The Quotable Matthew Henry (continued)

The Quotable Matthew Henry (continued)

Mercy a progress and advance ad infitnitum, 2. That in every particular favour we ought to take notice of the mercy of God, and to take notice of it as enduring still, the same now that it has been, and enduring for been used as a reason for abandoning them. He might have said, 'I have delivered them formerly, but they have again brought trouble upon themselves' (Prov. 19:19); therefore 'I will deliver them no more' (Judg. 10:13). But no, mercy rejoices against judgment, and turns the argument the other way: 'I have formerly delivered them and therefore will now.' ever, the same always that it is. 3. That the everlasting continuance of the mercy of God is very much his honour and that which he glories in, and very much the saints' comfort and that which they glory in. It is that which therefore our hearts should be full of and greatly affected with, so that the most frequent mention of it, instead of cloying us, should raise us the more, because it will be the subject of our praise to all eternity. This most excellent sentence, that God's_ mercy endureth for ever, is magnified above all the truths concerning God, not only by the repetition of it here, but by the signal tokens of divine acceptance with which God owned the singing of it, both in Solomon's time (2 Chron. 5:13), when they sang these words, 'for his mercy endureth for ever', the house was filled with a cloud, and in Jehoshaphat's time (when they

Isaiah 63

We that are sinful were forever undone if God were not merciful; but the goodness of his nature encourages us to hope that, if we by repentance undo what we have done against him, he will by a pardon unsay what he has said against us.

Jeremiah 3

So pleasing would it be to God to find any such that for their sake he would pardon the city; if there were but ten righteous men in Sodom, if but one of a thousand, of ten thousand, in Jerusalem, it should be spared.

See how ready God is to forgive, how swift to show mercy.

Jeremiah 5 sung these words, God gave them victory, 2 Chron. 20:21, 22), which should make us love to sing, 'His mercies sure do 'They departed from Jerusalem'. See how ready God was to put a stop to his judgments, upon the first instance of reformation, so slow is he to anger and so swift to show mercy. As soon as ever they let their servants go free, God let them go free. still endure, eternally.'

Psalm 136

See how far off divine mercy will go, how far back it will look, to find out a reason for doing good to his people, when no present considerations appear but what make against them. Nay, it makes that a reason for relieving them which might have Jeremiah 34

God speaks as if he were conscious to himself of a strange striving of affections in compassion to Israel; as Lam. 120.

'My bowels are troubled; my

Ministers is rich mercy, inexpressibly great and inexhaustibly rich. heart is turned within me.' As it follows here, 'My repentings are kindled together'. His bowels yearned towards them, and his Ephesians 2 soul was grieved for their sin and misery (Judg. 10:16). Gompare Jer. 31:20... 'Since I spoke against him my bowels are troubled for him.' When God was to give up his Son to be a

Methods

Right notions of Christ's kingdom would keep us to night methods for advancing it.

John 6 sacrifice for sin, and a Saviour for sinners, he did not say, How shall I give him up? No, 'He spared not His own Son'; it 'pleased the Lord to bruise Him', and therefore God spared not him, that he might spare us.

Ministers

All the use they would make of the man of God was to be advised by him whether they should return home or if there were yet any hopes of finding the asses, which way they must go next. A poor business to employ a prophet about. Had they said 'Let us give up the asses for lost and now that we are so near the man of God, let us go and learn from him the good knowledge of God. Let us consult him how we may order our lives aright and enquire the law at his mouth since we may not have such another opportunity and then we shall not lose our journey' the proposal would have been such as became Israelites but to make prophecy, that glory of Israel, serve so mean a turn as this revealed too much of the manner of spirit they were of. Most people would rather be told their fortune than told their duty. If it were the business of the men of God to direct for the recovery of lost asses they would be consulted much more than they are now that it

Hosea 11

It becomes us, in many cases, to be gentle towards those that come under suspicion of having offended, to hope the best concerning them, and make the best of that which at first appears bad, in hopes that it may prove better. The rigour of the law is (sometimes) the height of injustice. That court of conscience which moderates the rigour of the law we call a court of equity. Those who are found faulty were perhaps overtaken in the fault, and are therefore to be restored with the spirit of meekness; and threatening, even when just, must be moderated.

Matthew 1

Love is his inclination to do us good considered simply as creatures; mercy respects us as apostate and as miserable creatures. Observe, God's eternal is their business to direct for the recovery of lost souls. So preposterous is the care of most men ... Those that are prophets must first be seers; those who love or good-will towards his creatures is the fountain whence all his mercies vouchsafed to us proceed; and that love of God is great love, and that mercy of his

Ministers undertake to speak to others the things of God must have an properly, and plainly, to the various cases of poor souls. Isaiah 50 insight into those things themselves.

Ministers are watchmen on the

1 Samuel 9 church's walls (Isa. 62:6), watchmen that go about the city (Cant. 3:3). It is a toilsome office. Watchmen must keep awake, be they ever so sleepy, and keep abroad, be it ever so cold; they must stand ll weathers upon the watch-tower, He* could "not see' a "lamib* in distress but he would venture his life to rescue it. This temper made him fit to be a king to whom the lives of subjects should be dear and their blood precious (Ps. 72:14); and fit to be a type of Christ, the Good Shepherd who gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them in his bosom and who not only ventured but laid down his life for his sheep. Thus too was David (Isa. 21:8; Gen. 31:40). It is a dangerous office. Sometimes they cannot keep their post, but are in peril of death from the enemy, who gain their point if they kill the sentinel; and yet they dare not quit their post upon pain of death from their general. Such a dilemma are the church's watchmen in; men will fit to be an example to ministers with the utmost care and diligence to watch for souls that they be not a prey to the 'roaring lion'. 1 Samuel 17 curse them if they be faithful, and God will curse them if they be false. But it is a needful office.

Nothing is more provoking to God than abuses given to his faithful ministers for what as done against them he takes it done against himself. Persecution was the sin that brought upon Jerusalem its final destruction by the Romans (Matt. 23; 34—37). Those that mock at God's faithful ministers and do Ezekiel 3

Those that have public work to do for God and the souls of men have need to be much in private, to fit themselves for it. Ministers should spend much time in their chambers, in reading, meditation and prayer, that their 'profiting may appear'; and they ought to be provided with conveniences for this purpose. all they can to render them despicable or odious, that vex and misuse them, to discourage them, and to keep others from hearkening to them, should be reminded that a wrong done to an ambassador is construed as done to the prince that sends him.

Ezekiel 42

It was a great honour to him to be thus long employed in such good work, and a great mercy to the people to have a minister so long among them that so well knew their state, and naturally cared for it, one they had been long used to and who therefore was the more likely to be useful to them. And yet, for aught that 2 Chronicles 36

See what is the best learning of a minister, to know how to comfort troubled consciences, and to speak pertinently,

Ministers appears, he did but little good among them; the longer they enjoyed him the less they regarded

A faithful minister of Jesus Christ is one that sincerely designs his master's honour, not his own; delivers the whole him; they despised his youth first, and afterwards his age. counsel of God, not his own fancies and conceits; follows Christ's institutions and adheres to them; regards the meanest, reproves the greatest, and doth not respect persons.

Hosea 1

Amaziah, as a priest, aimed at nothing but the profits of his place, and he thought Amos, as a prophet, had the same views, and therefore advised him to prophesy where he might eat bread, where he might be sure

Matthew 24

Those that shall be put under your charge, must be as sheep under the charge of the shepherd, who is to tend them and feed them, and be a servant to them, not as horses under the command of the driver, that works them and beats them, and gets his pennyworths out of them. to have as much as he chose; whereas Amos was to prophesy where God appointed him, and where there was most need of him, not where he would get most money.

Amos 7

Mark 10

Those whose business it is to call others to mourn for sin, and to mortify it, ought themselves to live a serious life, a Nothing is more likely to ensnare ministers, than bringing them to meddle with controversies about civil rights, and to life of self-denial, mortification, and contempt of the world. John the Baptist thus showed the settle land-marks between the prince and the subject, which it deep sense he had of the badness of the time and place he lived in, which made the preaching of repentance needful; every day was a fast-day with him. is fit should be done, while it is not at all fit that they should have the doing of it.

Mark 12

Matthew 3

It was the hypocrisy of the Pharisees 'that they did not do as they taught' (Matt. 23:3), but pulled down with their lives what they built up with their preaching; for who will believe those who do_ not believe themselves? Examples will govern more than rules. The greatest obstructors of the success of the word are those whose bad lives contradict their good doctrine, who in the pulpit preach so well that it is

Ministers should not leave empty

spaces in their time, lest their lord should come in one of those empty spaces. As with a good God the end of one mercy is the beginning of another, so with a good man, a good minister, the end of one duty is the beginning of another. When

Calvin was persuaded to remit his ministerial labours, he answered, with some _ resentment, 'What, would you have my master find me idle?' a pity they should ever come ibys

Ministers out, and out of the pulpit live so ill that it is a pity they should ever come in. his chief endeavour to please men would hardly approve himself a faithful servant of Christ, (Gal. 1:10). He that would be faithful to Christ must despise the censures of men for his sake. He must look upon it as a very little thing (if his Lord approves him), what judgment men form of him. They may think very meanly or very hardly of him, while he is doing his duty; but it is not by their judgment that he must stand or Romans 2

It is a sign of true love to Jesus Christ to reckon that service and work for him truly honourable which the world looks upon with scorn, as mean and contemptible. The office of the ministry is an office to be magnified. Ministers are ambassadors for Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God, and for their work's sake are to be esteemed highly in love. fall. And happy is it for faithful ministers that they have a more just and candid judge than their Romans 11 fellow-servants; one who knows and pities their imperfections, though he has none of his own. It is better 'to fall into the hands of God than into the hands of men' (2 Sam. 24:14). The best of men are too apt to judge rashly, and harshly, and unjustly.

He would derogate from none that had done service among them, nor would he be robbed of his own honour and respect. Note, faithful ministers may and ought to have a concern for their own reputation. Their usefulness depends much upon it.

1 Corinthians 4

1 Corinthians 3

Ministers should not be of proud spirits, 'lording it over God's heritage', who are servants to the souls of men: yet, at the same time, they must avoid the meanness of spirit implied in becoming the servants of the humours or the lusts of men; if they should thus 'seek to please men, they would not be the servants of Christ' (Gal. 1:10).

The ministers of Christ should make it their hearty and continual endeavour to approve themselves trustworthy; and when they have the testimony of a good conscience, and the approbation of their Master, they must slight the opinions and censures of their fellowservants: 'But with me', saith the apostle, 'it is a small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment' (v. 3). Indeed, reputation and esteem among men are a good step towards usefulness in the ministry; and Paul's whole argument upon this head shows he had a just concern for his own reputa-

2 Corinthians 4

From this we may note, 1. The very tender affection which faithful ministers bear towards those among whom they are employed; it is like that of the most affectionate parents to their little children. 2. That the chief thing they are longing and tion. But he that would make

Money

Ministers (Desire for) even travailing in birth for, on their account, is that Christ may be formed in them; not so much that they may gain their affections, much less that they may make a prey of them, but 'Lord, Jet the man of God come again unto us for we desire to be better acquainted with him'. Those that have heard from heaven cannot but wish to hear more thence, again and again to meet with the man of God. Observe — he that they may be renewed in the spirit of their minds, wrought into the image of Christ, and more fully settled and confirmed in the Christian faith and life; and how unreasonably must those people act who suffer themselves to be prevailed upon to desert or dislike such ministers! does not go or send his servants abroad to find out this man of God but seeks him upon his knees, prays to God to send him and thus seeking, finds him. Would we have God's messengers, the ministers of his gospel, to bring a word proper for us and for our instruction, entreat the Lord to send them to us to teach us. (Romans 15:30—32.)

Galatians 4

The highest honour of the greatest apostle, and most eminent ministers, is to be the servants of Jesus Christ; not the masters of the churches, but the servants of Christ.

Judges 13

Miracles

The extracting of the blood of the grape every year from the moisture of the earth is no less

He mentions the church before the ministers, because the ministers are for the church, for their edification and benefit, not the churches for the ministers, for their dignity, dominion, and wealth. a work of power, though, being according to the common law of nature, it is not such a work of wonder, as this.

Philippians 1

Since no difficulties can be opposed to the arm of God's power, no improbabilities are to be objected against the word of his command.

Observe, 1. A minister must expect afflictions in the faithful discharge of his duty. 2. He must endure them patiently, like a Christian hero. 3. These must not discourage him in his work, for he must do his work, and fulfil his ministry. 4. The best way to make full proof of our ministry is to fulfil it, to fill it up in all its parts with proper work.

John 2

Money

If men borrow large sums to trade with, to increase their stocks, or to purchase land, there is no reason why the lender should not share with the borrower in his profit; or 2 Timothy 4

Money if to spend upon their lusts, or repair what they have so spent, why should they not pay for their extravagances? But if the poor borrow to maintain their families, and we be able to help them, it is certain we ought either to lend freely what they have occasion for, or (if they be not likely to repay it) to give freely something towards it. the conflicts between grace and corruption there are some sins which, like these giants, keep their ground a great while and are not mastered without much difficulty and a long struggle.

1 Chronicles 20

If there were no other way to restrain them (which, blessed be God, through his grace, there is), it were better for us to pluck out the eye, and cut off the hand, though the right eye and right hand, the more honourable and useful, than to indulge them in sin to the ruin of the soul. And if this must be submitted to, at the thought of which nature startles, much more must we resolve to keep under the body, and to bring it into subjection; to live a life of mortification and self-denial; to keep a constant watch over our own hearts, and to suppress the first rising of lust and corruption there; to avoid the occasions of sin, to resist the beginnings of Nehemiah 5

To exact satisfaction for debts of injury, which tends neither to reparation nor to the public good, but purely for revenge, though the law may allow it, in terrorem — to strike terror, and for the hardness of men's hearts, yet savours not of a Christian spirit. To sue for money-debts, when the debtor cannot possibly pay them, and so let him perish in prison, argues a greater love of money, and a less love of our neighbour, than we ought to have (Neh. Beh)!

Matthew 18 it, and to decline the company of those who will be a snare to us, though ever so pleasing; to keep out of harm's way, and abridge ourselves in the use of lawful things, when we find them temptations to us; and to seek unto God for his grace, and depend upon that grace daily, and so to walk in the Spirit, so that we may not fulfil the lusts of the flesh; and this will be as effectual as cutting off a right hand or pulling out a right eye; and perhaps as much against the grain to flesh and blood; it is the destruction of the old man.

Mortification

God prepared them for Canaan by humbling them for sin, teaching them to mortify their lusts, to follow God, and to comfort themselves in him. It is a work of time to make souls ready for Heaven and it must be done by a long train of exercises.

Deuteronomy 2

As in the destruction of the Canaanites by Joshua the sons of Anak were last subdued (Josh. 11:21), so here in the conquest of the Philistines, the giants of Gath were last brought down. In Matthew 5

Corrupt inclinations and

Motives appetites must be checked and crossed; the beloved lust, that has been rolled under the tongue as a sweet morsel, must be abandoned with abhorrence. The outward occasions of sin must be avoided, though we thereby put as great a violence upon ourselves as it would be to cut off a hand, or pluck out an eye. When Abraham quitted his native country, for fear of being ensnared in the idolatry of it, and when Moses quitted Pharaohs! court, for. fear of being entangled in the sinful pleasures of it, there was a right hand cut off. We must think nothing too dear to part with, for the keeping of repent of sin will keep themselves as far as possible from the occasions of it.

Acts 19

Motives

You are not aware what manner of spirit you are upon this_ occasion actuated by and how different from that of Elias. He did it in holy zeal, you in passion. He was concerned for God's glory, you for your own reputation only. God judges men's practices by their principles and his judgment is according to truth.

2 Kings 1 a good conscience.

When they bring their gold and incense it shall not be to show the riches of their country, nor to gain applause to themselves for piety and devotion, but to If the right hand of the old man be cut off, and its right eye plucked out, its chief policies blasted and powers broken, it is well; but there is 'show forth the praises of the Lord' (v. 6). Our greatest services still an eye and a hand remaining, with which it will struggle. They that are Christ's have nailed the flesh to the cross, but it is not yet dead. and gifts to the church are not acceptable further than we have an eye to the glory of God in them. And this must be our business in our attendance on public ordinances, to 'give unto

Matthew 18 the Lord the glory due to The pain of mortifying the flesh now is no more to be compared with the punishment for not mortifying it, than his name'; for therefore, as these here, we are called out of darkness into light, that we should 'show forth the praises of him that called us.' (1 Pet.

'salting' with 'burning'.

Mark 9

2:9,) Isaiah 60

Had they kept the books by them, there was danger lest, when the heat of the present conviction was over, they should have the curiosity to look into them, and so be in danger of liking them and loving them

There may be an open and lavish hand, where there is no liberal and charitable heart. The external act of giving alms may proceed from a very ill principle. Vainglorious ostentation, or a proud conceit of merit, may put again, and therefore they burnt them. Note, those that truly

Motives a man to large expense this way who has no true love to God nor men. Our doing good to others temper of the mind, should ever be abused by any to the support of vanity and luxury and made an occasion of drawing the heart away from God and serious things. If this be to any othe: effectsiof it, it: "drives away the good spirit not the evil spirit. will do none to us, if it be not well done, namely, from a principle of devotion and charity, love to God, and goodwill to men. Note, If we leave charity out of religion, the most costly services will be of no avail to us. If we give away all we have, while we withhold the heart from God, it will not profit.

1 Samuel 16

National Punishments

1 Corinthians 13

He has national judgments wherewith to take vengeance for national sins. Such nations as this was cannot long go unpunished. How shall I pardon thee for this? (v. 7). Not but that those who have been guilty of these sins have found mercy with God, as to their eternal state (Manasseh himself did, though so much accessory to the iniquity of these times); but nations, as such, being rewardable and punishable only in this life, it would not be for the glory of God to let a nation so very wicked as this pass without some manifest tokens of his displeasure.

Mourning

Though mourning for the dead be a duty, yet it must always be kept under the government of religion and right reason, and we must not sorrow as those that have no hope, nor lament the loss of any creature, even the most valuable, and that which we could worst spare, as if we had lost our God, or as if all our happiness were gone with it; and, of this moderation in mourning, ministers, when it is their case, ought to be examples. We must at such a time study to improve the affliction, to accommodate ourselves to it, and to get our acquaintance with the other world increased, by the removal of our dear relations, and learn with holy Job to 'bless the name of the Lord' even when he takes as well as when he gives.

Jeremiah 5

Nebuchadnezzar was very unjust and barbarous in invading the rights and liberties of his neighbours thus, and forcing them into subjection to him; yet God had just and holy ends in permitting him to do so, to punish these nations for their idolatry and gross immoralities. Those that would not serve the God that made them were justly made to serve their enemies that sought to ruin them.

Ezekiel 24

Music

It is a pity that music which may be so serviceable to the good

Jeremiah 27

Obedience

The decay of virtue in a nation brings on a decay of everything enemies might take advantage against them Though Abraham was 99 years old and had been justified and accepted else; and when _ neighbours devour one another it is just with God to bring 'enemies upon them to devour them all. of God long since, though so strange a thing done religiously might be turned to his reproach by the Canaanite and the Perri-

Ezekiel 12 zite that dwelt then in the land, yet God's command was sufficient to answer these and a thousand such objections; what God requires we must do not conferring with flesh and blood.

New Year

'On the first day of the first month' (upon New Year's Day) they were to offer a sacrifice for the 'cleansing of the sanctuary' (v. 18), that is, to make atonement for the iniquity of the holy things the year past, that they might bring none of the guilt of them into the services of the new year, and to implore grace for the preventing of that iniquity, and for the better performance of the service of the sanctuary the ensuing year.

Genesis 17

We may be in the way of our duty and yet may meet with trouble and distress in that way. As prosperity will not prove us in the right, so cross events will not prove us in the wrong. We may be going where God calls us and yet may think our way hedged up with thorns. We may comfortably trust God with our safety while we carefully keep to our duty. If God be our guide he will be our guard.

Those that worship God _ together should often join in renewing their repentance for their manifold defects, and applying the blood of Christ for the pardon of them, and in renewing their covenants to be more careful for the future; and it is very seasonable to begin the year with this work, as Hezekiah did when it had been long neglected (2 Chron. 29:17).

Genesis 32

It ought to be the great care and endeavour of every one of us to follow the Lord fully. We must in a course of obedience to God's will and of service to his honour, follow him universally without dividing, uprightly without dissembling, cheerfully without disputing, and constantly without declining and this is following him fully.

Ezekiel 45

Numbers 14

Obedience

The end of their being taught was that they might do as they were taught . Good instructions from parents and ministers will but aggravate our condemnation

Abraham did this though much might be objected against it. Though circumcision was painful, though to grown men it was shameful, though while they were sore and unfit for action their if we do not live up to them. ge Ee 6

Obedience entering upon action, proclaimed such confidence in the divine care for their safety as would increase their enemies' fears much more when their scouts informed them not only of the thing itself that was done but of the meaning of it that it was a seal of the grant of this land to Israel.

Look which way we will, both our reviews and our prospects will furnish us with arguments for obedience.

Deuteronomy 8

The Lord thy God commands thee, therefore thou art bound in duty and gratitude to obey him and it is at thy peril if thou disobey. They are his laws, therefore thou shalt do them for to that end were they given thee. Do them and not dispute them; do them and not draw back from them; do them, not carelessly and hypocritically but with thy heart and soul, thy whole heart and thy whole soul.

Joshua 5

It intimates that he had more pleasure and satisfaction in reflecting upon his obedience to the commands of God in all this. war and valued himself more upon that than upon all the gains and triumphs with which he was enriched and advanced.

Deuteronomy 26

Joshua 11

That obedience pleases best which comes from a principle of delight in God's goodness.

God appointed these cattle to be sacrificed to him in the field and, therefore, will give them no thanks who bring them as a sacrifice to his altar, for he will be served in his own way and according to the rule he Himself has prescribed, nor will a good intention justify a bad action.

Deuteronomy 28

If he had ordered this general circumcision just at this time of his own head he might justly have been censured as imprudent for how good soever the thing was in itself, in the eye of reason it was not seasonable at this time and might have been of dangerous consequence but when God commanded him to do it he must not consult with flesh and blood...

1 Samuel 15

He solemnly charges his people to continue and persevere in their duty to God having spoken to God for them, he here speaks from God to them and those only would fare the better for his prayers that were made better by his preaching. His admonition at parting is 'Let your heart be perfect with the Lord our God' (v. 61). 'Let your obedience be universal without dividing, upright without dissembling, constant without declining;' this is evangelical perfection.

God would hereby show that the camp of Israel was not governed by the ordinary rules and measures of war but by immediate direction from God who, by thus exposing them in the most dangerous moments, magnified his own power in protecting them even then and this great instance of security in disabling themselves for action just when they were 1 Kings 8

Obedience as much our interest, as our duty, to bring our wills to the will of God.

The kingly and priestly offices were separated by the law of Moses not to be united again but in the person of the Messiah. If Uzziah did intend to honour God and gain acceptance with him in what he did, Ecclesiastes 3

Own God for your master; give up yourselves to him as _ his subjects and servants; attend to all the declarations of his mind and will, and make conscience of complying with them. 'Do my commandments', not only in some things, but 'according to all which I command you'; make conscience of moral duties especially and rest not in those that are merely ritual. he was quite out in his aim for being a service purely of divine institution he could not expect that it should be accepted unless it were done in the way and by the hands that God _ had appointed.

2 Chronicles 26

The most obedient are accepted as the most intelligent; those understand themselves and their interest best that make God's law their rule and are in everything ruled by it. A great understanding those have that know God's commandments and can discourse learnedly of them, but a good understanding have those that do them and walk according to them.

Jeremiah 11

God writes his law in the hearts of all believers, makes it ready and familiar to them, at hand when they have occasion to use it, as that which is written in the heart (Prov. 3:3). He makes them in care to observe it, for that which we are solicitous about is said to lie near our hearts. He works in them a disposition to obedience, a conformity of thought and affection

Psalm 111 'Let it be as God wills', for, how cross soever it may be to our designs and interests, God's will is his wisdom. That counsel needs not to be altered, for there is nothing amiss in it, nothing that can be amended. If we could see it altogether at one view, we should see it so perfect that nothing can be put to it, for there is no deficiency in it, nor any thing taken from it, for there is nothing in it unnecessary, or that can be spared. As the Word of God, so the works of God are every one of them perfect in its kind, and to the rules of the divine law, as-!*that:"of* the "copy to! the original. This is here promised, and ought to be prayed for, that our duty may be done conscientiously and with delight.

Jeremiah 31

As soon as he understood that it was the mind of God he did it, and made no objections, was not disobedient to the heavenly vision; but, when he had done it, he desired better to understand why God had ordered him to do it, because the thing looked strange and unaccountable. it is presumption for us either to add to them or diminish from them (Deut. 4:2). It is therefore

Obedience

Note, 'though we are bound to follow God with an _ implicit obedience, yet we should endeavour that it may be more and more an intelligent obedience. We must never dispute God's statutes and judgments, but we may and must enquire, 'What mean these statutes and judgments? (Deut. 6:20.) or contrary to them, whether it be cheap or costly, fashionable or unfashionable, whether we get. or lose by" it in" our worldly interests, if it be our duty, we will do it.

God has made that our duty which is really our privilege, and our obedience will be its own recompense.

Jeremiah 32

Jeremiah 42

If indeed he looked upon Jeremiah as a prophet, whose prayers might avail much both for him and his people, why did he not then believe him, and hearken to the words of the Lord which he spoke by him? He desired his good prayers, but would not take his good counsel, nor be ruled by him, though he spoke in God's name, and it appears by this that Zedekiah knew he did. Note, it

Here there was something peculiar, and Ezekiel, to make himself a sign to the people, must put a force upon himself and exercise an extraordinary piece of self-denial. Note, our dispositions must always submit to God's directions, and his command must be obeyed even in that which is most difficult and displeasing to us.

Ezekiel 24 is common for those to desire to be prayed for who yet will not be advised; but herein they put a cheat upon themselves, for how can we expect that God should hear others speaking to him for us if we will not hear them speaking to us from him and for him? Many who despise prayer when they are in prosperity will be glad of it when they are in adversity.

God spoke to the fish, gave him orders to return him, as before he had given him orders to receive him. God speaks to other creatures, and it is done; they are all his ready obedient servants. But to man he speaks once, yea, twice, and he perceives it not, regards it not, but turns a deaf ear to what he says.

Jonah 2

Jeremiah 37

As Zerubbabel's prudence and piety kept this from being any affront to him (as the setting up of a rival with him), so God's providence kept the kings of Persia from taking umbrage at it, as raising a rebellion against them. In doing what we are sure is God's pleasure, as this was, we may well venture men's displeasure.

They will do what God appoints them to do, whether it be good or whether it be evil: 'Though it may seem evil to us, yet we will believe that if God command it, it is certainly good, and we must not dispute it, but do it. Whatever God commands, whether it be easy or difficult, agreeable to our inclinations

Zechariah 6

Obedience

Christ, as man, was obedient to the moral law, and, as Redeemer, to the mediatorial law; and in both he kept his question, he will 'keep my words'. Where there is true love to Christ there is a value for his favour, a veneration for his authority, and an_ entire surrender of the whole man to his direction and government. Where love is, duty follows of course, is easy and natural, and flows: 'from= 7a .«principle sor gratitude.

Father's word, and his own word with the Father.

John 8

Though it is a great advantage to know our duty, yet we shall come short of happiness if we do not do our duty. Knowing is in order to doing; that knowledge therefore is vain and fruitless which is not reduced to practice; nay, it will aggravate the sin and ruin (Luke 12:47, 48; James 4:17). It is knowing and doing that will demonstrate us of Christ's kingdom, and wise _ builders. (See Ps 103tly, 15.)

John 14

Observe the description here given of the Christian profession: it is 'Obedience to the faith'. It does not consist in a notional knowledge or a naked assent, much less does it consist in perverse disputings, but in obedience.

John 13

The act of faith is the obedience of the understanding to God revealing, and the product of that is the obedience of the will to God commanding.

When they were showing their love to Christ by their grieving to think of his departure, and the sorrow which filled their hearts upon the foresight of that, he bids them, if they would show their love to him, do it, not by these weak and feminine passions, but by their conscientious care to perform their trust, and by a universal obedience to his commands; Romans 1

It is not enough to know well, and speak well, and _ profess well, and promise well, but we must do well: do that which is good, not only for the matter of it, but for the manner of it. We must do it well.

Romans 2 this is better than sacrifice, better than tears. 'Lovest thou me? Feed my lambs.'

He once wrote his laws to them, now he will write his laws in them; that is, he will give them understanding to know and to believe his law; he will give them memories to retain them; he will give them hearts to love them and consciences to recognise them; he will give them courage to profess them and power to put them in practice; the whole habit and frame of He shows what an inseparable connection there is between love and obedience; love is the root, obedience is the fruit. Where a sincere love to Christ is in the heart, there will be obedience: 'If a man love me' indeed, that love will be such a commanding constraining principle in him, that, no

Obedience pretended to be the supporttheir souls shall be a table and transcript of the law of God. ers obf the 'state, though sof opposite interests one to another, took counsel together against him, how they might destroy him.

Hebrews 8

All that are chosen to eternal life as the end are chosen to obedience as the way. Unless

Mark 3 a person be sanctified by the Spirit, and sprinkled with the blood of Jesus, there will be no true obedience in the life.

If the patient be obstinate, and will not submit to the methods prescribed, but wilfully takes and does that which is prejudicial to him, the physician is not to be blamed if he give him up as in a desperate condition; and all the fatal symptoms that follow are not to be imputed to the physician, but to the disease itself and to the folly and wilfulness of the patient.

1 Peter 1

No sooner was the word of command given than it was immediately obeyed; no delay, no objection made. We find that some of the best of men, as Moses and Jeremiah, did not so readily come in and comply with the call of God to their work; but the angels of God excel not only in strength, but in a readiness to do the will of God. God says, 'Go your ways, and pour out the vials'; and immediately the work is begun. We are taught to pray that the will of God may be done on earth as it is done in heaven.

Romans 1

Old Age

Some old people bear up better than others under the decays of age, but, more or less, the days of old age are and will be evil days and of little pleasure. Great care therefore should be taken to pay respect and honour to old people, that they may have something to balance these grievances and nothing may be done to add to them. And all this, put together, makes up a good reason why we _ should remember our creator in the days of our youth, that he may remember us with favour when these evil days come, and his comforts may delight our souls when the delights of sense are in a manner worn off.

Revelation 16

Obstinacy

Note, those are obstinate indeed in their infidelity, who, when they can say nothing against a truth, will say nothing to it; and, when they cannot resist, yet will not yield.

Such a work of mercy should have engaged their love to him, and such a work of wonder their faith in him. But, instead of that, the Pharisees, who pretended to be oracles in the church, and the Herodians, who Ecclesiastes 12

Omissions

All that is charged upon them,

Opposition on which the sentence is grounded, is, omission; as, before, the servant was condemned, not for wasting his talent, but for burying it; so here he doth not say, 'I was hungry and thirsty, for you took my meat and drink from me; I was a stranger, for you banished me; naked, for you stripped me; in prison, for you laid me there': but, 'When I was in these distresses, you were so account for if we improve not.

1 Kings 5

Opposition

A jealous eye it seems they had upon them and no sooner did the Spirit of God stir up the friends of the temple to appear for it, than the evil spirit stirred up its enemies to appear against it. While the people built and ceiled their own houses, their enemies gave no molestation (Hag. 1:4), though the king's order was to put a stop to the building of the city (ch. 4:21) selfish, so taken up with your own ease and pleasure, made so much of your labour, and were so loth to part with your money, that you did not minister as you might have done to my relief and succour. You were like those epicures that were at ease in Zion, and were not grieved for the affliction of Joseph' (Amos 6:4—6). Note, omissions are the ruin of thousands. but when they fell to work again on the temple, then the alarm was taken and all heads were at work to hinder them (v. 3, 4). Ezra 5

The objections which were made against Christ and _ his disciples gave occasion to some of the most profitable of his discourses; thus are the interests of truth often served, even by the opposition it meets with from gainsayers, and thus the wisdom of Christ brings good out of evil. This is the third instance of it in this chapter; his discourse of his power to forgive sin, and his readiness to receive sinners, was occasioned by the cavils of the scribes and Pharisees; so here, from a reflection upon the conduct of his family, arose a discourse concerning his tenderness for it.

Matthew 25

Opportunities

That peace gave him an opportunity to build it and, therefore, he resolved to set about it immediately. God has given me rest both at home and abroad and there is no adversary, no Satan (so the word is), no instrument of Satan to oppose it or to divert us from it. Satan does all he can to hinder temple work (1 Thess. 2,v. 18, Zech. 3:1), but when he is bound (Rev. 20:2), we should be busy. When there is no evil occurrent then let us be vigorous and zealous in that which is good and get it forward. When the churches have rest let them be edified (Acts 9:31). Days of peace and prosperity present us with a fair gale which we must Their quarrels with Christ for taking upon him to forgive sin (v. 3), for conversing with publicans and sinners (v. 11), for not fasting (v. 14), though spiteful enough, yet had some

Opposition colour of piety, purity and devotion in them; but this (which they are left to, to punish them for those) breathes nothing but malice and falsehood, and hellish enmity in the highest degree. the widows and the fatherless; nay, that not relieving and helping them as we ought is, in effect, oppressing them.

Zechariah 7

Optimism

Matthew 9

Oppression

As long as any of God's Israel remain (and a remnant God will have in the worst of times) there is hope be it ever so small

Because he went beyond what he could afford, he defrauded his workmen of their wages, which is one of the sins that cries in the ears of the Lord of hosts (James 5:4). God takes notice of the wrong done by the greatest of men to their poor servants and labourers, and will repay those, in justice, that will not in justice pay those whom they employ, but use their neighbour's service. without wages. Observe, the greatest of men must look upon the meanest as their neighbours, and be just to them accordingly, and love them as themselves. a remnant for God can make him that remains though but one single person, triumph over the most proud and potent.

Judges 5

Original Sin

'Behold, I was' shapen in iniquity'. He does not call upon God to behold it, but upon himself. 'Come, my soul, look unto the rock out of which I was hewn, and thou wilt find I was shapen in iniquity. Had I duly considered this before, I find I should not have made

Jeremiah 22

Those strong rods, we have reason to fear, had been instruments of oppression, assistant to the king in catching the prey and devouring men, and now they are destroyed with him. Tyranny is the inlet to anarchy; and, when the rod of government is turned into the serpent of oppression, it is just with God to say, "There shall be no strong rod to be a sceptre to rule; but let men be as are the fishes of the sea, where the greater devour the less'. so bold with the temptation, nor have ventured among the sparks with such tinder in my heart; and so the sin might have been prevented.

Psalm 51

The? "case ls; 'in "short, *this¢ though man is made to consist of body and soul, yet his spiritual part had then so much the dominion over his corporeal part that he was denominated a living soul (Gen. 2:7), but by indulging the appetite of the flesh, in eating forbidden fruit, he prostituted the just dominion of the soul to the tyranny of sensual lust, and became no Ezekiel 19

That which is but exactness with others is exaction upon

Outward Appearances Deceptive longer a living soul, but flesh: 'Dust thou art'. The living soul became dead and inactive; thus in the day he sinned he surely died, and so he became earthly. In this degenerate state, he begat the natural man is more blind than about original corruption, concerning which the understanding is altogether in the dark till the Spirit by the law reveal it. a son in his own likeness; he transmitted the human nature, which had_ been entirely deposited in his hands, thus corrupted and depraved; and in the same plight it is still propagated. Corruption and sin are woven into our nature; we are shapen in iniquity, which makes

Romans 7

Outward Appearances Deceptive

Though we meet with prosperity and success in a way of sin, yet we must not therefore think the more favourably of it necessary that the nature be changed. it. They have a king, and if they conduct themselves well their king may be a very great blessing to them and_ yet Samuel will have them perceive and see that their wickedness was great in asking a king. We must never think well of that which God in his law frowns upon, though in his providence he may seem to smile upon it.

John 3

We see the world under a deluge of sin and death, full of iniquities and full of calamities. Now, it is worth while to enquire what is the spring that feeds it, and you will find it to be the general corruption of nature; and at what gap it entered, and you will find it to have been Adam 's first sin.

1 Samuel 12

He lays this down for a rule, that the love and hatred of God are not to be measured and judged of by men's outward condition. If prosperity were a certain sign of God's love, and affliction of his hatred, then it might justly be an offence to us to see the wicked and godly fare alike. But the matter is not so: No man knows either love or hatred by all that is before him in this world, by those things that are the objects of sense. These we may know by that which is within us; if we love God with all our heart, thereby we may know that he loves us, It is a great proof of original sin that little children, who were never guilty of any actual transgression, are yet liable to very terrible diseases, casualties, and deaths, which could by no means be reconciled with the justice and righteousness of God if they were not chargeable with guilt.

Romans 5

Paul had a very quick and piercing judgment, all the advantages and improvements of education, and yet never attained the right knowledge of indwelling sin till the Spirit by the law made it known to him. There is nothing about which as we may know likewise that we are under his wrath if we be governed by that carnal

19]

Outward Appearances Deceptive mind which is enmity to Him. These will be known by that which shall be hereafter, by men's everlasting state; it is certain that men are happy or miserable according as they are under the love or hatred of God, but not according as they are under the smiles or frowns of the world; and therefore if God loves a righteous man (as certainly he does) he is happy, though the world frown upon him; and if he hates a wicked man (as certainly he does) he not be at the pains to look further, nor to ask the meaning of the parables, would be never the wiser, and so would justly suffer for their remissness. A parable is a shell that keeps good fruit for the diligent, but keeps it from the slothful.

Matthew 13

Parents

(God adds to the command that we respect our parents) and 'keep my Sabbaths''. If God provides by his law for the preserving of the honour of parents, parents must use their authority over their children for the preserving of the honour of God particularly the honour of his Sabbaths the custody of which is miserable, though the world smile upon him.

Ecclesiastes 9

Parables:

He. "preached'* by parables; because thereby the things of God were made more plain and easy to them who were willing to be taught, and at the same time more difficult and obscure to those who were willingly ignorant; and thus the gospel would be a 'savour of life' to some, and 'of death' to others. A parable, like the pillar of cloud and fire, turns a dark side towards Egyptians, which confounds them, but a light side towards Israelites, which comforts them, and so answers a double intention. The same light directs the eyes of some, but dazzles the eyes of others. is very much committed to parents by the fourth commandment 'thou and thy son and thy daughter'. The ruin of young people has often been observed to begin in the contempt of their parents and the profaning of the Sabbath.

Leviticus 19

It is a comfort to parents when they come to die if, though they smart themselves for their own sin, yet they are not conscious to themselves of any of those iniquities which God visits upon the children.

Numbers 27

The disciples were well inclined to the knowledge of gospel mysteries, and would search into the parables, and by them would be led into a more intimate acquaintance with those mysteries; but the carnal hearers that Little did Elimelech think, when he went to sojourn in Moab, that ever his sons would thus join in affinity with Moabites.

But those that bring young people into bad acquaintance, and take them out of the way of public ordinances, though rested in bare hearing, and would

Parents they may think them wellprincipled and armed against temptation, know not what they do, nor what will be the end thereof. begat him to suffer for him and by his own sin and folly had left himself nothing to bequeath to his son but his own miseries. Yet this young prince reigned long enough to show that he justly smarted for his father's sins for he trod in their steps.

Ruth 1

Let parents take heed of sin, especially the sin of cruelty and oppression, for their poor children's sake who may be smarting for it by the just hand of God when they themselves are in their graves. Guilt and a curse are a bad entail upon a family. It should seem Saul's posterity trod in his steps for 2 Kings 24

Those that love their seed must leave their sins lest they perish not alone in their iniquity but bring ruin on their families with themselves.

1 Chronicles 10 it is called a 'bloody house'. It was the spirit of the family and, therefore, they are justly reckoned with for his sin as well as for their own.

He takes it for granted that parents will, with all the wisdom they have, instruct their children, and, with all the authority they have, give law to them for their good. They are reasonable creatures, and therefore we must not give them law without instruction; we must draw them with the cords of a man, and when we tell them what they must do we must tell them why.

2 Samuel 21

He knew David was not one of those that envy their children's greatness and that, therefore, he would not be disquieted at this prayer nor take it as an affront but would heartily say 'Amen' to it. The wisest and best man in the world desires his children may be wiser and better than he for he, himself, desires to be wiser and better than he is and wisdom and goodness are true greatness.

But they are corrupt and wilful, and therefore with the instruction there is need of a law. Abraham will not only catechize, but command, his household.

Proverbs 1

1 Kings 1

David having thus recommended wisdom to his son, no marvel that when God bade him ask what he would he prayed, Lord, His reign was short and inconsiderable. He reigned but three months and then was removed and carried captive to Babylon 'give me a wise and an understanding heart'. We should make it appear by our prayers how well we are taught. as his father, it is likely, would have been if he had lived but so much longer. What an unhappy young prince was this that was thrust into a falling house, a sinking throne. What an unnatural father had he, who He was tender, and _ only beloved, in the sight of his mother. Surely there was such a manifest reason for making

Parents such a distinction when both the parents made it. Now we see how they showed their love; they catechised him, kept him to his book, and held him to a strict discipline. Though he was notwithstanding all the instructions given him, the good education he has had and the needful rebukes that have been given him, and the restraints he has been laid under, after a prince, and heir-apparent to the crown, yet they did not let him live at large; nay, therefore they tutored him thus. And perhaps David was the more strict with Solomon in his education because he had seen the all the pains taken with him and prayers put up for him, may yet prove notoriously wicked and vile, the grief of his father, the shame of his family, and the curse and plague of his generation. He is here supposed to allow himself in all those enormities which his good father dreaded and carefully avoided, and to shake off all those good duties which his father made conscience of and took satisfaction in; he undoes all that his father did, and goes counter to his example in everything. ill effects of an undue indulgence in Adonijah, whom he had not crossed in anything

Clee Kingsa,1:6);) "as: also. im Absalom.

Proverbs 4

Chasten thy son while there is hope, for, perhaps, if he be let alone awhile, he will be past hope, and a much greater chastening will not do_ that which now a less would effect.

Ezekiel 18

If parents be careless, and do not give their children good instructions as they ought, the children ought to make up the want by studying the Word of God so much the more carefully and diligently themselves when they grow up;and the bad examples of parents must be made use of by their children for admonition, and not for imitation.

It is easiest plucking up weeds as soon as they spring up, and the bullock that is designed for the yoke should be _ betimes accustomed to it.

It is better that he should cry under thy rod than under the sword of the magistrate, or, which is more fearful, that of divine vengeance.

Ezekiel 20

Proverbs 19

Let not the greatest be excused, but 'assemble the elders', the judges and magistrates. Let not the meanest be passed by, but 'gather the children, and those that suck the breasts'. It is good to bring little children, If a reproof will serve without the rod, it is well, but the rod must never be used without a rational and grave reproof; and then, though it may be a present uneasiness both to the father and to the child, yet it will give wisdom. as soon as they are capable of understanding any thing, to religious assemblies, that they may be trained up betimes in the way wherein they should Proverbs 29

The child of a very godly father,

Parents go; but these were brought even when they were at the breast and were kept fasting, that by their cries for the breast the hearts of the parents might be moved to repent of sin, which God might justly so visit upon their children that the 'tongue of the sucking child' might 'cleave to the roof of his mouth' (Lam. 4:4), and that on them God might have compassion, as he had on the infants of Nineveh (Jonah 4:11). and good ministers. This was particularly remarkable at Tyre, which we have not met with anywhere else, that they brought their wives and children to attend Paul, to do him the more honour and to receive benefit by his instructions and prayers; and as angry notice was taken of the children of the idolaters of Bethel, that mocked a prophet, so, no doubt, gracious notice was taken of the children of the disciples at Tyre, that honoured an apostle, as Christ accepted the hosannas of the Joel 2

Some observe what a mixture there was of good and bad in the succession of these kings; as for instance wicked Roboam begat wicked Abia; wicked Abia begat good Asa; good Asa begat good Josaphat; good Josaphat begat wicked Joram (v. 7, 8). Grace does not run in the blood, neither does reigning sin. God's grace is his own, and he gives or withholds it as he pleases. little children.

Acts 2

Thus, when duty fails on one side, it commonly fails on the other. Disobedient children are justly punished with unnatural parents; and, on the contrary, unnatural parents with disobedient children.

Romans 1

Though God has given you power, you must not abuse that power, remembering that your children are, in a particular manner, pieces of yourselves, and therefore ought to _ be governed with great tenderness and love. Be not impatient with them; use no_ unreasonable severities and lay no _ rigid injunctions upon them. When you caution them, when you counsel them, when you reprove them, do it in such a manner

Matthew 1

A master of a family cannot give faith to those under his charge, nor force them _ to believe, but he may be instrumental to remove external prejudices, which obstruct the operation of the evidence, and then the work is more than half done. Abraham was famous for this (Gen. 18:19), and Joshua, (ch. 24:15). This was a nobleman, and probably he had a great as not to 'provoke them to wrath'. In all such cases deal prudently and wisely with them, endeavouring to convince their judgments and to work upon their reason. household; but, when he comes into Christ's school, he brings them all along with him.

John 4

Ephesians 6

It is good to train up children in a respect to good people

Partiality

Partiality obedient eye to him, and when we not only bear troubles, but rejoice in them, then patience hath its perfect work.

It is a fundamental error in the administration of justice, and that which cannot but lead men to abundance of transgression, to consider the parties concerned more than the merits of the cause, so as to favour one because he is a gentleman, a scholar, my countryman, my old acquaintance, has formerly done me a kindness, or may do me one, or is of my party and persuasion, and to bear hard on the other party because he is a stranger, a poor man, has done me an ill tur, is or has been my rival, or is not of my mind, or has voted against me. Judgment is perverted when any consideration of this kind is admitted into the scale, anything but pure right.

James 1

Peace

In heaven there is _ perfect peace; stor) there, is perfect holiness, and there is God, who is love.

Jobe2)

If God give inward peace to a man only, the quietness and everlasting assurance which are the effect of righteousness, neither the accusations of Satan, nor the afflictions of this present time, no, nor the arrests of death itself, can give trouble. What can make those uneasy whose souls dwell at ease in God?

Proverbs 28

Job 34

Patience

Such a river of peace as the springs of the world's comforts cannot send forth and the dams of the world's troubles cannot stop nor drive back nor its sands rack up, such a river of peace as will carry us to the ocean of boundless and endless bliss.

We are taught hereby how necessary it is that we wait on our God continually. Saul lost his kingdom for want of two or three hours' patience.

1 Samuel 13

Stoical apathy and Christian patience are very different: by the one men become in some measure, insensible of their afflictions; but by the other they become triumphant in and over them. Let us take care, in times of trial, that patience and not passion, be set at work in us.

Isaiah

Solid peace cannot be enjoyed where there is no true grace; first grace, then peace. Peace without grace is mere stupidity; but grace may be true where there is for a time no actual peace; as Heman was distracted with terror, and Christ was once in an agony.

When we bear all that God appoints, and as long as he appoints, and with a humble

1 Peter 1

Persecution

Peacemakers consideration to his glory and theirs, and the filling up of the measure of their enemies' iniquity.

We should deny ourselves both in our rights and in our conveniences rather than quarrel. A wise and a good man will rather retire into obscurity like Isaac into a valley, than sit high to be the butt of envy and illwill.

Psalm 72

Those who can agree in nothing else can agree to persecute a good man. Herod and Pilate will unite in this, and in this they resemble Satan, who is not divided against himself, all the devils agreeing in Beelzebub.

Genesis 26

When quarrels happen we should be willing to be friends again upon any terms; peace and love are such valuable jewels that we can scarcely buy them _ too dearly. Better sit down losers than go on in strife.

Psalm 140

Those that are for keeping up and advancing the kingdom of sin in the world look upon Jerusalem, even the church of God, as the great obstacle to their designs, and they must have it out of the way; but they will find it heavier than they think it is.

Genesis 31

We should be ambitious and industrious how to be calm and quiet in our minds, in patience to possess our own souls, and to be quiet towards others; or of a meek and mild, a gentle and peaceable disposition, not given to strife, contention, or division. Satan is very busy to disquiet

Zechariah 12

Surely hell itself must be let loose, and devils, those desperate and despairing spirits, that have no part or lot in the great salvation, must become incarnate, ere such spiteful enemies could be found to a doctrine, the substance of which was 'good will toward men' and the 'reconciling of the world to God'; no, would you think it? All this mischief arises to the preachers of the gospel, from those to whom they came to preach salvation. Thus the 'bloodthirsty hate the upright, but the just seek his soul.' (Prov. 29:10). And therefore heaven is so much opposed on earth, because earth is so much under the power of hell (Eph. 2:2). us; and we have that in our own hearts that disposes us to be disquiet; therefore let us study to be quiet.

1 Thessalonians 4

Persecution

So precious shall their blood be unto him that not a drop of it shall be shed, by the deceit or violence of Satan or his instruments without being reckoned for. Christ is a king, who, though he calls his subjects sometimes to resist unto blood for him, yet is not prodigal of their blood, nor will ever have it parted with but upon a valuable

Matthew 10

The way of sin, especially the

Persecution old enmity was put between the seed of the woman and of the serpent. Why did Cain hate Abel, but 'because his works were righteous'? Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing; Joseph's brethren hated him because his father loved him; Saul hated David because 'the Lord was with him'; Ahab hated Micaiah because of his prophecies; such are the causeless causes of the world's hatred. sin of persecution, is down-hill; and when once a respect to Christ's ministers is cast off and broken through in one instance, that is at length done, which the man would sooner have thought himself a dog than to have been guilty of, (2 Kings $:13),.

Matthew 14

Whatever is pretended, the real cause of the world's enmity to the gospel is the testimony

John 15 it bears against sin and sinners. Christ's witnesses by their doctrine and conversation torment those that dwell on the earth, and therefore are treated so barbarously (Rev. 11:10). But it

In threatening times, our care should not be so much that troubles may be prevented as that we may be enabled to go on with cheerfulness and resolution in our work and duty, whatever troubles we may meet with. Their prayer is not, 'Lord, behold their threatenings', and frighten them, and stop their mouths, and fill their faces with shame; but, 'Behold their threatenings', and animate us, open our mouths and fill our hearts with courage. They do not pray, is better to incur the world's hatred, by testifying against its wickedness, than gain its goodwill by going down the stream with it.

John 7

Lazarus is singled out to be the object of their special hatred, because God has distinguished him by the tokens of his peculiar love, as if they had made a league offensive and defensive with death and hell, and resolved to be severe upon all deserters. One would think that they should rather have consulted how they might have joined in friendship with Lazarus and his family, and by their mediation have reconciled themselves to this Jesus whom they had persecuted; but the god of this world had 'blinded their minds'.

'Lord, give us a fair opportunity to retire from our work, now that it is become dangerous', but, 'Lord, give us grace to go on in our work, and not to be afraid of the face of man.'

Acts 4

Though persecution may not drive us off from our work, yet it may send us, as a hint of Providence, to work elsewhere.

Acts 8

John 12

Saul's sufferings for Christ shall redound so much to the honour of Christ and the service of the church, shall be so balanced with spiritual comforts and recompensed with eternal glories, that Whom Christ blesseth the world curseth. The favourites and heirs of heaven have never been the darlings of this world, since the

Perspective it is no discouragement to him to be told how great things he must suffer for Christ's name's sake. brethren'; men are his willing spiteful instruments, but he is the chief adversary that wars against Christ and his people (GenursalS ;ReywelOr1 9). ive design of Satan in raising persecutions against the faithful servants of God is to bring them to apostasy, by reason of their sufferings, and so to destroy their souls.

Acts 9

The proceedings of persecutors have often been illegal even by the law of nations, and often inhuman, against the law of nature, but always sinful, and against God's law.

UP eters

Acts 16

Those afflictions which may be truly persecution as far as men are concerned in them are fatherly rebukes and chastisements as far as God is concerned in them. Persecution for religion is sometimes a correction and rebuke for the sins of professors of religion. Men persecute them because they are religious; God chastises them because they are not more so: men _ persecute them because they will not give up their profession; God chastises them because they have not lived up to their profession.

Perseverance

To those that are sincere in their religion God will give grace to persevere in it. Those that follow God faithfully will be divinely strengthened to continue following him. And observe, following God is a work that is its own wages. It is the matter of a promise as well as a precept.

1 Samuel

Perspective

Hebrews 12

What little reason have we to value the wealth of this world when so great a churl as Nabal abounds and so great a saint as . David suffers want.

To suffer for righteousness sake is the honour and happiness of a Christian; to suffer for the cause of truth, a good conscience, or any part of a Christian's duty, is a great honour; the delight of it is greater than the torment, the honour more than the disgrace, and the gain much greater than the loss.

1 Samuel 25

Never let the Church's friends be disheartened by the power and' pride' of the Church's enemies. We need not fear great men against us while we have the great God for us. What will a finger more on each hand do or a toe more on each foot, in contest with Omnipotence?

1 Peter 3

All the great persecutions that ever were in the world were raised, spirited up, and conducted, by the devil; he is the grand persecutor, as well as 'the deceiver and accuser, of the 1 Chronicles 20

All is well that ends well,

Perspective any peculiar strictness or austerity; he was affable and easy of access, not shy of any company, was often at feasts, both with Pharisees and publicans, to try if this would win upon those who were not wrought upon by John's reservedness: those who were not awed by John's frowns, would be allured by Christ's smiles; from whom Paul learned to become all things to all men (1 Cor. 9:22). Now our Lord Jesus, by his freedom, did not at all condemn John, any more than John did everlastingly well; but nothing well that ends ill, everlastingly ill. The righteous man's afflictions end in peace, and therefore he is happy; the wicked man's enjoyments end in destruction, and therefore he is miserable.

Psalm 73

Perversity of Human Nature

So perversely did they misconstrue providence, though God, by His prophets, had so often explained it to them, and the thing itself spoke the direct contrary. Since we forsook our idolatries we have wanted all things, and have been consumed by the sword, the true reason of which was because they still retained their idols in their hearts and an affection to their old sins; but they would have it thought that condemn him, though their deportment was so very different. Note, though we are never so clear in the goodness of our own practice, yet we must not judge of others by it. There may be a great diversity of operations, where it is the same God that worketh all in all (1 Cor. 12:6), and this various manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal (v. 7). Observe especially, that God's ministers are variously gifted: the ability and genius of some lie one way, of others, another way: some are Boanerges — sons of thunder; others, Barnabases — sons of consolation; yet all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spiritit(lesG@or. 12211), and therefore we ought not to condemn either, but to praise both, and praise God for both, who thus tries various ways of dealing with persons of various tempers, that sinners may be either made pliable or left inexcusable, it was because they had forsaken the acts of sin. Thus the afflictions which should have been for their welfare, to separate between them and their sins, being misinterpreted, did but confirm them in their sins. This. in tithe first, ages of Christianity, when God chastised the nations by any _ public calamities for opposing the Christians and persecuting them, they put a contrary sense upon the calamities, as if they were sent to punish them for conniving at the Christians and tolerating them, and_ cried, 'Christianos ad leones' — 'Throw the Christians to the lions'. so that, whatever the issue is, God will be glorified.

Jeremiah 44

Matthew 11

Christ conversed familiarly with

all sorts of people, not affecting

They now tempted Christ as

Possessions

Israel did (1 Cor. 10:9). And observe their perverseness; then, when they had signs from heaven, they tempted Christ, saying, 'Can he furnish a table of finding true happiness in this knowledge, and expect it only in the knowledge of God.

Ecclesiastes 1 in the wilderness?' Now that he had furnished a table in the wilderness, they tempted him, saying, 'Can he give us a sign from heaven?'

Pity

Even those that suffer justly, and for their sins, are yet to be pitied and not trampled upon. If the father corrects one child, he expects: the rest should tremble at it, not triumph in it.

Matthew 16

Philosophy

Upon the whole, therefore, he concluded that great scholars do but make themselves great mourners; for in much wisdom is much grief (v. 18). There must be a great deal of pains taken to get it, and a great deal of care not to forget it; the more we know the more we see there is to be known, and consequently we perceive with greater clearness that our work is without end, and the more we see of our former mistakes and blunders, which occasions much grief. The more we see of men's different sentiments and opinions (and it is that which a great deal of our learning is conversant about) the more at a loss we are, it may be, which is in the right. Those that increase knowledge have so much the more quick and sensible perception of the calamities of this world, and for one discovery they make that is pleasing, perhaps, they make ten that are displeasing, and so they increase sorrow. Let us not therefore be driven off from the pursuit of any useful knowledge, but put on patience to break through the sorrow of it; but let us despair

Ezekiel 35

Pleasures

See the vanity of all the pleasures of sense; they soon surfeit, but never satisfy; the longer they are enjoyed, the less pleasant they grow.

John 2

Possessions

Observe a proportion in thy expenses; reduce not thy food in order to gratify thy pride, nor thy clothing in order to gratify thy voluptuousness. Be neat, wear clean linen, and be not slovenly. Or, let thy garments be white in token of joy and cheerfulness, which were expressed by white raiment (Rev. 3:4); and as a further token of joy, let thy head lack no ointment that is fit for it. Our Saviour admitted this piece of pleasure at a feast (Matt. 26: 7), and David observes it among the gifts of God's bounty to him. 'Thou anointest my head with oil' (Ps. 23:5). Not that we must place our happiness in any

Possessions of the delights of sense, or set our hearts upon them, but what God has given us we must make as comfortable a use of as we can afford, under the limitations of sobriety and wisdom, and not forgetting the poor. favourites pals Was a _— Ecclesiastes 9

Some lavish gold out of the bag to make an idol of it in the house, while others hoard up gold in the bag to make an idol of it in the heart.

Praising God

This is here called a service and the persons employed in it workmen, "notrbut' that Ae* isthe greatest liberty and pleasure to be employed in praising God: what is heaven but that? But it intimates that it is our duty to make a business of it and stir up all that is within us to it and that in our present state of corruption and infirmity it will not be done as it should be done without labour and struggle. We must take pains with our hearts to bring them and keep them to this work and to engage all that is within us.

Isaiah 46

Creature comforts are as sparks, short-lived and soon gone; yet the children of this world, while they last, warm themselves by them, and walk with pride and pleasure in the light of them.

Tsaiah 50

They did not call it their own, because they had, in affection, forsaken all for Christ, and were continually expecting to be stripped of all for their adherence to him. They did not say that aught was their own. for we can call nothing our own but sin. What we have in the world

1 Chronicles 25

Wherefore David blessed the Lord, not only alone in his closet, but before all the congregation. This I expected when we read 'that David rejoiced with great joy' (v. 9), for such is more God's than our own; we have it from him, must use it for him, and are accountable for it to him.

Acts 4 a devout man as he, would no doubt make that the matter of his thanksgiving which was so much the matter of his rejoicing. He that looked round with comfort would certainly look up with praise ... The nearer we

Poverty come to the world of everlasting praise, the more we _ should speak the language and do the work of that world ... All that we can in our most exalted

Praising God

praises, attribute to him he has

The work of angels is to praise God. The more we abound in holy, humble, thankful, joyful praise, the more we do the will an unquestionable title to ... All the glory we can give him with our hearts, lips and lives comes infinitely short of what is his due. of God as they do it; and, whereas we are so barren and defective in praising God, it is We must give God all the glory a comfort to think that they are doing it in a better manner. of all the good that is at any time done by _ ourselves or others. Our own good works must not be the matter of our pride nor the good works of others the matter of our flattery but both the matter of our praise for certainly it is the greatest honour and pleasure in the world faithfully to serve God.

Job 38

In singing this we must triumph in the name of Christ as above every name, must give him honour ourselves, rejoice in the honours others do him, and in the assurance we have that there shall be a people praising him on earth when we are praising him in heaven.

1 Chronicles 29

Psalm 22 (The glory of God appeared) when they were in their praises celebrating the everlasting mercy and goodness of God. As there

We must praise God, and we must sacrifice praise, direct it to God, as every sacrifice was directed; put it into the hands of the priest, our Lord Jesus, who is also the altar; see that it be "made " by "fire, that' it. be kindled with the flame of holy and devout affection; we must be fervent in spirit, praising the Lord. This he is pleased in infinite condescension, to interpret as glorifying him. is no one saying oftener repeated inn scripture than this, "His mercy endureth for ever' (26 times in one Psalm, Psalm 136 and quite often elsewhere), so there is none more signally owned from heaven for it was not the expression of some rapturous flights that the priests were singing when the glory of God appeared, but this plain song 'He is good and his mercy endureth for ever.' This should endear those words to us. God's goodness is his glory and he is pleased when we give him the Psalm 50

It cast a damp particularly upon his praises; when he had lost the joys of his salvation his harp was hung upon the _ willow-trees; therefore he prays, 'Lord, open my lips', put my heart in tune for praise again. To those that are tongue-tied by reason of guilt, the assurance of the forgiveness of their sins says effectually, Ephphatha — Be opened. glory of it.

2 Chronicles 5

Even sorrow for sin must not put us out of tune for praising God. By faith we must rejoice in Christ Jesus as our righteousness.

Psalm 51

2 Chronicles 29

Praising God praise him with uprightness of heart, that is, are inward with him in praising him, and sincerely aim at his glory in the course of their conversation as well as in the exercises of devotion. God accepts only the praises of the upright.

Faithful prayers may quickly be turned into joyful praises, if it be not our own fault. 'Let the hearts of those rejoice that seek the Lord' (105:3), and let them praise him for working those desires in them, and giving them assurance that he will satisfy them. David was now in a wilderness, and yet had his heart much enlarged in blessing God. Even in affliction we need not want matter for praise, if we have but a heart to it.

Psalm 119

It is a heaven upon earth to be praising God; and the pleasure of that should quite put our mouths out of taste for the pleasures of sin.

Those that have their hearts refreshed with the tokens of God's favour ought to have them enlarged in his praises.

The psalmist had suggested to us the goodness of God, as the proper matter of our cheerful praises; here he suggests to us the greatness of God as the proper matter of our awful praises; and on this he is most

Psalm 63

We ought to praise God as good in himself, but we do it most feelingly when we observe how good he has been to us. copious, because this we are less forward to consider.

Psalm 135

Psalm 86

We are never so earnestly called upon to pray and repent as to give thanks; for it is the will of God that we should abound most in the most _ pleasant exercises of religion, in that which is the work of heaven.

Review what he has made known of himself in his word and in his works, and you will see, and say, that God is great and greatly to be feared; for his name is holy, his infinite purity and rectitude appear in all that whereby he has made himself known, and because it is holy, therefore it is reverend. . The angels have an eye to God's

In all our adorations we must have an eye to God's excellency as transcendent, and to his power and dominion as incontestably and uncontrollably supreme. holiness when they cover their faces before him, and nothing is more man's honour than his sanctification. It is in his holy places that God appears most terrible (Ps. 68:35; Lev. 10:3).

We must give thanks to God, not only for that mercy which is now handed out to us here on earth, but for that which shall endure for ever in the glories and joys of heaven.

Psalm 111

It is an easy thing to praise God in word and tongue; but those only are well learned in this mystery who have learned to Psalm 136

Praising God

The five foregoing psalms were express or conceive, we must raise our conceptions and expressions to the highest degree we Can attain to. all of a piece, all full of prayers; this, and the five that follow it to the end of the book, are all of a piece too, all full of praises; and though only this is entitled David's psalm, yet we have no reason to think but that they were all his as well as all the foregoing prayers. And it is observable that after five psalms of prayer follow six psalms of praise; for those that are much. .. Praise God with a strong faith, praise him with holy love and delight; praise him with an entire confidence in Christ; praise him with a believing triumph over the powers of darkness; praise him with an earnest desire towards him and a full satisfaction in him; praise him by a universal respect to all his commands; praise him by a cheerful submission to all his disposals; praise him by rejoicing in his love and_ solacing yourselves in his great goodness; praise him by promoting the interests of the kingdom of his grace; praise him by a lively hope and expectation of the kingdom of his glory. in prayer shall not want matter for praise, and those that have sped in prayer must abound in praise. Our thanksgivings for mercy, when we have received it, should even exceed our supplications for it when we were in pursuit of it. David, in the last of his begging psalms, had promised to praise God (144:9), and here he_ performs his promise.

Psalm 145

Let us often take a pleasure in thinking what _ glorified saints are doing in heaven, what those are doing whom we have been acquainted with on earth, but who have gone before us thither; and let it not only make us long to be among them, but quicken us to do this part of the will of God on earth as those do it that are in heaven. And let us spend

Holy joy or delight are required as the principle of it, and that is pleasant to us as men; giving glory to God is the design and business of it, and that is pleasant to us as saints that are devoted to his honour. Praising God is work that is its own wages; it is heaven upon earth; it is what we should be in as in our element. as much of our time as may be in this good work because in it we hope to spend a joyful eternity.

Psalm 147

There he is praised continually in a far better manner than we can praise him. And it is a comfort to us, when we find we do it so poorly, that it is Psalm 150

The voice of thanksgiving is the same with the voice of those that make merry; for whatever is the matter of our joy should be the matter of our praise. Is any merry? Let him so well done there.

.. . Not that our praises can bear any proportion to God's greatness, for it is infinite, but, since he is greater than we can

Praising God sing psalms. What makes us cheerful should make us thankful. 'Serve the Lord with gladness', indignation, steadfastly resolving not to return to it, nor to have any thing more to do with it. (Ezek. 2:18:31; Hos; °14:9'; Isai 30:22). If any of the gains of iniquity, any goods gotten by fraud or oppression, be in thy hand, make restitution thereof'

Jeremiah 30

Prayer

(as Zaccheus,'Luke 19:8;-tand shake thy hands from holding them,') (Isa. 33:15). The guilt of sin is not removed if the gain of sin be not restored.

God often grants the desires of sinners in wrath while he denies the desires of his own people in love.

Numbers 11

Job ill

The privilege to draw near to the God of Israel is not a small thing in itself and, therefore, must not appear small to us. To Prayer has prevailed to change God's way and his providence, but never was his will or purpose changed; for known unto God are all his works. those who neglect opportunities of drawing near to God, who are careless and formal in Job 23 it, to whom it is a task and not a pleasure, we may properly put this question 'Seemeth it a small thing to you that God has made you a people near unto him?'

It will be a great comfort to us if trouble, when it comes, find the wheels of prayer a-going, for then we may come with the more boldness to the throne of grace. Tradesmen are willing to oblige those that have been long their customers.

Numbers 16

God has wicked men in a chain . . . it was in anger that God said to Balaam 'Go with them' and we have reason to think that Balaam himself so understood it, for we do not find him pleading this allowance when God reproved him for going. As God sometimes denies the prayers of his people in love so sometimes he grants the desires of the wicked in wrath.

Psalm 17 'The Lord grant thee according to thine own heart'. This they might in faith pray for, because they knew David was a man after God's own heart, and would design nothing but what was pleasing to him. Those who make it their business to glorify

God may expect that God will, in one way or other, gratify them, and those who walk in his counsel may promise themselves that he will fulfil theirs. 'Thou shalt devise a thing and it shall be established unto thee.' (1 John 3:22).

Numbers 22 'If iniquity be in thy hand (that is, if there be any sin which thou dost yet live in the practice of) put it far away, forsake it with Psalm 20 detestation and a holy

Prayer

We are to look upon our daily worship, alone, and with our families, to be both the most needful of our daily occupations and the most delightful of our daily comforts.

Are we in pursuit of any mercy, and wrestling with God for it? We must take our encouragement, in prayer, from God only, and have an eye to his glory more than to our own benefit in it. "ord, do so and\ so) for us, not that we may have the credit and comfort of it, but that thy mercy and truth may have the glory of it.' This must be our highest and ultimate end in our prayers, and therefore it

Psalm 65

In all the parts of prayer the soul must ascend upon the wings of faith and holy desire, and be lifted up to God, to meet the communications of his grace, and in an expectation raised very high of great things is made the first petition in the Lord's prayer, as that which guides all the rest, "Hallowed be thy name.'

from him.

When God hears our prayers it is

Psalm 115 fitly said that he bows down his ear to them, for it is admirable condescension in God that he

See how the desire and prayer of a good man exactly agree with the will and command of a good God. is pleased to take notice of such mean creatures as we are and such defective prayers as ours are Not that God needs to have his affections stirred up by anything that we can say; but thus we must express our desire of his favour.

The best are sensible of their aptness to wander; and the more we have found of the pleasure there is in keeping God's commandments the more afraid we shall be of wandering from them and the more earnest we shall be in prayer to God for his grace to prevent our wanderings.

It is thus our duty to pray always, without ceasing, and to continue instant in prayer; and then we may hope to have our prayers heard which we make in the time of trouble, if we have made conscience of the duty at other times, at all times. It is comfortable if an affliction finds the wheels of prayer a-going, and that they are not then to be set a-going.

Psalm 119

God is in heaven, where he reigns in glory over us and all the children of men, where he is attended with an innumerable company of holy angels and is far exalted above all our blessing and praise. We are on earth, the footstool of his throne; we are mean and vile, unlike God, and Psalm 86 utterly unworthy to receive any favour from him or to have any communion with him. Therefore we must be grave, humble and serious, and be reverent in speaking to him, as we are It should be our care that God would graciously hear us; for, if our prayers be not pleasing to God, they will be to no purpose to ourselves.

Psalm 102

Prayer when we speak to a great man that is much our superior; and, in token of this, let our words be few, that they may be well chosen (Job 9:14). This does not condemn all long prayers; were they not good, the Pharisees would not have used them for a pretence; Christ prayed praying. If you will not hear us when we speak from God to you, God will not hear us when we speak to Him for you.

Jeremiah 7

God's having heard our voice when we cried to him, even out of the low dungeon, is an encouragement for us to hope that he will not at any time hide his ear. Observe how he all night; and we are directed to 'continue in prayer'. But it condemns careless heartless, praying, vain repetitions (Matt. 6:7), repeating Pater-nosters by tale. Let us speak to God, and of him, in his own words, words which the _ Scripture teaches; and let our words, words of our own invention, be few, lest, not speaking by rule, we speak amiss. calls prayer his breathing; for in prayer we breathe towards God, we breathe after him. Though we be but weak in prayer, cannot cry aloud, but only breathe in groanings that cannot be uttered, yet we shall not be neglected if we be sincere. Prayer is the breath of the new man, sucking in the air of mercy in petitions and returning it in praises; it is both the evidence and the maintenance of spiritual life.

Ecclesiastes 5

When we meet with the greatest difficulties, then is a time to stir up not ourselves only, but others also, to take hold on God. Prayer is the midwife of mercy, that helps to bring it forth.

Lamentations 3

Though we may not quarrel with God, yet we may plead with him; and, though we may not conclude that he has cast off, yet we may (with the prophet)~ Jer.- 12:1)/chumbly reason with him concerning his judgments, especially the continuance of the desolations of his sanctuary.

The prayer that reaches heaven must be lifted up by a strong faith, earnest desires, and a direct intention to the glory of God, all which should be quickened when we come to the last stake.

Isaiah 37

Lamentations 5

It is an ill omen to a people when God restrains the spirits of his ministers and _ people from praying for them, and gives them to see their case so desperate that they have no heart to speak a good word for them. Those that will not regard good ministers' preaching cannot expect any benefit by their Though Daniel was a great man, he did not think it below him to be thrice a day upon his knees before his maker and to be his own chaplain; though he was an old man, he did not think himself past it; nor, though it had been his practice from his youth up, was he

Prayer weary of this well doing. Though he was a man of business, vast business, for the service of the public, he did not think that would excuse him from the daily exercises of devotion. How inexcusable then are those who have but little to do in the world, and yet will not do thus much for God and their souls! Daniel was a man famous for prayer, and for success in it (Ezek. 14:14), and he came to be so by thus making a conscience of prayer and making a business of it daily; and in thus doing God blessed him wonderfully. of nothing but the want of the delights of sense? Yet their crying to God in those cases shames the stupidity of those who cry not to God in any case.

Joel 1

You may as soon find a living man without breath as a living saint without prayer.

Zechariah 12

Secret prayer is to be _ performed in retirement, that we may be unobserved, and so may avoid ostentation; undisturbed, and so may avoid distraction; unheard, and so may use the sreater freedom; yet if the circumstances be such that we cannot possibly avoid being taken notice of, we must not therefore neglect the duty, lest the omission be a greater scandal than the observation of it.

Daniel 6

We must take good words with us, by taking good thoughts and good affections with us. Those who master a subject are seldom at a loss for language. Note, when we come to God we should consider what we have to say to him; for, if we come without an errand, we are likely to go without an answer. (Ezra 9:10)

Matthew 6

It was well they had him so near them. They awoke him with their prayers; 'Lord, save us, we perish'. Note, they who would learn to pray must go to 'What shall we say?' We must take with us words from the Scripture, take them from the Spirit of grace and_ supplication, who teaches us to cry, Abba, Father, and makes intersea. Imminent and _= sensible dangers will drive people to him who alone can help in time of need. Their prayer has life in it, 'Lord, save us, we perish'.

cession in us.

Hosea 14

Matthew 8

The complaints of the brutecreatures here are for want of water ('The rivers are dried up', through the excessive heat), and for want of grass, for 'the fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness'. And what better are those than _ beasts who never cry to God but for corn and wine, and complain

In following Christ with our prayers, we must expect to meet with hindrances and manifold discouragements from within and from without, something or other that bids us hold our peace. Such rebukes are permitted, that faith and fervency, patience and _ perseverance, may be tried.

Prayer

Christ knew well enough; but he would know it from them, whether they begged only for an alms, as from a common person, or for a cure, as from the Messiah. Note, it is the will of God that we should in everything make our requests known to him by prayer and supplication; not to inform or move him, but to qualify ourselves for the mercy. The waterman in the boat, who with his hook takes hold of the shore, does not thereby pull the shore to the boat, but the boat to the shore. So in prayer we do not draw the mercy to ourselves, but ourselves to the mercy. to him; and to Christ as mediator, and come as clients. Asking of the Father includes a sense of spiritual wants and a desire of spiritual blessings, with a conviction that they are to be had from God only. It includes also humility of address to him, with a believing confidence in him, as a Father able and ready to help us. Asking in Christ's name includes an acknowledgment of our own unworthiness to receive any favour from God, a complacency in the method God has taken of keeping up a correspondence with us by his Son, and an entire dependence upon Christ as 'the Lord our Righteousness'.

Matthew 20

Where there are many sins to be confessed, and many wants to pray for the supply of, and Many mercies to give thanks for, there is occasion for long prayers. But the Pharisees' long prayers were made up of vain repetitions, and (which was the end of them) they were for a pretence.

See what a generous benefactor our Lord Jesus is, above all benefactors; he gives liberally, and is so far from upbraiding us with the frequency and largeness of his gifts that he rather upbraids us with the seldomness and _sstraitness of our requests.

Matthew 23

Would we have our joy full, as full as it is capable of being in this world, we must be 'much in prayer'. When we are told to 'rejoice everinore', it follows immediately, 'Pray without ceasing'. See how high we are to aim in prayer — not only at peace, but joy, a 'fulness of joy'.

And thus the cure is the sooner wrought, the nobleman's mistake rectified, and his faith confirmed; so that the thing was better done in Christ's way. When he denies what we ask, he gives what is much more to our advantage; we ask for ease, he gives patience.

John 16

John 4

All repetitions in prayer are not

The promise is as express as we can desire. We are taught here how to seek; we must 'ask the to be counted 'vain repetitions'; Christ 'prayed, saying the same words' (Matt. 26:44), and yet 'prayed more earnestly'. What his Father had promised him, and he was assured of, yet he

Father in Christ's name'; we must have an eye to God as a Father, and come as children

Prayer must pray for; promises are not to pray after another manner than he had done; then he said his prayers, now he _ prayed them. Regenerating grace evermore sets people on praying; you may as soon find a living man without breath as a living Christian without prayer; if breathless, lifeless; and so, if prayerless, graceless. designed to supersede prayers, but to be the guide of our desires and the ground of our hopes.

John 17

Before they were first sent forth Christ spent time in prayer for them, and now they spent time in prayer for themselves. They were waiting for the descent of the Spirit upon them, and _ therefore abounded thus in prayer. The Spirit descended upon our Saviour when he was praying, (Luke 3:21). Those are in the Acts 9

From morning to night we should think to be too long to be without meat; yet who thinks it is too long to be without prayer?

Acts 10 best frame to receive spiritual blessings that are in a praying frame. Christ had promised now shortly to send the Holy Ghost; now this promise was not to supersede prayer, but to quicken and encourage it. God will be enquired of for promised mercies, and the nearer the performance seems to be the more earnest we should be in prayer for it.

Hereby Christians are distinguished from the profane and atheistical, that they dare not live without prayer; and hereby they are distinguished from Jews and Pagans, that they call on the name of Christ.

1 Corinthians 1

Though God accepts the prayer of faith, yet he does not always answer it in the letter; as he sometimes grants in wrath, so he sometimes denies in love.

Acts 1

Christ was so pleased to find Paul praying that he must have others to take notice of it: 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the sheep which I had lost'. It denotes also the strangeness of it: Behold, and wonder, that he who but the other day breathed nothing but threatenings and slaughter, now breathes nothing but prayer. But was it

2 Corinthians 12

The perfecting, establishing, strengthening, and settling, of good people in grace, and their perseverance therein, is so difficult a work, that only the God of all grace can accomplish it; and therefore he is earnestly to be sought unto by continual prayer, and dependence upon such a strange thing for Saul to pray? Was he not a Pharisee? and have we not reason to think he did, as the rest of them did, make long prayers in the synagogues and the corners of the streets? Yes; but now he began his promises.

L Peter)

To this end we must remember that our Lord obliges us, 1. To forgive those who offend us

Prayer

Prayer (Delays)

(Matt. 6:14) and 2. To reconcile ourselves to those whom we have offended (Matt. 5:23, 24). As goodwill to men was proclaimed from heaven, so goodwill to men, and _ particularly to the brethren, must be carried in the hearts of those who go to God and heaven.

Instead of blaming Christ, or charging him with unkindness, she seems rather to suspect herself, and lay the fault upon herself. She fears lest, in her first address, she had not been humble and reverent enough, and therefore now 'she came, and worshipped him', and paid him more respect than she had done; or she fears that she had not been earnest enough, and therefore now she cries, 'Lord, help me.' Note, When the answers of prayer are deferred, God is thereby teaching us to pray more, and pray better.

1 John 3

Prayer (Acceptable)

Samuel's sacrifice without his prayer would have been an empty shadow. His prayer without the sacrifice would not have been so prevalent but both together teach us what great things we may expect from God in answer to those prayers which are made with faith in Christ's sacrifice.

Matthew 15

But God will now, in giving this mercy, look a great way back to the prayers that he had made long since for and with his wife, as Isaac for and with his (Gen. 25:21). Note, prayers of faith are filed in heaven, and are not forgotten, though the thing prayed for is not presently given in. Prayers made when we were young and coming into the world may be answered when we are old and going out of the world.

1 Samuel 7

Prayers that have much life and affection in them are in a special manner pleasing to God.

2 Kings 20

God gave him strength in his soul, and that is a real and valuable answer to the prayer of faith in the day of affliction. If God give us strength in our souls to bear the burdens, resist the temptations, and do the duties of an afflicted state, if he strengthen us to keep hold

Luke 1

Prayer (Earnestness in)

The psalm concludes with the same petition that had been put up twice before, and yet it is no vain repetition (v. 19): 'Turn us again'. The title given to God rises (v. 3) 'O God!', (v. 7) 'O God! of hosts!', (v. 19) 'O Lord Jehovah, God of hosts! When of himself by faith, to maintain the peace of our own minds and to wait with patience for the issue, we must own that he has answered us, and we are bound to be thankful. we come to God for his grace, his goodwill towards us and Psalm 438

2r2

Prayer (Earnestness in) his good work in us, we should pray earnestly, continue instant in prayer, and pray more earnestly. nor has prayer without the fire of holy love and fervour.

Psalm 141

Psalm 80

What we utter before God must come from the heart, and therefore we must not be rash with the mouth, never

He prayed with his heart, and prayer is acceptable no further than the heart goes along with it. Lip-labour, if that be all, is lost labour. He was importunate with God in prayer; he cried, as one in earnest, with fervour of affection and a holy vehemence and vigour of desire. He cried with his whole heart; all the powers of his soul were not only -engaged and employed, but exerted to the utmost, in his prayers. Then we are likely to speed when we thus strive and wrestle in prayer. let our tongue outrun our thoughts in our devotions; the words of our mouth must always be the product of the meditation of our hearts. Thoughts are words to God, and words are but wind if they be not copied from _ the thoughts. Lip-labour, though ever so well laboured, if that be all, is but lost labour in religion (Matt. 15:8, 9).

Ecclesiastes 5

The 'it may be' of the prospect of the haven of blessings should quicken us with double diligence to ply the oar of prayer.

Psalm 119

David loved prayer, and he begs of God that his prayers might be heard and answered (v. 1, 2). David cried unto God. His crying denotes fervency in prayer; he prayed as one in earnest. His crying to God denotes faith and fixedness in prayer.

The prayer that reaches heaven must be lifted up by a strong faith, earnest desires, and a direct intention to the glory of God, all which should be quickened when we come to the last stake.

Those that cry in prayer may hope to be heard in prayer, not for their loudness, but for their liveliness.

Isaiah 37

To pray is to take hold of God, by faith to take hold of the promises and the declarations God has made of his goodwill to us and to plead them with him — to take hold of him as of one who is about to depart from us, earnestly begging of him not to leave us, or of one that has departed, soliciting his return — to take hold of him as he that wrestles takes hold of him he wrestles with; for the Those that know how to value God's gracious presence will be importunate for it and humbly impatient of delays. He that believes does not make haste, but he that prays may be earnest with God to make haste.

Prayer is of a sweet-smelling savour to God, as incense, which yet has no savour without fire;

Prayer (Earnestness in) seed of Jacob wrestle with him and so prevail. But when we take hold of God it is as the boatman with his hook takes hold on the shore, as if he would pull the shore to him, but really it is to pull himself to the shore; so we pray, not to bring God to our mind, but to bring ourselves to his. Those that would take hold of God in prayer so as to prevail with him must stir up themselves to do it; all that is within us must be employed in the duty (and all little enough), our thoughts fixed, and our affections flaming. In order hereunto all that is within us must be engaged and summoned into the service. pretence and hypocrisy. But they would not be beaten off so; when they were in pursuit of such a mercy, it was no time to compliment, or to practise a timid delicacy; no, 'they cried the more'.

Matthew 20

The prayers and supplications that Christ offered up were joined with strong cries and tears, herein.» setting aouses an example not only to pray, but to be fervent and importunate in prayer. How many dry prayers, how few wet ones, do we offer up to God!

Hebrews 5

Isaiah 64

Prayer (Encouragement to)

Heshadi, prayedt. (Gh: 32:16); but he must pray again. Note, those that expect to receive comforts from God must continue instant in prayer.

Hear what this haughty king says (What is thy petition, and what is thy request? It shall be granted thee), and say shall not God hear and answer the prayers of his own elect, that cry day and night to him? Esther came to a proud imperious man; we come to the God of love and grace. She was not called; we

Promises are given, not to supersede, but to quicken and encourage prayer. See (Ezek. 56:3:7) Jeremiah 33 are: the Spirit says 'Come' and the bride says, 'Come'. She had a law against her; we have a promise, many a promise in favour of us: Ask, and it shall be given you. She had no friend to introduce her, or intercede for her, while on the contrary, he that was then the king's favourite was her enemy; but we have an advocate with the Father, in whom he is well pleased. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace.

They cried out as men in earnest; men in want are earnest, of course. Cold desires do but beg denials. Those that would prevail in prayer, must stir up themselves to take hold on God in the duty. When they were discountenanced in it, they cried the more. The stream of fervency, if it be stopped, will rise and swell the higher.

The sincere and serious beggars at Christ's door commonly meet with the worst rebukes from those that follow him but in Esther 5

It is thus expressed because

Prayer (Matters for) the 70 years were near expiring, then he set his face with more fervency than ever to seek the Lord, (Dan 19225 3): others despise their praying, they themselves fear God will despise it, and he was thought to despise it while their affliction was prolonged and _ their prayers lay unanswered. When we consider our own meanness and vileness, our darkness and deadness, and the manifold defects in our prayers, we have cause to suspect that our prayers will be received with disdain in heaven; but we are here assured of the contrary, for we have an advocate with the Father.

. and this we must do with our heart (that is, in sincerity and uprightness), and with our whole heart (that is, with vigour and fervency, putting forth all that is within us in prayer).

Jeremiah 29

When God intends great mercy

Psalm 102 for his people, the first thing he does is to set them a praying; thus he seeks to destroy their enemies by stirring them up to seek to him that he would do it for them; because, though he has proposed it and promised it, and it is for his own glory to do it, yet he will 'for this be enquired of by the house of Israel (Ezek. 36: 37). 'Ask, and it shall be given'. This honour will he have to him-

Thou feedest the young ravens that cry, with food proper for them; and wilt thou not feed me with spiritual food, the bread of life, which my soul needs and craves, and cannot subsist without? 'The earth is full of thy mercy'; and is not heaven too? Wilt thou not then give me spiritual blessings in heavenly places? A gracious heart will fetch an argument from any thing to enforce a petition for divine teaching. Surely he that will not let his birds be unfed will not let his children be untaught. self, and this honour will he put upon prayer and upon praying people. And it is a happy presage to the distressed church of deliverance approaching, and is, as it were, the dawning of its day, when his people are stirred up to cry mightily to him for it.

Psalm 119

Zechariah 12

When God is about to give his people the expected good he pours out a spirit of prayer, and it is a good sign that he is

Prayer (Matters for) coming towards them in mercy. Then, when you_ see_ the expected end approaching, then you shall call upon me. Note, promises are given, not to supersede, but to quicken and encourage prayer: and when deliverance is coming we must by prayer go forth to meet it. When Daniel understood that It is a sin against God not to pray for the Israel of God, especially for those of them that are under our charge and good men are afraid of the guilt of omissions.

1 Samuel 12

God gives us leave to be earnest

ZAp

Prayer (Matters for) with him in prayer for particular blessings from a confidence in his power and general mercy though we have no particular promise to build upon. We cannot be sure, yet let us pray for who can tell but God will be gracious to us in this or that particular. When our relations and friends have fallen sick, the prayer of faith has prevailed much while there is life there

Though we are to pray for our enemies as such, yet we are to pray against God's enemies as such, against their enmity to him and all their attempts upon his kingdom.

Psalm 68

Prayer (Pleading God's Attributes) is hope and while there is hope there is room for prayer.

Our experiences of God's power and favour should be improved for the support of our expectations. 'Thou hast, therefore, not only thou canst but we trust thou wilt' is good

2 Samuel 12

If any good have got possession of our hearts or the hearts of our friends, it is good, by prayer, to commit the custody of it to the grace of God. 'Lord, keep it there, keep it for ever there.'

arguing.

Exodus 15

He pleads with God for speedy relief: 'Lord, thou art good, thou art faithful, thou art righteous; these attributes of thine will be made known in my deliverance, but, if it be not hastened, it will come too late; for I shall be dead and past relief, dead and not capable of receiving any comfort, very shortly.'

1 Chronicles 29

He knew they were a praying people and had heard that God was nigh to them in all that which they called upon him for. He was sensible; he needed their prayers and might receive benefit by them and was kind to them in order that he might have an interest in their prayers.

Psalm 88

It is the duty of God's people to pray for those that are in authority over them, not only for the good and gentle but also for the froward but they are particularly bound in gratitude to pray for their protectors and benefactors and it is the wisdom of princes to desire their prayers and to engage them. Let not the greatest princes despise the prayers of the meanest saints. It is desirable to have them for us and dreadful to have them against us.

The best saints count this their best plea for any blessing, 'Let me have it according to thy mercy'; for. we deserve no favour from God, nor can we claim any as a debt, but we are most likely to be easy when we cast ourselves upon God's mercy and refer ourselves to it. Particularly, when we come to him for instruction, we must beg it, as a mercy, and reckon that in being taught we are well dealt with.

Psalm 119

Ezra 6 216

Prayer (Pleading God's Word)

Prayer (Pleading God's Word) acknowledgement of sins and mercies are taken from (Ezek. 20: 5—26), as will appear by comparing those verses with these; for the word of God is of use to direct us in prayer, and by what he says to us we may learn what to say to him.

The best we can say to God in prayer is what he has said to us. God's promises, as they are the surest guide of our desires in prayer and furnish us with the best petitions, so they are the firmest ground of our hopes and furnish us with the best pleas. 'Lord, thou hast said this and wilt thou not be as good as thy Word. The Word upon which thou hast caused me to hope?'

Nehemiah 9

The former part is taken out of Psalm 57:7, the latter. out of Psalm 60:5, and both with very little variation, to teach us that we may in prayer use the same words that we have formerly used, provided it be with new affections. It intimates likewise that it is not only allowable, but sometimes convenient, to gather some verses out of one psalm and some out of another, and to put them together, to be sung to the glory of God.

Genesis 32 'Lord, thou hast put me into this place, therefore I,.can, in faith, ask of thee grace to enable me to do the duty of it. . What , service . -we have reason to believe God calls us to, we have reason to hope he will qualify us for . Note first, God's promises are our best pleas in prayer. 'Remember thy word unto thy servant'.

Psalm 108

Those that are governed by the precepts of the word and are resolved to keep them (v. 57) may plead the promises of the word and take the comfort of them.

2 Chronicles 1

He could not in faith have asked God to show such a peculiar favour to this house above any other if he himself had not said it should be his rest for ever. The prayer that will speed must be warranted by the Word. We may with humble confidence pray to God to be well pleased with us in Jesus Christ because he has declared himself well pleased in him 'Jesus, my _ beloved Sons, -pleven, Christ» intercessions do not supersede but encourage our supplications.

Psalm 119

This, and that other word, 'Into thy hands I commit my spirit', he fetched from David's psalms (though he could have expressed himself in his own words), to teach us of what use the Word of God is to us, to direct us in prayer, and to recommend to us the use of scripture-expressions in prayer, which will help our infirmities.

2 Chronicles 6

Matthew 27

Many passages in this

Prayer (Public)

Prayer (Public)

Those who in prosperity slighted God, either prayed not at all or were cold and careless in prayer, when trouble comes will make their application to him and cry as men in earnest. But, will God hear him then? In the troubles of this life, God has told us that he will not hear the prayers of those who regard iniquity in their hearts (Ps. 66: We find that when this psalm (or at least the closing verses of it) was sung, all the people said, 'Amen', and praised the Lord by saying 'Hallelujah'. By these two comprehensive words it is very proper, in religious assemblies, to testify their joining with their ministers in the prayers and praises which, as their mouth, they offer up to God, according to his will, saying 'Amen' to the prayers and 'Hallelujah' to the praises.

19) and set up their idols there (Ezek. 14:4), nor of those who turn away their ear from hearing the law (Prov. 28:9). Get you to the gods whom you have served (Judg. 10:14). Job 27

Psalm 106

Prayer (Unacceptable)

When we only pore upon the afflictions we are under, and neglect the consolations of God which are treasured up for us, it is just with God to reject our prayers.

Hezekiah prayed for his own life and David for the life of his child after both had been expressly threatened; the former prevailed though the latter did not ... What Ged does not think fit to grant we should not think fit to ask. God takes such a pleasure in the prayer of the upright that it is no pleasure to him, no, not in any particular instance, to give a denial to it.

Job 35

Those are in a sad case indeed that are cut off from the benefit of prayer. 'I will not hear them when they cry', and therefore do not thou pray for them. Note, those that have so far thrown themselves out of God's favour that he will not hear their prayers cannot expect benefit by the prayers of others for them.

Deuteronomy 3

Those who expect God to hear their prayers must be willing to hear reason, to hear a faithful reproof and to hear the complaints and appeals of wronged innocency. If we turn away our ear from hearing the law, our prayer will be an abomination.

Jeremiah 11

They had forfeited all benefit by the prophet's prayers for them because they had not regarded his preaching to them. This is the meaning of that repeated prohibition given to the prophet (v. 11): 'Pray not thou for this people for their good', as before (ch. 7:16; 11:14). This did not forbid him thus to express his good-will

Judges 9

If true repentance come upon him, God will hear his cry and accept him (Isa. 1:18); but, if he continue. impenitent and unchanged, let him not think to find favour with God.

Preaching to them (Moses continued to intercede for Israel after God had said 'Let me alone' (Exod.

Note, it concerns ministers to make it to appear in their whole conversation that they do themselves believe that which they preach to others; and that they may do so, and impress it the more deeply upon their hearers, they must many a time deny themselves, as Jeremiah did in both these instances.

32:10), but it forbade them to expect any good effect from it as long as they 'turned away their ear from hearing the law'.

Jeremiah 14

Preachers

Jeremiah 32

We often find the prophets admonished, whose business it was to admonish others, as (Isa. 8:11). Ministers have lessons to learn as well as lessons to teach, and must themselves hear God's_ voice and preach to themselves.

'Whosoever shall receive one such child', a preacher of the gospel that is of such a disposition as this, he placeth his respect aright, and _ receiveth me;and whosoever receiveth me, in such a minister, receiveth him that sent me; and what greater honour can any man attain to in this world than to be received by men as a messenger of God and Christ, and to have God and Christ own _ themselves received and welcomed in him.

Jeremiah 12

He had always been a lively affectionate preacher, and since he began to speak in God's name he always spoke as a man in earnest; he cried aloud and did not spare, spared neither himself nor those to whom he preached; and this was enough for those to laugh at who hated to be serious. It is common for those that are unaffected with, and disaffected to, the things of God themselves, to ridicule those that are much affected with them. Lively preachers are the scorn of careless unbelieving hearers.

Luke 9

Preaching

Here the matter was settled by consent of both parties that God should henceforward speak to us by men like ourselves, by Moses and the Prophets, by the Apostles and the Evangelists and if we believe not these neither should we be persuaded, though God should speak to us as he did to Israel at Mount Sinai or send expresses from heaven or hell.

Jeremiah 20

As God appointed Jeremiah to

Deuteronomy 5 confirm his predictions of the approaching destruction' of Jerusalem by his own practice

He as inoffensively as possible, reminded them of what was written in the Law. Let them but look into their Bibles and there they would find 1. The precept "they — broke; ~~ you in living unmarried, so he now appointed him to confirm his predictions of the future restoration of Jerusalem by his own practice in purchasing this field.

Preaching transgressed the commandments of the Lord. You know you do Soe. .tp2. Lhet penalty: they incurred. You know if the Word of God be true, you cannot prosper in this evil way. Never expect to do ill and fare well. Nay, you find already that because you have forsaken the Lord, he has forsaken you as he told you he would. (Deut. Bo ov OluLO, L7). Lists" the work of ministers, by the Word of God as a lamp and a light to expose the sin of men and expound the providences of God.

He does not say 'Do you hear item DUtH ISLC tans Nearmite: ator preachers must themselves be hearers of that word which they preach to others, must hear it as from God; those are teachers by the halves who teach others and not themselves (Rom. 2:21).

Ecclesiastes 12

He shall cry, in the preaching of his word, cry like a travailing woman; for the ministers of Christ preached as men in earnest, and that travailed in birth again till they saw Christ formed in the souls of the people (Gal. 4:19). He shall cry, yea, foar, in" the: "gospel woes, which are more terrible than the roaring of a lion, and which must be preached along with gospel blessings to awaken a sleeping world.

2 Chronicles 24

Men would gladly have their prophets thus under their girdles as we say, to speak just when and what they would have them speak and not otherwise.

2 Chronicles 25

He did not deliver his head and observations at random, as they came to mind, but methodised them, and set them in order that they might appear in more strength and lustre. He put what he had to say in such

Isaiah 42

He must not, as other watchmen, look round to spy danger and gain intelligence, but he must look up to God, and further he need not look: Hear the word at my mouth (v. 17). Note, those that are to preach must first hear; for how can those teach others who have not first learned themselves? a dress as he thought would be most pleasing: He sought to find out acceptable words, words of delight; he took care that good matter might not be spoiled by a bad style, and by the ungratefulness and incongruity of the expression. Ministers should study, not for big words, nor for fine words, but acceptable words, such as are likely to please men for their good, to edification (1 Cor. 10:33). Those that would win souls must contrive how to win upon them with words fitly spoken.

As a watchman must have eyes in his head, so he must have a tongue in his head; if he be dumb, it is as bad as if he were li Isa. 56:10). blind (Isa. 56:10) Ezekiel 3

The power of imagination, if it be rightly used, and kept under the direction and correction of reason and faith, may be of good use to kindle and

Preaching excite pious and devout affections, as it was here to Ezekiel and his attendants. 'Methinks I see so and so, myself dying, time expiring, the world on fire, the dead rising, the great tribunal set', and the like, may have an exceedingly good

Here is a woe to them whom all men speak well of, that is, who make it their great and only care to gain the praise and applause of men, who value themselves upon that more than upon the favour of God and his acceptance (v. 26): influence upon us; for fancy is like fire, a good servant, but a bad master.

Woe unto you'; that is, it would be a bad sign that you were not faithful to your trust, and to the souls of men, if you preached so as that nobody would be disgusted; for your business is to tell people of their faults, and, if you do that Ezekiel 4

The birth of Christ was notified to the Jewish shepherds by an angel, to the Gentile philosophers by a star: to both God spoke in their own language, and in the way they were best acquainted with.

as you ought, you will get that

ill will which never speaks well.

Matthew 2

We should desire to have the approbation of those that are wise and good, and not be indifferent to what people say of us; but, as we should despise the reproaches, so we should also despise the praises, of the fools in Israel.

He speaks as one that came not to preach before them, but to preach to them. Though his education was private, he was not bashful when he appeared in public, nor did he fear the Luke 6 face of man,, for he was full of the Holy Ghost and of power.

Matthew 3

Ministers must preach as those that are in earnest, and are themselves affected with those things with which they desire to affect others. Those words are not likely to thaw the hearers' hearts that freeze between the speaker's lips.

Intelligent hearers; they hear the word and understand it; they understand not only the sense and meaning of the word, but their own concern in it: they understand it as a man of business understands his business. God in his wora deals with men as men, in a rational way, and gains possession of the will and affections by opening the understanding: whereas Satan, who is a thief and a robber, comes not in by that door, but climbeth up another way.

The mistakes of preachers often give rise to the prejudices of hearers.

John 1

The corrupt and wicked heart of man often makes that an occasion of offence which is indeed matter of the greatest comfort. Christ foresaw that they would thus take offence

Matthew 13

Preaching at what he said, and yet he said with new affections; what we say often we may say again, if we say it affectionately, and are ourselves under the power of it; it. That which is the undoubted word and truth of Christ must be faithfully delivered, whoever may be offended at it. Men's humours must be captivated to God's word, and not God's word accommodated to men's humours.

Philippians 3

It is 'powerful'. When God sets it home by His Spirit, it convinces powerfully, converts powerfully, and comforts powerfully. It is so powerful as to pull down strong holds (2 Cor. 10:4, 5), to raise the dead, to make the deaf to hear, the blind to see, the dumb to speak, and the lame to walk. It

John 6

The advantage of having faithful remembrancers near us, who, though they cannot tell us more than we know already, yet may remind us of that which we know, but have forgotten. The crowing of the cock to others was an accidental thing, and had no significance; but to Peter it was the voice of God, and had a blessed tendency to awaken his conscience, by putting him in mind of the word of Christ. is powerful to batter down Satan's kingdom, and to set up the kingdom of Christ upon the ruins thereof.

Hebrews 4

The business of a faithful minister is to apply general truths to the particular condition and state of his hearers. The apostle quotes a passage (v. 6) out of the prophet, and applies it severally to good and bad. This requires wisdom, courage, and fidelity; but it is very profitable to the hearers.

John 18

Preaching the gospel is the best work, and the most proper and needtul that a minister can be employed in, and that which he must give himself wholly to (1 Tim. 4:15), which that he may do, he must not entangle himself in the affairs of this life (2 Tim. 2:4), no, not in the outward business of the house of God. (Neh. 11:16). i Peter 2

Prejudice

Acts 6

Who call drunkenness good fellowship, and covetousness good husbandry, and, when they persecute the people of God, think they do him good service — and, on the other hand, who call seriousness ill-nature, and sober singularity _illbreeding, who say all manner of evil falsely concerning the ways of godliness, and do what they can to form in men's

The instruction, edification, and comfort of the church, is that for which God instituted the ministry. And surely ministers should, as much as possible, fit their ministrations to these purposes.

1 Corinthians 14

An old sermon may be preached

pa 4

Presence of God minds prejudices against them, and this in defiance of evidence as plain and convincing as that of sense, by which we distinguish, beyond contradiction, between light and darkness, and between that which to the taste is sweet and that which is bitter. changing his thoughts, when God had changed the thing. In things of this nature we must act according to our present light; yet must not be so wedded to our opinion concerning them as to be prejudiced against further discoveries, when the matter may either be otherwise or appear otherwise; and God may reveal even this unto us (Phil. 3:15).

Isaiah 5

Josephus speaks of some in his time who did it; we read of Jewish exorcists (Acts 19:13), and of some that in Christ's name cast out devils, though they did not follow him (Mark 9:38), or were not faithful to hint (eh; 997322). These » the Pharisees condemned not, but imputed what they did to the Spirit of God, and _ valued themselves and their nation upon it. It was therefore merely from spite and envy to Christ, that they would own that others cast out devils by the Spirit of God, but suggest that he did it by compact with Beelzebub. Note, it is the way of malicious people, especially the malicious persecutors of Christ and Christianity, to condemn the same thing in those they hate, which they approve of and applaud in those they have a kindness for.

Aci

It is very hard for men suddenly to get clear of their prejudices: those that had been Pharisees, even after they became Christians, retained some of the old leaven. All did not so, witness Paul, but some did; and they had such a jealousy for the ceremonial law, and such a dislike of the Gentiles, that they could not admit the Gentiles into communion with them, unless they would be circumcised, and thereby engage themselves to keep the law of Moses.

Acts 15

Presence of God

They were content with the altars without the Ark. So easily can formal professors rest satisfied in a round of external performances without any tokens of God's presence

Matthew 12

Let him say what he would in his own justification, they are resolved, right or wrong, to find him guilty of sabbath breaking. When malice and envy or acceptance.

1 Samuel 7

He calls God his strength (v. 19). When we cannot rejoice in God sit upon the bench, reason and justice may even be silent at the as our song, yet let us stay ourselves upon him as our strength, and take the comfort of spiritual supports when we cannot come at spiritual delights. bar, for whatever they can say will undoubtedly be overruled.

John 5

Psalm 22

He was not to be blamed for

Presence of God done than to show strangers the riches and rarities of a country, to show our friends our houses and their furniture, our gardens, stables and libraries. But if we do this in the pride of our hearts as Hezekiah did to gain applause from men and not giving praise to God, it turns into sin to us

Christ doth not leave the soul, when extraordinary joys and comforts leave it. Though more sensible and ravishing communications may be withdrawn, Christ's disciples have, and shall have, his ordinary presence with them always, even to the end of the world, and that is it we must depend upon. Let us thank God for daily bread, and not expect a continual feast on this side of heaven. as it did to him .. . Isaiah, who had often been his comforter, is now his reprover — the blessed Spirit is both (John 16, 7, 8). Ministers must be both as there is occasion ... It

Mark 9

They welcomed Christ into the ship; they willingly received him. Note, Christ's absenting himself for a time is but so much the more to endear himself, at his return, to his disciples, who value his presence above any thing; see (Cant. 3:4). is just with God to take that from us which we make the matter of our pride and in which we put our confidence.

2 Kings 20

He invaded the dignity of the priesthood which he had no right to and for that he was deprived even of his royal dignity which he had a right to. Those that covet forbidden honours forfeit the allowed ones. Adam by catching at the tree of knowledge of which he might not eat, debarred himself from the tree of life of which he might have eaten. Let all that read it say, the Lord is righteous.

John 6

Presumption

If even a righteous man engage in an unrighteous cause, let him not expect to prosper. God is no respecter of persons. (Prov. 3330; 25:8). 2 Chronicles 35

Pride

2 Chronicles 26

Let none be puffed up with conceit of visions and revelations when even an ass saw an angel.

God left him to himself to be proud of his wealth to keep him from being proud of his holiness. It is good for us to know ourselves and our weakness and sinfulness, that we might not be conceited or selfconfident but may always think meanly of ourselves and live in Numbers 22

That will break a proud man's heart that will not break a humble man's sleep.

2 Samuel 17 a dependence upon divine grace. We know not the corruption of our own hearts nor what we

What is more commonly and (as we think) more innocently aoe

Pride shall do if God leave us to ourselves. Lord, lead us not into temptation . . . When Hezekiah had destroyed other idolatries he began to idolise himself. Oh what need have great men and good men and useful men to study their own infirmities and follies and their obligations to free grace that they may never think highly of themselves and to beg earnestly of God that he will hide pride from them and always keep them humble. and neighbours, quarrels in states and kingdoms, in churches and Christian societies. Men will be revenged, will not forgive, because they are proud.

Proverbs 13

Over-praising a man makes him the object of envy; every man puts in for a share of reputation, and therefore reckons himself injured if another monopolize it or have more given him than his share. And the greatest danger of all

2 Chronicles 32 is that it is a temptation to pride; men are apt to think of themselves above what is meet when others speak. of them above what is meet. See how careful blessed Paul was not to be over-valued (2 Cor. 12:6). Proverbs 27. His high spirit resented aie Job had said as if it had been the greatest affront imaginable. Proud men are apt to think themselves slighted more than they really are.

Job 18

God is often angry at that in us which we are ourselves proud of and sees much amiss in that which we think was done well.

It is just with God to take that from us which we make the matter of our pride, and on which we build a carnal confidence. When David was proud of the numbers of his people God took a course to make them fewer; and when Hezekiah boasts of his treasures, and: looks upon them with too great a complacency, he is told that he acts like the foolish traveller who shows his money and gold to one that proves a thief and is thereby tempted to rob him.

Job 42

Pride is a sin which men have reason to be themselves ashamed of; it is a shame to a man who springs out of the earth, who lives upon alms, depends upon God, and has forfeited all he has, to be proud.

Proverbs 11

Pride makes men impatient of contradiction in either their opinions or their desires, impatient of competition and rivalship, impatient of contempt, or anything that looks like a slight, and impatient of concession, and receding, from a

Isaiah 39

He that knows what is in man knew that Jehoiakim did this in the pride of his heart, which makes that to be sinful, exceedingly sinful, which is in itself lawful. Those therefore conceit of certain right and truth on their side; and hence arise quarrels among relations

Zoo

Pride therefore they who would take heed of falling, must take heed of climbing. that are enlarging their houses, and making them more sumptuous, have need to look well to the frame of their own spirits in the doing of it, and carefully to watch against all the workings of vain-glory.

Matthew 4

It is sad that men who have, in some measure, mastered their pleasure, which is _ sensual wickedness, should be ruined by their pride, which is spiritual wickedness, and no less dangerous. Here also, they have their reward, that praise and applause of men which they court and covet so much; they have it, and it is their all.

Many have unhumbled hearts under humbling providences, and look most haughty when God is bringing them down. This is striving with our maker.

Jeremiah 22

It is just with God that our enemies should make that their prey which we have made our prides The -King "of 'Tyre's palace, his treasury, his city, his navy, his army, these he glories in as his brightness, these, he thinks, make him illustrious and glorious as a god on earth. But all these the victorious enemy shall defile, shall deface, shall deform.

This direction about laying up our treasure, may very fitly be applied to the foregoing caution, of not doing what we do in religion to be seen of men. Our treasure is our alms, prayers, and fastings, and the reward of them; if we have done these only to gain the applause of men, we have laid up this treasure on earth, have lodged

Ezekiel 28 it in the hands of men, and must never expect to hear any further of it. Now it is folly to do this, for the praise of men we covet so much is liable to corruption: it will soon be rusted, and moth-eaten and tarnished; a little folly, Jike a dead fly, will spoil it all (Eccl. 10:1). Slander and calumny are thieves that break through and steal it away, and so we lose all the treasure of our performances; we have run in vain, and laboured in vain, because we misplaced our intentions in doing of them. Hypocritical services lay up _ nothing in heaven (Isa. 58:3); the gain of them is gone, when the soul is called for (Job. 27:8). But if we have prayed and fasted and The people were, generally, extremely proud of their privileges, confident of justification by their own _ righteousness, insensible of sin; and, though now under the most humbling providences, being lately made a province of the Roman Empire, yet they were unhumbled; they were much in the same temper as they were in Malachi's time, insolent and haughty, and ready to contradict the Word of God.

Matthew 3

Advancement in the world makes a man a fair mark for Satan to shoot his fiery darts at. God casts down, that he may raise up; the devil raises up, that he may cast down;

Pride given alms in truth and uprightness, with an eye to God and to his acceptance, and _ have approved ourselves to him therein, we have laid up that treasure in heaven.

He that had nothing to pay with (v. 25) fancied he could pay all. See how close pride sticks, even to awakened sinners; they are convinced, but not humbled.

Matthew 6

Matthew 18

They envied him, as Saul did his

It is a gracious ambition to covet to be really more holy than others, but it is a proud ambition to covet to appear father David, because of what the women sang of him (1 Sam.

18:7, 8). Note, those who bind up their happiness in the praise and applause of men, expose themselves to a perpetual uneasiness upon every favourable word that they hear said of any other. The shadow of honour followed Christ, who fled from it, and fled from the Pharisees, who were eager in the pursuit of it. so. It is good to excel in real piety; but) not "to exceed sin outward shows; for overdoing is justly suspected of design (Prov. 27:14). It is the guise of hypocrisy to make more ado than needs in external services.

For him that is taught in the word to give respect to him that teaches is commendable enough in him that gives it; but for him that teaches to love it, and demand it, and affect it, to be puffed up with it, and to be displeased if it be omitted, is sinful and abominable; and, instead of teaching, he has need to learn the first lesson in the school of Christ, which Matthew 12

They strive who it should be, each having some pretence or other to it. Peter was always the chief speaker, and already had the keys given him; he expects to be lord-chancellor, or lord-chamberlain of the household, and so to be the greatest. Judas had the bag, and therefore he expects to be lordtreasurer, which, though now he come last, he hopes, will then denominate him the greatis humility.

If God gives them repentance, they will be abased in their own eyes, and will abhor themselves for it; if they repent not, sooner or later they will be abased before the world. Nebuchadnezzar, in the height of his pride, was turned to be est. Simon and Jude are nearly related to Christ, and they hope to take place of all the great officers of state, as princes of the blood. John is the beloved disciple, the favourite of the Prince, and therefore hopes to be the greatest. Andrew was a fellow-commoner with the beasts; Herod, to be a feast for the worms: and Babylon, first called, and why should not he be first preferred? Note, we are very apt to amuse and humour ourselves with foolish fancies of things that will never that sat as a queen, to be the scorn of the nations. God made the proud and _ aspiring priests contemptible and base be. aad

Pride

(Mal. 2:9), and the lying prophet to be the tail (Isa. 9:15). But if proud men have not marks of humiliation set upon them in this world, there is a day coming when they shall rise to everlasting shame and contempt (Dan. 12:2); so plentifully will he reward the proud doer! (Pe n3 1223), charity we owe to others (for 'charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up') (1 Cor. 13:4), so it is a cheat upon ourselves; and there is not a more dangerous cheat in the world than self-deceit.

Galatians 6

The proud resists God; in his understanding he resists the truths of God; in his will he

Matthew 23

O what need have good men to take heed of pride, a corruption that arises out of the ashes of other corruptions! resists the laws of God; in his passions he resists the providences of God; and therefore no wonder that God sets himself against the proud.

Luke 15

James 4

Considering how great these Pharisees were, and what abundance of respect was paid them, one would think they needed not grudge Christ so inconsiderable a piece of honour as was now done him; but proud men would monopolize honour, and have none share with them, like Haman.

There is a mutual opposition between God and the proud, so the word signifies; they war against him, and he scorns them; 'he resisteth the proud', because they are like the devil, enemies to himself and to his kingdom among men (Prov. 3:34).

1 Peter 5

John 12

It is but too common for persons of very moderate knowledge and understanding to have

Priorities

The nearer the world comes to a great measure of self-conceit. its period the less value we should put on it. Because the time is short and the fashion of the world passes away let those that buy be as though they possessed not. One would put little value on an old house that is ready to drop down.

1 Corinthians 3

Those who receive all should be proud of nothing (Ps. 115:1). Beggars and dependents may glory in their supports; but to glory in themselves is to be proud at once of meanness, impotence, and want. Note, due attention to our obligations to divine grace would cure us of arrogance and self-conceit.

Leviticus 25

Now that the people were numbered, orders given for the dividing of the land and a General of the forces nominated and commissioned, one would have expected that the next chapter should begin the history

1 Corinthians 4

Self-conceit is but self-deceit:

as it is inconsistent with that

Priorities of the campaign or at least should give us an account of the ordinances of war. No, it conarts and sciences, the _ best knowledge.

2 Chronicles 8 tains the ordinances of worship and provides that now as they

Hezekiah immediately threw the church doors open and brought in the priests and Levites; he found Judah low and naked yet did not make it his first business to revive the civil interests of his were on the point of entering Canaan they should be sure to take their religion along with them.

Numbers 28 (Intro.) kingdom but to restore religion to its good posture again. Those that begin with God begin at the right end of their work and Lastly, he built for pleasure in Lebanon, for his hunting perhaps, or other diversions there. Let piety begin and profit proceed, and leave pleasure to the last.

it will prosper accordingly.

2 Chronicles 29

1 Kings 9

That which he chose for his study was the law of the Lord. The Chaldeans among whom he was born and bred were famed for literature especially the study of the stars to which, being a studious man, we may suppose that Ezra was tempted to apply himself but he got over the temptation; the law of his God was more to him.

When David is advanced to wealth and power, see what his cares and projects are. Not 'what shall I do for my children to get portions for them,' 'What shall I do to fill my coffers and enlarge my dominions?' but 'What shall I do for God to serve and honour him?' Those that are contriving where to bestow their fruits and their goods would do well to enquire what condition the ark is in and whether some may not be well bestowed upon it.

Ezra 7

A godly man has thoughts of the world, but they are his outward thoughts; his inward thought is reserved for God and heavenly things: but a worldly man has only some floating foreign thoughts of the things of God, while his fixed thought, his inward thought is about the world; that lies nearest his heart, and is upon the throne there.

1 Chronicles 17

Canaan was a rich country and yet must send to Ophir for gold. The Israelites were a wise and understanding people and yet must be beholden to the king of Tyre for men that had knowledge of the seas and yet Canaan was God's peculiar land and the Israelites God's peculiar people. This teaches us that grace and not gold is the best riches and acquaintance with God and his law, not with Psalm 49

Heavenly wisdom is better than worldly wealth, and to be preferred before it. Grace is more valuable than gold. Grace is the gift of God's peculiar favour; gold only of common providence. Grace is for ourselves,

Priorities is easy to answer, Because it was better bestowed upon the Lord Jesus. gold for others. Grace is for the soul and eternity; gold only for the body and time. Grace will stand us in stead in a dying hour, when gold will do us no good.

We need wisdom, when two duties come in competition, to know which to give the preference to, which must be determined by the circumstances. Opportunities are to be improved, and those opportunities first and most vigorously which are likely to be of the shortest continuance, and which we see most speedily hastening away. That good duty which may be done at any time ought to give way to that which cannot be done but just now.

Proverbs 16

The array of Solomon was very splendid and magnificent: he that had the peculiar treasure of kings and provinces, and so studiously affected pomp and gallantry, doubtless had _ the richest clothing, and the best made up, that could be got; especially when he appeared in his glory on high days. And yet, let him dress himself as fine as he could, he comes far short of the beauty of the lilies, and a bed of tulips outshines him. Let us, therefore, be ambitious of the wisdom of Solomon, in which he was outdone by none

John 12

The Romans were whole, and needed not the physician as other poor places that were sick and dying. While men and women were every day dropping into eternity, and their precious souls perishing for lack of vision, (wisdom to do our duty in our places), rather than the glory of Solomon, in which he was outdone by the lilies. Knowledge and grace are the perfection of man, not beauty, much less fine it was no time for Paul to trifle. There was now a gale of opportunity, the fields were white unto the harvest; such a season slipped might never be retrieved; the necessities of poor souls were pressing, and called aloud, and therefore Paul must be busy. It concerns us all to do that first which is most needful. clothes.

Matthew 6 'True it is', said Bishop Hooper, the night before he suffered martyrdom, 'that life is sweet, and death is bitter, but eternal death is more bitter, and eternal

Romans 15 life is more sweet.' As the happiness of heaven with Christ is enough to countervail the loss of

Private Devotion life itself for Christ, so the gain of all the world in sin is not sufficient to countervail the ruin of the soul by sin.

Our accustomed devotions morning and evening alone and with our families must not be omitted upon any pretence whatsoever; no, not when extra-

Mark 8

Judas asked, 'Why was it not given to the poor?' To which it ordinary services are to be performed. Whatever is added

Procrastination these must not be diminished. in spiritual privileges, would be a feast to many a soul; (Acts 13:42), Leviticus 9

If our devotions are ignorant and cold and trifling and full of distractions we offer the blind, the lame and the sick for sacrifices.

Matthew 15

Procrastination

Leviticus 22

If these five kings had humbled themselves in time and had begged peace instead of waging war, they might have saved their lives but now the decree had gone forth and they found no place for repentance or the It is hereby intimated that we must not seek occasions to abate our zeal in God's service nor be glad of an excuse to omit a good duty but rather rejoice in an opportunity of accumulating and doing more than ordinary in religion. If we perform family worship we must not think that this will excuse us from our secret devotions; nor that on the days we go to Church we need not worship God alone and with our families; but we should always abound in the work of the Lord. . . No extraordinary services should jostle out our stated devotions. reversal of the judgment. It was too late to expect it though perhaps they sought it carefully with tears.

Joshua 10

Perhaps when Amon sinned as his father did in the beginning of his days he promised himself that he should repent as his father did in the latter end of his days but his case shows what a madness it is to presume upon that. If he hoped to repent when he was old he was wretchedly disappointed for he was cut off when he was young.

Numbers 29

Privileges

As the ignorance of the uncircumcised shall not excuse their wickedness, so neither shall the privileges of the circumcised excuse theirs, but they shall be punished together. Note, the Judge of all the earth is impar-

2 Chronicles 33

It will be no thanks to us to leave the pleasures of sin when they have left us, nor to return to God when need forces us. It is the greatest absurdity and ingratitude imaginable to give the cream and flower of our days to the devil, and reserve the bran, and refuse, and dregs of them, for God; this is offering the torn and the lame, and the tial, and none shall fare the better at his bar for any external advantages.

Jeremiah 9

When we are ready to surfeit on the children's bread, we should remember how many there are, that would be glad of the crumbs. Our broken meat sick for sacrifice; and besides, old age being thus clogged with infirmities, it is the greatest folly imaginable to put off that

Procrastination off their great work to the needful work till then, which requires the best of our strength, when our faculties are in their prime, and especially to make the work more difficult by a longer continuance in sin, and, laying up treasures of guilt in the conscience, to add to the burdens of age and make them heavier. last, it is a thousand to one, that they have not time to do it then. Getting grace is a work of time, and cannot be done in a hurry. While the poor awakened soul addresses itself, upon a sick bed, to repentance and prayer, in awful confusion, it scarcely knows which end to begin at, or what to do first; and presently death comes, judgment comes, and the work is undone, and the poor sinner undone for ever. This comes of having oil to buy when we should burn it, and grace to get when we should use it.

Ecclesiastes 12

Where Satan cannot persuade men to look upon the judgment to come as a thing doubtful and uncertain, yet he gains his point by persuading them to look upon it as a thing at a distance, so that it loses its force: if it be sure, yet it is not near; whereas, in truth, 'the Judge stands before the door.'

Matthew 25

Promises

Ezekiel 11

God's promises are to be the guide and measure of our desires and expectations.

When ministers attend such as have been mindless of God and their souls all their days, but are under death-bed convictions; and, because true repentance is never too late, direct them to repent, and turn to God, and close with Christ; yet, because late repentance is seldom true, they do but as these wise virgins did by the foolish, even make the beste*ote bad:, Shey. ican but tell them what is to be done, if it be not too late; but whether the door may not be shut before it is done, is an unspeakable hazard. It is good advice now, if it be taken in time, "Go to them that sell, and buy for yourselves'. Note, those that would have grace, must have recourse to, and attend upon, the means of grace; see Isa. 55:1.

Genesis 28

This promise that he would drive them out from before the children of Israel plainly supposes it as the condition of the promise that the children of Israel must themselves attempt their extirpation, must go up against them, else they could not be said to be driven out before them. If afterwards Israel, through sloth or cowardice or affection to these idolaters, sit still and left them alone, they must blame themselves and not God if they be not driven

Out' 9. We must resist our spiritual enemies and then God will tread them under our feet.

Joshua 13

Gideon expected more from 300 men supported by a particular

With regard to those that put

Zo2

Promises promise than from so many thousands supported only by their own valour.

a full fountain of joy to all believers.

Psalm 60

Judges 8

Make sure grace and glory, and other things shall be added. This is a comprehensive promise, and is such an assurance of the present comfort of the saints that whatever they desire and think they need, they may be sure that either Infinite Wisdom sees it 1s not good for them or Infinite Goodness will give it to them in due time. Let it be our care to walk uprightly, and then let us trust God to give us everything that is good for us.

He prays for the performance of God's promise. I desire no more and I expect no less so full is the promise and so firm. Thus we must turn God's promises into prayers and then they shall be turned into performances for with God saying and doing are not two things as they often are with men. God will do as he has said.

2 Samuel 7

The promises of God are not only the best foundation of prayer, telling us what to pray for and encouraging our faith and hope in prayer, but they are a present answer to prayer. Let the prayer be made according to the promise, and then the promise may be read as a return to the prayer; and we are to believe the prayer is heard because the promise will be performed.

Psalm 84

Though our expectations are in some particular instances disappointed, yet God's promises are not disannulled; they are established in the very heavens (that is, in his eternal counsels); they are above the changes of this lower region and out of the reach of the opposition of hell and earth. The stability of the material heavens is an emblem of the truth of God's Word; the heavens may be clouded by vapours arising out of the earth, but they cannot be touched, they cannot' be changed.

We value the promise by the character of him that makes it. We may therefore depend upon God's promises; for good and upright is the Lord, and therefore he will be as good as his word. He is so kind that he cannot deceive us, so true that he cannot break his promise. Faithful is he who hath promised who also will do it. He was good in making the promise, and therefore will be upright in performing it.

Psalm 89

When the ten tribes were lost in Assyria, and the two almost lost in Babylon, the strength of that nation was weakened, and, in all appearance, its day shortened; for they said 'Our hope is lost, we are cut off for our parts' (Ezek. 37:11). And then what becomes of the promise that Shiloh should arise out of Judah, the star out

Psalm 25

God's word of promise, being a firm foundation of hope, is

Promises of Jacob, and the Messiah out of the family of David? If these fail, the promise fails. their ill behaviour. Obedience was the rent reserved by the lease, with a power to re-enter for non-payment.

Psalm 102

Jeremiah 11

What he has promised, he will perform, for it is the word both of his truth and of his power. An active faith can rejoice in what God has said, though it be not yet done; for with him, Though the return of the church's prosperity do not come in our time, we must not therefore despair of it, for it will come in God's time. Though those who said, 'The vessels of the Lord's house shall shortly' be brought again, prophesied a leA(vite 1G) Mivet, hes thatsaid:, 'They shall at length be brought again', prophesied the truth. Wes-are™ aptto "set our clock before God's dial, and then to quarrel because they do not agree; but the Lord is a God of judgment, and it is fit that we saying and doing are not two things, whatever they are with us.

Psalm 108

He pleads the promise of God, guides his desires by it, and grounds his hopes upon it.

Psalm 119

We doubt not of the birth of the child that is conceived, though we know not how it is formed; nor need we doubt of the performance of the promise, though we perceive not how things work towards it. And we may well trust God to provide for us that which is convenient without our anxious disquieting cares, and therein to recompense us for' our charity, since it was without any knowledge or forecast of ours that our bodies were curiously wrought in secret and our souls found the way into them. should wait for him.

Jeremiah 27 'As I have brought all this great evil upon them', pursuant to the threatenings, and for the glory of divine justice, 'So

I wil bring upon them all this good', pursuant to the promise, and for the glory of divine mercy. He that is faithful to his threatenings will much more be so to his promises; and he will comfort his people 'according to the time he has afflicted them.'

Jeremiah 32

Ecclesiastes 11

If God will do his part according to the promise, we must do ours according to the precept. Note, the promise of God's grace to enable us for our duty should engage and quicken our constant care and endeavour to do our duty. God's promises must drive

God was ready to fulfil the promise, but then they must fulfil Sthe? scondition;: if) "not; the promise is void, and it is Just with God to tum them out of possession. Being brought in upon their good behaviour, they had no wrong done them if they were turned out upon us to his precepts as our rule, and then his precepts must send us back to his promises for

Promises strength, for without his grace we can do nothing. from the mouth of our Lord Jesus, and all to encourage faith, Ezekiel 36 the principal grace, and prayer, the. -principal!- duty, .—ol-sua Christian.

God's promises are intended, not to supersede, but to excite and encourage, our prayers; and, when we see the day of the performance of them approaching, we should the more earnestly plead them with God and put them in suit.

'All things', in general; 'whatsoever', bring it to particulars; though generals include particulars, yet such is the folly of our unbelief, that, though we think we assent to promises in the general, yet we fly off when it comes to particulars.

Daniel 9

God often answers prayer with good words, when he does not Matthew 21 immediately appear in. great works; and those good words are real answers to. prayer. Men's good words will not feed the body (James 2:16), but God's good words will feed the faith, for saying and doing with him are not two things, though they are with us.

It was a great mercy that God's words should be fulfilled in their season, notwithstanding his sinful distrust. The unbelief of man shall not make the promises of God of no effect, they shall be fulfilled in their season, and he shall not be for ever dumb, but only till the day that these things shall be' performed, and then thy lips shall be opened, that thy mouth may show forth God's praise. Thus, though God chastens the iniquity of his people with the rod, yet his loving kindness he will not take away.

Zechariah 1

Christ's promises make his precepts easy, and his yoke not only tolerable, but pleasant, and sweet, and very comfortable; yet this promise was as much a trial of this young man's faith

Luke 1 as the precept was of his charity, and contempt of the world.

Matthew 19

An earnest secures the promise, and is part of the payment. The illumination of the Spirit

Faith is the soul, prayer is the body; both together make a complete man for any service. Faith, if it be right, will excite prayer; and prayer is not right, if it do not spring from faith. This is the condition of our receiving — we must ask in prayer, believing. The requests of prayer shall not be denied; the expectations of faith shall not be frustrated. We have many promises to this purport is an earnest of everlasting light; the quickening of the Spirit is an earnest of everlasting life; and the comforts of the Spirit are an earnest of everlasting joy. Note, the veracity of God, the mediation of Christ, and the operation of the Spirit, are all engaged that the promises shall be sure to all the seed.

2 Corinthians 1

Prophecy

Prophecy

We commonly give it as a reason why the prophecies of scripture are expressed darkly and figuratively, because, if they did plainly describe the event, the accomplishment would thereby either be defeated or necessitated by a fatality inconsistent with human liberty; and yet this plain and express prophecy of Peter's denying Christ did neither, "nor did' in?' the? least make Christ accessory to Peter's sin.

But now they see both plainly enough when the sentence is executed; now he that runs may read, and publish the exact agreement that appears between the present providences and the former predictions which then were slighted, between the present punishments and _ the former sins which then were persisted in. Now they cannot but say, 'The Lord is righteous'

John 13

Zechariah 1

It is possible that men may be fulfilling scripture prophecies, even when they are breaking scripture precepts, particularly in the persecution of the church, Christ's preaching was mostly practical; but, in this chapter, we have a prophetical discourse, a prediction of things to come; such however as had a practical tendency, and was intended, not to gratify the curiosity of his disciples, but to guide their consciences and conversations, and it is therefore concluded with practical application. The church has always had particular prophecies, besides general promises, both for direction and for encouragement to believers; but it is observable, Christ preached this prophetical sermon in the close of his ministry, as in the persecution of Christ. And this justifies the reason which is sometimes given for the obscurity of scripture prophecies, that, if they were too plain and obvious, the accomplishment of them would thereby be prevented.

ACES LS

Prophets

The prophets were sent in the as the Apocalypse is the last book of the New Testament, and the prophetical books of the Old Testament are placed last, first place to teach them the knowledge of God, to remind them of their duty, and direct them in it. If they succeeded not in that, their next work was to reprove them for their sins and to set them in view before them, that they might repent and reform and return to their duty. If in this they prevailed not, but sinners went on frowardly, their next work was to foretell the judgments of God that the terror of them might awaken those to to intimate to us, that we must be well grounded in plain truths and duties, and those must first be well digested, before we dive into those things that are dark and difficult; many run themselves into confusion by beginning their Bible at the wrong end.

Matthew 24

Protection

Prosperity is the unhappy occasion of much iniquity; it makes people conceited of themselves, indulgent of the flesh, forgetful of God, in love with the world, and deaf to the reproofs of the Word. See (30:6). It is good for us, when we are afflicted, to remember how and wherein we went astray before we were afflicted, that we may answer the end of the affliction. repentance who would not be made sensible of the obligations of his love or else that the execution of them in their season might be a demonstration of the divine mission of the prophets that foretold them.

2 Kings 21

Prosperity of the Wicked

Psalm 119

Before Job will enquire into the reasons of the prosperity of wicked men he asserts God's omniscience, as one prophet, in

Protection a similar case, asserts his righteousness (Jer. 12:1) another his holiness (Hab. 1:13), another his goodness to his own people

This was done and recorded in order to encourage God's people in all ages to trust in him in the greatest straits. What cannot he do who did this? What will he not do for those who fear and love him who did this for those murmuring, unbelieving Israelites?

(Ps. 73:1). General truths must be held fast, though we may find it difficult to reconcile them to particular events.

Job 24

Exodus 14 'When the wicked spring as the grass' in spring (so numerous, so thickly sown, so green, and growing so fast) 'and all the workers of iniquity do flourish' in pomp, and power, and all the instances of outward prosperity, are easy and many, and succeed in their enterprises, one would think that all this was in order to their being happy, that it was a certain evidence of God's

Those places only are walled up to heaven that are compassed with God's favour as with a shield.

Deuteronomy 1

When God pleads his people's

cause, he can deal with giants

as With grasshoppers.

Deuteronomy 3 favour and an earnest of something as good or better in reserve; but it is quite otherwise; it is 'that they shall be destroyed for ever'. The very 'prosperity of fools shall slay them.' (Prov. 1:32). The sheep that are designed for the slaughter are put into the fattest pasture.

Those that are in the way of God and their duty may expect that Providence will protect them but this will not excuse them from taking all prudent methods for their own safety. God will keep us but then we must not wilfully expose ourselves. Providence must be trusted but not tempted. Calvin thinks that their charge to Psalm 92

Zo7

Protection

Rahab to keep this matter secret and not to utter it was intended for her safety lest she, boasting of her security from the sword of Israel should, before they came to protect her, fall into the hands of the King of Jericho and be put to death for treason. Thus do they prudently advise her for her safety as she advised them for theirs. the world to depend upon it. He is able to protect them in the way of their duty (for wisdom and might are his) and he actually intends their protection. A practical disbelief of this is at the bottom of all our departures from God and double dealing with him. Asa could not .trust God and, therefore, made court to Benhadad.

2 Chronicles 16

Joshua 2

He was out of the way of his duty, had been out upon an expedition which he could not well account for to God and his conscience and yet he returned in peace for God is not extreme to mark what we do amiss nor does he withdraw his protection every time we forfeit it.

The wisdom of God is never at a loss for ways and means to preserve his people. As_ this Saul was diverted, so another Saul was converted just then when he was breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the saints of the Lord.

1 Samuel 23

2 Chronicles 19

Saul for the present desisted from the persecution. . . He went home .. . vexed that when If we think to secure ourselves by prayer only, without watchfulness, we are slothful and tempt God; if by watchfulness, without prayer, we are proud and slight God; and, either way, we forfeit his protection. at last he had found David he could not at that time find in his heart to destroy him as he had designed. God has many ways to tie the hands of persecutors, when he does not turn their hearts.

Nehemiah 4

God's peculiar people are taken under his special protection, they and all that belong to them; divine grace makes a hedge about their spiritual life, and divine providence about their natural life, so they are safe and easy.

1 Samuel 24

Never let the Church's friends be disheartened by the power and pride of the Church's enemies. We need not fear great men against us while we have the great God for us. What will a finger more on each hand do

Jobl or a toe more on each foot, in contest with Omnipotence?

God easily can, and (as far as is for his glory) certainly will, blast and defeat all the designs of his and his people's enemies. How were the plots. of Ahithophel, Sanballat, and Haman baffled! How were the 1 Chronicles 20

Those whose hearts are upright with him may be sure of his protection and have all the reason in

Protection confederacies of Syria and Ephraim against Judah, of Gebal, and Ammon, _ and Amalek, against God's Israel, the kings of the earth and the princes against the Lord and against his anointed, broken! The hands that have been stretched out against God and his church have not performed their enterprise, nor have the weapons formed against Sion prospered. make him easy than if all the kings and potentates of the earth should undertake to protect him.

Psalm 118

Those that love God and are beloved of him, have their minds easy and live very comfortably without this ado. Solomon was called JedidiahBeloved of the Lord (2 Sam. 12:25); to him the kingdom was promised, and then it was in vain for Absalom to rise up early, to wheedle the people, and for Adonijah to make such

Jobs

There is no flying from God's hand but by flying to it. It is very comfortable, when we are in fear of the power of man, to see it dependent upon and in subjection to the power of God. (See Isa. 10: 6, 7, 15). a stir, and to say, 'I will be king'. Solomon sits still, and being, 'beloved of the Lord', to him he gives sleep and the kingdom too.

Psalm 127

Psalm 17 'Lord, thou has kept me in the day of battle with the Philistines, suffer me not to fall by the treacherous intrigues of God protects believers, 1. With the greatest tenderness and affection which is intimated in that, 'He shall cover thee with his feathers, under his wings', which alludes to the hen gathering her chickens under her wings . .. 2. With the greatest power and efficacy. Wings and false-hearted Israelites.' God is as able to preserve his people from secret fraud as from open force; and the experience we have had of his power and care, in dangers of one kind, may encourage us to trust in him and depend upon him in dangers of another nature; for nothing can shorten the Lord's right hand. feathers, though spread with the greatest tenderness, are yet weak, and easily broken through, and therefore it is added, 'His truth shall be thy shield and buckler', a strong defence. God is as willing to guard his people as the hen is to guard the chickens, and as able as a man of war in armour.

Psalm 140

The wicked have falien into the distresses which they thought themselves far from, nay, which they had been instrumental to bring the righteous into, so that Psalm 91

He that devotes himself to God's guidance and government, with they seem to come in their stead, as a ransom for the just. Mordecai is saved from the gallows, Daniel from the lion's an entire dependence upon God's wisdom, power and goodness, has a better security to

Protection den, and Peter from the prison; and their persecutors come in their stead. The Israelites are delivered out of the Red Sea and the Egyptians drowned in and none of them perished with the unbelieving Jews.

Ezekiel 9

The angel's presence made even the lions' den his strong-hold, his palace, his paradise; he had never had a better night in his it. So precious are the saints in God's eye that he gives men for them (Isa. 43:3, 4).

Proverbs 11 life. See the power of God over the fiercest creatures, and believe his power to restrain the roaring lion that 'goes about continually seeking to devour' from hurting those that are his. See the care God takes of his faithful worshippers, especially when he calls them out to suffer for him. If he keeps their souls from sin, comforts their souls with his peace, and receives their souls to himself, he does in effect 'stop the lions' mouths', that they cannot hurt them. See how ready the angels are to minister for the good of God's people, for they own themselves their 'fellow servants'.

He will keep it constantly, night and day, and not without need, for the enemies are restless in their designs and attempts against it, and, both night and day, seek an opportunity to do it a mischief. God will keep it in the night of affliction and persecution, and in the day of peace and _ prosperity, the temptations of which are no less dangerous.

Isaiah 27

'Come not near any man upon whom is the mark'; do not so much as threaten or frighten any of them; it is promised them that there shall no evil come nigh them, and therefore you must keep at a distance from them. The king of Babylon gave particular orders that Jeremiah should be protected. Baruch and Ebed-melech were secured, and, it is likely, others of Jeremiah's friends, for his sake. God had promised that Daniel 6

God calls those to serve the interests of his church whom he either finds, or makes fit, for it. If there be horns (which denote the force and fury of beasts) against the church, there are carpenters (which denote the wisdom and forecast of men) for the church, by which they find ways to master the strongest beasts, for 'every kind of beast is tamed, and has been tamed, of mankind' (James 3:7). it should go well with his remnant and they should be well treated (Jer. 15:11); and we have reason to think that none of the mourning praying remnant fell by the sword of the Chaldeans, but that God found out some way or other to secure them all, as, in the last destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans, the Christians were Zechariah 1

Some think it alludes to shepherds that made fires about their flocks, or travellers that made fires about their tents in desert places, to frighten wild all secured in a city called Pella,

Providence

beasts from them. God will not

The safety and _ preservation of the saints are owing, not only to the divine grace in proportioning the strength to the trial, but to the divine providence in proportioning the only 'make a hedge' about them as he did about Job (ch. 1:10), not only make walls and bulwarks about them (Isa. 26:1) (those may be battered down), not only be as the mountains round about them (Ps. 125:2), trial to the strength.

John 18 (mountains may be got over), but he will be a wall of fire round them, which cannot be broken through, nor scaled, nor undermined, nor the foundations of it sapped, nor can it be attempted, or approached, without danger to the assailants. God will not only make a wall of fire about her, but he will himself be such a wall; for 'our God is a consuming fire' to his and his church's enemies. He is

Providence

God sometimes removes useful men when we think they can ill be spared but this ought to satisfy us that they are never removed till they have done the work which was appointed them.

Numbers 31

The case was indeed _ very lamentable that so good a man, a wall of fire, not on one side only, but round about on every side. a prophet so faithful and so bold in God's cause, should for one offence die as a criminal, while an old lying prophet lives as at ease and an _ idolatrous prince in pomp and power. Thy way, O God, is in the sea and thy path in great waters. We cannot judge of men by their sufferings nor of sins by their present punishments.

Zechariah 2

It is true, there is such a promise of the ministration of angels, for the protection of the saints. The devil knows it by experience; for he finds his attempts against them fruitless, and hé frets and rages at it, as he did at the hedge about Job, which he speaks of so sensibly (Job 1:10).

1 Kings 13

Matthew 4

Jacob had foretold that the seed of Ephraim should become a multitude of nations and yet that plant is thus nipped in the bud. God's providences often seem to contradict his promises but when they do so they really magnify the promise and make the performance of it notwithstanding so much the more illustrious.

Christ had his hour set, which was to put a period to his day and work on earth; so have all his people and all his ministers, and, till that hour comes, the attempts of their enemies against them are ineffectual, and their day shall be lengthened as long as their Master has any work for them to do; nor can all the powers of hell and earth prevail against them, until they have finished their testimony.

1 Chronicles 7

If God give quietness who then

John 7

Providence can make trouble (Job 34:29). Those have rest indeed to whom God gives rest; peace indeed to whom Christ gives peace; not as the world giveth (John 14:27), Now Asa takes notice of the rest they had as the gift of God . . . God must be acknowledged with thankfulness in the rest we are blessed with of body and mind, family and country and as the reward of the reformation begun because we have sought the Lord our God he has given us rest. N.B. As the frowns and rebukes of Providence should be observed for a check to us in an evil way, so. the smiles of Providence should be taken notice of for our encouragement in that which is good.

Ahab, disguising himself, arming himself, thereby as he thought securing himself and yet slain. No art, no arms can save those whom God has appointed to ruin. What can hurt those whom God will protect and what can shelter those whom God will destroy? Jehoshaphat is safe in his robes. Ahab killed in his armour for the race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong.

2 Chronicles 18

What is intended for the prejudice of the church has often by the over-ruling providence of God, been made serviceable to it (Phil. 1:12). The enemies of the Jews in appealing to Darius hoped to get an order to suppress them but instead of that they got an order to supply them, thus out of the eater comes forth meat.

2 Chronicles 14

God governs the world in infinite wisdom and the creatures and all their actions are continually under his eye. The eye of Providence is quicksighted. It runs, it

Ezra 6

Observe: 1. How kind the king was to him. He granted him all his requests, whatever he desired to put him in a capacity to serve his country. 2. How kind his people were to him. When he went many more went with him, because they desired not to stay in Babylon when he had gone thence and because they would venture to dwell in Jerusalem when he had gone _ thither. 3. How kind his God was to him. He obtained this favour from his king and country by the good hand of the Lord that was upon him. (v. 6, 9). Note: Every creature is that to us which God makes it to be ...As we must see the events that shall occur in the hand of God, so we must see is intent, it runs to and fro Tait reaches far through the whole earth no corner of which is from under it, not the most dark or distant and his eye directs his hand and the arm of his power for he shows himself strong. Does Satan walk to and fro in the earth? Providence runs to and fro, is never out of the way, never to seek, never at a loss.

2 Chronicles 16

God has all men's hearts in his hand and turns them as he pleases, contrary to their own first intentions, to serve his purposes. Many are moved unaccountably both to themselves and others but an_ invisible power moves them. Wicked

Providence be finished. He performs ll that, and that only, which was appointed, and in the appointed time and method. This may silence us, for what is appointed cannot be altered. But to consider that, when God_ was appointing us to eternal life and glory as our end, he was appointing to this condition, this affliction, whatever it is, in our way, this may do more than silence us, it may satisfy the hand of God in the events that do occur and acknowledge him with thankfulness when we have reason to call it his good hand.

Ezra 7

He gained his point, not according to his merit, his interest in the king, or his good management, but according to the good hand of his God upon him. Gracious souls take notice of God's hand, his good hand, in us" that' it is. all for the best; though what he does we know not now, yet we shall know hereafter. all events which turn in favour of them. This is the Lord's doing, and therefore doubly acceptable.

Job 23

Nehemiah 2

What is lighter than the wind?

Yet God hath ways of poising

We cannot now expect such miracles to be wrought for us it. He knows how to make the weight for the winds, which he brings out of his treasuries as were for Israel when they were brought out of Egypt, but we may expect that in such ways as God here took to defeat Haman's plot he will (P3399 136 7) ekeeping, Cam very particular account of what he draws out, as men do of what they pay out of their treasuries, not at random, as men bring out their trash. Nothing sensible still protect his people.

Esther (Intro.)

is to us more unaccountable than the wind. We hear the sound of it, yet cannot tell whence it comes, nor whither

Her case was at present very discouraging. Providence so ordered it that, just at this juncture, she was under a cloud, it goes; but God gives it out by weight, wisely ordering both from what point it shall blow and with what strength. The waters of the sea, and the rainwaters, he both weighs and measures, allotting the proportion of every tide and every shower. A great and constant communication there is between clouds and seas, the waters above the firmament and those under it. Vapours go up, rains come down, air is condensed into water, water rarefied into air; but the great God and the king's affections cooled towards her, for she had been kept from his presence thirty days, that her faith and courage might be the more tried, and that God's goodness in the favour she now found with the king notwithstanding might shine the brighter.

Esther 4

Whatever happens to us, it is God that performs it (Ps. 57:2), and an admirable performance the whole will appear to be when the mystery of God shall

Providence keeps an exact account of all the stock with which this trade take more care of us than we do of ourselves, we should be miserable; we would destroy ourselves, but he would have us saved, and devises means, by his grace, to undo that by which we were undoing ourselves. is carried on for the public benefit and sees that none of it be lost.

Now if, in these things, Providence be so exact, much more in dispensing frowns and favours, rewards and_ punishments, to the children of men, according to the rules of equity.

Job 33

God does nothing mean. This is a good reason why we should acquiesce in all the operations of his providence concerning us in particular. His visible works, those of nature, and which concern the world in general, are such as we admire and commend, and in which we observe the Creator's wisdom, power, and goodness; shall we then find fault with his dispensations concerning us, and the counsels of his will concerning our affairs?

Job 28

God's great and gracious design, in all the dispensations of his providence towards the children of men, is to save them from being for ever miserable and to bring them to be for ever happy (v. 29, 30). All these things God is working with the children of men. He deals with them by conscience, by providences, by ministers, by mercies, by afflictions. He makes them sick and makes them well again. All these are his operations.

Job 36

This is a remarkable instance of the extent of the divine provi-

All providences are to be looked upon as God's workings with man, his strivings with him. He uses a variety of methods to do men good; if one affliction do not do the work, he will try another; if neither do, he will try a mercy; and he will send a messenger to interpret both. He often works such things as these twice, thrice; so it is in the original referring to (v. 14). He speaks once, yea twice; if that prevail not, he works twice, yea thrice; he changes his method (we have piped, we have mourned), returns again to the same method, repeats the same applications. Why does he take all this pains with man? dence to things that seem minute, as this of the exact number of a man's cattle, as also of the harmony of providence, and the reference of one event to another; for 'known unto God are all his works, from the beginning to the end'. Job's other possessions, no doubt, were increased in proportion to his cattle, lands, money, servants, etc. So that, if before, he was the greatest of all the men of the east, what was he now?

Job 42

concerning his people are commonly mixed — mercy and judgment; _ God has set the one over against

It is to bring back his soul from the pit (v. 30). If God did not the other, and appointed them April-days, showers and sunshine.

Providence must acknowledge God with thankfulness. In all our ways that prove cross and uncomfortable, and that are hedged up with thorns, we must acknowledge God _ with — submission.

It was so with David and his family; when there was mercy in the return of the ark there was judgment in the death of Wzzar

Psalm 101

Proverbs 3

He looks round, and_ takes notice of the works of God in God can change men's minds, can, by a powerful insensible operation upon their spirits, turn them from that which they seemed most intent upon, and incline them to that which they seemed most averse to, as the husbandman, by canals and gutters, turns the water through his grounds as he pleases, which does not alter the nature of the water, nor put any force upon the visible creation, and the providential government of the world: 'I meditate on all thy works.' Many see them, but do not see the footsteps of God's wisdom, power, and goodness in them, and do not receive the benefit they might by them because they do _ not meditate upon them; they do not dwell on that copious curious subject, but soon quit it, any more than God's providence does upon the native freedom of man's will, but directs the course of it to serve his own purpose. it, as if they had exhausted it, when they have — scarcely touched upon it.

Psalm 143

Proverbs 21

We must believe that he is able to do what he will, wise to do what is best, and good, according to his promise, to do what He makes some poor, to exercise their patience, and contentment, and dependence upon God, and others rich, to exercise their thankfulness and beneficence. is best for us, if we love him and serve him. In all our conduct we must be diffident of our own judgment, and confident of God's wisdom, power and goodness, and_ therefore must follow Providence and not force it. That often proves best which was least our own doing. . . We must not only in our judgment believe that there

Proverbs 22

While the picture is in drawing, and the house in building, we see not the beauty of either; but when the artist has put his last hand to them, and given them their finishing strokes, then all appears very good. We see but the middle of God's works, not from the beginning of them (then we should see how admirably the plan was laid in the divine counsels), nor to the end of them, which crowns the action (then we should see is an over-ruling hand of God ordering and disposing of us and all our affairs, but we must solemnly own it, and address ourselves to him accordingly. . . In all our ways that prove direct, and fair, and pleasant, in which we gain our point to our satisfaction, we

Providence the product to be glorious); but we must wait till the veil be rent, and not arraign God's proceedings nor pretend to pass a judgment on them. hand of a righteous Judge.

Jeremiah 24

Those do better for themselves who patiently submit to the rebukes of Providence than those who contend with them.

Ecclesiastes 3

The little difference there is between the conditions of the righteous and the wicked in this world: there is one event to both. Is David rich? So is Nabal. Is Joseph favoured by his prince? So is Haman. Is Ahab killed in a battle? So is Josiah. Are the bad figs carried

Jeremiah 38

Both the powers of nature and the wills of men are all made to serve the intention, which they infallibly and irresistibly effect, though perhaps they mean not so, neither doth their heart think so (Isa. 10:7; Micah 4:11, 12). Thus, though the will of God's precepts be not done on earth as it to Babylon? So are the good (Jer. 24:1). There is a vast difference between the original, the design, and the nature, of is done in heaven, yet the will of his purpose and counsel is, and shall be. The wheel is said to have four faces, looking four several ways (v. 15), denoting that the providence of God exerts itself in all parts of the world, east, west, north, and south, and extends itself to the remotest corners of it. the same event to the one and to the other; the effects and issues of it are likewise. vastly different; the same providence to the one is a savour of life unto life, to the other, of death unto death, though, to outward appearance, it is the same.

Ecclesiastes 9

Ezekiel 1

This short chapter helps us to put a very comfortable construction upon a great many long ones, by showing us that the same providence which to some is a 'savour of death

But though the sword cut off the righteous and the wicked (for it devours one as well as another) (2 Sam. 11:25), yet far be it from us to think that the righteous are as the wicked (Gen. 18:25). No, God's graces and comforts make a great difference when his providence seems to make none. The good figs are sent into Babylon for their good (Jer. 24:5, 6). It is only in outward appearance that there is one event to the righteous and to the wicked (Eccles. 9:2). unto death' may by the grace and blessing of God be made to others a 'savour of life unto life'; and that, 'though God's people share with others in the same calamity, yet it is not the same to them that it is to others, but is designed for their good and shall issue in their good; to them it is a correcting rod in the hand of

Ezekiel 21

a tender Father, while to others

it is an avenging sword in the

Providence seemed to favour

Prudence his design, and give him an opportunity to escape. We may be out of the way of duty and yet may meet with a favourable gale. The ready way is not always the right way. price, and so the sale of those lands would raise the more money.

Acts 4

A strange chemistry of Providence this, to extract so great a good as the enlargement of the gospel out of so great an evil as the confinement of the apostle.

Jonah 1

Some think that Christ here alludes to the two. sparrows that were used in cleansing the leper (Lev. 14:4—6); the two birds in the margin are called sparrows; of these, one was killed, and so fell to the ground, the other was let go. Now it seemed a casual thing which of the two was killed; the persons employed took which they pleased, but God's providence designed, and determined which. Now this God, who has Philippians 1

Prudence

A just man may perish in his righteousness, but let him not, by his own imprudence and rash zeal, pull trouble upon his _ own head, and then reflect upon Providence as_ dealing hardly with him. 'Be not righteous overmuch' (v. 16). In the acts of righteousness govern thyself by the rules of prudence, and be not transported, no, not by a zeal for God, into any intemperate heats or passions, or any _ practices unbecoming thy character or dangerous to thy interests.' Note, there may be over-doing in well-doing. Self denial and mortification of the flesh are good; but if we prejudice our health by them, and unfit ourselves for the service of God, we are righteous overmuch. To reprove those that offend is good, but to cast that pearl before swine, who will tum again and rend us, is to be righteous overmuch. such an eye to the sparrows, because they are his creatures, much more will have an eye to you, who are his children.

Matthew 10

God has a sovereignty over all his creatures and an exclusive right in them, and may make them serviceable to his glory in such a way as he thinks fit, in doing or suffering; and if God be glorified, either by us or in us, we were not made in vain.

John 9 'As many as had possession of lands or houses sold them' (v. 34). Dr. Lightfoot computes that this was the year of jubilee in the Jewish nation, the fiftieth year (the twenty-eighth since they settled in Canaan fourteen hundred years ago), so that, what was sold that year being Why shouldest thou destroy thyself, as fools often do by meddling with strife that belongs not to them? Why shouldst thou provoke authority, and run not,, toe return) 'till, the, «next jubilee, lands then took a good

Prudence thyself into the briers, by needless contradictions, and by going out of thy sphere to correct what is amiss? Be wise as serpents, beware of men. recede from our right, rather than give offence by insisting upon it. We must never decline our duty for fear of giving offence (Christ's preaching and miracles offended them, yet he went on with them (Matt. 15: Ecclesiastes 7

It is the will of Christ that his people and ministers, being so much exposed to troubles in this world, as they usually are, should not needlessly expose themselves, but use all fair and lawful means for their own preservation. Christ gave us an example of this wisdom (ch. 21:24, 25; 22:17—19; John 8:6, 7); besides the many escapes he made out of the hands of his enemies, till his hour was come. See an instance of Paul's wisdom (Acts 23:6, 7). In the cause of Christ we must sit loose to life and all its comforts, but must not be prodigal of them. It is the wisdom of the serpent to secure his head, that that may not be broken, 'to stop his ear to the voice of the charmer' (Ps. 58:4, 5), and to take shelter in the clefts of the rocks; and herein we may be wise as serpents. We must be wise, not to pull trouble upon our own heads; wise to keep silence in an evil time, and not to give offence, if we can help

12, 13), better offend men than God); but we must sometimes deny ourselves in that which is our secular interest, rather than give offence; as Paul (1 Cor. 8: 13;Rom. 14:13). Matthew 17

In times of imminent peril and danger, it is not only lawful, but our duty, to seek our own preservation by all good and honest means; and if God opens a door of escape, we ought to make our escape, otherwise we do not trust God but tempt him.

While we only go out of the way of danger, not out of the way of duty, we may trust God to provide a dwelling for his outcasts (Isa. 16:4, 5). In times of public calamity, when it is manifest that we cannot be serviceable at home and may be safe abroad, Providence calls us to make our escape. He that flees, may fight again.

Matthew 24

It.

Matthew 10

The prudence of the serpent would have directed them to be silent, and, though they could not with a good conscience promise that they would not preach the gospel any more, yet they needed not tell the rulers that they would. But the boldness of the lion directed them thus to set both the authority and the malignity of their persecutors at defiance.

Therefore Christ drops that argument, and considers, that if he should refuse this payment, it would increase people's prejudice against him and his doctrine, and alienate their affections from him, and therefore he resolve to pay it. Note, Christian prudence and humility teach us, in many cases, to Acts 4

Reactions

The ceremonial law, though it was by no means to be imposed the better; it is the more like heaven. upon the Gentile converts (as the false teachers would have it, and thereby endeavoured to subvert the gospel), yet it was not become unlawful as yet to those that had been bred up in the observance of it, but were far from expecting justification by it. It was dead, but not buried; dead, but not yet deadly.

In religious assemblies God has promised the presence of his grace, but we must also, in them, have an eye to his glorious presence, that the familiarity we are admitted to may not breed the least contempt; for he is terrible in his holy places, and therefore greatly to be feared. A holy awe of God must fall upon us, and fill us, in all our approaches to God.

Acts 21

Public Worship

Psalm &9

God has a love for the dwellings of Jacob, has a gracious regard to religious families and accepts their family worship. Yet, he loves the gates of Zion better, not only better than any, but better than all, of the dwellings of Jacob. God was worshipped in the dwellings of Jacob, and family worship is family duty, which must by no means be neglected; yet, when they come in competition, public worship

Pulpit Exchanges

Ezekiel is now among the captives in Babylon; but, as Jeremiah at Jerusalem wrote for the use of the captives though they had Ezekiel upon the spot with them (ch. 29), so Ezekiel wrote for the use of Jerusalem, though Jeremiah himself was resident there; and yet they were far from looking upon it as an affront to one another, or an interference with one another's business; for ministers have need of one another's help both by preaching and writing. Jeremiah wrote to the captives for their consolation, which was the thing they needed; Ezekiel here is directed to write to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for their conviction and _ humiliation, which was the thing they needed.

(other things being equal) is to be preferred before private.

Psalm &7

Thy faithfulness and the truth of thy promise, that rock on which the church is built, shall be praised in the congregation of the saints, who owe their all to that faithfulness, and whose constant comfort it is that there is a promise, and that he is faithful that promised. It is expected from God's saints on earth that they praise him; who should, if they do not? Let every saint praise him, but especially the congregation of saints; when they come together, let them join in praising God. The more

Ezekiel 16

Reactions

To render good for good is human, evil for evil is brutish,

Reactions good for evil is Christian, but for his sin in that matter and was instrumental to bring him to repentance. It seems he loved him the better for it as long as he lived. It is wisdom to esteem those our best friends that deal faithfully with us. evil for good is devilish; it is so very absurd and wicked a thing that we cannot think but God will avenge it.

Jeremiah 18

1 Chronicles 3

Rebellion Against God

This description of the warhorse will help to explain that character which is given of presumptuous sinners (Jer. 8:6). Every one turneth to his course, If God's professing people degenerate from what themselves and their fathers were, they must expect to be told of it; and it is well if a just reproach will help to bring us as the horse rusheth into the battle. When a man's heart is fully set in him to do evil, and he is carried on in a wicked way by the violence of inordinate appetites and passions, there is no making him afraid of the wrath of God and the fatal consequences of sin. Let his own conscience set before him the curse of the law, the death that is the wages of sin, and all the terrors of the Almighty in battle-array; he mocks at this fear, and is not affrighted, neither turns he back from the flaming sword of the cherubim. Let ministers lift up their voice like a trumpet, to proclaim the wrath of God against him, he believes not that it is the sound of the trumpet, nor that God and his heralds are in earnest with him; but what will be in the end hereof it is easy to foresee, to a true repentance.

Psalm 79

Many that would be very well pleased to hear the information of the wise, and much more to have their commendations and consolations yet do not care for hearing their rebukes, that is, care not for being told of their faults, though ever so wisely; but therein they are no friends to themselves, for reproofs of instruction are the way cf life (Prov. 6:23), and, though they be not so pleasant as the song of fools, they are more wholesome. To hear, not only with patience, but with pleasure, the rebuke of the wise, is a sign and means of wisdom.

Ecclesiastes 7

Job 39

Peter was not so sharply reproved for disowning and denying his master in his sufferings as he was for dissuading him from them; though that was the defect, this the excess of kindness.

Rebukes

One of them which Bath-Sheba bore to him he called Nathan, probably in honour of Nathan the prophet who reproved him

Matthew 16

Refuge of Lies

Recording God's Visits so and so 'J received from the Lord'. Truth was from the beginning; we must therefore enquire for the good old way (Jer. 6:16), and must reform, not by later patterns, but by It may be of use to keep an account when and where God has been pleased to manifest himself to our souls in a peculiar manner, that the return of the day, and our returm to the place of the altar (Gen. 13:4), may revive the pleasing grateful remembrance of God's favour to us. 'Remember, O my soul! and never forget what communications of divine love thou didst receive at such a time, at such a place; tell others what God did for thee'. ancient rules.

Matthew 19

The house is swept, but it is not washed; and Christ hath said, 'If I wash thee not, thou hast,,.no part, with. me >. .the house must be washed, or it is none of his. Sweeping takes off only the loose dirt, while the sin that besets the sinner, the beloved sin, is untouched.

Ezekiel 1

It is swept from the filth that lies 'open to, the eye of ithe world, but it is not searched and ransacked for secret filthiness (Matt. 23:25). It is swept, but the 'leprosy is in the wall', and will be till something more be done.

Reformation

As justice and charity will never atone for atheism and profaneness, so prayers and sacrifices will never atone for fraud and oppression; for righteousness towards men is as much a branch of pure religion

Luke 11

Refuge of Lies as religion towards God is a branch of universal righteousness.

The prophets gave them fair warning, but they turned it off with a jest: 'They do but talk

If we make ourselves clean by repentance and _ reformation (v. 16), God will make us white by a full remission. so, because it is their trade; they are words of course, and words are but wind. It is not the word of the Lord that is in them; it is only the language of their melancholy fancy or their

Isaiah 1

Corruptions that are crept into any ordinance of God must be purged out by having recourse to the primitive institution. If the copy be vicious, it must be examined and corrected by the original. Thus, when St. Paul would redress the grievances in ill will to their country, because they are not preferred.' Note, impenitent sinners are not willing to own anything to be the word of God that makes against them, that tends either to part them from, or disquiet them in, their sins. the church of Corinth about the Lord's Supper, he appealed to the appointment (1 Cor. 11:23), Jeremiah 5

Refuge of Lies

Jerusalem shall shortly be as miserable as ever Shiloh was: 'Therefore will I do unto this house as 1 did to Shiloh', ruin it, and lay it waste (v. 14). Those that tread in the steps of the wickedness of those that went before them must expect to fall by the like judgments, for all these things happened to them for ensamples. The temple at Jerusalem, though ever so strongly built, if wickedness was found in it, would be as unable to keep its ground and as easily conquered as even the tabernacle in Shiloh was, when God's day of vengeance had come. 'This house' (says God) 's called by my name, and therefore you may think that I should protect it; it is the house in which you trust, and you think that it will protect you; this land is the place, this city the place, which I gave to you and your fathers, and therefore you are secure of the continuance of it, and think that nothing can turn you out of it; but the men of Shiloh thus flattered themselves and did but deceive themselves. putting them in mind of the doctrines and duties of Christianity, that they may remember God's commandments, to do them.

2 Peter 1

Repentance

Those who truly believe the divine revelation concerning the ruin of sinners and the grant of the heavenly land to God's Israel will give diligence to flee from the wrath to come and to lay hold on eternal life by joining themselves to God and to his people.

Joshua 2

True repentance strikes at the darling sin and will with a peculiar zeal and resolution put away that sin which most easily besets us.

1 Samuel 7

Ahab's care was not to lose all the beasts, many being already lost, but he took no care about his soul not to lose that. He took a deal of pains to seek grass but none to seek the favour of God, fencing against the effect but not enquiring how to remove the cause.

Jeremiah 7

Remembrancers

1 Kings 18

This is the office of the best ministers, even the apostles themselves; they are 'The Lord's remembrancers' (Isa. 62:6); they are especially bound to make mention of the promises, and put God in mind of his engagements to do good to his people; and they are the _ people's remembrancers, making mention of God's precepts, and Those do not truly nor acceptably repent or reform who only part with the sins that they lose by but continue _ their affection to the sins that they get by.

2 Kings 3

True conversion is not only from wasteful sins but from gainful sins. Not only from

Repentance

Asie lim: 20316; elsacr bel 8) those sins that are destructive to the secular interest but from those that support and befriend it, in forsaking which is the great trial whether we can deny ourselves and trust God.

. Those that truly repent of their sins will not only return to God themselves but will do all they can to recover those that» have, by. their example, been seduced and drawn away from God, else they do not thoroughly, as they ought, undo what they have done amiss nor make the plaster as wide as the wound.

2 Kings 10

Those whose hearts condemn them will go anywhere in a day of distress rather than to God.

2 Kings 16

2 Chronicles 33

The armed men, though being armed they might by force have maintained their title to what they. gote by thes "sword, acquiesced and left their captives and the spoil to the disposal of the princes and herein they showed more truly heroic bravery than they did by taking them. It is a great honour for any man to yield to the authority of reason and religion against his interest.

Holy shame is as necessary an ingredient in true and ingenuous repentance as holy sorrow... Penitent sinners never see so much reason to blush and be ashamed as when they come to lift up their faces before God. A natural sense of our own honour which we have injured will make us ashamed, when we have done a wrong thing, to look men in the face; but a gracious concern for God's honour will make us much more ashamed to look him in the face. The publican, when he went to 2 Chronicles 28

Atonement must be made for the sins of the last reign. They thought it not enough to lament and forsake those sins but they brought a sin offering. the temple to pray, hung down his head more than ever, as one ashamed (Luke 18:13).

Even our repentance and reformation will not obtain pardon but in and through Christ who was made sin (that is a sinoffering) for us. No peace but through his blood; no, not for penitence.

. There is not a surer nor sadder presage of ruin to any people than revolting to sin, to the same sins again, after great judgments and great deliverances. Those that will be wrought upon neither by the one nor by the other are fit to be rejected, as reprobate silver, for the founder melteth in vain.

2 Chronicles 29

See how ready God is to accept and welcome returning sinners and how swift to show mercy. Let not great sinners despair when Manasseh himself, upon his repentance, found favour with God. In him God showed forth a pattern of long-suffering

Ezra 9

What is said with a stiff neck must be unsaid again with a broken heart, or we are undone.

Psalm 75

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