know yoiu' manifold transgressions and your mighty sins; hit seek ye me, and ye shall live.^ ^^^ere- fore do ye spend money for that which is not bread ? and your laboiu' for that which satis- fieth not ? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. ^" As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked ; but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn ye, turn ye from yoitr evil ways; for why will ye die ? ^When the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath com- mitted, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. Because he considereth and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die. 6" Ye shall remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall loathe yourselves in yoiu- own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations; ''and cast 154 THE SINNER PRODIGAL. away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed ; and make you a new heart and a new sjoirit. •'^ " Not for your sakes do I this, saith the Lord God, be it known unto you : be ashamed and confounded for your own ways. ^But I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins." 1 Mai. iii, 6, 7. 2 Amos v. 12, 4. 3 jg. iv, 2. *Ezek. xxxiii, 11. B Ezek. xviii, 27, 28. e Ezek. xxxvi, 31. 7 Ezek. xviii, 31 8 Ezek. xxxvi, 32. « Is. xliii, 25. ILLUSTRATION. Parable of the prodigal son. ^"A certain man had two sons: and the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me.' And he divided unto them his living. " And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his sub- stance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land ; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country ; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat : and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, * How many hired servants of ni}^ father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger ! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him : Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son : THE SlifNEP. PEODIGAL. 155 make me as one of thy hired servants.' And he arose, and came to his father. "But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, ' Father, I have sirned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.' But the father said to his servants, ' Bring forth the best robe and put it on him ; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet : and bring hither the fatted caK, and kill it ; and let us eat and be merry : for this my son was dead, and is alive again ; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to be merry." 1 Luke XV, 11-24. Exhortation to reconciliation with God. ^**God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly : -he was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. ^ And this is GocVs commandment ; that we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ. ^For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition be- tween us ; and came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. ^" He that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this 156 THE SINNER PRODIGAL. life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life ; ^and being justified by his blood, shall be saved from wrath through him : ' hit he that hath not the Son of Grod hath not life ; ^hit abideth in death. ^"Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us : we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to Grod. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses un- to them. And he hath made Christ to be sin for us, who knew no sin ; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." iRom. V, 8, 6. 2 Rom. iv, 25. 3 ijohniii, 23. * Eph.ii, 14, 17. 6 1 John V, 10-12. 6 Rom. v, 9. i \ John v, 12, » 1 John iii, 14. « 2 Cor. V, 20, 19, 21. I C^ajto ^l^tomtg-fiftlj* THE SINNER PROFANE. The iniquity of despising God. ^"Whom hast thou reproached and blas- phemed ? and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? even against the Holy One of Israel. -He that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God; ^there- fore is not thy wickedness great ; and thine iniquities infiiite ? ^Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets ; * Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish.' ^ '* Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in j)ower, and spend their days in mirth ? * They say unto God, * Depart from us ; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. What is the Almighty, that we should serve him ? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him ?' ^But who hath hardened himself against God and hath prospered ? Tor the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience. ®The destruction of the trans- gressors and of the sinners shall be together, and they that forsake the Lord shall be con- sumed. ^How oft is the candle of the wicked put out ? and how oft cometh their destruction upon them ? God distributeth sorrows in his 158 THE SINNER PilOFAIfE. anger ; they are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away : they shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty." i2Kingsxix, 22. 2 1 Thess. iv, 8. sjobxxii, 5. *Actsxm,40, 41. B Job xxi, 7, 13-15. 6 Job ix, 4. ' Col. iii, 6. s ig. j 2S. 0Jobxxi, 17, 18, 20. ILLUSTBATION. ParalU of the wiclced husbandmen ^*' There was a certain householder, wliich planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country. ^ " And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard : but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty. ^And again he sent unto them another servant ; and at him they cast stones, and wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully handled. And again he sent another; and him they killed, and many others ; beating some, and killing some. * ' ' Then said the lord of the vineyard, ' What shall I do ? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him.' But when the husbandmen saw him, they rea- soned among themselves, saying, ' This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.' So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. ^" When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husband- men ? He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other THE Sns'NER PROFANE. 159 husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons. 6'' What is this then that is written, 'The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner.' Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken ; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder." » Matt, xxi, 33. « Luke xx, 10. 3 Mark xii, 4,5. ♦ Luke xx, 13-15. 5 Matt, xxi, 40, 41. e Luke xx, 17, 18. Condemnation of wilful unlelief ^**Your words have been stout against me, saith the Lord. Yet ye say, ' What have we sjDoken so much against thee ?' Ye have said, ' It is vain to serve God.' — -How long will the scorners delight in scorning, and fools hate knowledge ? ^ Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker ! ^" God is jealous, and the Lord revengeth ; the Lord revengeth and is furious ; the Lord will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies. The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all accj^uit the wicked : the Lord hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet. Who can stand before his indignation ? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? His fury is poured out like fire, the rocks are thrown down by him. With an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies. For while they be folden together as thorns, and while they are IGO THE SINNER PEOFANB. drunken as drunkards, they sliall be devoured as stubble fully dry. °'' Vengeance belongetli unto me, I will re- compense, saitii the Lord ; Hlieir foot shall slide in due time : for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste. I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me : I kill, and I make alive ; I wound, and I heal : neither is there any that can de- liver out of my hand. For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, 'I live for ever.' '"Hearken unto me, ye stout hearted, that are far fi-om righteousness : I bring near my righteousness ; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: ^hut if I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment ; I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me." 1 Mai. iii, 13, 14. 2 Prov. i, 22. 3 is. xlv, 9. * Nah. i, 2, 3, 6, 8, 10. 5Heb. X, 30. eDeut. xxxii, 35, 39, 40. ' Is. xlvi, 12, 13. SDeut. xxxii, 41. ILLUSTRATION. The marriage of the hinges son. ^'' Jesus spake by parables, and said : — The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, and sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding; and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, ' Tell them which are bidden : Behold, I have pre]3ared my dinner : my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready : come unto the marriage.' But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandize : and the remnant THE SINNER PIIOFANE. 161 took his servants, and entreated tliem spitefully, and slew tliem. But wlien the king heard there- of, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. '' Then saith he to his servants, ihe wed- ding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the high- ways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.' So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together aU as many as^they found, both bad and good : and the wedding was furnished with guests. "And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment : and he saith unto him, * Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment ?' And he was speecliless. Then said the king to the servants, ' Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness ; there shall be weep- ing and gnashing of teeth.' " 1 Matt, xxii, 1-13. TJie blasphemer exJiorted to repentance. ^ '' Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men, -«W(?put you in remembrance, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Eg}^t, afterward destroyed them that believed not. And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habi- tation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the P3 162 THE SINNER Pl£OFANE. cities about tliem in like manner, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. ''And Enoch also prophesied of these, saying, * Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.' ^ ' ' But Grod now commandeth all men every- where to repent : because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom he hath ordained ; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. *For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed aU judgment imto the Son: that all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. ^And God our Saviour will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one Grod, and one mediator between Grod and men, the man Christ Jesus ; who gave himself a ransom for all. ^" He that despised Moses' law died without mercj^ under two or three witnesses : of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God? ''For he that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. ^Therefore if ye believe not, ye shall die in your sins." i2Cor. V, 11. 2Judei, 5-7, 14, 15. ■ hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all ; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee. * Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art Grod. ^Blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise. ^'* Behold, I am vile ; what shall I answer thee ? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth. Once have I spoken ; but I will not answer : yea, twice; but I will proceed no further. ''I know that thou canst do every thing, and that r o thought can be withholden from thee. Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge ? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderf\il for me, which I knew not. Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak. I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear ; but now mine eye seeth thee : wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. ^ '* Thou hast commanded me to keep thy pre- cepts diligently. that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes ! Teach me, Lord, the way, and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law ; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Thy THE SINNER SCEPTICAL. 183 word is true from the beginning; and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever. I cnj unto thee ; save me, and I shall keei^ thy testimonies. I intrcat thy favour with my whole heart : be merciful unto me according to thy word." iMark ix, 24. « Ps. cxix, 18. » Neh. ix, 6. ♦ Ps. xc, 2. * Xeh. ix, 5. e Job xl, 4, 5. ' Job xlii, 2-6. 8 Ps. cxix, 4, 5, 33, 34, IGO, 146, 58. €^^kx %ix(mt^'txs^^. THE SINNER SELF-DECEIVED. The self-confident undeceived. ^ " Let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous ; he that committeth sin is of the devil ; for the devil sinneth fi-om the beginning. ^And hereby we do know that we know Christ, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, *I know Him,' and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of Grod perfected : hereby laiow we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked. ^"H a man say, 'I love God,' andhatethhis brother, he is a liar : for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love Grod whom he hath not seen ? *He that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in dark- ness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes. ^ And this commandment have we from God : * That he who loveth God love his brother also.' ^'*H any man seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. Tor he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain THE SINISTER SELF-DECEIYED. 185 his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile. Let him eschew evil, and do good; let liim seek peace, and ensue it; for the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. ^"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof : but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. ^ " Let no man deceive you with vain words : for because of sin cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them ; ^''but be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only. "All unrighteousness is sin : ^"""and the soul that sin- neth, it shall die. ^^If we say that we have no sin, we deceive oui'selves, and the truth is not in us: ^*for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. '^'"But if we confess oui- sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." I IJohn iii, 7, 8. siJohnii, 3-6. sijohniv, 20. * 1 Johnii, 11. 5 1 John iv, 2] . 6 Jas. i, 26. ^ i pet. iii, 10-12. » 1 John ii, 15-17. 9 Eph. V, 6, 7. 10 Jas. i, 22. "1 John v, 17. la Ezek. xviii, 4. 13 1 John i, 8. 1* Rom. iii, 23. i^ i John i, 9. ILLUSTRATION. ParoMe of the barren fig tree. ^'^ A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fi-uit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, 'Behold, these three 186 THE SINNES SELF-DECEIVED. years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none : cut it down ; wliy cumberetli it tlie ground?' And he answering, said unto him, ' Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it : and if it bear fruit, well : and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.' " 1 Luke xiii, 6-10. The unconverted reproved ly God. '"The mighty God, even the Lord, hath spoken : ^ The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked : who can know it ? I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord : hut blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lc*'d is. i ^ " Unto the wicked God saith: What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? see- ing thou hatest instruction, and castest my •words behind thee.' Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit. Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother ; thou slanderest thine own mother's son. These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes. — Now con- sider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver. — Whoso THE SIXNER SELF-DECEIVED. 187 offereth praise glorifieth me : and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God. * ' ' Let not him that is deceived trust in vanity : for vanity shall be his recompense. ^What thing soever I command you, observe to do it : thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it. ^Love the Lord your God, and serve him with all your heart and with all your soul. ^Obey my voice, and do according to all which I command you : so shall ye be my people, and I will be youi- God." IPs. 1,1. 2Jer.xvii,9, 10,5,7. spg.i, le, 17, 19-23. *Jobxv,31. 5 Deut. xii, 32. s Deut. xi, 13. ' Jer. xi, 4. rLLUSTRATiON. ParahU of the talents. ^ ** A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ^own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one ; to every man according to his several ability ; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one, went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. *' After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them, ^that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. *And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five, saying, 188 THE SINlTOIl SELF-DECEIYED. * Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents : behold, I have gained beside them five more.' His lord said unto him, 'Well done, thou good and faithful servant : thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things : enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.' " He also that had received two talents came and said, ' Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents : behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.' His lord said unto him, ' Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things : enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.' " Then he which had received the one talent came and said, ' Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed : and I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth : lo, there thou hast that is thine.' His lord answered and said unto him, * Thou wicked and slothful servant ; ^out of thine own mouth will I judge thee. ^Thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed : thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the ex- changers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.' "^And he said unto them that stood by, ^ * Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance : but from him that hath not shall be taken away THE SINNER SELF-DECEIVED. 189 even that wHcli lie hatli. And cast ye the un- profitable servant into outer darkness :^ there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. iTiilrPxix !•> 13 8 Matt. XXV, 14-19. 3Luke^x,15. * MaS xJ^'2i:26 ^ Luke xix, 22. ^ Matt. xxv. 26, 27. 7 Luke xix, 24. 8 Matt, xxv, 28-30. The 07ihj path of safety. !<' Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived. ^There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. ^If any man seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God, for it is written, 'He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, ' The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the mse, that they are vain.' 4" Jesus said : ' I am the door: by me il any man enter in, he shall be saved. ^Seek, and ye shall find ; knock, and it shaU be opened unto you : for he that seeketh findeth ; and to him that knocketh it shaU be opened.— « I am the way, and the truth, and the Hfe ; no man cometh unto the Father, but-by me. 'Enter ye m at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat; because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto Hfe, and few there be that find it. 'He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.'_ 9 ' ' These words are true and faithful : ^° neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none 190 THE SINNER SELF-DECEIVED. other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. ^^ To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name, whosoever believeth in him shall receive remis- sion of sins. ^'^But let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity." 1 Deut. xi, 16. 2 Pr'ov. xiv, 12. « 1 Cor. iii, 18-20. * John x, 7. 9. 5 Matt, vii, 7, 8. ejohnxiv, 6. ' Matt, vii, 13, 14. 8 Johnsi, 2.), '2fi. » Eev. xxi, 5. lo Acts iv, 12. 1 1 Acts x, 43. i^ 2 Tim. ii, 19. Ckjte Sttattj'itmt]^. THE SINNER SORROWFUL. Advice to the unconverted in affliction. ^ ' ' Sorrow is better tlian langliter : for by the sadness of the coimtenauce tlie beart is made better. It is better to go to the bouse of moui-n- ing, tban to go to the bouse of feasting : for that is tbe end of all men ; and tlie living will lay it to bis beart. — Tbe beart of tbe wise is in tbe bouse of mourning ; but tbe beart of fools is in tbe bouse of mirtb. -For godly sorrow worketb repentance to salvation not to be re- pented of. ^Surely it is meet to be said unto God, 'I bave borne chastisement, I will not offend any more. Tbat wbicb I see not teacb tbou me : if I bave done iniquity, I will do no more.' ^" In tbe day of prosperity be joj^ful, but in tbe day of adversity consider : God also batb set tbe one over against tbe otber, to tbe end tbat man should find nothing after him. — Say not thou, ' What is the cause tbat tbe former daj's were better tban these ? ^wherefore batb tbe Lord pronounced all this great evil against us ? or what is our iniquity? or what is our sin that we bave committed against tbe Lord our God ?' ^for thou dost not inquire wisely con- cerning this. "^ God will not lay upon man more 192 THE SINNER SOEROWFUL. than right. — When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble ? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him ? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only. ®*'God distributeth sorrows in his anger. ^Se saith, ^'^^ If ye forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments; if ye break my statutes, and keep not my commandments ; then will I visit your transgression with the rod, and your iniquity with stripes. Nevertheless my loving- kindness will I not utterly take from you^ nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.' — ^^ Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins V It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. The Lord will not cast off for ever : but though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion, according to the mul- titude of his mercies. For he doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the childi'en of men. '^" Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh who corrected us, and we gave them reverence : shall we not much rather be in sub- jection unto the Father of spu-its, and live ? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure ; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous ; nevertheless, after- ward it yieldeth the jDeaceable fruit of righte- ousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down. THE SINNER SOEROT^TJL. 193 and the feeble knees : "fall now into the hand of the Lord; for his mercies are great: ^^and let him do what seemeth him good." lEcc vii 3, 2, 4. ^ o Cor. vii, 10. 3 Job xxxiv, 31, 32. ♦ Ecc vii 14,10. 5jer. xvi, 10. eEcc.vii, 10. ' Job sxxiv, 23, 29. 8 Jobxxi'lT. 9 Jer.ix,13. iops.lxxxix,30-33. iiLam.iii,39.22,31-33. i2Heb. xii, 9, 10, 14, 11, 12. i3 2 Sam. xxiv, 14. " 1 Sam. iu. 18, ILLUSTRATION. TJie capUve ling crying unto God. 1 ^'Manasseh was twelve years old when he be- gan to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem : but did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, like unto the abomina- tions of the heathen ; "^and wrought much wick- edness to provoke God to anger. ^And the Lord spake to Manasseh and to his people : but they woidd not hearken. Wherefore the Lord brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assj^'ia, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. And when he was in afiliction, he besought the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, and prayed unto him : and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. — Then Manasseh knew that the Lord he was God." 12 Chron. xxxiii, 1, 2. 2 2 Kings xxi, 6. 3 2 Cliron. xxxiii, 10-13. Prayer of the soul himUed under trial. ^" God, the great, the mighty, and the terrible God, who keepeth covenant and mercy, let not all the trouble seem little before thee, 194 THE snra-ER sorrowful. that hath come upon me ; for thou art a gracious and mer'nlul God. '^Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me ; for I am desolate and afEicted. The troubles of my heart are en- larged : bring thou me out of my distresses. Look upon my affliction and my pain ; and for- give all my sins. ^I am poor and needy : make haste unto me, Grod : thou art my help and my deliverer ; Lord, make no tarrying. *'' Thou art just in all that is brought upon me ; for thou hast done right, but / have done wickedly. ^I know, Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort. ^Remove thy stroke away from me : I am consumed by the blow of thine hand. When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth : "^hiit it is good for me that I have been afflicted ; that I might learn thy statutes. ^Hear my prayer, Lord, and give ear unto my cry : ^I am poor and sorrowful ; let thy salvation, God, set me up on high." 1 Neh. ix, 32, 31. 2 Pg. xxv, 16-18. 3 pg. ixx, 5. * Neh. ix, 33, 5 Ps. cxix, 75, 76. eps. xxxix, 10, 11. 'Ps. cxix, 71. sps. xxxix, 12. 9 Ps. Ixix, 29. ILLUSTRATION. GocV s dealings ivith Israel. ^**The Lord saio the affliction of Israel in Egypt, and heard their cry. ^He divided the Red sea, and caused them to pass through ; 3 and the waters covered their enemies : there was not one of them left. Then believed they his words ; they sang his praise : hut they THE SINNER SORROWFUL. 195 soon forgat his works ; they waited not for his counsel. ^ " In the day time he led them with a cloud, and all the night with a light of fire. He brought . streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers. But they sinned yet more against him by provoking the Most High in the wilderness ; and they tempted God in their heart: yea, they spake against him. Therefore the Lord heard this, and was wroth ; because they believed not in Grod, and trusted not in his salvation : though he had commanded the clouds from above ; and opened the doors of heaven, and had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven. ^He said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath. *' They despised the pleasant land, they be- lieved not his word : but murmured in their tents, and hearkened not unto the voice of the Lord. Therefore he lifted up his hand against them, to overthi'ow' them in the wilderness. ^For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondi'ous works. Therefore their days did he consume in vanity, and their years in trouble. When he slew them, then they sought him : and they returned and inquired early after God. 'They poured out a prayer when his chastening was upon them : ^they remembered that God was their rock and the high God their redeemer. Nevertheless, they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with THE SINNER SORROWFUL. their tongues : for their heart was not right with him. But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not ; yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath. For he re- membered that they were but flesh ; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again. *' How oft did they provoke him in the wil- derness, and grieve him in the desert! Yea, they turned back and tempted Grod, and limited the Holy One of Israel. They remembered not his hand, nor the day when he delivered them from affiiction. So he cast upon them the fierce- ness of his anger, wrath, indignation, and trouble, by sending evil angels among them. He made a way to his anger; he spared not their soul from death, but gave their life over to the pestilence. " Yet they tempted and provoked the most high Grod, and kept not his testimonies. ® Therefore was the wrath of the Lord a^ain kindled against his people, and he gave them into the hand of the heathen ; and they that hated them ruled over them. Many times did he deliver them ; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity. Nevertheless, he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry : and he remembered for them his covenant, and re- pented according to the multitude of his mer- cies. He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them captives. ^'^For his great mercies' sake he did not utterly consume them, nor forsake them ; for he is a gracious and THE SINKER SORROWFUL. 197 merciful God. — ^^ Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting : and let all the people say, 'Amen.' Praise ye the Lord." 1 Neh. ix, 7, 9. « Ps. Ixxviii, 13. s Ps. cvi, 11-13. ♦ Ps. IxxYiii, 14, 16-19, 21-24, ^ pg. cvi, 23-26. 6 p.?. ixxviii, 32-34. 7 Is. xxTi, 16. » Ps. lxx%-iii, 35-42, 49, 50, 56. » Ps. cvi, 40, 41, 43-46. 10 Keh. ix, 31. " Ps. cvi, 48. Comfort from Jesus for the sorrowful heart. ^ " The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor ; he hath sent me to heal the broken- hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord ; - ^o be as an hiding place from the -wind, and a covert from the tempest ; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land ^from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain. — *Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ^''I am the liviag- bread which came clown from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever ; and the bread that I give is my flesh, which I give for the life of the world. I say unto you, he that believeth on me hath everlasting life. And this is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent ^to suffer for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring you to God. ' *' Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. ^Verily, verily, I 198 THE SINNER 80EI10WFUL. say unto you, lie that lieareth. my word, and bclievetli on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation ; but is passed from death unto life. ^I love them that love me, ^^and I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. ^^Hut if a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him : ^"^he shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighiDg shall flee away. ^^And the work of righteousness shall be peace ; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever." 1 Luke iv, 18, 19. 2 is. xxxii, 2. » Is. iv, 6. * Matt, xi, 28. 5 John Ti, 51, 47, 29. 6 1 Pet. iii, 18. ' John xiv, 1. 8 John v, 24, » Piov. viii, 17. lOEev. xxi, 6. ii Jolin xiv, 23. i8 Is. xxxv, 10. 13 Is. xxxii, 17. ^n$itx ^xxtuil], THE SINNER UNDECIDED. The way of life and the loay of death. 1** Behold, I set before you tlie way of life, and the way of deatli. — -This is God^s cominand- ment, that we should beheve on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, ^who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. *I command thee this day to love the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments. But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear ; I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish. '* See, I have set "before you Hfe and good, death and evil, ^a blessing and a curse. A blessing if ye obey the commandments of the Lord your God; and a curse if j^e will not obey, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day. — ^Wherefore now let the fear of the Lord be upon you ; take heed and do it : for there is no iniciuity with the Lord our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts. 'Neither is there any creatiu-e that is not mani- fest in his sight : but all things are naked and 200 THE SIIO^BR UNDECIDED. opened unto tlie eyes of him with whom we have to do. — ®Seek the Lord, and ye shall live; lest he break out like fire and devour, and there be none to quench : for lie knows your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins. ^ Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty. ^"If thou seek him, he wiU be found of thee ; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever. " '' This commandment is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that thou shouldst say, ' Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it ?' ^' (that is, to bring Christ down from above :) or, 'Who shall descend into the deep?' (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead:) ^^neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldst say, * Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it ?' But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou may est do it. ^^For if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. ^^"Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth : and if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve : but as for me, / will serve the Lord. ""^And I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing : therefore choose life, that you may live. — THE SINNER UNDECIDED. 201 1^0 taste and see tliat the Lord is good : blessed is the man that trusteth in him." 1 Jer. ssi. 8. ^ 1 John iii, 23. •"' Heb. ii, 9. * Deut. xxx, 16-18, 15. 5 Dent, xi, 2C-28. e 2 Chron. xix, 7. ' Heb. iv, 13. s Amos v, 6, 8. »Is.ii, 10. 10 1 Chron. xxviii, 9. UDeut. xxx, 11, 12. i^Eom.x,6, 7. 13 Deut. XXX, 13, 14. i* Eom. x, 9. is Josh, xxiv, 14, 15. 16 Deut. XXX, 19. 17 Ps. xxxiv, 8. ILLUSTRATION. Elijah^ s sacrifice on mount Carmel. ^ " Elijah came unto the peoi^le of Israel, and said, 'How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him : but if Baal, then follow him.' And the people answered him not a word. — Then said Elijah unto thern, 'I, even I only, remain a prophet of the Lord ; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men. Let them therefore give us two bullocks ; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under : and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fii'e under : and call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord ; and the Grod that an- swereth by fii-e, let him be God.' And all the people answered and said, 'It is well spoken.' " And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, * Choose you one bullock for yoiu^selves, and dress it first ; for ye are many ; and call on the name of j^our gods, but put no fire under.' And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal fi'om morning even until noon, saying, '0 Baal, hear us.' But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made. 202 THE SINNER UNDECIDED. **And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, ' Cry aloud : for he is a god ; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventiu'e he sleepeth, and must be awaked.' And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them. — And it came to pass when mid- day was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor an}^ that regarded. '* And Ehjah said imto all the people, 'Come near unto me.' And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down ; and with stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord : and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measm-es of seed. And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid it on the wood, and said, ' Fill foui' barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood.' And he said, ' Do it the second time.' And they did it the second time.' And he said, ' Do it the third time.' And they did it the third time. And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water. "And it came to pass at the time of the offer- ing of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near and said, ' Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these THE SmNER UNDECIDED. 203 things at thy word. Hear me, Lord, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast tui-ned their heart back again. ' *'Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces : and they said, 'The Lord, he is the God; the Lord, he is the God.' " 1 1 Kings xviii, 21-30, 32-39. Exhortation to decision for the Lord. ^ " Thus saith the Lord God : Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book. 2 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine, — the soul that sinneth, it shall die. ^For the wicked are reserved to the day of destruction ; they shall be brought forth to the day of wi-ath. * Yet, when I say unto the wicked, ' Thou shalt surely die ; ' if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and I'ight ; if the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, and walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity ; he shall surely live, he shall not die. None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him : he hath done that which is lawful and right ; he shall surely live. ^'* How long halt ye between two opinions ? ^If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. — "Wash you, — make you clean : put away the 204 THE SINNER UN-DECIDED. evil of your doings from before mine eyes ; cease to do evil ; learn to do well. ^ '' It shall come to j)ass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments, that all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee. — Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field. Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store. Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out ; and the Lord shall command blessing upon thee in all that thou settest thine hand unto: ^for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it." 1 Ex. xxxii, 27, 33. 2 Ezek. xviii, 4. 3 Job xxi, 30. < Exek. xxxiii, 14-16. & 1 Kings xviii, 21. " Gen. iv, 7. ' Is. i, IK, 17. 8 Deut. xxviii, 1-3, 5, 6, 8. » Is. i, 20. ^«ir xrf %tti ^^awJy. PAET THIRD. ilk'5lmti&^ ^crijpitere §leaMn0§. CONTENTS. MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS. CHAP Adoption 31 Conversion . 32 Eteenitt 33 Faith 34 Judgment 35 Justification - 36 Prater 37 Redemption 38 Sanctification 39 Sin 40 CI^Hgt^r S^l^irtg'first ADOPTION. Predestination tmto adoj^twn. '"Blessed be the God and Father of oiir Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ; according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love : ha-ving predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasui*e of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace ; wherein he hath abounded toward us. - "i^or when the fulness of the time was come, Grod sent forth his Son, to redeem them that were under the law, that ye might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, 'Abba,Tather.' Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son ; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. ^For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God; ^and ye are the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 208 ADOPTION. ^^^ Those that love God are the called accord- ing to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the fii^st- born among many brethren. Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called : and whom he called, them he also justified : and whom he justified, them he also glorified." 1 Eph. i, 3-8. 2 Gal. iv, 4-7. 3 Rom. viii, 14. * Gal. iii, 26. & Kom, viii, 28-30. Exhortation to follow God as dear children. ^ " Stand fast, therefore, in the liberty where- with Christ hath made you free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. ^Ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear ; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption. ^For as many as received Jesus, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name : which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. ^And the Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are, the children of God : and if children, then heirs ; heii'S of God, and joint- heirs with Christ ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. ^" Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children ; and walk in love, as Chi'ist also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us, an offer- ing and a sacrifice to God. — ^ * Come out from SiTCiOTig' unbelievers f and be ye separate,' saith the Lord, ' and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons ADOPTION. 209 and daughters,' saith tlie Lord Almighty. — For what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness ? and what communion hath light with darkness ? and what concord hath Christ with Belial ? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel ? Ye are the temple of the living God ; as he hath said ; ' I will dwell in them, and walk in them ; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people : ^ ' they shall call me their Father, and shall not tiu'n away from me.' " » Gal. V, 1. 2 Rom. viii, 15. 3 John i, 12, 13. * Eom. viii, 16, 17. 5 Eph. V, 1, 2. 6 2 Cor. vi, 17, 18, 14-16. ^ Jer. iii, 19. The greatness of God's adopting love. ^** Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God : therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. ^ God hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. ^And God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to ob- tain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. * Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be ; but we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him ; for we shall see him as he is. ^"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ ? shall tribulation, or distress, or per- secution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or T3 210 ADOPTION. sword ? Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of Grod, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. ^*' the depth of the riches both of the wis- dom and knowledge of Grod ! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out ! Who hath known the mind of the Lord ? or who hath been his counsellor ? or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things : to whom be glory for ever. Amen." 1 1 Jolm iii, 1. 2 2 Tim. i, 8, 9. 3 1 Thess. v, 9, 10, * 1 John iii, 2. 6 Rom. viii, 35, 37-39. e jtom. xi, 33-36. C|a;]gt^r Wlfxxt^-utmk CONVERSION. The necessity of regeneration. * ''There was a man of the Pharisees, named NicodemiTs, a ruler of the Jews : the same came to Jesus l>v night, and said unto him, ' Eabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God : for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.' Jesus answered and said unto him, * Yerily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.' Nicodemus saith unto him, • ' How can a man be born when he is old ?' Jesus answered, * Verily, verily, I say un- to thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh ; and that wliich is born of the Spmt is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth : so is every one that is born of the Spirit.' 2'' Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his ; ^for verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the king- dom of heaven. — *Put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt 212 CONVERSION. according to the deceitful lusts ; and be renewed in tlie spirit of your minds. And put ye on the new man, which after God is created in right- eousness and true holiness : ^being born again, not of corruptible seed, tut of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. "^For in Christ Jesus neither circumcisior availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God." 1 John iii, 1-8. 2 Rom. viii, 9. -^ Matt, xviii, 3. * Eph. iv, 22-24. 5 1 Pet. i, 23. 6 Gal. vi, 15, 16. ILLUSTRATION. Conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch. ^'' The angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, 'Ai-ise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.' And he arose and went. And, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, was returning, and sitting in his chariot, read Esaia's the prophet. ' ' Then the Spirit said unto Philip, ' Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.' And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, ' Understandest thou what thou readest ?' And he said, ' How can I, except some man should guide me ?' And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. — The place of the scripture which he read was this, ' H e was led as a sheep to the CONVEESIOIf. 213 slaugliter ; and Hke a lamb dumb before bis sbearer, so opened be not bis moutb. In bis bumiliation bis judgment was taken away: and wbo sball declare bis generation ? for bis life is taken from tbe eartb.'— And tbe eunucb answered PbiHp, and said, ' I pray tbee, of wbom speaketb tbe propbet tbis? of bimsell, or of some otber man?' Tben PbiHp opened bis moutb, and began at tbe same scripture, and preacbed unto bim Jesus. '< And as tbey went on tbeir way, tbey came unto a certain water : and tbe eunucb said, ' See, bere is water ; wbat dotb binder me to be bap- tized ? ' And Pbibp said, ' If tbou bebevest witb all tbine beart, tbou mayest.' And be answered, and said, 'I bebeve tbat Jesus Cbrist is tbe Son of G-od.' — And be commanded tbe cbariot to stand still : and tbey went down botb into tbe water, botb Pbibp and tbe eunucb ; and be baptized bim. And wben tbey were come up out of tbe water, tbe Spiiit of tbe Lord caugbt away Pbibp, tbat tbe eunucb saw bim no more : and be went on bis way rejoicing." 1 Acts viii, 26-39. The characteristics of a renewed heart. 1 u If any man be in Cbrist, be is a new crea- ture : old tbings are passed away ; bebold, all tbings are become new. ^And if Cbrist be in you,°tbe body is dead because of sin ; but tbe Spirit is life because of rigbteousness. ^For if ye know tbat be is rigbteous, ye know tbat every one tbat doetb rigbteousness is born of bim. . 214 CONVERSION. **'He that keepeth GodU commandments dwelleth in him, and lie in Mm. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. ^Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, Grod dwelleth in him, and he in God. "^Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God : and every one that loveth him that begat, loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments ; and they are not grievous. Whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world : and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. — Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God ? He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself. ''''Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophj^ and vain deceit, after the ti'adition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. If y6 have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him : rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanks- giving : for ye are complete in Christ. ®Now abide in him ; that, when he shall appear, ye may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming." i2Cor. V, 17. 2 Eom. %dii, 10. » IJolin ii, 29. * 1 John iii, 24. 5 1 John iv. 13, 15. « 1 John v, 1-5, 10, < Col. ii, 8, 6, 7, 10. 8 1 Johnii, 28. CONVERSION. 215 rLLTJSTRATiON. Conversion of Saul of Tarsus. ^ * * Sauljbreathing out tkreatenings and slaugh- ter against the disciples of the Lord, ^ punished them oft in every sjTiagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme ; and being exceedingly mad against them, persecuted them even unto strange cities ; and when they "svere put to death, gave his voice against them. ^And he went unto the high priest, and desired of him letters to Damascus, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. " And as he journeyed, he came near Da- mascus : and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven : and he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, * Saul, Saul, why jDersecutest thou me ? ' And he said, 'Who art thou, Lord?' And the Lord said, ' I am Jesus whom thou persecutest : it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.' And he trembling and astonished said, * Lord, what wilt thou have me to' do ? ' And the Lord said unto him, ' Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.' **And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the earth ; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man : but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. *' And there was a certain disciple at Damas- 216 CONVERSION. cus, named Ananias ; and to him said the Lord in a vision, 'Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas, for one called Saul, of Tarsus : for, behold, he prayeth.' Then Ananias answered, * Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how mueh evil he hath done to thy saints at Jeru- salem : and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.' But the Lord said unto him, ' Go thy way ; for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel : for I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.' *' And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house ; and putting his hands on him said, ' Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou earnest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.' And immediately there fell fi'om his eyes as it had been scales : and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. And when he had received meat he was strengthened. ''Then was Saiil certain days with the dis- ciples which were at Damascus. And straight- way he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. But all that heard him were amazed, and said, 'Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?' — But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which CONTERSION. 217 dwelt at Damascus, proving tliat this is very Christ " 1 Acts ix, 1. * Acts xxvi, 11, 10. 3 Acts ix, 1-11, 13-22. Salvation hj grace through faith. i'- Cor. xiii, 5. « Jas. ii, 14-26. 3 1 Jolui ii, 3-5. * Matt, v, 16. Cl^Hgter S^Mvtg-.^efrcitt]^. PRAYER. Tlie duty and pt^ivilege of prayer. ^'*The Lord is nigh, unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. ^ For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers. ^ And this is the confidence that we have in him, that if Tve ask anything according to his will, he heareth us : and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. ^Likewise the Si^irit also lielj)eth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought : but the Sj^irit itself maketli intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints accol'ding to the will of God. ^"I exhort therefore, that supplications, praj^ers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men ; for kings, and for all that are in authority ; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. ^Fray one for another; "for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savioui'; who will have all men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. PEAYER. 243 " I will that men pray everywliere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. ^Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks : for this is the will of Grod in Christ Jesus concern- ing you. — ^Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. — ^°Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. ^^For we have not an high priest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities ; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need; ^^ giving thanks always for all things unto Grod and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." iPs. cxlv, IS. 2iPet.iii, 12. ^ IJohnv, 14, 15. * Eom. viii, 26, 27. 5 1 Tim. ii, 1, 2. 6 Jas. v, 16, ^ 1 Tim. ii, 3, 4, 8. 8 i Thess. v, 17, 18. 9 Jas. V, 13. 10 Plul. iv, 6. " Heb. iv, 15, 16. i^Eph. v, 20. The necessity of faith in coining to God. ^** He that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is. a re warder of them that diligently seek him. -And all things, whatsoever ^you that believe on the name of the Son of God, * shall ask in prayer believing, ye shall receive. ^Yerily I say unto j^ou, that whosoever shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass ; he shall have whatsoever he saith. — ^The prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up ; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. — -'^Have faith 244 PRAYER. in Grod ; for I say unto you, what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall liave them. ^ But he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. Let not that man think that he shall re'ceive anything of the Lord." 1 Heb. xi, 6. 2 Matt, xxi, 22. s i John v. 13. * Matt, xxi, 22. 5 Mark xi, 23. e Jas. v, 15. ' Mark xi, 22, 24. 8 Jas. i, 6, 7. ILLUSTRATION". King Aso} s faith in grayer to God. ^**Asa liing of Judah had an army of men that were mighty men of valour. And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots. Then Asa went out against him, and they set the battle in array in the valley of Zephathah. And Asa cried unto the Lord his Grod, and said, 'Lord, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power : helj) us, Lord our God ; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. Lord, thou art our Grod ; let not man prevail against thee.' — So the Lord smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah ; and they fled, and were over- thrown, so that they could not recover them- selves; for they were destroyed before the Lord, and before his host : and Judah carried away very much sj)oil." 1 2 Cliron. xiy, 8-13. Exhortation to earnestness in supplications. ^'*Men ought always to pray, and not to faint; y Matt, xxvii, 1, 2, 11, 12. ' Johuxviii, 38. ^Lukexxiii, 5-11. » M;irkxv,6,7. lo JoluixTiii,40. 11 Matt, xxvii, 17, 18. 12 Mark xv, 11. 1^ Luke xxiii, 18, 2u-23. 1* John xix, 1. 1^ Matt, xxvii, 26-31. i" John xix. 17. 17 Lxike xxiii, 26, 27, 33. i« Matt. xxAdi,34. 19 Markxv, 23,25,27,28. 20 Luke xxiii,34. >Ji Matt, xxvii, 33-37,39-41,44. 2^ Mark xv,33,34. 2t John xix, 28-30. 2 1 Matt. xx\-ii, 51, 52, 54. " John xix, 34, 35. 2G Matt, xxvii, 57-60. 27 Matt, xxviii, 1-3, 5-7. ='« Luke xxiv, 9. 29 Acts i, 3, 4. 30 Luke "xxiv, 50, 51. a 1 Acts i, 9. The riches of redeeming grace. ^ '* Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. ^Ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and REDEiTPTION. 259 without spot : wlio verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world. ^Him hath God exalted with his rigiit hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. * ' ' Those things which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Chi-ist should suffer, he hath so fulfilled. ^ Our Saviour Jesus Chi'ist gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity : ^for God hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 'In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, ac- cording to the riches of his grace. ^ " To you therefore which believe he is pre- cious. ^For ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation : in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy S^^irit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the re- demption of the piu'chased possession, unto the praise of his glory. ^^ Grace be unto you, and peace, fi'om Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the fii'st begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. — ^^ Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. ^^ And unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father ; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." 1 1 John iv, 10. 2 1 Pet. i, 18-20. 3 Acts v. 31. * Acts iii, 13. 5Tit. ii, 13, 14. 6 2Cor. V, 21. ^Eph. i,'7. siPet. ii, 7. Eph. i, 13, 14. 10 Eev. i, 4, 5. " 2 Cor. ix, 15. is Kev. i 5 6. €^n^tx %]ixxi^-xnxxt^. SANCTIFICATION. Sanctijicationf the worh of God. ^ " God hatli from tlie beginning cliosen you to salvation through sanctiiication of the Spirit and belief of the truth. ~ Ye are washed, ye are sanctified, ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our Grod. ^It is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. * And we all, with o^Qn face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spii'it of the Lord. ^ Faithful is he that calleth us^ who also will do it. ^ *' Jesus, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. '' Both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of 'one : for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren. ^His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue : whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises ; that by these ive might be partakers of the Divine natui^e, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. ^^^ We are sanctified by God the Father, and SANCTIFICATION. 261 preserved in Jesus Christ, and called. ^^ And we are sanctified through the offering of the iDody of Jesus Chi'ist, once for all : for by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." 1 2 Thess. ii, 13. « 1 Cor. vi, 11. 3 PMl. ii, 13. * 2 Cor. iii, 18. 5 1 Thess. V, 24. « Heb. xiii, 12. ' Heb. ii, 11. 8 2 Pet. i, 3, 4. sjudei, 1. "Heb. X, 10, 14. The importance of a godly life. ^ " As God who hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation. ^ Fol- low after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness ; ^ because it is written, * ' I am the Lord your Grod : ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy ; for I am holy.' ^ And without holiness no man shall see the Lord. ^ " Christ loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious chiu'ch, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing ; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 'And you that were some time alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and un- blameable and unreprovable in his sight : if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away fi-om the hope of the gospel. ^ " This I say then ; wallv in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For tl^e 262 SANCTIFICATION. flesli liisteth. against the Spirit, and tlie Spirit against the flesh : and these are contrary the one to the other : so that je cannot do the things that je wouhl. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. — The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentle- ness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance : against such there is no law. And thoj that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts, ^ "If ye be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of Grod. Set your affections on things alcove, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. ^''Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you ? If any man defile the temj)le of God, him shall God destroy ; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. ^^ "Abstain from all appearance of evil : and the very God of peace sanctify you wholly. ^2 Grieve not the Holy Spiirit of God ; ^-'but let the mind be in you, which was also in Chi'ist Jesus. ^^Let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: ^^for this is the will of God, even your sanctification. ^"^I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give jon an inheritance among all them which are sanctified." UPet.i, 15. aiTim. vi, 11. siPet. i, 16. ♦Lev. xi, 44. 5Heb. xii, 14. « Eph. v, 2o-27. ' Col. i, 21-23. « Gal. v, 16-18, 2-2-24. 9 Col. iii, 1-3. la 1 Cor. iii, 16, 17. n 1 Tlics.s. v, 22, 23. 12 Eph. iv, 30. I3piiii. ii, 5, u Phil, i, 27. ^■> 1 Thess. iv, 3. 10 Acts XX, 32. SANCTIFICATION. 263 Christ^ s prayer for his people's sanctification. ^" These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his ej' es to heaven, and said, ' Father, I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world : thine they were, and thou gavest them me ; and they have kept thy word. I pray for them : I i^ra}" not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me ; for they are thine. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that tliey may be one, as we are. AYhile I was with ttem in the world, I kept them in thy name. And now come I to thee ; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I pray not that thou sliouldest take them out of the woild, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth : thy word is truth. For their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be truly sanctified through the truth. '' 'Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word ; that they all may be one ; as thou. Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us : that the world may beHeve that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them : that they may be one, even as we are one : I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one ; and that the world may know that thou 264 SANCTIFICATION. hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. << <0 righteous Father, the world hath not known thee : but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it : that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.' " 1 John xvii, 1, 6, 9, 11-13, 15-17, 19-23, 25, 26. Exhortation to holiness. ^ *' I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world : but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. " I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think. — Abhor that which is evil ; cleave to that which is good. — Be kindlj affectioned one to another with brotherly love ; in honour preferring one another. — Not slothful in business ; fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. — Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation ; continuing instant in prayer. — Distributing to the necessity of saints ; given to hospitality. — Bless them which per- secute you : bless, and curse not. — E-ejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. — Be of the same mind one toward another. — Be not wise in your own conceits. — SANCTIFICATION. 265 , Eecompense to no man evil for evil.— Provide things honest in the sight of all men.— Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. — If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 2 '*/ exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly ; comfort the feeble-minded ; support the weak ; be patient toward all men. — ^i^ight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life. *And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.— ^ For when ive were the servants of sin, we were free from righteousness ; but now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, tee have our fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life." 1 Eom. xii, 1-3, 9-17, 21, 18. 2 1 Thess. v, 14- 3 1 Tim. vi, 12. *Col. iii, 17. = Kom. Ti, 20, 22. iLLUSTRATiox. The example of St. Paul. ^"Paul, in writing to the saints in Christ Jesus, saith; 2' What things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all tilings but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord : for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Chi'ist, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith : that I may know him, and the power of his resurrec- tion, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made comformable unto his death ; if by any 266 SANCTIFICATION. means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had abeady attained, either were aheady perfect ; but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended : but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press t(?ward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Clirist Jesus. — ^I am crucified with Christ : nevertheless I live ; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me : and the life ^'hicli I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son oi God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. *But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Clmst, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. — ^Brethren, be followers together of me.'" 1 Phil, i, 1. 2 piiii. iii, 7-14, 3 Gal. ii, 20. •» Gal. vi, 14. aPhil. iii, 17. Sjjecial promises to the consistent Christian. ^ ''Jesus saitli : — ' He that hath my command- ments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me : and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will mani- fest myself to him. If a man love me, he will keep my words : and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 2 " 'I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away : and every branch. SAIS-CTIFICATION. 267 that beareth fruit, lie purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. '' 'Now ye are clean through the word which I have sj)oken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fi"uit of itself, except it abide in the vine ; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit : for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fii*e, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in jou, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. '' ' Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit ; so shall je be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved jou: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my com- mandments, ye shall abide in my love ; even as I have kejjt niy Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that ray joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. ^And the Spirit of truth will guide you into all truth : he shall glorify me ; for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.' " 1 Jolin xir, 9, 21, 23. » John xv, l-ll. » John xvi, 13, 14. Cj^^jter JfarMj, SIK The fall of man from original perfection. *'*GoD created man in his own image, ^of tlie dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. And the Lord God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden, saying : — < Of every tree of the garden thou maj'est freely eat ; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it ; for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.' And the Lord God said, ' It is not good that the man should be alone ; I will make an help meet for 1dm.' And the Lord made a woman, and brought her unto the man. 2 " Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman : — 'Yea, hath God said, ye shall not eaf; of every tree of the garden?' And the woman said unto the serpent, 'We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden, but of the fruit of the tree wliich is in the midst of the garden, God hath said : Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.' And the serpent said unto the woman, 'Ye shall not surely die.' — And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired SIN. 269 to make one wise, slie took of the fruit thereof and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her ; and he did eat. *' And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day. And Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord amongst the trees of the garden. And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him ; ' Where art thou ?' And he said, * I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid.' And God said, * Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?' And the man said, 'The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me 3f the tree, and I did eat.' And God said unto the woman, 'What is this that thou hast done ?' And the woman said, * The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.' *' And the Lord God said unto the serpent, * Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle; and I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed ; it shall bruise thy head, and thou Bhalt bruise his ,heel.' — Unto the woman ho said, * I will greatly multiply thy sorrow.' And unto Adam he said, ' Cursed is the ground for thy sake ; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it, all the days of thy life. Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee , and thou shalt eat the herb of the field. In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken. Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.' ** And the Lord God sent him forth from the AA3 I 270 sm. garden of Eden, to till tlie ground fiom whence he was taken ; and he j)laced at the east of the garden of Eden cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life." 1 Gen. i, 27. 2 Gen. ii, 7, 15-18, 22. 3 Qgn. iii, 1-4, 6, 8-19, 23, 24. The whole world guilty hefore God. ^ ** As by one nikn sin entered into the world, and death by sin; so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned, ^and come short of the glory of Grod. ^''God spake all these words, saying, *'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy might ; ^and thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. ^Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, and serve him ; ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the Lord your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee ; and thou shalt do that which is right and good in the sight of the Lord, ' and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.' ^^^ And the Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if . there were any that did understand, and seek God. ^And ; God saw that the wickedness of man was great I in the earth, and that every imagination of the j thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. I And it repented the Lord that he had made i man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the Lord said, * I will destroy man, I for it repenteth me that I have made him.'* I '"*' All we like sheep have gone astray ; we sm. 271 have turned every one to his own way. — "There is no man that sinneth not, — '-there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after Grod. ^^ They are corrupt, — they have done abominable works, — there is none that doeth good ; they are all gone aside, — they are all together become filth}", — there is none that doeth good, no, not one. "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet ofPend in one point, he is guilty of all. ^'^And there is not a just man npon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not, ^^for the whole world lieth in wickedness." lEom. V, 12. 2Eom. iii, 23. ^Ex. xx, 1. »Deut. vi, 5. 5 Matt, xix, 19. 6 Deut. vi, 13, 17, 18. 7 Deut. xiii, 4. « Ps. xir, 2. 9 Gen. vi, 5-7. i* Is. liii, 6. ii 1 Kings viii, 46. ^- liom. iii, 11. 13 Ps. xiv, 1, 3. 14 Jas. ii, 10. i^ Ecc. vii, 20. i6 i Jolm v, 19. The awful consequences of sin. ^** Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. ^All that do unrighteously are an abomination unto the Lord ; ^and God is angry with the wicked every day. "^He shall bring upon them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness. ^The wicked and him "that loveth violence his soul hateth. ^ Thetj shall be silent in darkness : the adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces : out of heaven shall he thunder upon them. ■"'God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judg- ment. And God spared not the old world, ^hut the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened, 272 SIN. and all flesh died that moved upon the earth : Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark. ° And God turned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, '^^ raining upon them brimstone and fire out of heaven ; and overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities ; ^^ making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly. ^2'' The soul that sinneth, it shall die. He shall not live, he shall surely die ; his blood shall be u23on him. In his trespass that he hath tresspassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die. — ^^He that sinneth wrongeth his own soul: ^^for all the wicked will God destroy. ^^"Evil pursueth sinners: ^^for they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirl- wind. ^"The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. ^^ They are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked. ^^ De- struction shall be to the workers of iniquity : 2° the Lord shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour them. ^iThe ungodly are like the chafi" which the wind driveth away. ^-The work of a man shall God render unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways." 1 Gal. iii, 10. 2 Deut. xxv, 16. 3 Ps, vii, 11. * Ps. xciv, 23. sps. xi, 5. 6 1 Sam. ii, 9,110. "^ 2 Pet. ii, 4, 5. « Gen. vii, 11, 21, 23. 9 2Pet. ii, 6. lo Gen. xix, 24, 25. ii2Pet.ii,6. i2Ezek.XTiii,4,13,24. 13 Prov. viii, 36. ^ Ps. cxlv, 20. i^ Prov. xiii, 21, is Hos. viii, 7. »7Ps. ix, 17. i8is. ivii, 20, 21. 1 9 Prov. x, 29. aopg. xxi, 9. «i Ps. i, 4, 2=« Job xxxiv, 11. si^. 273 God' s justice satisfied hy Chris fs death. ^ '* Tlie Lord is a God of judgment : Behold, the name of the Lord cometh from afar, burning with his anger, and the burden thereof is heavy : his lips are full of indignation, and his tongue as a devouring fire ; and his breath as an overflowing stream. The Lord shall cause his glorious voice to be heard, and shall shew the lighting down of his arm, with the indig- nation of his anger, and with the flame of a devouring fii-e, with scattering, and tempest, and hailstones. ^He also is wise, and will bring evil, and will not call back his words ; but will arise against the house of the evil doers, and against the help of them that work iniquity. 2 '' Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilt}^ before God. ^liuty Kehold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people : for unto you is born a Saviour, which is Chi'ist the Lord. ° God 80 loved the world, that he gave his only be- gotten Son, ^ivho hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us, '''that whosoever believeth in Jiim should not perish, but have everlasting life. ^Jle his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness. ^ ''Men and brethren, to you is the word of this salvation sent, ^^ which now is made 274 SIN. manifest, and by tlie scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedi- ence of faith. " And the same Lord over all is rich imto all that call upon him : for whoso- ever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. — ^^ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." 1 Is. XXX, 18, 27, 28, 30. 2 Is. xxxi, 2. 3 Horn, iii, 19. < Lnke ii, 10, 11. ^ Jolin iii, 16. 6 Qal. iii, 13. ' John iii, 16. 8 1 Pet. ii, 24. 9 Acts xiii, 26. " Hom. xvi, 2G. " Eom. x, 12, 13. i« Luke ii, 14. ' GENERAL INDEX. Chapter I— THE CHRISTI.IN AFFLICTED. ^.^^^ Divine sympathy 1 Praj-er for restoration to health 1 Illusthation. Hezekiah raised up from sickness . 2 Exhortation to patience and resignation .... 3 Chapter II.— THE CHEISTIA]^ BACKSLIDING. Invitation to return to God 5 Exhortation to confession of sin 5 The prayer of repentance 6 Abundant pardon promised 7 Illustration. The fall of Peter 8 Chastisement to he expected 9 Exhortation to watchfulness, &c 10 Chapter III.— THE CHRISTIAN CONFIDENT. The blessedness of trust in God 11 Illl'stratiox. Paul shipwrecked 11 Di^dne encouragement 13 Illustration. The captive Jews in the furnace . 14 The song of a steadfast believer 16 Exhortation to strong confidence 18 Chapter IV.— THE CHRISTIAN DOUBTINa. Complaint of the soul in darkness 19 Encouragement to trust in God 19 Illustration. Peter walking on the sea .... 20 The prayer of a desponding saint 21 Divine consolations 22 Illustration. The unbelief of Thomas .... 22 Exhortation to believe the promises, &c 23 276 GENERAL INDEX. Chapter V.— THE CHRISTIAN DYINQ. j,^^,^ Consoling truths 25 Promises of Divine support 2o Triumphant faith 26 Resignation to the Divine will 27 Victory through the risen Saviour 27 Chapter VI.— THE CHRISTIAN LUKEWARM. The danger of coldness of heart 30 The Saviour's displeasure incurred 31 Prayer for quickening grace 32 Exhortation to zeal towards God ....... 32 Illustration. Tlie mission of the converted Gadarene 34 Motives and encouragements to work for Christ . 35 Chapter Vn.— THE CHRISTIAN MOURNING. The prayer of a moui-ning saint .... Illustkation. Death of David's child . . Words of comfort for the sorrowful , . . Illustration. Lazarus raised from the dead Exhortation to submission to God's will . Illustration. Raising of the widow's son Consolation on the death of a Christian 37 37 38 39 41 42 43 Chapter VIII.— THE CHRISTIAN PERPLEXED. Exhortation to seek Divine direction 44 Prayer for wisdom, &c 45 Help and guidance promised 46 Thanksgiving for God's counsel 46 Chapter IX.— THE CHRISTIAN PERSECUTED. Prayer for deliverance from enemies 47 God's assistance promised to his people .... 48 Illustration. Daniel protected in the lions' den . 49 Confidence in the help of God 51 Illustration. Paul's account of his sufferings . . 52 Exhortation to hear persecution with meekness . . 53 Illustration. Martyrdom of Stephen 54 The reward of suffering for Christ 55 GENERAL INDEX. 277 Chapter X.— THE CHRISTIAN POOR. pagh The vanity of earthly riches 57 Illustratiox: The rich man and Lazarus ... 57 Exhortation to seek help from God 58 Illustratiox. Water provided for Hagar's child . 60 Special promises to the needy 60 Illustration, Elijah sustained in famine ... 62 Encouragements to trust God's providence ... 63 Chapter XI.— THE CHRISTIAN REJOICINa. The blessings of salvation 65 Deliverance from enemies 67 Preservation of life G9 Temporal and spiritual mercies . . . . . . . 71 CHiPTER XII.— THE CHRISTIAN TEMPTED. Exhortation to steadfast vigilance . . . ^ . . 75 Illustration. Jesus tempted of the devil .... 76 Divine strength promised to the weak 77 The whole armour of God 78 Encouragements to fortitude 78 Chapter XIII.— THE CHRISTIAN TREED. The object of earthly trials 80 Illustration. The afflictions of Job 80 The trials of the righteous appointed by God . . 83 Illustration. The trial of Abraham's faith ... 83 Exhortation to joyful submission 85 Chapter XIY.— THE CHRISTIAN UNCHARITABLE. The importance of Christian love 87 Exhortation to forgiveness of injuries 87 Illustration. Parable of the unmerciful servant . 89 The duty of brotherly kindness 90 Illustration. Parable of the good Samaritan . . 92 The sin of an uncharitable spirit 92 BB 278 GENERAL DO) EX. fart ^tcoxiij. Chapter XV.— THE SINNER AWAKENED. pagb Prayer of the anxious inquirer 97 Illustration. Blind Bartimseus receiving sight . 98 Invitation to accept salvation 98 Illustration. Jesus cleansing the leper .... 99 Encouragemeut for the seeking soul 100 Chapter XVI.— THE SINNER DESPAIRINa. Lament of the soul in despair 102 Prayer for deliverance from sin 103 Illustration. The impotent man at Bethesda . . 104 Mercy promised to the vilest sinner 105 Illustration. Conversion of the Philippian jailor 106 Invitation to come to Jesus 107 Chapter XVII.— THE SINNER DYING. The vanity of human life 109 Appeal to arouse the impenitent 110 Prayer at the eleventh hour Ill Illustration. The dying thief 112 Illustration. The hraz en serpent 113 Exhortation to believe in Christ 114 Chapter XVIII.— THE SINNER HUMBLE. Prayer of the poor in spirit Illustration. The Pharisee and publican . . Promises to the humble soul Illustration. The Syro-Phoenician woman Encouragement for the lowly in heart . . . Chapter XIX.— THE SINNER HYPOCRITICAL Divine censure of pretended religion . ._ . Illustration. The tree known by its fruit . The folly and misery of hypocrisy .... Illustration. The true and false foundation Exhortation to awake to righteousness . . 116 117 117 118 119 121 122 122 124 124 GENERAL INDEX. 279 Chapter XX.— THE SINNER IMMORAL. paob The wages of unpardoned iniquity 126 God in anger remembers mercy 123 Illustration. The adulteress pardoned . . . . 128 The victims of intemperance warned of judgment 129 Exhortation to flee from sin and seek Christ . . 131 Chapter XXI.— THE SINNER INDIFFERENT. Solemn truths to arouse the careless 133 Illustratiox. Parable of the mari'iage supper . . 134 Curses pronounced on the disobedient .... 135 iLLrsTRATiox. Sodom and Gomorrah destroyed . 136 The Saviour's loving entreaties 137 Chapter XXII.— THE SINNER PENITENT. Prayer for forgiveness of sins 139 Illustration. Eepentance of the people of Nineveh 140 Encouragement for the broken-hearted . . . . 141 Illustration. The penitent woman forgiven . . 142 Illustration. Parable of the lost sheep, &c. . . 143 Salvation through faith in Christ 1^^ Chapter XXHI.- THE SINNER PROCRASTINATING. The uncertainty of to-morrow 146 Illustration. Parable of the rich fool .... 147 Exhortation to instant repentance 147 Illustration. Parable of the ten virgins . . . 149 The danger of rejecting mercy 150 Prayer of the soul awakened from sleep . . . . 151 Chapter XXIV.— THE SINNER PRODIGAL. Pardon promised to the penitent 153 Illustration. Parable of the prodigal son . . . 154 Exhortation to reconciliation with God .... 155 280 ge:n^eiial index. Chapter XXV.— THE SINNER PEOFANE. pagb The iniquity of despising God 157 Illustration. Parable of the wicked husbandmen 158 Condemnation of wilful unbelief 159 Illustration. The marriage of the king's son . . 160 The blasphemer exhorted to repentance . . . . 161 The swearer rebuked 163 Chapter XXVI.— THE SINNER PROUD. Pride and humility contrasted 164 Illustration. Naaman cured of his leprosy . . 165 The self-righteous warned of judgment . . . . 166 Illustration. The proud king of Babylon destroyed 168 Exhortation to humility before God 170 Chapter XXVII.— THE SINNER SCEPTICAL. The truth of the Holy Scriptures 173 Infidelity foretold 174 The unsearchable character of God 176 The record of our Saviour Jesus Christ .... 178 Illustration. Elymas sti"uck with blindness . . 179 God's expostulation with the sceptic 179 Prayer of the convinced unbeliever 182 Chapter XXVIII.— THE SINNER SELF-DECEIVED. The self-confident undeceived 184 Illustration. Parable of the barren fig tree . . 185 The unconverted reproved by God 186 Illustration. Parable of the talents 188 The only path of safety 189 Chapter XXIX.— THE SINNER SORROWFUL. Advice to the unconverted in aflliction . . . . 191 Illustration. The captive king crying unto God 193 Prayer of the soul humbled under trial . . . . 193 Illustration. God's dealings with Israel . . . 194 Comfort from Jesus for the sorrowful heart . . . 197 Chapter XXX.— THE SINNER UNDECIDED. The way of life and the way of death 199 Illustration. Elijah's sacrifice on mount Carmel 201 Exhortation to decision for the Lord 263 GENERAL INDEX. 281 fart mx'ij. Chapter XXXI.— ADOPTION. PAGE Predestination xrnto adoption Exhortation to follow God as dear children . The greatness of God's adopting love . . . . . 207 . . 208 . . 209 Chapter XXXII.-CONVERSION. The necessity of regeneration 211 Illustkation. Conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch 212 The characteristics of a renewed heart .... 213 iLLrsTRATiox. Conversion of Saul of Tarsus . . 215 Salvation by grace through faith 217 CKiPTER XXXTTT.— KTHRNTTY. The certainty of the resurrection .... The happiness of eternal life The misery of eternal perdition . . . . • . . 219 . . 220 . . 223 Chapter XXXTY.— FAITH. The nature and importance of faith 225 Illusthations. Examples of faith in God's word . 226 iLLrsTBATioxs. Examples of faith rewarded . . 227 The glorious triumphs of faith 229 Chaptto XXXY.-J U I )CT]\rENT. The certainty of the judgment day . . . iLLrsTRATioN. The apostle John's vision Universal judgment foretold by Christ . . Illustration. The prophet Daniel's vision . Exhortation to watch for Christ's coming . . 231 . . 232 . . 233 . . 234 . . 23o Ctt*ptft? XXXVT.— .TTTSTrFTCATTON. The sinner justified by faith in Christ . . Faith imputed to the believer for righteousne The reality of faith proved by good works . BB3 . . 237 38 . 238 . . 240 282 GENERAL INDEX. Chapter XXXVII.— PRAYER. paqb The duty and privilege of prayer 242 The necessity of faith in coming- to God .... 243 Illustration. King Asa's faith in prayer to God 244 Exhortation to earnestness in supplications . . . 244 Illustration. Abraham's intercession for Sodom 245 The necessity of a penitent sjm-it in prayer . . . 246 Illustration. Ephiaim's penitence for sin . . . 247 Exhortation to humility in the Divine presence . 247 Illustration. The Lord's prayer 248 Promises of answer to prayer . 248 Chapter XXXVIII.— REDEMPTION. The shadow of good things to come 250 Ancient ceremonies passed away 251 Christ our passover sacrificed for us 253 The riches of redeeming grace 258 Chapter XXXIX.— SANCTIEICATION. Sanctification the work of God . . r . . . . 260 The importance of a godly life 261 Christ's prayer for his people's sanctification . . 263 Exhortation to holiness 264 Illustration. The example of St. Paul .... 265 Special promises to the consistent Christian . . . 266 Chapter XL.— SIN. The fall of man from original perfection . . . 268 The whole world guilty before God 270 The awful consequences of sin 271 God's justice satisfied by Christ's death .... 273 D. GRKKN, i-aiNlKK, 00, HOLaOJl.N HILL, LONDOK, J-.Oj 77 'i^im Princeton Theological Semina^ Libraries 1 1012 01290 3342 ^; v^^M^^^. ^^W ■^ \