The Quotable Matthew Henry

The Quotable Matthew Henry

Repentance

When we cast our sins behind our back, and take no care to repent of them, God sets them before his face, and is ready to reckon for them; but when we which we had forsaken for broken cisterns.

Isaiah 55

True repentance begins in a serious and impartial enquiry into ourselves, what we have done, arising from a _ conviction that we have done amiss.

set them before our face in true repentance, as David did when his sin was ever before him, God casts them behind his back.

Jeremiah 8

Tsaiah 38

They shall come with weeping and with supplications, weeping for sin, supplication for pardon; for the goodness of God shall lead them to repentance; and they shall weep with more bitterness and more tenderness for sin, when they are delivered out of their captivity, than ever they did when they were groaning under it. Weeping and praying do well together; tears put life into prayers, and express the liveliness of them, and prayers help to wipe away tears.

What it is to repent. There are two things involved in repentance: 1. It is to tum from sin; it is to forsake it. It is to leave it, and to leave it with loathing and abhorrence, never to return to it again. The wicked must forsake his way, his evil way, as we would forsake a false way that will never bring us to the happiness we aim at, and a dangerous way, that leads to destruction. Let him not take one step more in that way. Nay, there must be not only a change of way, but a change of mind; the unrighteous must forsake his thoughts. Repentance, if it be true, strikes at the root, and washes the heart from wickedness. We must alter our judgments concerning persons and things, dislodge the corrupt imaginations and quit the vain pretences under which an unsanctified heart shelters itself. Note, it is not enough to break off from evil practices, but we must enter a caveat against evil thoughts. Yet this is not all. 2. To repent is to return to the Lord; to return to him as our God, our sovereign Lord, against whom we have rebelled, and to whom we are concerned to reconcile ourselves; it is to return to the Lord as the fountain of life and living waters,

The way God takes of converting souls to himself is by opening the eyes of their understandings, and all good follows thereupon: After that I was instructed I yielded, I smote upon my thigh. When sinners come to a right knowledge they will come to a right way. Ephraim was chastised, and that did not produce the desired effect, it went no further: I was chastised, and that was all. But, when the instructions of God's Spirit accompanied the corrections of his providence, then the work was done, then he smote upon his thigh, was so humbled for sin as to have no more to do with it.

Jeremiah 31

Tsaiah

Repentance

He is to turn from his wickedness and from his wicked way. It is not enough for a man to turn from his wicked way by an outward reformation, which may be the effect of his sins leaving him rather than of his leaving his sins, but he must turn from his wickedness, from the love of it and the inclination the birth; for the 'captive exile hasteth to be loosed, lest he die in the pit' (Isa. 51:14). Note, those may justly be reckoned their own destroyers who defer and put off their own repentance, by which alone they might help themselves. Those are in danger of miscarrying in conversion who delay it, and will not put forth themselves to speed the work and bring it to an issue.

to it, by an inward regeneration; if he do not so much as turn from his wicked way, there is little hope that he will turn from his wickedness.

Hosea 13

Ezekiel 3

The manner of the expectation is very humble and modest: 'Who knows if he will?' Some think it is expressed thus doubtfully to check the presumption and security of the people, and to quicken them to a holy carefulness and liveliness in their repentance, as (Josh. 24:19). Or, rather, it is expressed doubtfully because it is the removal of a temporal judgment that they here promise themselves, of which we cannot be so confident

True penitents see sin to be an abominable thing, that abominable thing which the Lord hates and which makes sinners, and even their services, odious to him (Jer, 44:43.Isa;o1211),.1t defiles the sinner's own conscience, and makes him, unless he be past feeling, an abomination to himself. Those gratifications which the hearts of sinners were set upon as delectable things, the hearts of penitents are turned against as detestable things.

as we can that, in general, God is gracious and merciful. There is no question at all to be made but that if we truly repent of our sins God will forgive them, and be reconciled to us; but whether he will remove this or the other affliction which we are under may well be questioned, and yet the probability of it should encourage us to repent. Promises of temporal good things are often made with a peradventure. 'It may be you shall be hid' (Zeph. 2:3). David's sin is pardoned, and yet the child shall die, and, when David prayed for its life, he said, as here, 'Who can tell whether God will be gracious to me' in this matter likewise (2 Sam. 12:22).

Ezekiel 6

When men begin to complain more of their sins than of their afflictions then there begins to be some hope of them; and this is that which God requires of us, when we are under his correcting hand, that we own ourselves in a fault and justly corrected.

Hosea 5

Were the child which the mother is in travail of capable of understanding its own case, we should reckon it an unwise child that would choose to stay long in

Repentance

The Ninevites repented and reformed upon such a consideration as this (Jonah 3:9), will save us, though we be not good ourselves. What though we be descended from pious ancestors; have been blessed with a religious education; have our lot cast in families where the fear of God

We must 'tum to the Lord our God', not only because he has been just and righteous in punishing us for our sins, the fear of which should drive us to him, but because he is gracious and merciful, in receiving us upon our repentance, the hope of which should draw us to him.

is uppermost; and have good friends to advise us and pray for us; what will all this avail us, if we do not repent, and live a life of repentance?

Consider your ways, change your minds; you have thought amiss; think again, and think aright. Note, true penitents have other thoughts of God and Christ, and sin and holiness, and this world and the other, than they have had, and stand otherwise affected toward them. The change of the mind produces a change of the way. Those who are truly sorry for what they have done amiss, will be careful to do so no more.

When the sinner's mind is changed, God's way towards him is changed; the sentence is reversed, and the curse of the law is taken off. Note, that is genuine, ingenuous, and _ evangelical repentance which arises from a firm belief of the mercy of God, which we have sinned against, and yet are not in despair. 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.' The goodness of God, if it be rightly understood, instead of emboldening us to go on in sin, will be the most powerful inducement to repentance (Ps. 130:4). The act of indemnity brings those to God whom the act of attainder frightened from him.

Matthew 3

All those, and those only, are invited to rest in Christ, that are sensible of sin as a burden, and groan under it; that are not only convinced of the evil of sin, of their own sin, but are contrite in soul for it; that are really sick of their sins, weary of the service of the world and of the flesh; that see their state sad and dangerous by reason of sin, and are in pain and fear about it, as Ephraim (Jer. 31: 18—20), the prodigal (Luke 15: 17), the publican (Luke 18:13), Peter's hearers (Acts 2:37), Paul

Joel 2

It becomes penitents to be humble and low in their own eyes, to be thankful for the least mercy, patient under the greatest affliction, to be watchful against all appearances of sin, and approaches towards it, to abound in every duty, and to be charitable in judging others.

(Acts 9:4, 6, 9), the jailor (Acts 16:29, 30). This is a necessary preparative for pardon and peace. The Comforter must first

It is vain presumption to think that our having good relations

Repetition convince (John 16:8); I have torn and then will heal.

psalm after Nathan had said, 'The Lord has taken away thy sin, thou shalt not die'. Nay, the comfortable sense of the pardon of sin should increase our sorrow for it; and that is ingenuous evangelical sorrow which is increased by such a consideration. See (Ezek. 16: 63), 'Thou shalt be ashamed and confounded, when I am pacified towards thee.'

Matthew 11

Though he was convinced that John was a prophet, and one owned of God, yet he does not express the least remorse or sorrow for his sin in putting him to death. The devils believe and tremble, but they never believe and repent. Note, there may be the terror of strong convictions, where there is not the truth of a saving conversion.

Luke 15

The true penitent casts away from him his transgressions, 'Away with them, away with them' (Isa. 2:20; 30:22), 'cruficy them, crucify them'; it is not fit that they should live in my soul (Hos. 14:8).

Matthew 14

They did not like a religion which insisted so much on humility, self-denial, contempt of the world, and spiritual worship. Repentance was the door of admission into this kingdom, and nothing could be more disagreeable to the Pharisees, who justified and admired themselves, than to repent, that is, to accuse and abase and abhor themselves; therefore they went not in themselves.

John 19

Peter, though he had denied his Master, had not deserted his Master's friends; by this appears the sincerity of his repentance, that he associated with the disciple whom Jesus loved. And the disciples' keeping up their intimacy with him as formerly, notwithstanding his fall, teaches

Matthew 23

As it commends the good father's kindness that he showed us to restore those with a spirit of meekness that have been faulty. If God has received them upon their repentance, why should not we?

it before the prodigal expressed his repentance, so it commends the prodigal's repentance that he expressed it after his father had shown him so much kindness.

John 20

Repetition

Even those that have received the pardon of their sins, and the comfortable sense of their pardon, must have in their hearts a sincere contrition for it, and with their mouths must make a penitent confession of it, even of those sins which they have reason to hope are pardoned. David penned the fifty-first

Such humble thoughts had Paul of himself, though he excelled in knowledge, that he would not pretend to tell them that which they did not know before, but only to remind them of that in which they had formerly been by others instructed. So Peter

Repetition

(2 Peter 1:12; 3:1). People commonly excuse' themselves from hearing the word with this, that the minister can tell them nothing but what they knew before. If it be so, yet have they not need to know it better, and to be put in mind of it?

with long use and thrown into the fire as good for nothing. The prophets have preached their throats sore with crying aloud against the sins of Israel, and yet they are not convinced and humbled. The lead, which was then used in refining silver, as quicksilver is now, is consumed of the fire, and has not done its work. The founder melts in vain; his labour is lost, for the wicked are not plucked away, no care is taken to separate between the precious and the vile, to purge out the old leaven, to cast out of communion those who, being corrupt themselves, are in danger of infecting others.

Romans 15

Those who have had ever so good teaching are apt to forget, and need to have their memories refreshed. The same truth, taught over again, if it give no new light, may make new and quicker impression.

1 Corinthians 4

Jeremiah 6

Reprobates

Reproof

It was in vain to think of reforming them, for various methods had been' tried with them, and all to no purpose (v. 29, 30). He compares them to ore that was supposed to have some good metal in it, and was therefore put into the furnace by the refiner, who used all his art, and took abundance of pains about it, but it proved all dross, nothing of any value could be extracted out of it. God by his prophets and by his providences had used the most proper means to refine this people and to purify them from their wickedness; but it was all in vain. By the continual preaching of the word, and a series of afflictions, they had been kept in a constant fire, but all to no purpose. The bellows have been still kept so near the fire to blow it, that they are burnt with the heat of it, or they are quite worn out

We are commanded to rebuke our neighbour in love .. . friendly reproof is a duty we owe to one another and we _ ought to give it and take it in love. 'Let the righteous smite me and it shall be a kindness (Ps. 141:5). Faithful and useful are those wounds of a friend (Prov. 27:5, 6). It is here strictly commanded 'Thou shalt in any wise do it and not omit it under any pretence.' Consider the guilt we incur by not reproving. It is construed here into a hating of our brother. We are ready to argue that such a one is a friend I love, therefore, I will not make him uneasy by telling him of his faults; but we should rather say, therefore I will do him the kindness to tell him of them. Love covers sin from others but not from the sinner himself , must we help the ass of an

Reproof enemy that has fallen under his burden and shall we not help the soul of a friend?

Is this Asa, is this he whose heart was perfect with the Lord his God all his days? Well, let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. A wise man and yet in a rage, an Israelite and yet in a rage with a prophet. A good man and yet impatient of reproof and that cannot bear to be told of his faults. Lord, what is man when God leaves him to himself. Those that idolise their own conduct cannot bear contradiction . . . God's prophets meet with many that cannot bear reproof but take it much amiss, yet they must do their duty.

Leviticus 19

Those that complain that their ministers are too harsh with them should remember that while they keep to the Word of God they are but messengers and must say as they are bidden and be willing, as Saul himself here was, that they should 'Say on'. Samuel delivers his message faithfully.

1 Samuel 15

Many things not in themselves sinful, turn into sin to us by our delighting in them. Joab was aware of David's vanity herein but he, himself, was not. It would be good for us to have a friend that would faithfully admonish us when we say or do anything proud or _ vainglorious for we often do so and are not ourselves aware of it.

2 Chronicles 16

He hearkened to and preferred those that humoured him before the good prophet that gave him fair warning of his danger. Those do best for themselves that give their friends leave, and particularly their ministers, to deal plainly and faithfully with them and take their reproofs not only patiently but kindly. That counsel is not always best for us that is most pleasing to us.

2 Samuel 24

Most people would rather be told their fortune than their faults or their duty ... Some have, by sickness, been reminded of their forgotten ministers and praying friends. He sent to Ahijah because he had told him he should be king. 'He was once the messenger of good tidings, surely he will be so again.' Those that by sin disqualify themselves for comfort and yet expect their ministers, because they are good men, should speak peace and comfort to them, greatly wrong both themselves and _ their ministers.

2 Chronicles 18

Sinners ought to consider that how little notice soever they take of them, an account is kept of the words of the seers that speak to them from God to admonish them of their sins, warn them of their danger and call them to their duty, which will be produced against them in the great day.

2 Chronicles 33

Wise men are not so perfectly wise but there is that in them which needs a reproof; and we must not connive at any man's

1 Kings 14

Zoo

Reproof faults because we have a veneration for his wisdom, nor must a wise man think that his wisdom exempts him from reproof when he says or does anything foolishly; but the more wisdom that that is well taken which is well given. It were to be wished that a wise reprover should always meet with an obedient ear, but often it is not so.

a man has the more desirous he should be to have his weaknesses shown him, because a little folly is a great blemish to him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.

Proverbs 25

The same strings, though generally unpleasing ones, are harped upon in this chapter that were in those before. People care not to be told either of their sin or of their danger by sin; and yet it is necessary, and for their good, that they should be told of both, nor can they better hear of either than from the Word of God and from their faithful ministers, while the sin may be repented of and the danger prevented.

Proverbs 9

If the scorner will not be recovered from his sin, the disease being inveterate, yet the simple will beware of venturing upon the sin which exposes men thus. If it cure not the infected, it may prevent the spreading of the infection. The reproof of wise men will be a means of good to themselves. They need not be smitten, a word to the wise

Hosea 13

They take it as an affront to be 'told of their faults', and called upon to amend them; they are ready to say, 'What ado do these prophets make about returning and repenting; why are we disgraced and disturbed thus, our own consciences and our neighbours stirred up against us?' It is ill with those who thus count reproofs reproaches, and 'kick against the pricks.'

is enough.

Proverbs 19

If it be well given, by a wise reprover, and well taken, by an obedient ear, it is an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold, very graceful and well becoming both the reprover and the reproved; both will have their praise, the reprover for giving it so prudently and the reproved for taking it so patiently and making a good use of it. Others will commend them both, and they will have satisfaction in each other; he who gave the reproof is pleased that it had the desired effect, and he to whom itwas given has reason to be thankful for it as a kindness. That is well given, we say, that is well taken; yet it does not always prove

Malachi 3

The consideration of what is. amiss in ourselves, though it ought not to keep us from administering friendly reproof, ought to keep us from magisterial censuring, and to make us very candid and charitable in judging others. 'Therefore restore with the spirit of meekness, considering thyself' (Gal. 6:1); what thou hast been, what thou art, and what thou wouldst

Reproof

be, if God should leave thee to thyself.

they were (Acts 2:37), they will be cut to the heart with rage and indignation, as they were (Acts 5:33).

Matthew 7

Faithful reproofs, if they do not profit, usually provoke; if they do not do good, they are resented as affronts, and they that will not bow to the reproof, will fly in the face of the reprover and hate him, as Ahab hated Micaiah (1 Kings 22:8). See e(Erov. 983ml 52109 2). Veritas odium parit — Truth produces hatred.

Matthew 21

Carnal people can easily honour the memories of faithful ministers that are dead and gone, because they do not reprove them, nor disturb them, in their sins.

They can pay respect to the writings of the dead prophets, which tell them what they should be; but not the reproofs of the living prophets, which

Matthew 14

Where the fault is plain and great, the person proper for us tell them what they are.

to deal with, and we have an opportunity for it, and there

Matthew 23 is no apparent danger of doing more hurt than good, we must

These people complimented

Christ with Rabbi, and showed him great respect, yet he told them thus faithfully of their with meekness and faithfulness tell people of what is amiss in them. Christian reproof is an ordinance of Christ for the hypocrisy; his ministers must hence learn not to flatter those bringing of sinners to repentthat flatter them, nor to be ance, and must be managed as bribed by fair words to cry an ordinance. 'Let the reproof peace to all that cry 'rabbi' to them, but to give faithful reproofs where there is cause be private, between thee and him alone; that it may appear you seek not his reproach, but for them.

his repentance.' Note, it is a good rule, which should ordi-

John 6

narily be observed among Chris-

Frequently those that need reproof most, and deserve it best, though they have wit enough to discern a 'tacit' one, have not grace enough to bear a 'just' one.

tians, not to speak of our brethren's faults to others, till we have first spoken of them to themselves.

Matthew 18

John 9

When those who hear the reproofs of the Word, perceive that it speaks of them, if it do not do them a great deal of good, it will certainly do them a great deal of hurt. If they be not pricked to the heart with conviction and contrition, as

People's being unwilling to hear of their faults is no good reason why they should not be faithfully told of them. It is a common excuse made for not reproving sin that the times will not bear it. But those whose

Reproof them. Thus the apostle softens and alleviates the fault of these Christians, even while he is reproving them, that he might the better persuade them to return to, and stand fast in, the liberty wherewith Christ had made them free.

office it is to reprove must not be awed by this; the times must bear it, and shall bear it. 'Cry aloud and spare not'; cry aloud and fear not.

Acts 5

In reproving for sin, we should have a tender regard to the reputation, as well as the reformation, of the sinner. We should aim to distinguish between them and their sins, and take care not to discover any spite against them ourselves, nor expose them to contempt and reproach in the world. Reproofs that expose commonly do but exasperate, when those that kindly and affectionately warn are likely to reform. When the affections of a father mingle with the admonitions of a minister, it is to be hoped that they may at once melt and mend; but to lash like an enemy or executioner will provoke and render obstinate.

Galatians 5

The sharpest reproofs must aim at the good of the reproved; they must not be of malice, nor hatred, nor ill will, but of love; not to gratify pride, passion, nor any evil affection in the reprover, but to reclaim and reform the erroneous and the guilty.

Titus 1

And we may here observe with what esteem and affection he speaks of him who had formerly publicly withstood and sharply reproved Peter. If a righteous man smite one who is truly religious, it shall be received as a kindness; and let him reprove, it shall be as an excellent oil, which shall soften and sweeten the good man that

1 Corinthians 4

Hereby he teaches us that in reproving others we should take care to convince them that our reproofs do not proceed from any private pique or resentment, but from a sincere regard to the honour of God and religion and their truest welfare; for they are then likely to be most successful when they appear to be most disinterested.

is reproved when he does amiss.

2 Peter 3

Resolution

Those who keep their eye upon heaven as their end will keep their feet in the paths of religion

Galatians 4 as their way, whatever difficulties and discouragements they meet with in it. He will not only hold on his way notwithstanding, but will grow stronger and stronger. By the sight of other good men's trials, and the experience of his own, he will be made more vigorous and

This may give us occasion to observe that, in reproving sin and error, we should always distinguish between the leaders and the led, such as set themselves to draw others thereinto and such as are drawn aside by

Responsibility lively in his duty, more warm and affectionate, more resolute and undaunted; the worse others sins of others when it is in the power of their hand to do it, make themselves partakers of the guilt and will be charged are the better he will be; that which dismays others emboldens him. The blustering wind makes the traveller gather his cloak the closer about him and gird it the faster. Those that are truly as accessories. Those in authority will have a great deal to answer for if they make not the sword they bear a terror to evil workers.

wise and good will be con-

1 Samuel 3

tinually growing wiser and

better. Proficiency in religion

God had decreed the end but Ahab must use the means.

is a good sign of sincerity in it.

Job 17

1 Kings 20

The call that is given to this people (v. 18): 'Hear, you deaf, and attend to the joyful sound, and look you blind, that you may see the joyful light.' There is no absurdity in this command, nor is it unbecoming the wisdom and goodness of God to call us to do that good which yet of ourselves we are not sufficient for; for those have natural powers which they may employ so as to do better than they do, and may have supernatural grace if it be not their own fault, who yet labour under a moral impotency to that which is good. This call to the deaf to hear and the blind to see is like the command given to the» "man that 'had © the withered hand to. stretch it forth; though he could not do this, because it was withered, yet, if he had not attempted to do it, he would not have been healed, and his being healed thereupon was owing, not to his act, but to the divine power.

Responsibility

Those that are entrusted with the charge of the Sanctuary will have a great deal to answer for. Who would covet the care of souls who considers the account that must be given of that care.

Numbers 18

It is taken for granted that the tribe of Judah would be both a praying tribe and an active tribe.

'Lord,' says Moses, 'hear his prayers and give success to all his undertakings; let his hands be sufficient for him both in husbandry and in war.' The voice of prayer should always' be attended with the hand of endeavour and then we may expect prosperity.

Deuteronomy 33

The assurance God had given them of success in this day's action, instead of making them remiss and presumptuous, set all heads and hands on work for the effecting of what God had promised.

Isatah 42

If it contract so heinous a guilt

Judges 20 as it does to be accessory to the murder of a dying body, what is it to be accessory to the ruin

Those that do not restrain the

Responsibility

of an immortal soul?

every age: even Samuel and David could not always please. As it has been, so it is likely to be still: those that come after will be of the same spirit, and shall not long rejoice in him whom at first they seemed extremely.' fond») of: Today, hosanna — tomorrow, crucify.

Ezekiel 3

Those who perish are as inexcusable as this man would have been, if he had not attempted to stretch forth his hand, and so had not been healed. But those who are saved have no more to boast of than this man had of contributing to his own cure, by stretching forth his hand, but are as much indebted to the power and grace of Christ as he was.

Ecclesiastes 4

Restraints Upon Sin

Crosses and obstacles in an evil course are great blessings, and are so to be accounted. They are God's hedges, to keep us from transgressing, to restrain us from wandering out of the green pastures, to 'withdraw man from his purpose' (Job 33:17), to make the way of sin difficult, that we may not go on in it, and to keep us from it whether we will or not. We have reason to bless God both for restraining grace and for restraining providences.

Matthew 12

A candle gives light but a little way, and but a little while, and is easily blown out, and continually burning down and wasting. Many who are lighted as candles, put themselves under a bed, or under a bushel; they do not manifest grace themselves, nor minister grace to others; they have estates, and do no good with them; they have their limbs and senses, wit and learning perhaps, but nobody is the better for them; they have spiritual gifts, but do not use them; like a taper in an um, they burn to themselves.

Hosea 2

Wicked men are restrained from the most wicked practices, merely by their secular interest, and not by any regard to God. A concern for their ease, credit, wealth, and safety, being their reigning principle, as it keeps them from many duties, so it keeps them from many sins, which otherwise they would not be restrained from; and this is one means by which sinners are kept from being overmuch wicked (Eccl. 7:17). The danger of sin that appears to sense, or to fancy only, influences men more than that which appears to faith. Herod feared that the putting of John to death might

We are not born for ourselves.

Mark 4

Restlessness

People are never long easy and satisfied: there is no end, no rest, of all the people; they are continually fond of changes, and know not what they would have. This is no new thing, but it has been the way of all that have been before them; there have been instances of this in

Revelation raise a mutiny among the people, which it did not; but he never feared it might raise a mutiny in his own conscience, which it did (v. 2). Men fear being hanged for that which they do not fear being damned for.

but as an act of judgment it is peculiar to the Father, who as a Judge released Christ, raised him from the grave, and gave him glory, proclaimed him to all the world to be his Son by his resurrection from the dead, advanced him to heaven, crowned him with glory and honour, invested him with all power in heaven and earth, and glorified him with that glory which he had with God before the world was.

Matthew 14

Restoring Backsliders

Yet there is a mixture of mercy in this sentence. God deals not in severity, as he might have done, with those who had dealt treacherously with him, but mitigates the sentence (vs. 11, 14). They are deprived but in part, 'ab officio' — of their office, and, it should seem, not at all 'a beneficio' — of their emoluments. They shall lelp to 'slay? the, sacrifice', which the Levites were permitted to do, and which in this temple was done, not at the altar, but 'at the tables' (ch, 40:39). "hey, ishall..be porters) .at the gates of the house', and they shall be 'keepers of the charge of the house, forsale the service thereot," Note, those who may not be fit to be employed in one kind of service may yet be fit to be employed in another; and even those who have offended may yet be made use of, and not quite thrown aside, much less thrown away.

1 Peter 1

Revelation

The Gospel of Christ is not a doubtful opinion, like an hypothesis or new notion in philosophy, which every one is at liberty to believe or not; but it is a revelation of the mind of God, which is of eternal truth in itself, and of infinite concern to us.

John 3

This was very much the character of the pretenders to philosophy and the Grecian learning and wisdom in that day. Such a man receives not the things of the Spirit of God. Revelation is not with him a principle of science; he looks upon it as delirium and dotage, the extravagant thought of some deluded dreamer. It is no way to wisdom among the famous masters of the world; and for that reason he can have no knowledge of things revealed, because they are only spiritually discerned, or made known by the revelation of the Spirit.

Ezekiel 44

Resurrection

The resurrection of Christ, considered as an act of power, is common to all the three persons,

1 Corinthians 2

Revenge

Revenge rich and powerful, though now tyrannising over the people of God, though a fat, unwieldly man that could not easily rise nor stand long, though in private and what he did was not under observation, yet, when he expected to receive orders from heaven, he rose out of his seat, whether it was low and easy or whether it was high and stately, he quitted it and stood up when God was about to speak to him, thereby owning God as superior. This shames the irreverence of many who are called Christians and yet, when a message from God

Nay, if persons wronged in seeking the defence of the law, and magistrates in granting it, act from any particular personal pique or quarrel, and not from a concern that public peace and order be maintained and right done, even such proceedings, though seemingly regular, will fall under this prohibited self-revenging.

Romans 12

To 'render evil for evil, or railing for railing', is a sinful unchristian practice; the magistrate may punish 'evil-doers', and private men may seek a legal remedy when they are wronged; but private revenge by duelling, scolding, or secret mischief, is forbidden (Prov. 20:22; Luke C273 Rom wu2er75 1 "Thess: 5:15). To rail is to revile another in bitter, fierce, and reproachful terms; but for ministers to rebuke sharply, and to preach earnestly against the sins of the times, is not railing; all the prophets and apostles practised it (Isa. 56:10; Zeph. 3:3; Acts 20:29). iPeten 3 is delivered to them, study to show by all the marks of carelessness how little they regard it.

Judges 3

Let no man think that his service done for God will justify him in any instance of disrespect or irreverence towards the things of God .. . It is an offence to God if we think meanly of his ordinances because of the meanness of the manner of their administration.

1 Samuel 6

The courts of Solomon and Ahasuerus were magnificent; but, compared with the glorious majesty of God's kingdom, they were but as glow-worms to the sun. The consideration of this should strike an awe upon us in all our approaches to God.

Reverence

Outward expressions of inward reverence and a religious awe of God well become us and are required of us whenever we approach to him in solemn ordinances.

Psalm 145

Joshua 5

An excellent direction to maintain high thoughts of God in our minds at all times: Be thou in the fear of the Lord every day and all the day long. We must be

Eglon pays respect to a message from God. Though a _ king, though a heathen king, though

Revival in the fear of the Lord as in our employment, exercising ourselves in holy adorings of God, in subjection to his precepts, submission to his providences, and a constant care to please him; we must be in it as in our element, taking a pleasure in contemplating God's glory and complying with his will. We must be devoted to his fear (Ps. 119:38); and governed by give him the glory due to his most illustrious perfections. We sanctify God before others when our deportment is such as invites and encourages others to glorify and honour him; both are required (Lev. 10:3).

An aweful sense of the divine perfections is the best antidote against the fear of sufferings; did we fear God more, we should certainly fear men less.

it as our commanding principle in all we say and do. All the days of our life we must constantly keep up an awe of God in our spirits, must pay a deference to his authority, and have a dread of his wrath. We must be always so in his fear as never to be out of it.

1 Peter 3

A holy awe and reverential fear of God are necessary in order to our worshipping and glorifying him, and a belief of the inconceivable distance between him and us is very proper to beget and maintain that religious fear of the Lord which is the beginning of wisdom.

Proverbs 23

Though angels' faces, doubtless, are much fairer than those of the children of men (Acts 6:15), yet, in the presence of God, they cover them, because they cannot bear the dazzling lustre of the divine glory, and because, being conscious of an infinite distance from the divine perfection, they are ashamed to show their faces before the holy God, who charges even his angels with folly if they should offer to vie with him (Job 4:18). If angels be thus reverent in their attendance on God, with what godly fear should we approach his throne!

If men have no knowledge or belief of the eternal God, they will be very apt to think him such a one as themselves.

2 Peter 3

Revival

And he that made dry land in the waters can produce waters in the driest land.

Tsatah

At 'evening-time', when our hopes are quite spent with waiting all day to no purpose, nay, when we fear it will be quite dark, when things are at the worst and the case of the church

Isaiah 6

We sanctify the Lord God in our hearts when we with sincerity and fervency adore him, when our thoughts of him are aweful and reverend, when we rely upon his power, trust to his faithfulness, submit to his wisdom, imitate his holiness, and is most deplorable. As to the church's enemies 'the sun goes down at noon', so to the church it rises at night; unto the upright springs 'light out of

Revival darkness' (Ps. 112:4); deliverance comes when the tale of bricks is doubled, and when God's people have done looking for it, and so it comes with a pleasing surprise.

of all those that designedly and sincerely serve him.

Jeremiah 27

As Judah had his lot next the sanctuary on one _ side, so Benjamin had, of all the tribes, his lot nearest to it on the other side, which honour was reserved for those who adhered to the house of David and the temple at Jerusalem when the other ten tribes went astray from both. It is enough if treachery and apostasy, upon repentance, be pardoned, but constancy and fidelity shall be rewarded and preferred.

Zechariah 14

Rewards

He mentions it to God in prayer, not as if he thought he had hereby merited any favour from God, as a debt, but to show that he looked not for any recompense of his generosity from men, but depended upon God only to make up to him what he had lost and laid out for his honour; and he reckoned the favour of God reward enough.

Ezekiel 48

What shall we have? Christ looked at the joy set before him, and Moses at the recompense of reward. For this end it

'If God do but think upon me for good, I have enough.' His thoughts to us-ward are our happiness (Ps. 40:5). He refers is set before us, that by a patient continuance in well-doing we may seek for it. Christ encourages us to ask what we shall gain by leaving all to follow him; that we may see he doth not call us to our prejudice, but unspeakably to our advantage. As it is the language of an obedienit to God to recompense him in such a manner as he pleased.

'If men forget me, let my God think on me, and I desire no more.'

Nehemiah §

Dominion is not founded in grace. Those that have not any colourable title to eternal happiness may yet have a justifiable tial faith to ask, 'What shall we do?' with an eye to the precepts; so it is of a hoping, trusting faith, to ask, 'What shall we have?', with an eye to the promises. But observe, the disciples had long since left all to engage themselves in the service of Christ, and yet never title to their temporal good things. Nebuchadnezzar is a very bad man, and yet God calls him his servant, because he employed him as an instrument of his providence for the chastising of the nations, and particularly his own people; and for his service therein he thus liberally repaid him. Those whom God makes use of shall not lose by him; much more will he be found the bountiful rewarder till now asked, 'What shall we have?'

Matthew 19

In heaven, every vessel will be full, brimful, though every vessel is not alike large and capacious. In the distribution of future

Samaritans joys, as it was in the gathering natural affection, in honouring him; it never came into his heart to have children offered to him, yet they had forsaken his service for the service of such gods as, by commanding this, showed themselves to be indeed enemies to mankind.

of the manna, he that shall gather much, will have nothing over, and he that shall gather little, will have no lack (Exod.

16:18). Those whom Christ fed miraculously, though of different sizes, men, women, and children, did all eat, and were filled.

Jeremiah 7

See the deficiency of the legal sacrifices for sin; they were therefore often repeated, not only every year, but every feast, every day of the feast, because they could not make the comers thereunto perfect (Heb. 10:1,3)z9See ithes neces: sity of our frequently repeating the same religious exercises. Though the sacrifice of atonement is offered once for all, yet the sacrifices of acknowledgment, that of a _ broken heart, that of a thankful heart, those spiritual sacrifices which are acceptable to God through Christ Jesus, must be every day offered.

Matthew 20

Sacraments

The ministry of the Word and sacraments is designed for no other end than to lead people to Christ, and to make him more and more manifest.

John 1

The nature of sacraments in general: they are signs and seals — signs to represent and instruct, seals to ratify and confirm.

Romans 4

Ezekiel 45

Sacrifice

Salvation

Surely it was in a way of righteous judgment, because they had changed the glory of God into the similitude of a beast, that God gave them up to such vile affections that changed them into worse than beasts. God says of this that it was what he commanded them not, neither came it into his heart, which is not meant of his not commanding them thus to worship Moloch (this he had expressly forbidden them), but he had never commanded that his worshippers should be at such an expense, nor put such a force upon their

He hath» «saved us* from the dominion of sin, which is darkness (1 John 1:6), from the dominion of Satan, who is the 'prince of darkness' (Eph. 6: 12), and from the damnation of hell, which is 'utter darkness' (Matt. 25:30). They are 'called out of darkness' (1 Peter 2:9).

Colossians 1

Samaritans

The Samaritans were the adversaries of Judah (Ezra 4:1), were

Samaritans upon all occasions mischievous to them. The Jews were extremely malicious against the Samaritans, 'looked upon them spiritual and heavenly: so that the man is not what he was — old things are passed away, all things are become new; he acts from new principles, by new rules, with new designs.

as having no part in the resurrection, excommunicated and cursed them by the sacred name of God, by the glorious writing of the tables, and by the curse of the upper and lower house of judgment, with this law. That no

Romans 12

The persons and things which are acceptable to God should be approved of us. Should not we be pleased with that which God is pleased with? What is it

Israelite eat of anything that is a Samaritan's, for it is as if he should eat swine's flesh'. So Dr. Lightfoot, out of 'Rabbi Tanchum', to be sanctified, but to be of God's mind?

Romans 14

She had little reason to boast of their fathers; for, when Antiochus persecuted the Jews, the Samaritans, for fear of sharing with them in _ their sufferings, not only renounced

Satan

His own children he tempts first, and draws them to sin, and afterwards torments, when thereby he has brought them to ruin; but this child of God he tormented with affliction, and then tempted to make a bad use of his affliction.

all relation to the Jews, but surrendered their temple to Antiochus, with a request that it might be dedicated to Jupiter Olympius, and called by his name.

Job 2

John 4

See why he called Peter, Satan, when he suggested this to him; because, whatever stood in the way of our salvation, he looked upon as coming from the devil, who is a sworn enemy to it. The same Satan that afterward entered into Judas, maliciously to destroy him in his undertaking, here prompted Peter plausibly to divert him from it. Thus he changes himself into an angel of light.

Sanctification

We must not only not quench the Spirit but we must stir up the gift that is in us. Though we be not always sacrificing yet we must keep the fire of holy love always burning and thus we must pray always.

Leviticus 6

New dispositions and_inclinations, new sympathies and antipathies; the understanding enlightened, the conscience softened, the thoughts rectified; the will bowed to the will of God, and the affections made

Matthew 16

The devil does all he can to keep us from believing, to make us not believe the word when we read and hear it; or, if we heed it for the present, to make us

Satan's Devices

Satan's Devices forget it again, and let it slip (Heb. 2:1); or, if we remember

The great thing Satan aims at it, to create prejudices in our minds against it, or divert our minds from it to something else; and all is lest we should believe and be saved, lest we should believe and _ rejoice, while he believes and trembles.

is to make people forget God, and all that whereby he has made himself known; and he has many subtle methods to bring them to this. Sometimes he does it by setting up false gods (bring men in love with Baal, and they soon forget the name of God), sometimes by misrepresenting the true God,

Luke 8

By two particular instances, they resembled the devil — murder and lying. The devil is an enemy to life, because God is the God of life and life is the happiness of man; and an enemy to truth, because God is the God of truth and truth is the bond of human society.

as if he were altogether such a one as ourselves. Pretences to new revelation may prove as dangerous to religion as the denying of all revelation; and false prophets in God's name may perhaps do more mischief to the power of godliness than false prophets in Baal's name,

John 8

as being less guarded against.

Jeremiah 23

They are under the influence and power of the devil, who is here called 'the god of this world', and elsewhere 'the prince of this world', because of the great interest he has in this world, the homage that is paid to him by multitudes in this world, and the great sway that, by divine permission, he bears in the world, and in the hearts of his subjects, or rather slaves. And as he is the prince of darkness, and ruler of the darkness of this world, so he darkens the understandings of men, and increases their prejudices, and supports his interest by keeping them in the dark, blinding their minds with ignorance, and error, and prejudices, that they should not 'behold the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of

See, and be amazed to see, how this world is imposed upon: 1. Satan's sworn enemies are represented as his friends, the Apostles, who pulled down the devil's kingdom, were called devils. Thus men laid to their charge, not only things which they knew not, but things which they abhorred, and were directly contrary to, and the reverse of.

2. Satan's sworn servants would be thought to be his enemies, and they never more effectually do his work, than when they pretend to be fighting against him. Many times they who themselves are nearest akin to the devil, are most apt to father others upon him; and _ those that paint him on_ others' clothes have him reigning in their own hearts. It is well there is a day coming, when (as it follows here), (v. 26), that which

God'.

2 Corinthians 4

Satan's Devices

is hid will be brought to light.

Satisfaction

Matthew 10

Thanks to our Maker, we have plenty and _ variety enough allowed us. To prevent our being uneasy at the restraints of religion, it is often good to take

Note, first, we must take heed lest anything that occurs in our way to holy ordinances unfit us for, or divert us from, our due attendance on them. Let us proceed in the way of our duty, notwithstanding the artifices of Satan, who. endeavours, by the perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and many other ways, to ruffle and discompose us. Secondly, we must not, for the sake of private feuds and personal piques, draw _ back from public worship. Though the Pharisees had thus maliciously cavilled at Christ, yet he went into their synagogue. Satan gains this point, if, by sowing discord among brethren, he prevail to drive them, or any of them, from the synagogue, and the communion of the faithful.

a view of the liberties and comforts of it.

Genesis 3

Note, gracious persons, though they still covet more of God, never covet more than God; but, being. satisfied of his lovingkindness, they are abundantly satisfied with it, and envy not any their carnal mirth and sensual pleasures and delights, but account themselves truly happy in what they have, and doubt not but to be completely happy in what they hope for.

Psalm 16

Those that hunger and _ thirst after righteousness in Christ shall have all they can desire to satisfy them and make them easy, and shall not labour, as they have done, for that which satisfies not. Those that are much in praying shall be much in thanksgiving: those shall praise the Lord that seek him.

Matthew 12

It is the subtlety of Satan, to send temptations to us by the unsuspected hands of our best and dearest friends. Thus he assaulted Adam by Eve, Job by his wife, and here Christ by his beloved Peter. It concerns us therefore not to be ignorant of

Psalm 22

Those that labour for the world, labour for the wind, for that which has more sound than substance, which is uncertain, and always shifting its point, unsatisfying and often hurtful, which we cannot hold fast, and which, if we take up with it as our portion, will no more feed us than the wind (Hos. 12:1). Men will see that they have laboured for the wind when at death they find the profit of their labour is his devices, but to stand against his wiles and depths, by standing always upon our guard against sin, whoever moves us to it. Even the kindnesses of our friends are often abused by

Satan, and made use of as

temptations to us.

Matthew 16

Saturday Night

'I will drink no more of the all gone, gone like the wind, they know not whither.

fruit. of the vine', as it is_a bodily refreshment. I have done with it. No one, having tasted spiritual delights, straightway desires sensitive ones, for he saith, 'The spiritual is better' (Luke 5:39); but everyone that hath tasted spiritual delights, straightway desires eternal ones, for he saith those are better

Ecclesiastes 5

Christ disappointed the expectations of those who looked for a Messiah according to _ their fancies, as the carnal Jews, but outdid theirs who looked for such a Messiah as was promised.

Isaiah 52 still; and therefore 'let me drink no more of the fruit of the vine',

It is comfortable dwelling in a habitation of justice and a mountain of holiness. 'And the husbandmen and shepherds shall eat of the fruit of their labours; for I have satiated the weary and sorrowful soul.' That is, those that came weary from their journey, and have been long sorrowful in their captivity, shall now enjoy great plenty. This is applicable to the spiritual blessings God has in store for all true penitents, for all that are just and holy; they shall be abundantly satisfied with divine graces and comforts. In the love and favour of God the weary soul shall find rest and the sorrowful soul joy.

it is dead and flat to those that have been made to drink of the river of God's pleasures; but, Lord, hasten the day, when I shall drink it new and fresh in the kingdom of God, where it shall be for ever new, and in perfection.

Mark 14

Saturday Night

They were to leave off all their worldly labour and compose themselves to the work of the day approaching, some time before sunset on the ninth day". 4... The eves "of solemn days ought to be employed in solemn preparation. When work for God and our souls is to be done we should not (limit) ourselves in time for the doing of it for how can we spend our time better?

Jeremiah 31

Those that in sincerity join themselves to the true God find enough in him for their satisfaction; and, though they

Leviticus 23 still desire more of God, yet they never desire more than God. But those that forsake this living fountain for broken cisterns will find themselves soon surfeited, but never satisfied; they have soon enough of the gods they have, and are still enquiring after more.

The market place they sit in is to some a place of idleness (ch. 20:3); to others a place of worldly business (James 4:13); to all a place of noise or diversion; so that if you ask the reason why people get so little good by the means of grace, you will find it is because they are

Ezekiel 16

Saturday Night slothful and trifling, and do not love to take pains; or because their heads, and hands, and hearts are full of the world, the cares of which choke the Word, and choke their souls at the evening before the sabbath should be so contrived that it may neither intrench upon sabbath time, nor indispose us for sabbath work.

John 19 last (Ezek. 33:31; Amos 8:5); and they study to divert their own thoughts from everything that is serious.

Schism

Matthew 11

Our Master had himself foretold that divisions and offences would come, but had entailed a woe on those by whom they come (Matt. 18:7), and against such we are here cautioned. Those who burden the church with dividing and _ offending impositions, who uphold and enforce those impositions, who introduce and propagate dividing and offending notions, which are erroneous or justly suspected, who out of pride, ambition, affectation of novelty, or the like, causelessly separate from their brethren, and by perverse disputes, censures, and evil surmisings, alienate the affections of Christians one from another — these cause divisions and offences, contrary to, or different from (for that also is implied), the 'doctrine which we have learned'.

The day before the sabbath should be a day of preparation for the sabbath, not of our houses and tables, but of our hearts, which, as much as possible, should be freed from the cares and business of the world, and fixed, and put in frame for the service and enjoyment of God. Such work is to be done, and such advantages are to be gained on the sabbath day, that it is requisite we should get ready for it a day before; nay, the whole week should be divided between the improvement of the foregoing sabbath and the preparation for the following sabbath.

Mark 15

'Six days before the passover'. Devout men set time apart before, to prepare themselves for that solemnity, and thus it became our Lord Jesus to 'fulfil

Romans 16

There may be schism where there is no separation of communion. Persons may come together in the same church, and sit down at the same table of the Lord, and yet be schismatics. Uncharitableness, alienation of affection, especially if all righteousness'. Thus he has set us an example of solemn self-sequestration, before the solemnities of the gospel passover; let us hear the voice crying, 'Prepare ye the way of the Lord'.

John 12 it grows up to discord, and feuds, and contentions, constitute schism, Christians may separate from each other's communion, and yet be charitable

They would not drive it too late on the day of preparation for the sabbath. What is to be done

2/4

Seeking God one towards another; they may continue in the same communion, and yet be uncharitable. This latter is schism, rather than the former.

I am vile, not only mean and contemptible, but vile and abominable, in my own eyes.' He is now sensible that he has sinned, and therefore calls himself vile. Sin debases us, and penitents abase themselves, reproach themselves, are ashamed, yea, even confounded.

1 Corinthians 11

Scorn

I have acted undutifully to my Father, ungratefully to my benefactor, unwisely for myself; and therefore I am vile.' Job now vilifies himself as much as ever he had justified and magnified himself. Repeniance changes men's opinion of themselves. Job had been too bold in demanding a conference with God, and thought he could make his part good with him: but now he is convinced of his error, and owns himself utterly unable to stand before God or to produce anything worth his notice, the veriest dunghill-worm that ever crawled upon God's ground. While his friends talked with him, he answered them, for he thought himself as good as they; but when God talked with him, he had nothing to say, for, in comparison with him, he sees himself nothing, less than nothing, worse than nothing, vanity and vileness itself; and therefore, 'What shall I answer thee?'

Though he was a man of honour, a man of great prudence, and had done eminent services to his country, yet because he was a devout, conscientious man, 'the proud had him greatly in derision'; they ridiculed him, bantered him, and did all they could to expose him to contempt; they laughed at him for his praying, and called it 'cant', for his seriousness, and called it

'mopishness', for his strictness, and called it 'needless preciseness'. They were the proud that sat in the scorner's seat and valued themselves on so doing.

Psalm 119

Secession

When the church ceases to be the pillar and ground of truth, we may and ought to forsake her; for our regard to truth should be greater than our regard to the church; we are no longer obliged to continue in the church than she continues to be the pillar and ground of truth.

Job 40

Seeking God

1 Timothy 3

Did any ever seek the Lord and not find him? Yes, Saul did. The Lord answered him not; took no notice of either his petitions or of his enquiries. . . He could not expect an answer of peace for 1. he enquired in

Seeing Ourselves as we are

He owns himself an offender, and has nothing to say in his own justification (v. 4): "Behold

20D

Seeking God such a manner that it was as if he had not enquired at all. Therefore, it is said (1 Chr. 10: passion. A just cause needs not anger to defend it and a bad one is made never the better by it.

14) he enquired not of the Lord for he did it faintly and coldly and with a secret design, if God did not answer him, to consult the devil. He did not enquire of the Lord in faith but with a double, unstable mind. 2. He enquired of the Lord when it was too late, when the days of his probation were over and he was finally rejected. Seek the Lord while he may be found for there is a time when he will not be found. 3. He had forfeited the benefit of all the methods of enquiry. Could he that hated and persecuted Samuel and David who were both prophets expect to be answered by prophets? Could he that had slain the high priest expect to be answered by Urim or could he that had sinned away the Spirit of grace expect to be answered by dreams? No, be not deceived God is not mocked.

Joshua 9

He longed for the water of the well of Bethlehem but when he had it he wouldn't drink it because he would not so far humour himself and gratify a foolish fancy. He that has such a rule as this over his own spirit is better than the mighty. It is an honour to a man to have the command of himself but he that will command himself must sometimes cross himself.

1 Chronicles 11

It is bad to think amiss, but it is much worse to speak amiss, for that is an allowance of the evil thought, and gives it an imprimatur — a sanction; it is publishing the seditious libel; and therefore, if thou hast thought evil, lay thy hand upon thy mouth and let it go no further (Prov. 30:32) and that will be an evidence for thee that that which thou thoughtest thou allowest not.

1 Samuel 28

Self-Control

job 40

Man's government of himself by the freedom of his will has in it more of God's image than his government of the creatures.

A prudent man covers shame. He covers the passion that is in his own breast; when his spirit

Genesis 1 is stirred, and his heart hot within him, he keeps his mouth

Joshua gives the reproof very mildly. He does not load them with any ill names, does not give them any harsh provoking language ... he only asks them 'Why have you beguiled us?' In the greatest provocations it is our wisdom and duty to keep our temper and to bridle our as with a bridle, and suppresses his resentments, by smothering and stifling them. Anger is shame, and, though a wise man be not perfectly free from at: yet he is ashamed of it, rebukes it, and suffers not the evil spirit to speak.

Self-Deception

It is a kindness to ourselves, and contributes to the repose of our own minds, to extenuate and excuse the injuries and affronts that we receive, instead of aggravating them and making the worst of them, as we are apt to do.

be so great, but we have always stronger reasons to avoid it.

1 Peter 2

Self-Deception

We are apt to think that we trust in God, and are entitled to the blessings here promised to those who do so. But this is a thing about which our own hearts deceive us as much as anything. We think that we trust in God when really we do not, as appears by this, that our hopes and fears rise or fall according as second causes smile

Proverbs 12

'The glory of a man is to pass over a transgression'; it is the duty of a reasonable, and therefore certainly of a Christian man, whose reason is improved and advanced by religion; such may not, and will not, presently fall foul on one who _ has offended him, but, like God, will be 'slow to anger, and ready to forgive'. Contention and strife arise from men's lusts, and exorbitant unruly passions, which must be curbed or frown.

Jeremiah 17

As if God could not see it, though he is all eye, or did not heed it, though his name is Jealous, or had forgotten it, though he is an eternal mind that can never be unmindful, or would not reckon for it, though he is the 'Judge of heaven and earth'. This is the sinner's atheism; as good say that there is no God as say that he is either ignorant or forgetful, that; there is) 'none: that judges in the earth' as that he and moderated, not indulged; and Christians need to be reminded of these things, that they do not by a wrathful contentious spirit and behaviour displease and dishonour God and discredit religion, promoting feuds in the places where they live. 'He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty,' and he

'that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.'

remembers not the things he

Titus 3

is to give judgment upon.

'Hosea 7

Our blessed Redeemer was perfectly holy, and so free from sin that no temptation, no provocation whatsoever, could extort from him so much as the least sinful or indecent word. Provocations to sin can never justify the commission of it. The rudeness, cruelty, and injustice of enemies, will not justify Christians in reviling and revenge; the reasons for sin can never

Even counterfeit graces will serve a man to make a show of when he comes to die, as well as they have done all his life long; the hypocrite's hopes blaze when they are just expiring.

Matthew 25

They thought themselves wellfurnished in their souls; they

Self-Deception

Self-Denial had learning, and they took it for religion; they had gifts, and they took them for grace; they had wit, and they took it for mortification to the world, do very much befriend the exercises of piety, and help to transmit the observance of them to posterity. The more dead we are to the delights of sense, the better we are disposed for the service of God; but nothing is more fatal to the entail of religion in a family than pride and luxury.

true wisdom; they had _ ordinances, and they took up with them instead of the God of ordinances. How careful should we be not to put the cheat upon our own souls!

Revelation 3

Jeremiah 35

Self-Denial

God's servants must learn to endure hardness, and to deny themselves the use of lawful delights, when they may thereby serve the glory of God, evidence the sincerity of their faith, and express their sympathy with their brethren in affliction. The body must be kept under and brought into subjection. Nature is content with a little, grace with less, but lust with nothing. It is good to stint ourselves of choice, that we may the better bear it if ever we should come to be stinted by necessity.

Many are kept from doing their duty by the fear of trouble, the love of ease and an inordinate affection to their worldly business and advantage.

Judges 5

Making excuses (Luke 14:18) is interpreted making light of Christ (Matt. 22:5), and so it is. Those put a great contempt upon Christ that cannot find in their hearts to bear a cold blast for him, or get out of a warm bed.

Ezekiel 4

Song of Solomon 5

This fitly follows upon denying ourselves; for he that will not deny himself the pleasures of sin, and the advantages of this world for Christ, when it comes to the push, will never have the heart to take up his cross. 'He that cannot take up the resolution to live a saint, has a demonstration within himself, that he is never likely to die a martyr'; so Archbishop Tillotson.

Wine is indeed given to 'make glad the heart of man' and we are allowed the sober and moderate use of it; but we are so apt to abuse it and get hurt by it, and a good man, who has his heart made continually glad with the 'light of God's countenance', has so little need of it for that purpose (Ps. 4: 6, 7), that it is a commendable piece of self-denial either not to use it at all or very sparingly and medicinally, as Timothy used it (1 Tim. 5:23).

Matthew 16

It is very good for us to straiten and deny ourselves, that we may be able to give the more to the poor; to deny ourselves not only superfluities, but even

Jeremiah 35

Temperance, self-denial, and

Self-Examination

Self-Discipline conveniences, for the sake of charity. We should in many cases pinch ourselves, that we may supply the necessities of others; this is loving our neighbours as ourselves.

His care and industry. He rose up early in the morning that he might lose no time and to show how intent his mind was upon his business. Those that would maintain their spiritual conflicts must not love their ease.

Mark 12

The expectation we have of being without bodily appetites in a future life is a very good argument against being under their power in the present life.

Joshua 8

Self-Examination

1 Corinthians 6

The word § signifies a _ fixed abiding thought. Some make it an allusion to those who work embroidery, who are very exact and careful to cover the least flaw, or to those who cast up their accounts, who reckon with themselves, 'What do I owe? What am I worth?' 'I thought not on my wealth (as the covetous man) (49:11) but on my ways, not on what I have but what I do'; for what we do will follow us into another world when what we have must be left behind. Many are critical enough in their remarks upon other people's ways who never think of their own.

That man has very little of the spirit of the Redeemer who had rather his brother should perish than himself be abridged, in any respect, of his liberty. He who hath the Spirit of Christ in him will love those whom Christ loved, so as to die for them, and will study to promote their spiritual and eternal welfare, and shun everything that would unnecessarily grieve them, and much more everything that would be likely to occasion their stumbling, or falling into sin.

1 Corinthians 8

Psalm 119

Those who would aright pursue the interests of their souls must beat down their bodies, and keep them under. They must combat hard with fleshly lusts,

I thought I could have counted them one by one, and have found out the account. He desired to find them out as a penitent, that he might the more particularly acknowledge them; and, generally, the more particular we are in the confession of sin the more comfort we have in the sense of the pardon; he desired it also as a preacher, that he might the more particularly give warning to others. Note, a sound till they have subdued them; and not indulge a wanton appetite, and long for heathenish sacrifices, nor eat them, to please their flesh, at the hazard of their brethren's souls. The body must be made to serve the mind, not suffered to lord over it.

1 Corinthians 9

Self-Examination conviction of one sin will put us upon enquiring into the whole confederacy; and the more we see amiss in ourselves the more diligently we should enquire further into our own faults, that what we see not may be discovered to us (Job 34:32).

than humanity. It is a serious question, and which we should frequently put to ourselves, 'What do we more than others?'

'What excelling thing do we do?' We know more than others; we talk more of the things of God than others; we profess, and have promised, more _ than others; God has done more for us, and therefore justly expects more from us than from others; the glory of God is more concerned in us than in others; but what do we more than others? Wherein do we live above the rate of the children of this world?

Ecclesiastes 7

Let us search and try our ways, search what they have been, and then try whether they have been right and good or no; search as for a malefactor in disguise, that flees and hides himself, and then try whether guilty or not guilty. Let conscience be employed both to search and to try, and let it have leave to deal faithfully, to accomplish a diligent search and to make an impartial trial. Let us try our ways, that by them we may try ourselves, for we are to judge of our state not by our faint wishes, but by our steps, not by one particular step, but by our ways, the ends we aim at, the rules we go by, and the agreeableness of the temper of our minds and the tenor of our lives to those ends and those rules. When we are in affliction it is seasonable to consider our ways (Hag. 1:5), that what is amiss may be repented of and amended for the future, and so we may answer the intention of the affliction. We are apt, in times of public calamity, to reflect upon other people's ways, and lay blame upon them; whereas our business is to search and try our Own ways. We have work enough to do at home.

Matthew 5

They ask the reason why they could not cast out the devil at this time (v. 19); 'they came to Jesus apart'. Note, Ministers, who are to deal for Christ in public, have need to keep up a private communion with him, that they may in secret, where no eye sees, bewail their weakness and straitness, their follies and infirmities, in their public performances, and enquire into the cause of them. We should make use of the liberty of access we have to Jesus apart, where we may be free and Pparticular with him. Such questions as the disciples put to Christ, we should put to ourselves, in communing with our own hearts upon our beds; why were we so dull and careless at such a time? Why came we so much short in such a duty? That which is amiss may, when found out, be amended.

Matthew 17

Lamentations 3

They were apt to suspect themselves; 'Lord, is it I?' Though

Christianity is something more

Self-Pity they were not conscious to themselves of any inclination that way (no such thought had ever entered into their mind), yet they feared the worst, and asked him who knows us better than we know ourselves, 'Lord, whole souls changed as to the bent and inclination thereof; and to come to a fixed certainty in this requires the utmost diligence, and cannot be attained and kept without divine assistance, as we may learn from (Psv199°235Rom.s716): is it 1?'. Note, it well becomes the disciples of Christ always to be jealous over themselves with a godly jealousy, especially in trying times. We know not how strongly we may be tempted, nor how far God may leave us to ourselves, and therefore have reason, not to be high-minded, but fear. It is observable that our Lord Jesus, just before he instituted the Lord's Supper, put his disciples upon this trial and suspicion of themselves, to teach us to examine and judge ourselves, and so to eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

2-Peter1

Self-Indulgence

Fulness of bread, as it was one of Jerusalem's mercies, so it had become one of her sins (Ezek. 16:49). The plenty was abused to luxury and excess, which were therefore thus justly punished with famine. It is a righteous thing with God to deprive us of those enjoyments which we have made the food and fuel of our lusts.

Ezekiel 4

Matthew 26

To be exact and severe on ourselves and our own conduct is the most proper way in the world not to fall under the just severity of our heavenly Father. We must not judge others, lest we be judged (Matt. 7:1); but we must judge ourselves, to prevent our being judged and condemned by God. We may be critical as to ourselves, but should be very candid in judging others.

Self-Pity

We are apt to call reproofs reproaches, and to think ourselves mocked when we are but advised and admonished: this peevishness is our folly, and a great wrong to ourselves and to our friends.

Job 12

What was the cause of their mourning; not their sin, but their punishment. They did not lament their fall into idolatry, and luxury, and persecution, but their fall into ruin — the loss of their traffic and of their wealth and power. The spirit of antichrist is a worldly spirit, and their sorrow is a mere worldly sorrow, they did not lament for the anger of God, that had now

1 Corinthians 11

It requires a great deal of diligence and labour to make sure our calling and election; there must be a very close examination of ourselves, a very narrow search and strict enquiry, whether we are thoroughly converted, our minds enlightened, our wills renewed, and our

Self-Pity fallen upon them, but for the loss of their outward comforts.

acquainted with the cross.

Matthew 20

Revelation 18

Separation

Self-Sufficiency

Let all take warning by his fall carefully to preserve their purity and to watch against all fleshly lusts for all our glory has gone and our defence departed from us when the covenant of our separation to God as spiritual Nazarites is profaned.

Those who trust to their own sufficiency, and are so confident of it that they neither exert themselves to the utmost nor seek unto God for his grace, are the youths and the young men, who are strong, but are apt to think themselves stronger than they are. And they shall faint and be weary, yea, they shall utterly fail in their services, in their conflicts, and under their burdens; they shall soon be made to see the folly of trusting to themselves. But those that wait upon the Lord, who make conscience of their duty to him and by faith rely upon him and commit themselves to his guidance, shall find that God will not fail them.

Judges 16

Those that know not how to quit a place at court when they cannot keep it without sinning against God and wronging their consciences, do not rightly value the divine favour.

2 Kings 5

(See) the great danger of bad company even to good men. Those that have most wisdom, grace and resolution cannot be sure that they can converse familiarly with wicked people and not get hurt by them. Jehoshaphat here in complaisance to Ahab sits in his robes patiently hearing the false prophets speaking lies in the name of the Lord, can scarcely find in his heart to give him a too mild and gentle reproof for hating a prophet of the Lord and dares not rebuke that false prophet who basely abused the faithful seer nor oppose Ahab who committed him to prison. Those who venture among the seats of the scornful cannot come off without a great deal of the guilt attaching to at least the omission of their duty unless they have such measures of wisdom and

Isaiah 40

As before they knew not what they asked, so now they know not what they answered. 'We are able'; they would have done well to put in, 'Lord, by thy strength and in thy grace, we are able, otherwise we are not.' But the same that was Peter's temptation, to be confident of his own sufficiency, and presume upon his own strength, was here the temptation of James and John; and it is a sin we are all prone to. They knew not what Christ's cup was, nor what his baptism, and_therefore they were thus bold in promising for themselves. But those are commonly most confident, that are least

Separation courage as few can _ pretend both signify 'my husband', and both had been made use of concerning God (Isa. 54:5). 'Thy Maker is thy husband', thy 'Baal' (so the word is), thy owner, patron, and protector. It is probable that many good people had, accordingly, made to.

2 Chronicles 18

Those that durst not eat the meat yet made bold with the broth, because they would come as near as might be to that which was forbidden, to show how they coveted the forbidden fruit. Perhaps this use of the word Baali in worshipping the God of Israel; when their wicked neighbours bowed the knee to Baal they gloried in this, that God was their Baal. 'But', says God, 'you shall call me so no more, because I will have the very names of Baalim taken away.' Note, that which is very innocent in itself should, when it has been abused to idolatry, be abolished, and the very use of it taken away, that nothing may be done to keep idols in remembrance, much less to keep them in reputation. When calling God 'Ishi' will do as well, and signify is here put figuratively for all forbidden pleasure and _profits which are obtained by sin, that abominable thing which the Lord hates; they loved to be dallying with it, to be tasting of its broth. But those who thus take a pride in venturing upon the borders of sin, and the brink of it, are in danger of falling into the depths of it.

Isaiah 65

Why the dimensions of it were made thus large. It was to 'make a separation', by putting

AS IMUGCh wl ass baal iene baat nar word be chosen rather, lest, by calling him Baali, others should be put in mind of their 'quondam' Baals.

a very large distance 'between the sanctuary and the profane place'; and therefore there was a wall surrounding it, to keep off those that were unclean and to separate between 'the precious and the vile'. Note, a difference is to be put between common and_ sacred things, between God's name and other names, between his day and other days, his Book and other books, his institutions and other observances; and a distance is to be put between our worldly and religious actions, so as still to go about the worship of God with a solemn pause.

Hosea 2

Those that would be kept from sin, and not fall into the devil's hands, must studiously avoid the occasions of sin and not come upon the devil's ground.

Hosea 4

He that is not with me is against me. In the little differences that may arise between the disciples of Christ among themselves, we are taught to lessen the matters in variance, and to seek peace, by accounting those who are not against us, to be with us (Luke 9:50); but in the great quarrel between Christ and the devil, no

Ezekiel 42

God says, 'thou shalt call me Ishi, and call me no more Baali';

Separation peace is to be sought, nor any such favourable construction to be made of any indifference in the matter; he that is not hearty for Christ, will be reckoned with as really against him: he that is cold in the cause, is looked upon as an enemy. When the dispute is between God and Baal, there is no halting between two (1 Kings 18: 21), there is no trimming between Christ and Belial.

contradiction is this to the

prayer of every good man,

'Gather not my _ soul with sinners'! 'Saul among _ the prophets' is not so absurd as David among the Philistines. Those that deprecate the lot of the scornful hereafter should dread the 'seat of the scornful' now. It is ill warming ourselves with those with whom we are in danger of burning ourselves (Ps. 141:4).

Matthew 12

John 18

Bad company is to many an occasion of sin; and those who needlessly thrust themselves into it, go upon the devil's ground, venture into his crowds, and may expect either to be tempted and ensnared,

Christ was separated from this world, as those that are buried have nothing more to do with this world, nor this world with them; and therefore our complete separation from sin _ is represented by our being 'buried with Christ'. And a good Christian will be willing to be buried alive with Christ.

as Peter was, or to be ridiculed and abused, as his Master was; they scarcely can come out of such company, without guilt or

Acts 13

grief, or both.

Matthew 26

Service

Those that receive Christ's good will and good word must expect the world's ill will and ill word. Gospel ministers have been in a particular manner hated by the world, because they call men out of the world, and separate them from it, and teach them not to conform to it, and so condemn the world. 'Father, keep them', for it is for thy sake that they

We must first see to it that our peace be made with God and then we may expect that our services for his glory will be accepted.

Leviticus 5

They owe their service to those to whom they owe their lives.

Joshua 9 are exposed; they are sufferers for thee. Thus the psalmist pleads, 'For thy sake I have borne reproach' (Ps. 69:7).

His lying prostrate was a posture of greater reverence, but his standing up would be a posture of greater readiness and fitness for business. Our adorings of God must not hinder, but rather quicken and excite, our actings for God. He fell on his face in a holy fear and awe

John 17

He desired to be thought 'one of them', that he might not be suspected to be a disciple of

Christ. Is this Peter? What a

Sin of God, but he was quickly raised up again; for those that humble themselves shall be exalted. God delights not in the dejections of his servants, but the same that brings them low will raise them up.

lustre and power unto the perfect day.

Judges 5

Sickness

Ezekiel 2

Diseases are God's_ servants; they go where he sends them and do what he bids them. It is, -'theréfore, good for ~ the health of our bodies to mortify the sin of our souls.

Paul's strait was not between living in this world and living in heaven; between these two there is no comparison: but his strait was between serving Christ in this world and enjoying him in another. Still it was Christ that his heart was upon: though, to advance the interest of Christ and his church, he chose rather to tarry here, where he met with oppositions and difficulties, and to deny himself for awhile the satisfaction of his reward.

Deuteronomy 7

So it directs us, not only to apply ourselves to Christ, who has power over bodily diseases, for the cure of them, but it also teaches us in what manner to apply ourselves to him; with an assurance of his power, believing that he is as able to cure diseases now, as he was when on earth, but with a submission

Philippians 1 to his will; Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst. As to temporal mercies, we cannot be so sure of God's will to bestow them, as we may of his power, for his power in them is unlimited, but his promise of them is limited by a regard to his glory and our good. When we cannot be sure of his will, we may be sure of his wisdom and mercy, to which we may cheerfully refer ourselves.

Could Paul think it worth while to shed his blood for the service of the church, and shall we think it much to take a little pains? Is not that worth our labour which he thought worth his life?

Philippians 2

Shining Christians

Matthew 8

Let them shine so bright, appear so glorious in the eye of the world, cast such benign influences, be as much out of the reach of their enemies who curse the rising sun because it scorches them; let them rejoice

Sin

Eve lays all the blame upon the serpent. Sin is a brat which nobody is willing to own, a sign that it is a scandalous thing.

as a strong man to run a race (Ps. 19:5), let them as burning and shining lights in their places dispel the mists of darkness and shine with more and more

Genesis 3

Satan drives his vassals from

Sin presumption to despair. We cannot think too ill of sin provided we do not think it unpardonable.

separates us from God but it is our being unclean and _ not purifying purselves that will separate us for ever from him. It is not the wound that is fatal so much as the contempt of the remedy.

Genesis 4

Omissions are sins and must come into judgment but what had been omitted at one time might be done at another and so to obey was better than sacrifice but a commission was past recall.

Why did the law make a dead corpse such a defiling thing? Because death is the wages of sin, entered into the world by it and reigns by the power of it. Death to mankind is another thing from what it is to other creatures; it is a curse, it is the execution of the law and, therefore, the defilement of death signifies the defilement of sin . . . when the dead body was buried . . . then he began to reckon his days. Then and then only we may with comfort apply Christ's merit to our souls, when we have forsaken sin and cease all fellowship with the unfruitful works of death and darkness.

From all these laws concerning the sin offerings we may learn to hate sin and to watch against it. That is certainly a very bad thing to make atonement for which so many innocent and useful creatures. must be slain and mangled thus.

Leviticus 4

To show the loathsomeness of the sin for which it was offered it must not be made grateful either to the taste by oil or to the smell by frankincense. The unsavouriness of the offering was to intimate that the sinner must never relish his sin again

Numbers 19

God often makes men's sin their punishment.

as he had done.

Deuteronomy 28

Leviticus 5

By this he shows that there is no sin little because no little God to sin against.

Though the pollution contracted was only ceremonial, yet the neglect of the purification prescribed would turn into moral guilt. 'He that shall be unclean and shall not purify himself, that soul shall be cut off'. It is a dangerous thing to despise divine institutions though they may seem minute. A _ slight wound, if neglected, may prove

1 Samuel 13

Those that ease their cares by sinful pleasures, increase their wealth by sinful pursuits, escape their troubles by sinful projects, and evade sufferings _—for righteousness' sake by sinful compliances against their consciences, make a choice they will repent of; for there is more evil in the least sin than in the greatest affliction.

fatal. A sin we call little, if not repented of, will be our ruin. When great sinners that repent shall find mercy. Our uncleanness

Job 36

Sin fools that make light of sin, for they make light of that which God complains of (Amos 2:13), which lay heavily upon Christ, and which they themselves will have other thoughts of shortly.

When, after one sin, David's heart smote him, and, after another, Nathan was sent to tell him, 'Thou art the man', God restored his soul. Though God may suffer his people to

Proverbs 14 fall into sin, he will not suffer them to lie still in it.

We sin even in our doing good;

Psalm 23 there is something defective, nay, something offensive, in our best performances. That which,

Nothing will disquiet the heart of a good man so much as the sense of God's anger, which shows what a fearful thing it is to fall into his hands. The way to keep the heart quiet is to keep ourselves in the love of God and to do nothing to offend him.

for the substance of it, is good, and pleasing to God, is not so well done as it should be, and omissions in duiy are sins, as well as omissions of duty.

Ecclesiastes 7

The angels had celebrated the purity and holiness of God; and therefore the prophet, when he reflects upon sin, calls it uncleanness; for the sinfulness of sin is its contrariety to the holy nature of God, and upon that account especially it should appear both hateful and frightful to us.

Psalm 38

It is his truth that by wilful sin we deny, his conduct that we despise, his command that we disobey, his promise that we distrust, his name that we dishonour, and it is with him that we deal deceitfully and disingenuously.

Isaiah 6

This should greatly humble us for all our sins, that they have been committed under the eye of God which argues either a disbelief of his omniscience or

The confusion and emptiness that shall overspread the face of the whole country shall be like that of the whole earth when it was 'Tohu' and 'Bohu' a contempt of his justice.

(the very words here used) — without form and void (Gen. 1:2). Sin will soon turn a paradise into a chaos, and sully the beauty of the whole creation.

Psalm 51

The sins of God's professing people do not only anger him, but grieve him, especially their distrust of him. . . If our sins have grieved God, surely they should grieve us, and nothing in sin should grieve us so much

Isaiah 34

See here sin in its colours, sin exceedingly sinful, withdrawing the creature from his allegiance to his Creator; and see sin in its consequences, sin exceedingly hurtful, separating us from God, and so separating us not only as that.

Psalm 95

Those that make light of sin make light of Christ. Those are

Sin from all good, but to all evil (Deut. 29:21) which is the very quintessence of the curse.

now abhorred his sanctuary (v. 7); it has been defiled with sin, that only thing which he hates, and for the sake of that he abhors even his sanctuary, which he had delighted in and called his rest for ever (Ps. 132:

Isaiah 59

Sin is the great mischief-maker between God and a people; it forfeits the benefits of his promises and spoils the success of their prayers. It defeats his kind intentions concerning them (Hos. 7:1) and baffles their pleasing expectations from him. It ruins their comforts, prolongs their grievances, brings them into straits, and retards their deliverances (Isa. 59:1, 2).

14), Lamentations 2

Those that will not be kept from sin by fear and shame shall by fear and shame be punished for it; such is the confusion that sin will end in.

Ezekiel 7

Jeremiah 18

If God can work such deliverance as no other can, he may demand such obedience as no other may. He gives him the glory of his goodness, that he was ready to do it (v. 28): 'He has sent his angel and delivered his servants'. Bel could not save his worshippers from being burnt at the mouth of the furnace, but the God of Israel saved his from _ being burnt when they were cast into the midst of the furnace because they refused to 'worship any other god'. By this Nebuchadnezzar was plainly given to understand that all the great success which he had had, and_ should yet have, against the people of Israel, which he gloried in, as if he had therein overpowered the God of Israel, was owing purely to 'their sin': if the body of that nation had faithfully adhered to their own God and the worship of him only, as these three men did, they would all have been delivered out of his hand as these three men were.

It becomes us to speak of sin with the utmost dread and detestation as an abominable thing; it is certainly so, for it is that which God hates, and we are sure that his judgment is according to truth. Call it grievous, call it odious, that we may by all means possible put ourselves and others out of love with it. It becomes us to give warning of the danger of sin, and the fatal consequences of it, with all seriousness and earnestness: 'O, do not do it. If you love God, do not, for it is provoking to him; if you love your own souls, do not, for it is destructive to them.' Let conscience do this for us in an hour of temptation, when we are ready to yield. O take heed! Do not this abominable thing which the Lord hates; for, if God hates it, thou shouldst hate it.

Jeremiah 44

What should they do with the places when the services had become an abomination? He has

Daniel 3

Sin

He does not say, 'So shall the king of Assyria do to you;' but, him of this particularly.

Matthew 14

'So shall Bethel do to you.' Note, whatever mischief is done

When he began to reckon, one of the first defaulters appeared to owe ten thousand talents. There is no evading the enquiries of divine justice; your sin will be sure to find you out. The debt was ten thousand talents, a vast sum, amounting by computation to one million eight hundred and seventy five thousand pounds sterling; a king's ransom or a kingdom's subsidy, more likely than a servant's debt; see what our sins are.

to us it is sin that does it. Are the fortresses spoiled? Are the women and children murdered? Is the king cut off? It is sin that does all this. It is sin that ruins soul, body, estate, all. So shall Bethel do unto you. It is thy own wickedness that corrects thee and thy backslidings that reprove thee.

Hosea 10

When we are confessing our sins it is good to take notice of the mercies of God as the aggravations of our sins, that we may be the more humbled and ashamed, and call ourselves by the scandalous name of ungrateful.

Matthew 18

Sin is a brat that nobody is willing to own; and many deceive themselves with this, that they shall bear no blame if they can but find any to lay the blame upon; but it is not so easy a thing to transfer the guilt of sin as many think it is. The condition of him that is infected with the plague is not the less dangerous, either for his catching the infection from others, or his communicating the infection to others; we may be tempted to sin, but cannot be) forced: 'The 'priests threw it upon Judas; 'See thou to it'; and now Pilate throws

Nehemiah 9

Guilt and corruption are our two great discouragements when we stand before God. By the guilt of the sins committed by us we have become obnoxious to the justice of God; by the power of the sin that dwells in us we have become odious to the holiness of God.

Zechariah 3

For this sin John reproved him; not by tacit and oblique allusions, but in plain terms, 'It is not lawful for thee to have her'. He charges it upon him as it "upon them; See 'ye 'to: at; 'for with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you.'

Matthew 27 a sin; not, it is not honourable, Orjiitas not safe, but, it: is not lawful; the sinfulness of sin,

He was 'made sin for us', and therefore was thus sorrowful; he fully knew the malignity of the sins he was to suffer for; and having the highest degrees of love to God, who was as it is the transgression of the law, is the worst thing in it. This was Herod's own iniquity, his beloved sin, and therefore John Baptist tells

Sin offended by them, and of love to man, who was damaged and endangered by them, now that those were set in order before him, no marvel that his soul was 'exceeding sorrowful'. Now he was made to serve with our sins, and was thus wearied with our iniquities.

are taken from the sufferings of Christ. All sympathy and tenderness. for Christ as a sufferer are lost if you do not put away sin. He died to destroy it; and, though he could cheerfully submit to the worst sufferings, yet he could never submit to the least sin.

Mark 14

1 Peter 4

We were by sin become odious to God's holiness, which cried, 'Away with them, away with them', for God is 'of purer eyes than to behold iniquity.' We were also become obnoxious to God's justice, which cried against us, 'Crucify them, crucify them', let the sentence of the law be executed. Had not Christ interposed, and been rejected of men, we had been for ever rejected of God.

All that was made for man's use is subject to vanity by man's sin; and if the sin of man has brought the visible heavens, and the elements and earth, under a curse, from which they cannot be freed without being dissolved, what an abominable evil is sin, and how much to be hated by us!

2 Peter 3

Sin is filthiness; it renders men odious and vile in the sight of the most holy God, and makes them (sooner or later, as penitent or as punished to extremity and without resource) vile in their own eyes, and in a while they become vile in the eyes of

Dead bodies and graves are noisome and offensive; hence sin is compared to a 'body of death' and an 'open sepulchre'; but Christ's sacrifice, being to God as a sweet-smelling savour, hath taken away our pollution.

all about them.

Jude

John 19

Every wilful sin is a quarrel with God, it is 'striving with our Maker' (Isa. 45:9), the most desperate contention. The Spirit of God strives with sinners (Gen. 6:3), and impenitent sinners strive against the Spirit, rebel against the light (Job 24:

Sin (Consequences of)

Many must be involved in the guilt. Joab, the general to whem the blood of his soldiers, especially the worthies, ought to be precious, must do it; he and all that retire from Uriah when they ought in conscience to support and second him, become guilty of his death. Uriah cannot thus die alone; the party he commands is in danger of being cut off with him; and it proved so; some

13), hold fast deceit, strive to retain that sin which the Spirit strives to part them from.

Romans 2

Some of the strongest and best arguments against all sorts of sin

Singing of the people, even the servants of David (so they are called, to aggravate David's sin in being so prodigal of their lives), fell with him (v. 17). Nay, this wilful misconduct by which Uriah must be betrayed might be of fatal consequence to the whole army, and might oblige them to raise the siege. It will be the triumph and joy of the Ammonites, the sworn enemies of God and Israel; it will gratify them exceedingly. David prayed for himself, that he might not fall into the hands of men, nor flee from his enemies (ch. 24:13, 14), yet he sells his servant Uriah to the Ammonites and not for any iniquity in his hand.

conscience' of their duty, though they have their mistakes. What is honestly intended shall be well taken.

Psalm 111

The poorest beggar, that asked a miracle for the relief of his necessity, was never denied; but this proud prince, that asked a miracle merely for the gratifying of his curiosity, is denied.

Luke 23

Singing

Sing praise, sing with the voice of a psalm. Express your joy, thus proclaim it, thus excite it yet more, and thus propagate it among others. Let these be assisted with sacred music, not only with the soft and gentle melody of the harp, but since

2 Samuel 11

Ahaz walked in the ways of the kings of Israel and the king of Israel was the instrument God made use of for his punishment. It is just with God to make those our plagues whom we make our pattern or make ourselves partners with in sin. Vast numbers were slain and some of the first rank; the king's son for one. He had sacrificed some of his sons to Moloch, justly, therefore, is this sacrificed to the divine vengeance.

it is a victorious King whose glory is to be celebrated, who goes forth conquering and to conquer, let him be proclaimed with the martial sound of the trumpet and cornet.

Psalm 98

When God in his providence exercises us with a mixture of mercy and judgment it is our duty to sing, and sing unto him both of the one and of the other; we must be suitably affected with both, and make suitable acknowledgments to God for both. The Chaldeeparaphrase of this is observable: 'If Thou bestowest mercy

2 Chronicles 28

Sincerity

Those that sincerely set themselves against sin will set themselves against all sin.

upon me', or 'If Thou bring any judgment upon me, before Thee,

2 Chronicles 31

O Lord, will I sing my hymns for all.' Whatever our outward condition is, whether joyful or

God and man will look upon those as meaning well, and approve of them, who make

Singing sorrowful, still we must give glory to God, and sing praises to him; neither the laughter of a prosperous condition nor the tears of an afflicted condition must put us out of tune for sacred songs.

Those who have least to do for God, frequently do least of what they have to do. Some make it an excuse for their laziness, that they have not the opportunities of serving God that others have; and because they have not wherewithal to do what they say they would, they will not do what we are sure they can, and so sit down and do nothing; it is really an aggravation of their sloth, that when they have but one talent to take care about, they neglect that one.

Psalm 101

Sloth

It did not bode well at all that God's Israel began to think much of their labour and contrived how to spare _ their pains . .. it has likewise often proved of bad consequence to make light of an enemy ... it will awaken our care and diligence in our Christian warfare to consider that we wrestle with principalities and powers.

He that is slothful in his work, and neglects the good that God has commanded, is brother to him that is a great waster, by doing the evil that God has forbidden (Prov. 18:9). He that is careless in God's work, is near akin to him that is busy in the devil's work. To do no good is to incur very serious blame. Omissions are sins, and must come into judgment.

Joshua 7

Those that have no heart to their work pretend that their way is hedged up with thorns, and they cannot do their work at all (as if God were a hard Master, reaping where he had not sown), at least that their way is strewed with thorns, that they cannot do their work without a great deal of hardship and danger; and therefore they go about it with as much reluctance as if they were to go barefoot through a thorny hedge.

Matthew 25

Whatever may be the pretences of slothful professors, in excuse of their slothfulness, the true reason of it is a reigning indifference to the interests of Christ and his kingdom, and their coldness therein. They care not whether religion gets ground or loses ground, so they can but live at ease.

Proverbs 15

Luke 19

The observation is too true in the affairs of religion; he that is trifling and careless in praying and hearing is brother to him that does not pray or hear at all; and omissions of duty and in duty are as fatal to the soul

Social Justice

A just man will not take advantage of his neighbour's necessity to make a prey of him, nor indulge himself in ease and idleness to live upon the sweat and as Commissions of sin.

Proverbs 18 Zoz2

Source of Spiritual Courage toil of others, and therefore will not take increase from those who cannot make increase of what he lends them, nor be

Mine', saith God), but in respect of nearness and concern; our souls are our own, for they are ourselves.

rigorous in exacting what was agreed for from those who by

One soul is worth more than all the world; our own souls are of greater value to us than all the wealth, honour, and pleasures of this present time, if we had them. Here is the whole world set in the scale against one soul, and 'Tekel' written upon it; it is weighed in the balance, and found too light to weigh it down. This is Christ's judgment upon the matter, and he is a competent Judge; he had reason to know the price of souls, for he redeemed them; nor would he underrate the world, for he made it.

the act of God are disabled to

pay it; but he is willing to

share in loss as well as profit.

Ezekiel 18

Soul

The gourd which Jonah had pity on 'perished in a night'; it withered, and there was an end of it. But the precious souls in Nineveh that God had pity on are not so short-lived; they are immortal, and therefore to be carefully and _ tenderly considered. One soul is of more value than the whole world, and the gain of the world will not countervail the loss of it; surely then one soul is of more value than many gourds, of more value than many sparrows; so God accounts, and so should we, and therefore have a greater concern for the children of men than for any of the inferior creatures, and for our own and others' precious souls than for any of the riches and enjoyments of this world.

Matthew 16

Source of Spiritual Courage

We found before, when the Spirit of the Lord came upon Saul (11:6) none could be more daring nor forward to answer the challenge of Nahash the Ammonite but now that the Spirit of the Lord had departed from him, even the big looks and big words of the single Philistine make him _ change colour. . . As the best, so the bravest men are no more than what God makes them.

Jonah 4

Every man has a soul of his own. The soul is the spiritual and immortal part of man, which thinks and reasons, has a power of reflection and_ prospect, which actuates the body now, and will shortly act in a separation from the body. Our souls are our own not in respect of dominion and property (for we are not our own, 'All souls are

1 Samuel 17

What God works in his people by his grace contributes more to their preservation and defence than what he works for them by his providence. 'The God of Israel gives strength and power to his people', that they may do their part, and

ZOD

Source of Spiritual Courage

Spirit of the Age then he will not be wanting to do his. It is the glory of God to strengthen the weak, that most need his help, that see and own their need of it, and will be the most thankful for it.

The Romans, living in the imperial city, which reigned over the kings of the earth (Rev. 17:

18), and was at that time in the meridian of its splendour, were perhaps ready to take occasion thence to think the better of themselves. Even the holy seed were tainted with this leaven. Roman Christians would be ready to look scornfully upon other Christians.

See what divine grace does; it makes children not only men, but champions, makes weak saints to be not only good soldiers, but great soldiers, like David. And see how God often does his own work as easily and effectually, and more to his own glory, by weak and obscure instruments than by the most illustrious.

Romans 12

Spiritual Blindness

Zechariah 12

They had been followed with one judgment after another, but they had not profited by those means of grace as might be expected; they were still unreformed, and how could they expect that 'they should possess the land'? 'Shall you possess the land?' What! such wicked people as you are? 'How shall I put thee among the children and give thee a pleasant land?' (Jer. 3:19). Surely you never reflect upon yourselves, else you would rather wonder that you are in the land of the living than expect to possess this land. For do you not know how bad you are?

Sowing and Reaping

They prepare destruction for themselves by preparing themselves for destruction, loading themselves with guilt and submitting themselves to _ their corruptions.

Psalm 7

He foretells that God _ will reward them, not only according to their deeds, but according to the wickedness of their endeavours; for sinners shall be reckoned with, not only for the mischief they have done, but for the mischief they would have done, which they designed, and did what they could to effect. And, if God go by this rule in dealing with the wicked, surely he will do so in dealing with the righteous, and will reward them, not only for the good they have done, but for the good they have endeavoured to do, though they could not accomplish it.

Ezekiel 33

Sinners that were wedded to their lusts loved their ignorance and mistakes, which supported them in their sins, rather than the truths of Christ, which would have parted them from their sins. Man's apostasy began in an affectation of forbidden knowledge, but is kept up by an affectation of forbidden

Psalm 28 294

Spiritual Desertion ignorance. Wretched man is in love with his sickness, in love with his slavery, and will not be made free, will not be made whole.

be perverted and abused. A believing, humble, thankful glorying in God, is the root and summary of all religion (Ps. D482) Isa: 6452255 Core 1231): But a proud vainglorious boasting in God, and in the outward profession of his name, is the root and summary of all hypocrisy. Spiritual pride is of

The labour of ministers is all lost labour, unless the grace of God make it effectual. Men do not understand that which is made most plain, nor believe that which is made most evident, unless it be given them from heaven to understand and believe it.

all kinds of pride the most dangerous.

Romans 2

See here too what a different notion the word gives of a sensual and fleshly life from what the world generally has of it. Carnal people think they enjoy their pleasures; the word calls it servitude and vassalage: they are very drudges and bond slaves under them.

John 3

They said nothing to him concerning his miracles, by which he had done so much good, and proved his doctrine beyond contradiction, because of these they were sure they could take no hold. Thus the adversaries of Christ, while they are industriously quarrelling with his truth, wilfully shut their eyes against the evidences of it, and take no notice of them.

Titus 3

Spiritual Desertion

Many have lost the favourable presence of God and are not aware of it. They have provoked God to withdraw from them but are not sensible of their loss nor ever complain of

John 18

They knew not who he was, nor what errand he came into the world upon; for, 'if they had known, they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory'. Christ owned this in extenuation of their crime: 'They know not what they do'; and so did Peter: 'I wot that through ignorance you did™ this® (chi°3:17). \Tttswas also because they knew not the voice of the _ prophets though they heard them read every sabbath day.

it. Their souls languish and grow weak. Their gifts wither. Everything goes cross' with them and yet they impute not this to the right cause. They are not aware that God has departed from them nor are they in any care to reconcile themselves to him or to recover his favour. When God _ has departed we cannot do as at other times.

Judges 16

Acts 13

'Why hast thou forsaken me?'

'And makest thy boast of God'. See how the best things may is the language of a _ heart

Spiritual Desertion binding up its happiness in God's_ favour. When we are lamenting God's withdrawings, yet still we must call hin our God, and continue to call upon him as ours. When we want the faith of assurance we must live by a faith of adherence. 'However it be, yet God is good, and he is mine; though he slay me, yet will I trust in him'; though he do not answer me immediately, I will continue praying and _ waiting; though he be silent, I will not be silent.

eye to this Israel was often protected and saved; but now he remembered not his footstool. The ark itself was suffered, as it should seem, to fall into the hands of the Chaldeans. God, being angry, threw that away; for it shall be no longer his footstool; the earth shall be so, as it had been before the ark was (Isa. 66:1). Of what little value are the tokens of his presence when his presence is gone! Nor was this the first time that God gave his ark into captivity (Ps. 78:61). God and his kingdom can stand without that footstool.

Psalm 22

Nothing grieves a child of God so much as God's hiding his face from him, nor is there anything he so much dreads as God's casting off his soul. If the sun be clouded, that darkens

Lamentations 2

That Christ's being forsaken of his Father was the most grievous of his sufferings, and_ that which he complained most of. Here he laid the most doleful accents; he did not say, 'Why am I scourged? And why spit upon? And why nailed to the cross?' Nor did he say to his disciples, when they turned their back upon him 'Why have ye forsaken me?' But when his Father stood at a distance, he cried out thus; for this was it that put wormwood and gall into the affliction and misery. This brought the waters into the soul (Ps. 69:1—3).

the earth; but if the sun should abandon the earth, and quite cast it off, what a dungeon would it be!

Psalm 88

Her gates are gone in an instant, so that one would think they were sunk into the ground with their own weight, and he has destroyed and broken her bars, those bars of Jerusalem's gates which formerly he had strengthened (Ps. 147:13). Gates and bars will stand us in no stead when God has withdrawn

Matthew 27

his protection.

A sight of angels and their smiles will not suffice without

The ark was God's footstool, under the mercy-seat, between the cherubim; this was of all others the most sacred symbol of God's presence (it is called his footstool (1 Chron. 28:2; Fisre992595P9)7132.37)sathere the Shechinah rested, and with an a sight of Christ and God's smiles in him, Nay, the sight of angels is but an opportunity of pursuing here enquiries after Christ. All creatures, the most excellent, the most dear, should be used as means, and but as

Spiritual Gifts means, to bring us into acquaintance with God in Christ. The angels asked her, 'Why weepest thou?' I have cause enough to weep, says she, for 'they have

Let' not. thoseof "different temperaments and gifts censure one another nor envy one another any more than those of different statures and complexions.

taken away my Lord', and, like Micah, 'What have I more?' Do you ask why I weep? 'My beloved has withdrawn himself, and is gone.' Note, none know, but those who have experienced it, the sorrow of a deserted soul, that has had comfortable evidences of the love of God in Christ, and hopes of heaven, but has now lost them, and walks in darkness; such a 'wounded spirit who can bear?'.

Genesis 49

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

Numbers 22

It should seem these two tribes were differently armed both offensively and _ defensively." :Dhe.men of ii Judah guarded themselves with targets, the men of Benjamin with shields, the former of which were much larger than the latter (1 Kings 10:16, 17). The men of Judah fought with spears when they closed in with the enemy. The men of Benjamin drew bows to reach the enemy at a distance. Both did good service and neither could say to the other 'I have

John 20

Spiritual Fluctuation

And see here how the passions that run into an extreme one way commonly run into an extreme the other way. Jonah, who was in transports of joy when the gourd flourished, is in pangs of grief when the gourd has withered. Inordinate affection lays a foundation for inordinate affliction; what we are over-fond of when we have it we are apt to over-grieve for when we lose it, and we may see our folly in both.

nov meed 'of "thee Different gifts and employments are for the common good.

2 Chronicles 14

There may be a faith of miracles, where there is no justifying faith; none of that faith which works by love and obedience. Gifts of

Jonah 4 tongues and healing would recommend men to the world, but it is real holiness or sanctification that is accepted of God. Grace and love are a more excellent way than removing mountains, or speaking with the tongues of men and of angels (1 Cor. 13:1, 2). Grace will bring a man to heaven without working miracles, but

Spiritual Gifts

Among God's Israel there is to be found a great variety of dispositions contrary to each other yet all contributing to the beauty and strength of the body. s,Judahres like. , av) lion, Issachar like an ass, Dan like a serpent, Naphtali like a hind.

Spiritual Gifts working miracles will never bring they were intended also for their instruction and conviction, not only to force them out of their Egyptian slavery, but to cure them of their inclination to Egyptian idolatry, by evidencing the sovereign power and dominion of the God of Israel, above all gods, and his particular concern for them. We lose the benefit of providences for want of understanding them.

a man to heaven' without grace.

Matthew 7

Spiritual gifts are bestowed, that men may with them profit the church and promote Christianity. They are not given for show, but for service; not for pomp and _ ostentation, but for edification; not to magnify those that have them, but to edify others.

Psalm 106

1 Corinthians 12

To eat the flesh of Christ! this is a hard saying, but to believe that Christ died for me, to derive from that doctrine strength and comfort in my approaches to God, my oppositions to sin and preparations for a future state, this is the spirit and life of that saying, and, construing it thus, it is an excellent saying. The reason why men dislike Christ's sayings is because they mistake them. The literal sense of a parable does us no good, we are never the wiser for it, but the spiritual meaning is instructive.

Spiritual Understanding

It is matter of wonder that God should give Satan such a permission as this, should deliver the soul of his turtle-dove into the hand of the adversary, such a lamb to such a lion; but he did it for his own glory, the honour of Job, the explanation of Providence, and the encouragement of his afflicted people in all ages, to make a case which, being adjudged, might be a useful precedent. He suffered Job to be tried, as he suffered Peter to be sifted, but he took care that his faith should not fail (Luke 22:32) and then the trial of it was found unto praise, and honour, and glory (1 Peter 1:7).

John 6

Strong Drink

Those that would be kept from any sin must keep themselves from all the occasions and beginnings of it, and be afraid of coming within the reach of

Jobl

'They understood not thy wonders in Egypt'. They saw them, but they did not rightly apprehend the meaning and design of them. Blessed are those who its allurements, lest they be overcome by them.

If this be the end of the sin, with good reason were we directed to stop at the beginning of it: Look not upon the wine when it is red.

have not seen, and yet have understood. They thought the plagues of Egypt were intended for their deliverance, whereas

Proverbs 23

Submissiveness

Stubbornness to his unchangeableness (Job 23:13,- 15), but let him do what he will, subscribing to his wisdom and goodness.

The Lord God called to baldness and girding with sackcloth, but behold painting and dressing, walking contrary to God (Isa. 22:12, 13). There is not a surer presage of ruin than an unhumbled heart under humbling providences.

Note: It is our interest as well as duty, cheerfully to acquiesce in the will of God whatever befalls us. That we may not complain of what is, let us see God's hand in all events and that we may not be afraid of what shall be, let us see all events in God's hand.

2 Kings 9

Carnal hearts, in time of trouble, see their sickness and see their wound, but do not see the sin that is the cause of it, nor will be brought to acknowledge that, no, nor to acknowledge the hand of God, his 'mighty hand', much less his righteous hand, in their trouble; and therefore, instead of going the next way to the Creator, who could relieve them, they take a great deal of pains to go about to creatures, who can do them no service. Those who repent not that they have offended God by their sins are loth to be beholden to him in their afflictions, but would rather seek relief anywhere than with him.

2 Samuel 15

Zophar here speaks very good things concerning God and his greatness and glory, concerning man and his vanity and folly: these two compared together, and duly considered, will have a powerful influence upon our submission to all the dispensations of the divine Providence.

See here what God is, and let him be adored.

He is an incomprehensible being, infinite and immense, whose nature and perfections our finite understandings cannot possibly form any adequate conception of, and whose counsels and actings we cannot therefore, without the greatest presumption, pass a judgment upon. We that are so little acquainted with the divine nature are incompetent judges of the divine providence; and, when we censure the dispensations of it, we talk of things that we do not understand. We cannot find out God; how dare we then find fault with him . . . we may apprehend him, but we cannot comprehend him, we may know that he is, but cannot know what he is.

Hosea 5

Submissiveness

Let him do to me as seemeth good to him; I have nothing to object. All is well that God does. Observe with what satisfaction and holy complacency he speaks of the divine disposal — not only he can do what he will subscribing to his power (Job 9:12), or he has a right to do what he will, subscribing to his sovereignty (Job 33:13), or he will do what he will, subscribing

Job 11

Submissiveness

He is under no obligation to show us a reason for what he does, neither to tell us what he designs to do (in what method, at what time, by what instruments) nor to tell us why he deals thus with us. He is not bound either to justify his own proceedings or to satisfy our demands and enquiries; his judgments will certainly justify themselves. If we do not satisfy ourselves in them, it is our own fault. It is therefore daring impiety for us to arraign God at our bar, or challenge him to show cause for what he doeth, to say unto him, 'What doest thou?'

Is it their wisdom to submit to the heavy iron yoke of a cruel tyrant, that they may secure the lives of their bodies? And is it not much more our wisdom to submit to the sweet and easy yoke of our rightful Lord and Master Jesus Christ, that we may secure the lives of our souls? Bring down your spirits to repentance and faith, and that is the way to bring up your spirits to heaven and glory, and with much more cogency and compassion may we expostulate with perishing souls than Jeremiah here expostulates with a perishing people.

Job 33

Jeremiah 27

We must follow Providence, and not force it, subscribe to Infinite Wisdom and not prescribe.

Because we feel most from our own burden, and cannot be persuaded to reconcile ourselves to it, we are ready to cry out, Surely never was sorrow like unto our sorrow; whereas, if our troubles were to be thrown into

Psalm 37

Let the obsequiousness even of the unstable waters teach us obedience to the word and will of God; for shall man alone of a common stock with those of others, and then an equal dividend made, share and share alike, rather than stand to that we should each of us say, 'Pray, give me my own again.'

all the creatures be obstinate? Let their retiring to and resting in the place assigned them teach us to acquiesce in the disposals of that wise providence which appoints us the bounds of our habitation.

Lamentations 1

When afflicting _ providences deprive us of our relations, possessions, and enjoyments, we must bear it patiently, must not be angry at God, must not be angry for the gourd. It is comparatively but a small loss, the loss of a shadow; that is the most we can make of it. It was a gourd, a withering thing; we could expect no other than that it should wither. Our being angry for the withering of it will not recover it; we ourselves

Psalm 104

This yields abundant satisfaction to those who have bound up all their comforts in God's counsels, that his counsel shall _ undoubtedly stand; and, if we are brought to this, that whatever pleases God pleases us, nothing can contribute more to make us easy than to be assured of this, that God will do all his pleasure

Suffering to prevail awhile, though they profane his name by their sin, that he may have the honour of prevailing at last and sanctifying his own name in their ruin.

shall shortly wither like it. If one gourd be withered, another gourd may spring up in the room of it; but that which should especially silence our discontent is that though our gourd be gone our God is not gone, and there is enough in him to make up all our losses. Let us therefore own that we do ill, that we do very ill, to be angry for the gourd; and let us under such events quiet ourselves 'as a child that is weaned from his mother'.

Ezekiel 38

The cross is here put for all sufferings, as men or Christians; providential afflictions, persecutions for righteousness' sake, every trouble that befalls us, either for doing well or for not doing ili. The troubles of Christians are fitly called crosses, in allusion to the death of the cross, which Christ was obedient to; and it should reconcile us to troubles, and take off the terror of them, that they are what we bear in common with Christ, and such as he hath borne before

Jonah 4

We are apt, in such cases, to add to our own trouble, by fancying what 'might have been'.

'If such a method had been taken, such a physician employed, my friend had not died,' which is more than we know: but what good does this do? When God's will is done, our business is to submit us.

Matthew 16

Even in this, consolation doth more abound. It is but a cup, not an ocean; it is but a draught, bitter perhaps, but we shall see the bottom of it; it is a cup in the hand of a Father (John 18: to him.

John 11

Suffering

11); and it is full of mixture (Ps. 75:8). It is but a baptism; if dipped, that is the worst of

Christ's sufferings are continued in the suffering of the saints for his name. The devil tempts them, casts them into prison, persecutes and slays them, and it, not drowned; perplexed, but not in despair. Baptism is an ordinance by which we join ourselves to the Lord in covenant and communion; and so is suffering for Christ (Ezek. 20: 37; Isa. 48:10). Baptism is 'an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace'; and so is suffering for Christ, for unto us it is given (Phil. 1:29).

so bruises the heel of Christ, who is afflicted in their afflictions. But while the heel is bruised on earth, it is well that the head is safe in heaven,

Genesis 3

God brings his people into danger and distress that he may have the honour of bringing about their deliverance, and suffers the enemies of his church

Matthew 20

Whether it make for us or against us, we must abide by

Suffering this rule, that we cannot judge of men's sins by their sufferings in this world; for many are thrown into the furnace as gold to be purified, not as dross and chaff to be consumed.

our souls, but not for our bodies.

Nehemiah 10

They must rest from their worldly employment on _ the sabbath day, must do no servile work. They must bear no burden into the city nor out of it, into their houses nor out of them; husbandmen's burdens of corn must not be carried in, nor manure carried out; nor must tradesmen's burdens of wares or merchandises be imported or exported. There must not a loaded horse, or cart, or wagon, be seen on the sabbath day either in the streets or in the roads, the porters must not ply on that day, nor must the servants be suffered to fetch in provisions or fuel. It is a day of rest, and must not be made a day of labour, unless in case of necessity.

Luke 13

We are not called to suffer, while we may avoid it without sin; and therefore, though we may not, for our own preservation, change our religion, yet we may change our place. Christ secured himself, not by a miracle, but in a way common to men, for the direction and encouragement of his suffering people. John 4

Reference is here had to the divine counsels concerning his sufferings, by virtue of which it behoved him thus to submit and suffer. Note, this should reconcile us to the darkest hours of our lives, that we were all along designed for them; see (1 Thess. 3:3)).

Where God is jealous we must be cautious. 'Take heed to yourselves', for it is at your peril if you rob God of that part of your time which he has reserved for himself. 'Take heed to your souls' (so the word is); in order to the right sanctifying of sabbaths, we must look well to the frame of our spirits and have a watchful eye upon all the motions of the inward man. Let not the soul be burdened with the cares of this world on sabbath days, but let that be employed, even all that is within us, in the work of the day.

John 12

We are apt to justify our complaints of injuries done us with this, that they are causeless, whereas the more they are so the more they are like the sufferings of Christ, and may be the more easily borne.

John 15

Sunday Observance

Those that covenant to keep all God's commandments must particularly covenant to keep sabbaths well; for the profanation of them is an inlet to other instances of profaneness. The sabbath is a market day for

Jeremiah 17

Now that which our Lord Jesus here lays down is, that the

Sympathy imposition upon us, and therefore we must not make it so to ourselves. Man was not made for the sabbath, for he was made a day before the sabbath was instituted. Man was made for God, and for his honour and service, and he must rather die than deny him; but he was not made for the sabbath, so as to be tied up by the law of it, from that which is necessary to the support of his life.

works of necessity and mercy are lawful on the sabbath day, which the Jews in many instances were taught to make a scruple of. Christ's industrious explanation of the fourth commandment, intimates its perpetual obligation to the religious observation of one day in seven as a holy sabbath. He would not expound a law that was immediately to expire, but doubtless intended hereby to settle a point which would be of use to his church in all ages; and so it is to teach us, that our Christian sabbath, though under the direction of the fourth commandment, is not under the injunctions of the Jewish elders.

What care we ought to take not to make those exercises of religion burdens to ourselves or others, which God ordained to be blessings; neither adding to the command by unreasonable strictness, nor indulging those corruptions which are adverse to the command, for thereby we make those devout exercises a penance to ourselves, which otherwise would be a pleasure.

The priests in the temple did a great deal of servile work on the sabbath day; killing, flaying, burning the sacrificed beasts, which in a common case would have been profaning the sabbath; and yet it was never reckoned any transgression of the fourth commandment, because _ the temple service required and justi-

Mark 2

Though she was under this infirmity, by which she was much deformed, and made to look mean, and not only so, but, as is supposed, motion was very painful to her, yet she went to the synagogue on the sabbath day. Note, even bodily infirmities, unless they be very fied it. This intimates, that those labours are lawful on the sabbath day which are necessary, not only to the support of life, but to the service of the day; as tolling a bell to call the congregation together, travelling grievous indeed, should not keep us from public worship on sabbath days; for God can help us, beyond our expectation.

to church, and the like. Sabbath rest is to promote, not to hinder, sabbath worship.

Luke 13

Matthew 12

The sabbath is a sacred and

Sympathy

divine institution; but we must

receive and embrace it as a

This is a request like that of Job

privilege and a benefit, not as a

(ch. 19:21), 'Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O you task and a drudgery. First, God never designed it to be an

Sympathy my friends.' It helps to make a burden sit lighter if our friends sympathize with us, and mingle their tears with ours, for this knowledge and ready utterance are not always the most diligent Christians. Great talkers are not always the best doers; but these Corinthians were diligent to do, is an evidence that, though we are in affliction, we are not in contempt, which is commonly as well as know and talk, well.

2 Corinthians 8 as much dreaded in an affliction as anything.

Lamentations 1

Taxes

What we have, we have as stewards; others have an interest in

Tact

it, and must have their dues.

Every thing that is true and good is not suitable and seasonable. To one that was humbled, and broken, and grieved in spirit,

Render to all their dues; and that readily and cheerfully, not tarrying till you are by law compelled to it.

as Job was, he ought to have preached of the grace and mercy of God, rather than of his greatness and majesty, to have laid before him the consolations rather than the terrors of the Almighty. Christ knows how to speak what is proper for the weary (Isa. 50:4) and his ministers should learn rightly to divide the word of truth, and not make those sad whom God would not have made sad.

Romans 13

Teachers

Observe the method: he first learned and then taught. Sought the law of the Lord and so laid up a good treasure and then instructed others and laid out what he had laid up. He also first did and then taught — practised the commandments himself and then directed others in the practice of them, thus his example confirmed his doctrine.

Job 26

Talkative

But these Corinthians excelled most churches in spiritual gifts, and particularly in utterance; and yet this was not in them,

Ezra 7

Teaching Methods as in too many, both the effect and evidence of ignorance; for with their utterance there appeared knowledge, abundance of knowledge. They had a treasury of things new and old, and in their utterance they brought out of this treasury. They abounded also in all diligence. Those who have great

He did not name John, but gives them such a description of him as would put them in mind of what he had said to them formerly concerning him; 'This is Elias'. This is a profitable way of teaching; it engages the learners' own thoughts, and makes them, if not their own

Temperament teachers, yet their own remembrancers; and thus knowledge becomes easy to him that understands. When we diligently use the means of knowledge, how strangely are mists scattered and mistakes rectified!

he could use, he forced them to reform; for he was a man of a hot and eager spirit. Note: 1. Very holy men may differ much from each other in their natural temper and in other things that result from it. 2.God's work may be done, well done, and successfully and yet different methods taken in the doing of it, which is a good reason why we should neither arraign the management of others nor make our own a_ standard. There are diversities of operation, but the same Spirit.

, Matthew 17

Many are taught with the briars and thorns of affliction that would not learn otherwise. God gives wisdom by the rod and reproof, chastens and _ teaches and by correction opens the ear to discipline. Our blessed Saviour, though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered. Let every pricking briar and grieving thorn, especially when it becomes a thorn in the flesh, be thus. interpreted, thus improved. By this God designs to teach me. What good lesson shall I learn?

Nehemiah 5

Comparing this story with that in (Luke 10:38) etc., we may observe the different tempers of these two. sisters, and_ the temptations and advantages of each. Martha's natural temper was active and busy; she loved to be here and there, and at the end of every thing; and this had been a snare to her when by it

Judges 8 she was not only careful and cumbered about many things, but hindered from the exercises

Temperament of devotion: but now in a day of affliction this active temper did her a kindness, kept the grief from her heart, and made her forward to meet Christ, and so she received comfort from him the sooner. On the other hand, Mary's natural temper was contemplative and reserved. This had been formerly an advantage to her, when it placed her at Christ's feet, to hear his word, and enabled her there to attend upon him without those distractions with which Martha was cumbered; but now in the day of affliction that same temper proved a snare to her, made her less able to grapple

Ezra and Nehemiah were both of them very wise, good, useful men, yet, in cases not unlike, there was a great deal of difference between their management: when Ezra was told of the sin of the rulers in marrying strange wives he rent his clothes and wept, and prayed, and was hardly persuaded to attempt a reformation, fearing it to be impracticable, for he was a man of a mild tender spirit; when Nehemiah was told of as bad a thing he kindled immediately, reproached the delinquents, incensed the people against them, and never rested till, by all the rough methods

Temperament with her grief, and disposed her to melancholy: 'But Mary sat

Temptation still in the house'. See here how much it will be our wisdom carefully to watch against the temptations, and improve the advantages, of our natural temper.

Had Eve kept close to the side out of which she was lately taken, she would have been less exposed. There are many temptations to which solitude gives great advantage; but the communion of saints contributes much to _ their strength and safety.

John 11

Peter ought not to be censured for casting himself into the sea, but commended for his zeal and the strength of his affection; and so must those be who, in love to Christ, quit the world, with Mary, to 'sit at his feet'. But others serve Christ more in the affairs of the world. They continue in that ship, drag the net, and bring the fish to shore, as the other disciples here; and such ought not to be censured as worldly, for they, in their place, are as truly serving Christ as the other, even in serving tables. If all the disciples had done as Peter did, what had become of their fish and their nets? And yet if Peter had done as they did we had wanted this instance of holy zeal. Christ was well pleased with both, and _ so must we be.

Satan tempted Eve, that by her he might tempt Adam; so he tempted Job by his wife, and Christ by Peter. It is his policy to send temptations by unsuspected hands, and __ theirs that have most interest in us and influence upon us.

Genesis 3

When we enter into a parley with temptations, we are in great danger of being overcome by them .. . those are a fair mark for Satan's temptation that speak diminishingly of divine prohibitions as if they amounted to no more than the denial of a permission and as if to go against God's law were only to go without his leave.

It is very probable that he sent double' money in_ the hands of his messengers but beside that, now he tempted him with honours, laid a bait not only for his covetousness but for his pride and ambition. How earnestly should we beg of God daily to mortify in us these two limbs of the old man. Those that know how to look with a holy contempt upon worldly wealth and preferment will find it not so hard a matter as most men. all that are faithful are not alike forward.

John 21

Temporary Expedients

While a house is in the building, a great deal of dirt and rubbish are suffered to lie by it which must be taken away when the house is built.

Deuteronomy 12

Temptation

Those that would be _ kept from harm must keep out of harm's way. Such tinder there do to keep a good conscience.

Numbers 22 is in the corrupt nature that it is madness, upon any pretence whatsoever, to come near the sparks. If we thrust ourselves into temptation, we mocked God when we prayed, 'Lead us not into temptation.'

We are more endangered by the charms of a smiling world than by the terrors of a frowning world.

Numbers 25

We must expect trouble and affliction from that, whatever it is, which we sinfully indulge; that which we are willing should tempt us we shall find will vex us.

Proverbs 5

'You have broken one of the rules of your order, in coming to live at Jerusalem; why may you not break this too, and when you are in the city do as

Numbers 33

These are two of the blackest and most horrid of all Satan's temptations, and yet such as good men have sometimes been violently assaulted with. Nothing they do?' But they peremptorily refused.

Jeremiah 35

Those that would avoid sin must not parley with temptation. When that which we are allured or affrighted to is manifestly evil, the motion is rather to be rejected with indignation and abhorrence than reasoned with; stand not to pause about it, but say, as Christ has taught is more contrary to natural conscience than _ blaspheming God, nor to natural sense than self-murder; therefore the suggestion of either of these may well be suspected to come immediately from Satan.

Job 2

us, 'Get thee behind me Satan'.

Daniel 3

What we must not meddle with we must not lust after; and what we must not lust after we must not look at; not the forbidden wealth (Prov. 23:5), not the forbidden wine (Prov. 23:31), not the forbidden woman (Matt. 5:28).

That which Satan aimed at, in all his temptations, was, to bring him to sin against God, and so to render him for ever incapable of being a sacrifice for the sin of others. Now, whatever the colours were, that which he aimed at was, to bring him, 1. To. despair. of 'his Father's goodness. 2. To presume upon his Father's power.

Job 31

If we carefully avoid all the paths of sin, it will be very comfortable in the reflection, when we are in trouble. If we keep ourselves, that the wicked

3.. To; ,alienate' his . Father's honour, by giving it to Satan. In the two former, that which he tempted him to, seemed innocent, and therein appeared one touch us not with his temptations (1 John 5:18), we may hope he will not be able to the subtlety of the tempter; in touch us with his terrors.

Psalm 17

Temptation the last, that which he tempted him with, seemed desirable. The two former are artful temptations, which there was need of great wisdom to discern; the last was a strong temptation, which there was need of great resolution to resist; yet he was baffled in them all.

of the voice of Satan, even in a friend, a disciple, a minister, that dissuades them from their duty. We must not regard who speaks, so much as what is spoken; we should learn to know the devil's voice when he speaks in a saint as well as when he speaks in a serpent. Whoever takes us off from that which is good, and would have us afraid of doing too much for God, speaks Satan's language.

The great thing Satan aims at, in tempting good people, is to overthrow their relation to God as a Father, and so to cut off their dependence on him, their duty to him, and their communion with him.

Matthew 16

They that think it dangerous to be in company with Christ's disciples, because thence they may be drawn in to suffer for him, will find it much more dangerous to be in company with his enemies, because there they may be drawn in to sin against him.

Finding Christ so confident of his Father's care of him, in point of nourishment, he endeavours to draw him to presume upon that care in point of safety. We are in danger of missing our way, both on the right hand, and on the left, and therefore must take heed, lest, when we avoid one extreme, we be brought by the artifices of Satan, to run into another; lest, by overcoming our prodigality, we fall into covetousness. Nor are any extremes more dangerous than those of despair and presumption, especially in the affairs of our souls. Some who have obtained a persuasion that Christ is able and willing to save them from their sins, are then tempted to presume that he will save them in their sins. Thus when people begin to be

Mark 14

As by retiring into the wilderness he showed himself perfectly indifferent to the world, so by his fasting he showed himself perfectly indifferent to the body; and Satan cannot easily take hold of those who are thus loosened from, and dead to, the world and the flesh. The more we keep under the body, and bring it into subjection, the less advantage Satan has against us.

Luke 4

But there are some sins in their own nature so exceedingly sinful, and to which there is so zealous in religion. Satan hurries them into bigotry and intemperate heats.

little temptation from the world and the flesh, that it is plain Satan lays the egg of them in a heart disposed to be the nest to hatch them in.

Matthew 4

Those who have their spiritual senses exercised, will be aware

Testing end; and this is singing of the mercies of the Lord for ever. With my mouth, and with my pen (for by that also do we speak), will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations, assuring posterity, from my own observation and experience, that God is true to every word that he has spoken, that they may learn to put their trust in God

From yesterday's pardon, we should fetch an argument against this day's temptation.

John 13

Temptation (Victory Over)

In the midst of all these grievances he did not speak a word amiss; and we have no reason to think but that he also preserved a good temper of mind, so that, though there might be some stirrings and risings of corruption in his heart, yet grace got the upper hand and he took care that the root of bitterness might not spring up to trouble him (Heb. 12:15). The abundance of his heart was for God, produced good things, and suppressed the evil that was there, which was outvoted by the better side. If he did think any

Psalm 89

We ought to show to others God's dealings with us, both the rebukes we have been under and the favours we_ have received; and _ though the account hereof may reflect disgrace upon ourselves, as this did upon Nebuchadnezzar, yet we must not conceal it, as long as it may redound to the glory of God. Many will be forward to tell what God has done for evil, yet he laid his hand upon his mouth (Prov. 30:32), stifled the evil thought and let it go no further, by which it appeared, not only that he had true grace, but that it was strong and victheir souls, because that turns to their own praise, who care not for telling what God has done against them, and how they deserved it; whereas we ought to give glory to God, torious: in short that he had not forfeited the character of a perfect and upright man; for so he appears to be who, in the midst of such temptations, offends not in word (James 3:2; Ps. 17:3).

not only by praising him for his mercies, but by confessing our sins, accepting the punishment of our iniquity, and in both taking shame to ourselves, as this mighty monarch here

Job 2

does.

Daniel 4

Testimony

Testing

We may be for ever singing God's mercies, and yet the subject will not be drawn dry. We

Many commandments God gave them which there would have been no occasion for if they had not been led through the wilderness, as those relating to the manna (Exod. 16:28) and must sing of God's mercies as long as we live, train up others to sing of them when we are gone, and hope to be singing them in heaven world without

Testing

God thereby tried them as our

The more we do for God the more we are indebted to him for the honour of being employed in his service and for grace enabling us in any measure first parents were tried by the trees of the garden, whether they would keep God's commandments or not .. . God often brings his people low that he might have the honour of helping them.

to serve him. Does he, therefore, thank that servant (Luke 17:9)? No, but that servant has a great deal of reason to thank him. He thanks God that they were able to offer so willingly. It is a great instance of the power of God's grace in us to be able to do the work of God willingly.

Deuteronomy 8

God's time to appear for the deliverance of his people is when things are at the worst with them. God tries his people's faith and stirs up prayer by letting things go to the worst and then magnifies his own power and fills the faces of his enemies with shame and the hearts of his people with so much the greater joy by rescuing them out of extremity.

1 Chronicles 29

What a pity is it that this earth, which is so full of God's goodness, should be empty of his praises, and that of the multitudes that live upon his bounty there are so few that live to his glory!

Deuteronomy 32

Psalm 33

Thankfulness

Whatever are the premises, God's glory must always be the conclusion. God has heard me and therefore blessed be God.

Later mercies should bring to remembrance former mercies and revive our thankfulness for them.

Psalm 66

Joshua 4

The psalmist has a very sad complaint to make of the deplorable condition of the family of David at this time, and yet he begins the psalm with songs of praise; for we must, in everything, in every State, give thanks; thus we must glorify the Lord in the fire. We think, when we are in trouble, that we get ease by complaining; but we do more— we get joy, by praising. Let our complaints therefore be turned into thanksgivings.

Observe what great things she says of God. She takes little notice of the particular mercy she was, now rejoicing in, does not commend Samuel for the prettiest child, the most toward and sensible for his age that she ever saw, as fond parents are too apt to do. No, she overlooks the gift and praises the giver whereas most forget the giver and fasten only on the gift. Every stream should lead us to the fountain.

Psalm 89

1 Samuel 2

'Forget not all his benefits'. If

Thoughts we do not give thanks for them, we do forget them; and that is unjust as well as unkind, since in all God's favours there is so much that is memorable. O my soul, to thy shame be it spoken, thou hast forgotten many of his benefits; but surely thou wilt not forget them all, for thou shouldst not have forgotten any.

graciously preserved from blindness, and lameness, and dumbness, we have as much reason to bless God as if we had been cured of them; nay, and the standers-by glorified God. Note, God must be acknowledged with praise and thankfulness in the mercies of others as in our own.

Matthew 15

Psalm 103

Thoughtfulness for Others

Was Daniel thus thankful to God

Special notice is taken of his great tenderness in providing old soft rags for Jeremiah to put under his arm-holes, to keep the cords wherewith he was to be drawn up from hurting him, his arm-holes being probably galled by the cords wherewith he was let down. Nor did he throw the rags down to him, lest they should be lost in the mire, but carefully let them down (v. 11, for making known that to him which was the saving of the lives of him and his fellows? Much more reason have we to be thankful to him for making known to us the great salvation of the soul, to us and not to the world, to us and not to the wise and prudent.

Daniel 2

Thanksgiving is a proper answer to dark and_ disquieting thoughts, and may be an effectual means to silence them. Songs of praise are sovereign cordials to drooping souls, and will help to cure melancholy. When we have no other answer ready to the suggestions of grief and fear, we may have recourse to this, 'I thank thee, O Father';

12). Note, those that are in distress should not only be relieved, but relieved with compassion and marks of respect, all which shall be placed to account and abound to a good account in the day of recompense.

Jeremiah 38

Thoughts let us bless God that it is not worse with us than it is.

Even in good thoughts there is a fickleness and inconstancy which may well be called vanity. It concerns us to keep a strict guard upon our _ thoughts, because God takes particular notice of them. Thoughts are words to God, and vain thoughts are provocations.

Matthew 11

Miracles, which are the matter of our wonder, must be the matter of our praise; and mercies, which are the matter of our rejoicing, must be the matter of our thanksgiving. Those that were healed, glorified God; if he heal our diseases, all that is within us must bless his holy name; and if we have been

Psalm 94

Carnal pleasure, worldly profit

Sib

Thoughts and honour, the things of sense and time, are the things of the flesh, which unregenerate people mind. The favour of God, the welfare of the soul, the concerns of eternity, are the things of the Spirit, which those that are after the Spirit do mind. The man is as the mind is.

ness in the service of the true God. Shall we _ grudge the expenses of our religion or starve so good a cause?

Exodus 32

Though they paid great taxes to the kings of Persia, and had much hardship put upon them. they would not make that an excuse for not paying their tithes, but would render to God the things that were his, as well as to Caesar the things that were his.

Romans 8

Thunder

The emperor Caligula would hide himself under his bed when it thundered. Horace, the pcet, owns that he was reclaimed from atheism by the terror of thunder and lightning, which he describes somewhat

Nehemiah 10

They can be thus prodigal of their goods when it is for the saving of their lives, and yet how sparing of them in works of piety and charity, and in suffering for Christ, though they are told by eternal Truth itself that those shall be recompensed more than a thousand fold 'in the resurrection of the just'.

like this of David.

Psalm 29

Time

See how industrious our Lord Jesus was to redeem time, to husband every minute of it, and to fill up the vacancies of it. When the disciples were gone into the town, his discourse with the woman was edifying, and suited to her case; when she was gone into the town, his discourse with them was no less edifying, and suited to their case; it were well if we could thus gather up the fragments of time, that none of it may be lost.

ACIS27

Tolerance

We are to believe that many have the root of the matter in them who are not in every thing of our mind — who have their follies, and weaknesses, and mistakes — and to conclude that it is at our peril if we persecute any such. Woe to him that offends one of these little ones! God will resent and revenge it. Job and his friends differed in some notions concerning the methods of providence, but they agreed in the root of the matter, the belief of another world, and therefore should not persecute one

John 4

Tithing

Let their readiness to part with their rings to make an idol shame us out of our niggardli-

O12

Tongue

When they came to see and

another for these differences.

sit with him he thought he might speak his mind freely to them, and that the more bitter his complaints to them were the more they would endeavour to comfort him. This made him take a greater liberty than otherwise he would have done. David, though he smothered his resentments when the wicked were before him, would proably have given vent to them if none had been by but friends

Job 19

Piety is disgraced in all the shows of it, if there be not charity. That tongue confutes itself which one while pretends to adore the perfections of God, and to refer all things to him, and another while will condemn even good men if they do not just come up to the same words or expressions used by it.

James 3

(Ps. 39:1). But this freedom of speech, which their professions of concern for him made him use, had exposed him to their censures.

Tongue

It is very observable that no mention is here made of Solomon's departure from God in his latter days, not the least hint given of it, because the Holy Ghost would teach us not to take delight in repeating the faults and follies of others. If those that have been in reputation for wisdom and honour misbehave, though it may be of use to take notice of their misconduct for warning to ourselves and others, once speaking of it is enough. Why should that unpleasing string be again struck upon? Why can we not do

Job6

Those are not the wisest of the company, but the weakest rather, who covet to have all the talk.

Job 8 (Intro.)

The tongue is death or life, poison or medicine, as it is used. There are words that are cutting and killing, that are like the piercings of a sword. Opprobrious words grieve the spirits of those to whom they are spoken, and cut them to the heart. Slanders, like a sword, wound the reputation of those of whom they are uttered, and perhaps incurably. Whisperings and evil surmises, like a sword, divide and cut asunder the bonds of love and friendship, and separate those that have been dearest to each other.

as the sacred historian does, speak largely of that in others which is praiseworthy without saying anything of their blemishes though they have been gross and obvious. This is but doing as we would be done by.

2 Chronicles 9

There are words that are curing and healing: the tongue of the wise is health, closing up those wounds which the backbiting tongue had given, making all whole again, restoring peace,

What is good in men we should take all occasions to speak of and often repeat it. What is evil we should make mention of but sparingly and no more than is needful.

2 Chronicles 24

Tongue and accommodating matters in variance and _ persuading to reconciliation. Wisdom will find out proper remedies against the mischiefs that are made by detraction and evil-speaking.

mouth is good or bad, unto iniquity or unto righteousness, so the character of the man is, and consequently the testimony of his conscience concerning him.

Proverbs 12

A man may do a great deal of good, or a great deal of hurt, both to others and to himself, according to the use he makes of his tongue. Many a one has been his own death by a foul tongue, or the death of others by a false tongue; and, on the contrary, many a one has saved his own life, or procured the comfort of it, by a prudent gentle tongue, and saved the lives of others by a seasonable testimony or intercession for them, and, if by our words we must be justified or condemned, death and life are no doubt, in the power of the tongue.

Nothing stirs up anger and sows discord, like grievous words, calling foul names, as Raca, and thou fool, upbraiding men with their infirmities and infelicities, their extraction or education, or anything that lessens them and makes them mean; scomful, spiteful reflections, by which men affect to show their wit and malice, stir up the anger of others, which does but increase and inflame their own anger. Rather than lose a jest some will lose a friend and make an enemy.

Proverbs 15

Proverbs 18

The way to preserve peace among relations and neighbours is to make the best of everything, not to tell others what has been said or done against them when it is not at all necessary to their safety, nor to take notice of what has been said or done against ourselves, but to excuse both, and put the best construction upon them. It was an oversight, therefore overlook

By a constant watchfulness over our words we shall prevent abundance of mischiefs which an ungoverned tongue runs men into. Keep thy heart, and that will keep thy tongue from sin; keep thy tongue, and that will keep thy heart from trouble. Proverbs 21

We must keep the evil thought we have conceived in our minds from breaking out in any evil speeches. Do not give the evil thought an 'imprimatur' — a license; allow it not to be published; but lay thy hand upon thy mouth; use a holy violence with thyself, if need be, and enjoin thyself silence; as Christ suffered not the evil spirits to speak, It is bad to think ill, but it. It was done through forgetfulness, therefore forget it. It perhaps made nothing of you, do you make nothing of it.

Proverbs 17

The testimony of our consciences will be for us, or against us, according as we have or have not governed our tongues well. According as the fruit of the

Total Depravity it is much worse to speak it, for that implies a consent to the evil thought and a willingness to infect others with it.

It is not the disciples that defile themselves with what they eat, but the Pharisees that defile themselves with what they speak spitefully and censoriously of them. Note, those who charge guilt upon others for transgressing the commandments of men, many times bring greater guilt upon themselves, by transgressing the law of God against rash judging. Those most defile them-

Proverbs 30

'Raca' is a scornful word, and comes from pride, 'Thou empty fellow'; it is the language of that which Solomon calls 'proud wrath' (Prov. 21:24), which tramples upon our brother. 'Thou fool' is a spiteful word, and comes from hatred; looking upon him, not only as mean and not to be honoured, but as vile and not selves, who are most forward to censure the defilements of others.

Matthew 15

We have reason to suspect the truth of that which is backed with rash oaths and imprecations. None but the devil's sayings need the devil's proofs. He that will not be restrained by the third commandment from mocking his God, will not be kept by the ninth from deceiving his brother.

to be loved; 'thou wicked man, thou reprobate'. The former speaks a man without sense, this (in Scripture language) speaks a man without grace; the more the reproach touches his spiritual condition, the worse it is; the former is a haughty taunting of our brother, this is a malicious censuring and condemning of him, as abandoned of God. Now this is a breach of the sixth commandment; malicious slanders and censures are poison under the tongue, that kills secretly and slowly; bitter words are as arrows that wound suddenly (Ps. 64:3), or as a sword in the bones. The good name of our neighbour, which

Matthew 26

'My tongue was glad'. In the psalm it is, 'My glory rejoiceth'; which intimates that our tongue is our glory, the faculty of speaking is an honour to us, and never more so than when it is employed in praising God.

Acts 2

Total Depravity is better than life, is thereby stabbed and murdered; and it

'There is none that doeth good, no not one', till the free and mighty grace of God _ has wrought a change. Whatever good is in any of the children of men, or is done by them, it is an evidence of such an illwill to our neighbour as would strike at his life, if it were in our power.

Matthew 5 is not of themselves, it is God's work in them. When God had made the world he looked upon his own work and all was very

See what malignity there is in tongue-sins, when the only unpardonable sin is so.

Matthew 12

31D

Total Depravity good (Gen. 1:31); but some time after, he looked upon man's work, and behold, all was very bad (Gen. 6:5), every operation of the thought of man's heart was evil, only evil, and that continually. They have gone aside from the right way of their duty, the way that leads to happiness, and have turned into the paths of the destroyer. In singing this, let us lament the corruption of our own nature, and see what need we have of the grace of God; and, since that which is born of the flesh is flesh, let us not marvel that we are told we must be born again.

atone for our own neglects.

2 Chronicles 8

Tradition

Learn, the uncertainty of human tradition, and the folly of building our faith upon it. Here was a tradition, a saying that 'went abroad among the brethren'. It was early; it was common; it was public; and yet it was false. How little then are those unwritten traditions to be relied upon which the council of Trent hath decreed to be received with a 'veneration and pious affection equal to that which is owing to the holy Scripture.' Here was a traditional exposition of Scripture. No new saying of Christ's advanced, but only a construction put by the brethren upon what he did really say, and yet it was a misconstruction.

Psalm 14

So stupid are we that nothing less than the mighty hand of divine grace, known experimentally, can make us know rightly the name of God as it is revealed to us.

John 21

Jeremiah 16

Tranquility of Spirit

It is observable that, to prove the general corruption of nature, he quotes some scriptures which speak of the particular corruptions of particular persons, as of Doeg (Ps. 140:3), of the Jews (Isa. 59:7, 8), which shows that the same sins that are committed by one are in the nature of all.

The injuries men do us should drive us to God, for to him we may commit our cause. Nay, he sings to the Lord; his spirit was not ruffled by it, nor cast down, but so composed and cheerful that he was still in tune for sacred songs and it did not occasion one jarring string in his harp. Thus let the injuries we receive from men, instead of provoking our passions, kindle and excite our devotions.

Romans 3

Touchline Christians

Whatever cost he was at in rearing the structure, if he had neglected the worship that was to be performed there, it would all have been to no purpose. Assisting the devotion of others will not

Psalm 7

All our outward concerns must be committed to the providence of God, and to the sovereign, wise, and gracious disposal of

Trials that providence. Roll thy works upon the Lord (so the word is); roll the burden of thy care from thyself upon God. Lay the matter before him by prayer. Make known thy works unto the Lord (so some read it), not only the works of thy hand, but the workings of thy heart; and then leave it with him, by faith and dependence those on whom he will bestow his favours.

Judges 13

Outward losses drive good people to their prayers but bad people to their curses.

Judges 17

Saul had driven him from his country, the Philistines had driven him from their camp, the Amalekites had plundered his city, his wives were taken prisoners and now, to complete his woe, his own familiar friends in whom he trusted, whom he had sheltered and who did eat of his bread, instead of sympathising with him and offering him any relief, lifted up the heel against him and threatened to stone him. Great faith must expect such severe exercises but it is observable that David was reduced to this extremity just before his accession to the throne.

upon him, submission and resignation to him. The will of the Lord be done. We may then be easy when we resolve that whatever pleases God shall please us.

Proverbs 16

Trials

We may well imagine how unfit that people would have been for Canaan had they not first gone through the discipline of the wilderness.

Deuteronomy 32

1 Samuel 30

Many are taught with the briars and thorns of affliction that would not learn otherwise. God gives wisdom by the rod and reproof, chastens and teaches and by correction opens the ear to

Good men, even when God frowns upon them, think well of him.

1 Chronicles 21

Sennacherib invaded Judah immediately after the reformation of it and the re-establishment of religion in it. After these things he entered into Judah. It was well ordered by the divine providence that he did not give them this disturbance before the reformation was finished and established as it might then have put a stop to it. er Gods ordered itrat this time that he might have an opportunity of showing himself strong on the behalf of this discipline. Our blessed Saviour, though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered. Let every pricking briar and grieving thorn, especially when it becomes a thorn in the flesh, be thus interpreted, thus improved. By this God designs to teach me. What good lesson shall I learn?

Judges 8

As the promise tried her faith so this precept tried her obedience for God requires both from

S17

Trials graces; and, in our judgment of another's case (unless the contrary appears), we ought to take the more favourable side, as our Saviour directs (Luke 13:2—4). Job8 returning, reforming people. He brought this trouble upon them that he might have the honour and might put on them the honour of their deliverance. After these things and _ the establishment thereof one might have expected to hear of nothing but perfect peace and that none durst meddle with a people thus qualified for the divine favour, yet the next news we hear is that a threatening destroying army enters the country and is ready to lay all waste. We may be in the way of our duty and yet meet with trouble and danger. God orders it so for the trial of our confidence in him and the manifestation of his care concerning us.

He laid the unkindness of his countrymen too much to heart.

'They wearied him', because it was 'in a land of peace wherein he trusted' (v. 5). It was very grievous to him to be _ thus hated and abused by his own kindred. He was disturbed in his mind by it; his spirit was sunk and overwhelmed with it, so that he was in great agitation and distress about it. Nay, he was discouraged in his work by it, began to be weary of prophesying, and to think of giving it up. He did not con-

God, by the power of his almighty grace could have prevented the sin, but he permitted it for wise and holy ends that by this trial and his weakness in it, he might know, that is, it might be known, what was in his heart. That he was not so perfect in grace as he thought he was but had his follies and infirmities as other men.

sider that this was but the beginning of his sorrow, and that he had sorer trials yet before him; and, whereas he should endeavour by a patient bearing of this trouble to prepare himself for greater, by his uneasiness under this he did but unfit himself for what further lay before him.

2 Chronicles 32

God's usual method being to begin with smaller trials, it is our wisdom to expect greater than any we have yet met with. We may be called out to

Job's friends charged him with hypocrisy because he was greatly afflicted, Satan because he greatly prospered.

Job 1

'contend with horsemen', and the sons of Anak may perhaps be reserved for the last encounter.

It is true that we and our children have sinned against God, and we ought to justify him in all he brings upon us and ours; but extraordinary afflictions are not always the punishment of extraordinary sins, but sometimes the trial of extraordinary

In order to our preparation for further and greater trials, we are concerned to approve ourselves well in present smaller trials, to keep up our spirits, keep

Trials hold of the promise, keep in our way, with our eye upon the prize, so run that we may obtain it.

the more it multiplies.

Daniel 9

When the terrors of the law set themselves in array against

Jeremiah 12 a convinced soul, when the temptations of Satan assault the people of God, and the troubles of the world threaten to rob them of all their comforts, then the 'Assyrian comes into their land' and treads in their palaces.

It is hard to take comfort from former smiles under present frowns.

Jeremiah 31

Young beginners in religion, like freshwater soldiers, are apt to be discouraged with the little difficulties which they commonly meet with at first in the service of God. They do but run with the footmen, and

Micah 5

They were Christ's disciples, and were now in the way of their duty, and Christ was now in the mount praying for them; and yet they were in this distress. The perils and afflictions of this present time may very well consist with our interest in Christ and his intercession. They had lately been feasted at Christ's table; but after the sunshine of comfort expect a storm.

it wearies them; they faint upon the very dawning of the day of adversity and it is an evidence that their strength is small (Prov. 24:10), that their faith is weak, and that they are yet but babes, who cry for every hurt and every fright.

Jeremiah 45

As long as we are here in this world we must expect 'troublous times', upon some account or other. Even when we have 'joyous times' we must rejoice with trembling; it is but a gleam, it is but a lucid interval of peace and prosperity; the clouds will return after the rain. When the Jews are restored in triumph to their own land, yet there they must expect troublous times, and prepare for them. But this is our comfort, that God _ will carry on his own work, will build up his Jerusalem, will beautify it, will fortify it, even in troublous times; nay, the troublousness of the times may by the grace of God contribute to the advancement of the church. The more it is afflicted,

They came to Capernaum, and, for aught that appears, these unsound hypocritical followers of Christ had ~ a? calm> "and pleasant passage, while his sincere disciples had a rough and stormy one. It is not strange if it fare worst with the best men in this evil world.

John 6

The disciples of Christ are apt to be offended at the cross; and the offence of the cross is a dangerous temptation, even to good men, to turn back from the ways of God, or turn aside out of them, or drive on heavily in them; to quit either their integrity or their comfort. It is not for nothing that a suffering time is called 'an hour of temptation'.

Trials

Though they were sent to 'proclaim peace on earth, and goodwill towards men', they must expect trouble on earth, and illwill from men. Note, It has been the lot of Christ's disciples to have more or less tribulation in this world. Men persecute them because they are so good, and God corrects them because they are no better. Men design to cut them off from the earth, and God designs by affliction to make them meet for heaven; and so between both 'they shall have tribulation'.

to support it, and in the end overrule it to our advantage.

1 Corinthians 10

In being called to offer up his Isaac, he seemed to be called to destroy and cut off his own family, to cancel the promises of God, to prevent the coming of Christ, to destroy the whole world, to sacrifice his own soul and his hopes of salvation, and to cut off the church of God at one blow: a most terrible trial!

Hebrews 11

The afflictions of serious Christians are designed for the trial of their faith. God's design in afflicting his people is their probation, not their destruction; their advantage, not their ruin:

John 16

Weak believers often make that the matter of their complaint which is really just ground of hope, and matter of joy. We cry out that this and the other creature comfort are. taken away, and we know not how to retrieve them, when indeed the removal of our temporal comforts, which we lament, is in order to the resurrection of our spiritual comforts, which we should rejoice in too.

a 'trial', as the word signifies, is an experiment or search made upon a man, by some affliction, to prove the value and strength of his faith.

1 Peter 1

Trinity

This allusion seems to imply that the Holy Spirit is as much in God as a man's mind is in himself. Now the mind of the man is plainly essential to him. He cannot be without his mind. Nor can God be without his Spirit. He is as much and as intimately one with God as the man's mind is with the man. The man knows his own mind because his mind is one with himself. The Spirit of God knows the things of God because he is one with God.

We often perplex ourselves needlessly with imaginary difficulties, which faith would discover to us as real advantages. Many good people complain of the clouds and darkness they are under, which are the necessary methods of grace for the humbling of their souls, the mortifying of their sins, and the endearing of Christ to them.

John 20

There is no valley so dark but he can find a way through it, no affliction so grievous but he can prevent, or remove, or enable us

1 Corinthians 2

There is a consent and cooperation of all the persons of

True Religion the Trinity in the affair of man's salvation, and their acts are commensurate one to another: whoever the Father elects, the Spirit sanctifies unto obedience, and the Son redeems and sprinkles with his blood. The doctrine of the Trinity lies at the foundation of all revealed religion. If you deny the proper deity of the Son and Holy Spirit, you invalidate the redemption of the one and the gracious operations of the other, and by this means destroy the foundation of your own safety and comfort.

passions and frights which put the soul in disorder, and are ready to overthrow its graces and comforts; but, if the Lord reign there, even the winds and seas shall obey him.

Psalm 93

True Happiness

They shall be my people. He will make them his by working in them all the characters and dispositions of his people, and then he will protect, and guide, and govern them as his people. 'And, to make them truly, completely, and eternally happy, I will be their God.' They shall serve and worship God as theirs and cleave to him only and he will approve himself theirs. All he is, all he has, shall be engaged and employed for their good.

1 Peter 1

Troubles

Waters and seas in Scripture often signify troubles and afflicHONS AAU Site 15 09225 1a. 15). God's own people are not exempt from these in this world; but it is their comfort that they are only waters under the heavens (there are none in Heaven), and that they are all in the place God has appointed them and within the bounds that he has set for them.

Jeremiah 32

True Religion

To be religious is to fear God and to keep his commandments. The root of religion is the fear of God reigning in the heart, a reverence of his majesty, a deference to his authority, and a dread of his wrath. Fear God, that is, worship God, give him the honour due to his name, in

Genesis 1

It alludes to a tempestuous sea, such as the wicked are compared to (Isa. 57:20). The 'heathen rage' (Ps. 2:1), and think to ruin the church, to overwhelm it like a deluge, to sink it like a ship at sea. The church is said to 'be tossed with tempests' (Isa. 54:11), and the 'floods of ungodly men make the saints afraid' (Ps. 18:4). We may apply it to the tumults that are sometimes in our own bosoms, through prevailing all the instances of true devotion, inward and outward. See

Ecclesiastes 12

It will not be asked at the great day, 'Who ate flesh, and who ate herbs?' 'Who kept holy days, and who did not?' Nor will it be asked, 'Who was conformist and who was non-

True Religion conformist?' But it will be asked, 'Who feared God and worked righteousness, and who did not?' Nothing more destructive to true Christianity than placing it in modes, and forms, and circumstantials, which eat out the essentials.

reasons, of God's proceedings.

Judges 20

How helpless do Saul and all his forces lie, all, in effect, disarmed and chained and yet nothing is done to them, They are only rocked asleep. How easily can God weaken the strongest, befool the wisest and baffle the most watchful. Let all his friends, therefore, trust him and all his enemies fear him.

Romans 14

True Worth

We never read of giants among the Israelites as we do of giants among the Philistines. Giants of Gath but not giants of Jerusalem. The growth of God's plants is in usefulness, not in bulk. Those who covet to have cubits added to their stature do not consider that it will but make them more unwieldy. In the balance of the sanctuary, David far outweighs Goliath.

1 Samuel 26

Truth fulness

Though we must be harmless as doves, so as never to tell a wilful lie, yet we must be wise as serpents, so as not needlessly to expose ourselves to danger by telling all we know.

Ll Chronicles 20

Jeremiah 38

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; 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.

Types

It is observable that those creatures were chosen for sacrifice which were most mild and gentle, harmless and inoffensive to typify the innocence and meekness that were in Christ and to teach the innocence and meekness that should be in Christians.

Proverbs 16

Leviticus 1

Aaron must not enter Canaan to show that the Levitical priesthood could make nothing perfect. That must be done by the bringing in of a better hope. Those priests could not continue by reason of sin and death but the priesthood of Christ, being undefiled, is

Trust

We reproach our Leader if we follow him trembling.

Deuteronomy 3

We may be sure of the righteousness when we cannot see the

Types unchangeable and to _ this, which abides for ever, Aaron must resign all his honour (Heb.

in his church, and the continuance of his presence with his church, are the comfort and joy of all its members.

7: 23—25). Numbers 20

Psalm 132

When Moses was dead, God buried him. When Christ was dead, God raised him, for the law of Moses was to have an end but not the gospel of Christ.

The words have a double aspect, speaking historically of the calling of Israel out of Egypt and prophetically of the bringing of Christ thence; and the former was a type of the latter, and a pledge and earnest of the many and great favours God had in reserve for that people, especially the sending of his Son into the world, and the bringing him again into the land of Israel when they had unkindly driven him out, and he might justly never have returned. The calling of Christ out of Egypt was a figure of the calling of all that

Deuteronomy 34

Great destruction had _ been made both in city and country but in both there was a remnant that escaped which typified the saved Israelites indeed (as appears by comparing Isa. 10: 22, 23 which speaks of this very event with Rom. 9:27, 28) and they shall go forth into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

are his, through him, out of spiritual slavery.

2 Kings 19

Hosea 11

As the tabernacle was built of the spoils of the Egyptians so the temple of the spoils of other Gentile nations. A happy presage of the interest the Gentiles should have in the church.

The temple was in a special manner sanctified to be a house of prayer, for it was not only the place of that worship, but the medium of it, so that the prayers made in or toward that house had a particular promise of acceptance (2 Chron, 6:21), as it was a type of Christ; therefore Daniel looked that way in prayer; and in this sense no house or place is now, or can be, a house of prayer, for Christ is our Temple; yet in some sense the appointed places of our religious assemblies may be so called, as places where prayer is wont to be made (Acts 16:13).

1 Chronicles 18

Zion must be here looked upon as a type of the gospel church, which is called 'Mount Zion' (Heb. 12:22), and in it what is here said of Zion has its full accomplishment. Zion was long since ploughed as a field, but the church of Christ is the 'house of the living God'

(Lev Titn 215), cand, itis his 'rest for ever', and shall be blessed with his presence always, even to the end of the world. The delight God takes

Matthew 21

The doctrines of the gospel concerning Christ —that he is

Types the Mediator between God and man, that he is our peace, our righteousness, our Redeemer; by these things do men live. Our bodies could better live without food than our souls without Christ. Bread-corn is bruised (Isa. 28:28), so was Christ; he was born at Bethlehem, the house of bread, and _ typified by the show-bread.

infidelity of many under the gospel. God's judgments on them were types of spiritual judgments now. Their exclusion from the earthly Canaan typified the exclusion of many under the gospel out of the heavenly Canaan, for their unbelief: "Their history. was written, to be a standing monitor to the church, even under the last and most perfect dispensation.

John 6

Christ comes to do that which the law could not do. Moses brought the children of Israel to the borders of Canaan, and then died, and left them there; but Joshua did that which Moses could not do, and put them in possession of Canaan.

1 Corinthians 10

Now of this tabernacle it is said that it was divided into two parts, called a first and a second tabernacle, an inner and an outer part, representing the two states of the church militant and triumphant, and the two natures of Christ, human and divine.

Romans 8

Judaism was Christianity under a veil, wrapt up in types and dark hints. The gospel was preached to them, in their legal rites and sacrifices. And the providence of God towards them, and what happened to them notwithstanding these privileges, may and ought to be warnings to us.

In entering into the holiest, the high priest must first go through the outer sanctuary, and through the veil, signifying that Christ went to heaven through a holy life and a violent death; the veil of his flesh was rent asunder.

Hebrews 9

Tyranny

They were miraculously conducted through the Red Sea, where the pursuing Egyptians were drowned: it was a lane to them, but a grave to these: a proper type of our redemption by Christ, who saves us by conquering and destroying his enemies and ours.

Those that willingly walk after the commandment, even when it walks contrary to the command of God, will find the commandment an encroaching thing, and that the more power is given it the more it will claim. Note, nothing gives greater advantage to a _ mastiff-like tyranny, that is fierce and furious, than a spaniel-like submission, that is fawning and flattering. Thus is 'Ephraim oppressed and broken in

Not only the laws and _ ordinances of the Jews, but the providences of God _ towards them, were typical. Their sins against God, and backslidings from him, were typical of the

Unbelief

judgment', that is, he is wronged

God than disbelief of his promise and despair of the performance of it because of some difficulties that seem to lie in the way.

under a face and colour of right. Note, it is a sad and sore judgment upon any people to be oppressed under pretence of having justice done them.

Psalm 96

Hosea 5

The unbelief of the deceived, with all the falsehood of the deceivers, shall not make the divine threatenings of no effect; sword and famine will come, whatever they say to the contrary; and those will be least safe that are most secure. Impenitent sinners will not escape the damnation of hell by saying that they can never believe there is such a thing, but will feel what they will not fear.

Unbelief

Like foolish froward children they fall acrying yet know not what they cry for. It would have been time enough to cry out when the enemy had beaten up their quarters and they had seen the sons of Anak at the gate of their camp.

Unbelief, or distrust of God, is a sin that is its own punishment. Those that do not trust God are continually vexing themselves.

Jeremiah 14

There are many things in Christ 'which they who are ignorant and unthinking are apt to be offended at, some circumstances for the sake of which they reject the substance of his Gospel. The meanness of his appearance, his education at Nazareth, the poverty of his life, the despicableness of his followers, the slights which the great men put upon him, the strictness of his doctrine, the contradiction it gives to flesh and blood, and the sufferings that attend the profession of his name; these are things that keep many from him, who otherwise cannot but see much of God in him.

Disbelief of the promise is a forfeiture of the benefit of it.

Numbers 14

It was not the breach of any of the commandments of the law that shut them out of Canaan, no, not the golden calf, but their disbelief of that promise which was typical of Gospel grace, to signify that no sin will ruin us but unbelief which is a sin against the remedy.

Deuteronomy 1

The same thing that kept their fathers forty years out of Canaan kept them now out of the full possession of it, and that was unbelief. Distrust of the power and promise of God lost them their advantages and ran them into a thousand mischiefs.

Matthew 11

Unbelief is the great obstruction to Christ's favours. All things are in general possible to God (ch. 19:26), but then it is to him that believes as to the particulars (Mark 9:23). The

Judges 1

Nothing is more offensive to

Unbelief

They acknowledged the two great proofs of the _ divine original of his gospel — the divine wisdom that appeared in the contrivance of it, and the divine power that was exerted for the ratifying and recommending of it; and yet, though they could not' deny?Othe premises, they would not admit the conclusion.

gospel is the power of God unto salvation, but then it is to every one that believes (Rom. 1:16). So that if mighty works be not wrought in us, it is not for want of power or grace in Christ, but for want of faith in us.

Matthew 13

Unbelief is apt to mistake recruits for enemies, and to draw dismal conclusions even from comfortable premises (Judges 13:22, 23); but faith can find encouragement even in that which is discouraging, and get nearer to God by taking hold on that hand which is stretched out to push it away. So good a thing it is to be of 'quick understanding in the tcavouthe-Lord' (Isa. 1123)%

May we think that if they had not known his pedigree, but he had dropped among them from the clouds, without father, without mother, and_ without descent, they would have entertained him with any more respect? Truly, no; for in Judea, where this was not known, that was made an objection against him (John 9:29); 'As for this fellow, we know not from whence he is'. Obstinate unbelief will never want excuses.

Matthew 15

'They showed to the chief priests all the things that were done'; told them of the earthquake, the descent of the angel, the rolling of the stone away, and the coming of the body of Jesus alive out of the grave. Thus the sign of the prophet Jonas was brought to the chief

Mark 6

Afterward, when he was nailed to the cross, they prescribed a new sign; 'Let him come down from the cross, and we will believe him'; thus obstinate infidelity will still have something to say, though ever so unreasonable. They demanded this sign, tempting him; not in hopes that he would give it them, that they might be satisfied, but in hopes that he would not; that they might imagine themselves to have a pretence for their infidelity.

priests with the most clear and incontestable evidence __ that could be; and so the utmost means of conviction were afforded them; we may well imagine what a mortification it was to them, and that, like the enemies of the Jews, they were much cast down in their own eyes (Neh. 6:16). It might justly have been expected that

Mark 8 they should now have believed in Christ, and repented their putting him to death; but they were obstinate in their infidelity, and therefore sealed up under it.

Unbelief may truly be called the great damning sin, because it leaves us under the guilt of all our other sins; it is a sin against the remedy, against our appeal.

Matthew 28

Unbelief

He that believeth not the Son is undone. The word includes both incredulity and disobedience. An unbeliever is one that gives not credit to the doctrine of Christ, nor is in subjection to the government of Christ.

the absurdity of infidelity. Men will not know the doctrine of Christ because they are resolved they will not believe it, and then pretend they do _ not believe it because they do not know it. Such ignorance and unbelief, which support one another, aggravate one another.

John 3

But there are those who will trust Christ no further than they can see him, and will not believe

John 9

The Spirit, in conviction, fastens especially upon the sin of unbelief, their not believing in Christ . . . as the great ruining sin. Every sin is so in its own nature; no sin is so to them that believe in Christ; so that it is unbelief that damns sinners. . . It is a sin against the remedy.

his promise, unless the means

of the performance of it be

visible; as if he were tied to

our methods, and could not

draw water without our buckets.

John 4

The ambition and affectation of worldly honour are a great hindrance to faith in Christ. How can they believe who make the praise and applause of men their idol? When the profession and practice of serious godliness are unfashionable, are everywhere spoken against — when Christ and his followers are men wondered at, and to be a Christian is to be like a 'speckled bird' (and this is the common case) — how can they. believe the summit of whose ambition is to make a fair show in the flesh?

John 16

As when they resolved not to believe the finger of the Spirit in Christ's miracles, they turned it off with this, 'He casteth out devils by compact with the prince of devils'; so, when they resolved not to believe the voice of the Spirit in the apostles' preaching, they turned it off with this, 'These men are full of new wine'.

Acts 2

John 5

They held the truth as a captive or prisoner, that it should not influence them, as otherwise it would. An unrighteous wicked heart is the dungeon in which many a good truth is detained and buried. 'Holding fast the form of sound words in faith and love' is the root of all religion. "(2 ., 'Tim. 1313), i bat holding it fast in unrighteousness is the root of all sin.

It is certain that they might have known whence he was, might not only have known, by searching the register, that he was born in Bethlehem; but by enquiring into his doctrine, miracles, and conversation, they might have known that he was sent of God, and had better orders, a better commission, and far better instructions, than any they could give him. See

Romans 1

Unction

Unction

body and digested food (Rom.

8:35; 1 John 4:13). John 6

They went to meet him to congratulate him on his safe passage through fire and water and the honour God had put upon him and they bowed themselves to the ground before him. They were trained up in the schools but Elisha was taken from the plough, yet when they perceived that God was with him and that this was the man whom he delighted to honour, they readily submitted to him as their head and father, as the people to Joshua when Moses was dead.

'He is crucified with Christ', and yet 'Christ lives in him'; this results from his mystical union with Christ, by means of which he is interested in the death of Christ, so as by virtue of that to live unto God.

Galatians 2

Unity

O that Israel would learn this of Canaanites to sacrifice private interests to the public welfare and to lay aside all animosities among themselves that they may cordially unite against the common enemies of God's kingdom among men.

2 Kings 2

Unequally Yoked

Joseph was a just man, she a virtuous woman. Those who are believers should not be _ unequally yoked with unbelievers: but let those who are religious choose to marry with those who are so, as they expect the comfort of the relation, and God's blessing upon them in it.

Joshua 9

It was strange that none of their brethren of their own tribe, much less of any other, came in to their assistance, but it was long after Israel came to Canaan before there appeared among them anything of a public spirit or concern for a common interest which was the reason why they seldom united in a common head and this kept them low and inconsiderable.

Matthew 1

Union with Christ

Believers dwell in Christ as their stronghold or city of refuge; Christ dwells in them as the master of the house, to rule it and provide for it. Such is the union between Christ and believers that he shares in their griefs, and they share in his graces and joys; he sups with them upon their bitter herbs and they with him upon his rich dainties. It is an inseparable union, like that between the

Judges 18

All the prophets agreed as one man that Ahab should return from this expedition a conqueror. Unity is not always the mark of a true church and a true ministry. Here were 400 -men that prophesied with one mind and one mouth and yet all in error.

1 Kings 22

Unity

How much more considerable might Israel have been than they were in the time of the judges church, and for that which we are sure is right and good, to oppose that which yet may tend to the enlargement of the church, and the advancement of its true interests another way.

if all the tribes had acted in conjunction.

1 Chronicles 5

When they acted as workmen, it was requisite they should be

Mark 9 dispersed wherever there was work to do; but when as

He saw that his father had taken him in, and yet he would not go in to him. Note, we think too well of ourselves, if we cannot find in our hearts to receive those whom God hath received, and to admit those into favour, and friendship, and fellowship with us, whom we have reason to think God has a favour for, and who are taken into friendship and fellowship with him.

soldiers it was requisite they should come into close order, and be found in a body. Thus should the labourers in Christ's building be ready to unite against a common foe.

Nehemiah 4

Do the enemies of the church act with one consent to destroy it? Are the kings of the earth of one mind to give their power and honour to the beast? And shall not the church's friends be unanimous in serving her interests?

Luke 15

That is a conspiracy, not a union, which doth not centre in God as the end, and Christ as the way. . . Those words, 'I in them, and thou in me', show what that union is which is so necessary, .not only to. the beauty, but to the very being, of his church. First, union with Christ: 'I in them'. Christ dwelling in the hearts of believers is the life and soul of the new man. Secondly, union with God through him:

Psalm 83

Peter talked of making three distinct tabernacles for Moses, Elias, and Christ, which was not well-contrived; for such a perfect harmony there is between the law, the prophets, and the gospel, that one tabernacle will hold them all; they dwell together in unity.

'Thou in me', so as by me to be in them. Thirdly, union with each other, resulting from these: 'that they' hereby 'may be made perfect in one.' We are complete in him.

Thus apt are we to imagine that those do not follow Christ at all, who do not follow him with us, and that those do nothing well, who do not just as we do. But the Lord knows them that are

John 17

Would we have the _ Spirit 'poured out upon us from on high?' Let us be all of one accord, and, notwithstanding variety of sentiments and his, however they are dispersed; and this instance gives us a needful caution, to take heed lest we be carried, by an excess of zeal for the unity of the

BV AE]

Unity is the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, and the great centre of unity, may well afford to agree among themselves.

interests, as no doubt there was among those disciples, let us agree to love one another; for, where 'brethren dwell together in unity', there it is that 'the Lord commands his blessing.'

Jews and Gentiles being thus united in Christ's love, why should they not be united in one another's love?

Actsi2

A Christian, though not in every thing of our mind, should be loved and respected for his sake whose name he bears, because he belongs to Christ.

Romans 15

If you have any regard to that dear and worthy name by which you are called, be unanimous. 'Speak all the same _ thing'; avoid divisions or schisms (as the original is), that is, all alienation of affection from each other. 'Be perfectly joined together in the same mind', as far as you can. In the great things of religion be of a mind: but, when there is not a unity of sentiment, let there be a union of affections. The consideration of being agreed in greater things should extinguish

AGCiSALL

We ought not to make any conditions of our brethren's acceptance with us but such as God has made the conditions of their acceptance with him (Rom. 14:3).

Those that have their hearts purified by faith are therein made so nearly to resemble one another, that, whatever difference there may be between them, no account is to be made of it; for the faith of all the saints is alike precious, and has like precious effects (2 Peter all feuds and divisions about minor ones.

1 Corinthians 1

1:1), and those that by it are united to Christ are so to look upon themselves as joined to one another as that all distinctions, even that between Jew and Gentile, are merged and swallowed up in it.

To be of one mind, which would greatly tend to their comfort; for the more easy we are with our brethren the more ease we shall have in our own souls. The apostle would have them, as far as was possible, to be of the same opinion and judgment; however, if this could

Acts 15

Believers lie not in the world as a confused disorderly heap, but are organised and_ knit together, as they are united to one common head, and actuated and animated by one common Spirit.

not be attained, yet, he exhorts them to live in peace, that difference in opinion should not cause an alienation of affections — that they should be at peace among themselves. He would have all the schisms that were among them healed, that there should be no more

Romans 12

Those that agree in Christ, who

Usefulness contention and wrath found among them, to prevent which by one bond, they are stronger than any, even than the thickest and strongest was of itself.

they should avoid 'debates, envyings, backbitings, whisperings,' and such like enemies

There should be one heart; for

to peace.

'there is one body, and one Spirit', (v. 4). Two hearts in one body would be monstrous. If there be but one body, all that belong to that body should have one heart.

2 Corinthians 13

He showed his charitable and catholic disposition, how ready he was to own the Jewish converts as brethren, though many of them could scarcely allow the like favour to the converted Gentiles, and that mere difference of opinion was no reason with him why he should not endeavour to relieve and help them. Herein he has given us an excellent pattern of Christian charity, and has taught us that we should by no means confine it to those who are just of the same sentiments with us, but be ready to extend it to all whom we have reason to look upon as the disciples of Christ.

Ephesians 4

Urgency

If he neglected thus to surrender himself, it was at his peril. If the avenger of blood met him elsewhere or overtook him loitering in his way to the city of refuge and slew him, his blood was upon his own head because he did not make use of the security which God provided for him.

Numbers 35

Galatians 2

They ran to the tent not only to show their readiness to obey Joshua's orders but to show how uneasy they were till the camp owas cleared of the accursed thing that they might regain the divine favour. Those that feel themselves under wrath find themselves concerned not to defer the putting away of sin; delays are dangerous and it is no time to trifle.

The first step towards unity is humility; without this there will be no meekness, no patience, or forbearance; and without these no unity. Pride and passion break the peace, and make all the _ mischief. Humility and meekness restore the peace, and keep it.

The seat of Christian unity is in the heart or spirit: it does not

Joshua 7 lie in one set of thoughts, nor in one form and mode of worship, but in one heart and one soul.

Usefulness

There was serving work, abundance of service to be done in the tabernacle of the House of God, to provide water and fuel, to wash and sweep and carry

As in a bundle of rods, they may be of different lengths and different strength; but, when they are tied together oan

Usefulness out ashes, to kill and flay and boil the sacrifices and to all such services there were Levites appointed. Those of other famisaints in heaven, who are not employed in maintaining the war against sin and Satan, nor in edifying the body of Christ.

lies, or perhaps those that were not fit to be singers that had either no good voice or no good ear. As every one has received the gift so let him minister. Those who could not sing must not, therefore, be laid aside as good for nothing; though they were not fit for that service, there was other service they might be useful in.

Psaim 6

Here is a promise to him that has, that has true grace, pursuant to the election of grace, that has, and uses what he has; he shall have more abundance: God's favours are earnests of further favours; where he lays the foundation, he will build upon it. Christ's disciples used the knowledge they now had, and they had more abundance at the pouring out of the Spirit (Acts 2). They who have the truth of grace, shall have the increase of grace, even to an abundance in glory (Prov. 4:18). Joseph he will add (Gen. 30:24).

1 Chronicles 6

God was and still is the God of order and not of confusion particularly in the things of his worship. Number without order is but a clog and an occasion of tumult but when everyone has and knows and keeps his place and work, the more the better. In the mystical body every member has its use for the good of the whole.

Matthew 13

Vanity

1 Chronicles 24

The prophet expressly vouches God's authority for what he said, lest it should be thought it was unbecoming in him to take notice of such things, and should be resented by the ladies: the Lord saith it. 'Whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, let them know that God takes notice of, and is much displeased with, the folly and vanity of proud women, and his law takes cognizance even of their dress.'

Here are no officers for state, none for sport, no master of the wardrobe, no master of the ceremonies, no master of the horse, no master of the hounds but all for service agreeable to the simplicity and plainness of those times,

1 Chronicles 27

Some have maintained that the joys of the saints in heaven are more desirable, infinitely more so, than the comforts of saints on earth; yet the services of saints on earth, especially such eminent ones as David was, are more laudable, and redound more to the glory of the divine

From all this let us learn: 1. Not to be nice and curious about our apparel, not to affect that which is gay and costly, nor to be proud of it. 2. Not to be secure in the enjoyment of any of the delights of sense, because we grace, than the services of the

Vindication of God's Ways

Vindication of God's Ways know not how soon we may be stripped of them, nor what straits we may be reduced to.

Solomon says 'Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof' (Eccles. 7:8). It was so here in the story of Job; at eveningtime it was light. Three things we have met with in this book, which, I confess, have troubled me very much; but we find all the three grievances redressed, thoroughly redressed, in _ this chapter, everything set to rights.

Isaiah 3

Vengeance

Though they cried for quarter and begged ever so earnestly for their lives there was no room for compassion. Pity must be forgotten; they utterly destroyed all. If they had not had a divine warrant under the seal of miracles for this execution it could not have been justified nor can it justify the like now when we are sure no_ such warrant can be produced ... but the spirit of the gospel is very different for Christ came not to destroy men's lives but to save them (Luke 9:56). Christ's victories were of another nature.

1. It has been a great trouble to us to see such a holy man as Job was, so fretful, and peevish, and uneasy to himself, and especially to hear him quarrel with God and speak indecently to him; but, 'though he thus fall, he is not utterly cast down, for here he recovers his temper, comes to himself and to his right mind again by repentance, is sorry for what he has said amiss, unsays it, and humbles himself before God (v. 1—6).

Joshua 6

2.It has been likewise a great trouble to us to see Job and his friends so much at variance, not only differing in their opinions, but giving one another a _ great many hard words, and passing severe censures one upon another, 'though they were all very wise and good men'; but here we have this grievance redressed likewise, the differences between them happily adjusted, the quarrel taken up, all the peevish reflections they had cast upon one another forgiven and forgotten, and all joining in sacrifices and prayers, mutually accepted of God (v. 7—9).

Victorious Christians

Be they ever so great and strong, ever sO many, ever so mighty, ever so malicious, what can they do? While God is for us, and we keep in his love, we may with a holy boldness defy all the powers of darkness. Let Satan do his worst, he _ is chained; let the world do its worst, it is conquered: principalities and powers are spoiled and disarmed, and triumphed over, in the cross of Christ. Who then dares fight against us, while God himself is fighting for us?

3.It has troubled us to see a man of such eminent piety and usefulness as Job was, so grievously afflicted, so pained, so

Romans 8

Ooo

Vindication of God's Ways sick, so poor, so reproached, so slighted, and made the very centre of all the calamities of human life; but here we have this grievance redressed too, Job healed of all his ailments, judgment should suffer himself to be made such a fool of by these foolish women ...3. That one who had so often and so plainly warned others of the danger of the love of women should himself be so wretchedly bewitched with it; it is easier to see a mischief, and to show more honoured and_ beloved than ever, enriched with an estate double to what he had before, surrounded with all the comforts of life, and as great an instance of prosperity it to others, than to. shun it ourselves . ..4. That so good a man, so zealous for the worship of God . who prayed that excellent prayer at the dedication of the temple, should do these sinful things . . . never was gallant ship so wrecked ... we see how weak we are of ourselves without the grace of God. Let us, therefore, live in a constant dependence on that grace . . . it is the evening that commends the day.

as ever he had been of affliction and patience (v. 10—17). All this is written for our learning, that we, under these and the like discouragements that we meet with, through patience and comfort of this scripture may have hope.

Job 42

Warnings

1 Kings 11

God plagued the Egyptians with flies but the Canaanites with hornets. Those who take no warning by less judgments on others may expect greater on themselves.

It is a great advantage to us to be warned of our danger, that we may stand upon our guard against it. The work of God's prophets is to give us warning. If, being warned, we do not save ourselves, it is our own fault and our blood will be upon our own head. The king of Israel would regard the warnings Elisha gave him of his danger by the Syrians but not the warnings he gave him of his danger by his sins. Such warnings are little heeded by the most. They will save themselves from death but not from hell.

Deuteronomy 7

The accomplishment of these predictions upon the Jewish nation shows that Moses spoke by the Spirit of God, who certainly foresees the ruin of sinners and gives them a warning of it, that they may prevent it by a true and timely repentance or else be left inexcusable.

Deuteronomy 28

2 Kings 6

How strange, 1. That Solomon, in his old age should be ensnared with fleshly lusts, youthful lusts

The treachery of those who pretend to cleave to God will be reckoned for, as well as the apostasy of those who openly revolt from him.

. .. 2. That so wise a man as Solomon was, so famed for a quick understanding and sound

Watchfulness

Judah saw what Israel did, and of God, where will it end? If those be thus punished who only had some idolaters among them, what will become of us who are all idolaters? Note, the destruction of some _ is designed for the instruction of others. Malefactors are publicly punished 'in terrorem' — that others may take warning.

what came of it, and should have taken warning. Israel's captivity was intended for Judah's admonition; but it had not the designed effect. Judah feared not, but thought herself safe because she had Levites to be her priests and sons of David to be her kings.

Ezekiel 5

It is an evidence of great stupidity and security when we are not awakened to a holy

Christ knew that they were of the elect, who could _ not possibly be seduced, and yet he said to them, 'Take heed'. An assurance of persevering, and cautions against apostasy, will very well consist with each other. Though Christ said to them 'Take heed', it doth not therefore follow that their perseverance was doubtful, for they were kept by the power of God; and though their perseverance was secured, yet it doth not therefore follow that this caution was _ needless, because they must be kept in the use of proper means. God will keep them, but they must keep themselves.

fear by the judgments of God upon others.

Jeremiah 3

Sinners are commonly hardened in their security by the intermissions of judgments and the slow proceedings of them; and those who will not be awakened by the word of God may justly be lulled asleep by the providence of God.

Satan himself, though he is the great deceiver, could not deceive us if we did not deceive ourselves; and thus sinners are their own destroyers by being their own deceivers, of which this is an aggravation that they are so frequently warned of it and cautioned not to deceive themselves, and they have the word of God, the great design of which is to undeceive them.

Mark 13

Watchfulness

The best of men have their failings, even in those graces for which they are most eminent for. The man Moses was very meek and yet here he sinned in passion. Wherefore, 'let him that thinketh he stands take heed lest he fall.'

Jeremiah 37

Jerusalem should have taught her neighbours the fear of God by her piety and virtue, but, she not doing that, God will teach it to them by her ruin; for they have reason to say, 'If this be done in the green tree, what shall be done in the dry?' If judgment begin at the house

Numbers 20

Though Solomon was a man of great learning and knowledge, yet he spent his days, not in

Watchfulness contemplation but in action, not in his study but in his country, in building cities and fortifying them; in a time of peace preparing for a time of war which is as much a man's business as it is in summer to provide food for winter The men of Laish who had no business were an easy prey to the invaders (Judges 18:7).

Lord. An occasion of pride, security and sensuality but they had a quite contrary effect upon Jehoshaphat. His abundance was oil to the wheels of his obedience and the more he had of the wealth of this world, the more was his heart lifted up in the ways of the Lord.

2 Chronicles 17

2 Chronicles 8

It was generously done of the king and the princes, thus plentifully to entertain the whole congregation, but what is

There are many ways of keeping things — by care, by strength, by calling in help, and we must use them all in keeping our hearts.

a great estate good for but that it puts men into a capacity for doing so much the more good.

Proverbs 4

2 Chronicles 30

Being told, before, that there will be seducers, tempters, persecutors, and many bad examples, let us stand upon our guard (Matt. 24:24; Acts 20: 29,30). Matthew 18

It is the interest of princes and great men to use their wealth and power for the support and encouragement of religion. What else are great revenues good for but that they enable men to do much good of this kind if they have but hearts to do it?

Kora

Weaker Brethren

Riches are called substance, in conformity to the common form of speaking; otherwise to the soul and another world, they are but shadows, things that are not (Prov. 23:5). It is only in heavenly wisdom that we inherit substance (Prov. 8:21).

Our own humour and appetite must not determine our practice, but the honour of God and the good and edification of the church. We should not so much consult our own pleasure and interest as the advancement of the kingdom of God among men. Note, a Christian should be a man devoted to God, and of a public spirit.

Job 1

He shall be thy gold; so it is in the margin, and it is the same word that is used (v. 24) for gold, but signifies also a stronghold, because money is a defence (Eccles. 7:12). Worldlings make gold their god, saints make God their gold; and those that are enriched with his favour and grace may truly

1 Corinthians 10

Wealth

Riches and honour in abundance prove to many a clog and a hindrance in the ways of the

Wealth be said to have abundance of the best gold . . . Those must little while they will not be; they will not be ours.

needs be safe that have omnipotence itself for their defence

The covetous man sits hatching upon his wealth, and brooding

Job 22 over it, till it is fledged, as the young ones under the hen, and

He reckons his wealth, not by his silver and gold, which were for hoarding, but by his butter and oil, which were for use; for what is an estate good for unless we take the good of it ourselves and do good with it to others?

then it is gone. Or, as if a man should be fond of a flight of wild-fowl that light in his field, and call them his own because they are upon _ his ground, whereas, if he offer to come near them, they take wing immediately and are gone

Job 29

to another man's field.

The wealth of the world is so dispensed by the divine providence that it is often the lot of good people to have but a

Snow will last awhile, and look pretty, if it be left to lie on the ground where it fell, but, if gathered up and laid in the bosom, it is dissolved and gone immediately. They go irresistibly and irrecoverably, as an eagle towards heaven, that flies strongly (there is no stopping her), and flies out of sight and out of call (there is no bringing her back); thus do riches leave men, and leave them in grief and vexation if they set their hearts upon them.

little ,of; it;.,and. of /wicked people to have abundance of it; for thus God would show us that the things of this world are not the best things, for, if they were, those would have most that are best and dearest to God.

Psalm 37

Poor people are as much in danger from an_ inordinate desire towards the wealth of the world as rich people from an inordinate delight in it.

Proverbs 23

Does the estate thrive? And does not the family at the same time grow more numerous and the children grow up to need more? The more men have, the better house they must keep, the more servants they must employ, the more guests they must entertain, the more they must give to the poor, and the more they will have hanging on them, for where the carcase is the eagles will be. What we have more than food and raiment we have for others; and then what good is there to the owners

Psalm 49

The things of this world are things that are not. They have a real existence in nature and are the real gifts of providence, but in the kingdom of grace they are things that are not; they are not a happiness and portion for a soul, are not what they promise to be; they are a show, a shadow, a sham upon the soul that trusts to them. They are not, for in a

63:/

Wealth themselves, but the pleasure of beholding it with their eyes? And a poor pleasure it is. An empty speculation is all the difference between the owners and the sharers; the owner sees that as his own which those about him enjoy as much of the real benefit of as he; only he has the satisfaction of doing good to others, which is indeed a satisfaction to one who believes what Christ said, that it is more blessed to give than to receive; but to a covetous man, who thinks all lost that goes beside himself, it is a constant vexation to see others eat of his increase.

set upon with so much vigour. See the vanity of riches, that they are kept for the owners to their hurt; they entice and recompense thieves, and not only cease to benefit those who took pains for them and were duly entitled to them but are made to serve their enemies, who are thereby put into a capacity of doing them so much the more mischief.

Ezekiel 26

It is folly to think that riches are things to be gloried in, and to say with exultation,

'I. have become rich'. Riches are not the honours of the soul, are not peculiar to the best men, nor sure to us; and therefore 'let not the rich man glory in his riches' (James 1:9,

Ecclesiastes 5

There are many whose wealth is their snare and ruin. The gaining of the world is the losing of their souls; it makes them proud, secure, covetous, oppressive, voluptuous; and that which, if well used, might have been the servant of their piety, being abused, becomes the stumbling-block of their iniquity.

10). Hosea 12

We must reckon ourselves truly enriched by the conversion of our neighbours to the fear of God and the faith of Christ, and their coming to join with us in the worship of God. Such an accession to our Christian communion we must reckon to be more our wealth and strength than an accession to our estates.

What the better was the rich man for his full barns when his soul was required of him, or that other rich man for his purple, and scarlet, and sumptuous fare, when in hell he could not procure a drop of water to cool his tongue? Money is no defence against the arrests of death, nor any alleviation to the miseries of the damned.

Obadiah

See the vanity of worldly wealth, and the uncertainty of its continuance with us. Riches make themselves wings and fly away; nay, and the case may be such that we may be under a necessity of making wings for them, and driving them away, as here, when they could not be kept for the owners thereof but to their hurt, so that they themselves are glad to be rid of

Ezekiel 7

They shall make a prey of the merchandise. It was in hope of the plunder that the city was

Weather them, and sink that which otherwise would sink them, though they have no prospect of ever recovering it. Oh that men would be thus wise for their souls, and would be willing to part with that wealth, pleasure, and honour which they cannot keep without making shipwreck of faith and a good conscience and ruining their souls for ever!

a soul happy, have got over the difficulty, and can easily part with them for Christ: but they that have ever so little, if they set their hearts upon that. 'little, :and: place their happiness in it, it will keep them from Christ.

Mark 10

It is natural for men to be jealous for that, whether right

Jonah 1 or wrong, by which they get their wealth; and many have, for this reason alone, set themselves against the gospel of Christ, because it calls men off from those crafts which are unlawful, how much _ wealth soever is to be obtained by them.

Riches are but clay, thick clay; what are gold and silver but white and yellow earth? Those that travel through thick clay are both retarded and dirtied in their journey; so are those that go through the world in the midst of an abundance of the wealth of it; but, as if that were not enough, what fools are those that 'load themselves with it', as if this trash would be their treasure!

Acts 19

Any man will rather make shipwreck of his goods than of his life; but many will rather make

Habakkuk 2

'shipwreck of faith and a good conscience' than of their goods.

Acts 27

Riches profit not in the day of wrath (Prov. 11:4). Nay, riches

God gives us our worldly possessions that we may honour him and do good with them; but if, instead of this, we sinfully hoard them up, through an undue affection towards them, or a distrust of the providence of God for the future, this is a very heinous crime.

expose to the wrath of men (Eccles. 5:13), and riches abused to the wrath of God.

Zephaniah 1

It is very rare for a man to be rich, and not to set his heart upon his riches; and it is utterly impossible for a man that sets his heart upon his riches, to get to heaven; for 'if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him' (1 John 2:15; James 4:4).

James 5

Weather

There is no sort of weather but what furnishes us with a proof and instance of the wisdom and power of the great Creator.

Matthew 19

They that have ever so much riches, but do not trust in them, that see the vanity of them, and their utter insufficiency to make

Jeremiah 10

Wholeheartedness

Wholeheartedness are not born for ourselves but for God and our country.

Those that think to serve both God and mammon will soon come entirely to forsake God and serve mammon only. If God have not all the heart he

2 Chronicles 2

It is that which recommends us to God, which beautifies the soul, which enables us to answer the end of our creation, to live to some good purpose in the world, and to get to heaven at last; and therefore it is the principal thing.

will soon have none of it.

Judges 10

Willingness

Proverbs 4

A people of willingness, alluding to servants that choose their service and are not coerced to it (they love their masters and would not go out free), to soldiers that are volunteers and not pressed men 'Here am

Wisdom here is Christ, 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge'; it is Christ in the word and Christ in the heart, not only Christ revealed to us, but Christ revealed in us. It is the Word of God, the whole compass of divine revelation; it is God the Word, in whom all divine revelation centres; it is the soul formed by the Word; it is Christ formed in the soul; it is religion in the purity and power of it. Glorious things are here spoken of this excellent person, this excellent thing.

I, send me', to sacrifices that are freewill offerings and not offered of necessity; we 'present ourselves living sacrifices'. Note,

Christ's people are a_ willing people. The conversion of a soul consists in its being willing to be Christ's, coming under his yoke and into his interests, with an entire compliancy and satisfaction.

Psalm 110

Proverbs 8

A wise man will reckon those his friends who deal faithfully with him: 'Rebuke such a one, and he will love thee for thy plain dealing, will thank thee, and desire thee to do him the same good tum another time, if there be occasion.' It is as great an instance of wisdom to take a reproof well as to give it well.

Wisdom

Solomon's wisdom was given him not merely for speculation to entertain himself (though it is indeed a princely entertainment) not merely for conversation to entertain his friends, but for action and, therefore, to action he immediately applies himself. - He determined to build . . . Those are the wisest men that lay out themselves most for the honour of the name of the Lord and the welfare of communities. We

Proverbs 9

There is need of a great deal of wisdom in our adherence to good truths, and good duties, and good people, lest in any

Wishful Christians of these we be imposed upon and deluded. 'Be ye therefore wise as serpents' (Matt. 10:16), wise to discern that which is really good and that which is counterfeit; wise to distinguish things that differ, to improve opportunities. While we are in the midst of so many deceivers, we have great need of that wisdom of the prudent which is to understand his way (Prov.

He will not set up for the reputation of being wise without laying in a good stock of knowledge; and he will not value himself merely upon knowing things.

Words that inform, and heal, and do good, are the marks of wisdom.

14:8). Romans 16

It is a great instance of wisdom prudently to bridle our own anger, and patiently to bear the anger of others. And as wisdom will evidence itself in meekness, so meekness_ will be a great friend to wisdom; for nothing hinders the regular apprehension, the solid judgment, and _ impartiality of thought, necessary to our acting wisely, so much as passion. When we are mild and calm, we are best able to hear reason, and best able to speak it. Wisdom produces meekness, and meekness increases wisdom.

The person who resigns his own understanding, that he may follow the instruction of God, is in the way to true and everlasting wisdom. 'The meek will he guide in judgment, the meek will he teach his way,' (Ps. 25: 9). He that has a low opinion of his own knowledge and powers will submit to better information; such a person may be informed and improved by revelation: but the proud man, conceited of his own wisdom and understanding, will undertake to correct even divine wisdom itself, and prefer his own shallow reasonings to the revelations of infallible truth and wisdom.

James 3

Wishful Christians

1 Corinthians 3

He shows' his opinion of religion to be better than his resolution. There are many who desire to die the death of the righteous but do _ not endeavour to live the life of the righteous. Gladly would they have their end like theirs but not their way. They would be saints in heaven but not saints on earth.

The proper office of wisdom 1s to apply what we know to ourselves, for our own direction. The word of Christ must dwell in us, not in all notion and speculation, to make us doctors, but in all wisdom, to make us good Christians, and enable us to conduct ourselves in everything as becomes wisdom's children.

Numbers 23

Colossians 3

Worldliness

Worldliness taught of God to 'learn the way of the heathen', and to think of worshipping the true God with such rites and ceremonies as they used in the worship of their false gods. See (Deut. 12: 29-31). Jeremiah 10

The world's smiles are more dangerous than its frowns.

2 Samuel 16

They lay upon the borders and conversed most with the neighbouring nations by which means they learned their idolatrous usages and _ transmitted the infection to the other tribes. . . These tribes were first placed and they were first displaced. They would have the best land, not considering that it lay most exposed but those who are governed more by sense than by reason or faith in their choices may expect to fare accordingly.

Worldly -mindedness is as common and as fatal a symptom of hypocrisy as any other, for by no sin can Satan have a surer and faster hold of the soul, under the cloak of a visible and passable profession of religion, than by this; and _ therefore Christ, having warned us against coveting the praise of men, proceeds next to warn us against coveting the wealth of the world; in this also we must take heed, lest we be as the hypocrites are, and do as they do: the fundamental error that they are guilty of is, that they choose the world for their reward; we must therefore take heed of hypocrisy and worldlymindedness, in the choice we make of our treasure, our end, and our masters.

1 Chronicles 5

But he that loves these, that sets his heart upon them, covets them earnestly, is solicitous to have all the delights of sense wound up to the height of pleasureableness, is impatient of everything that crosses him in his pleasures, relishes these as the best pleasures, and has his mouth by them put out of taste for spiritual delights, he is an epicure (2 Tim. 3:4).

Matthew 6

The description of a worldly man: He 'lays up treasure for himself', for, the body, for the world, for himself in opposition to God, for that self that is to be denied.

Proverbs 21

Let the house of Israel hear and receive this word from the God of Israel: 'Learn not the way of the heathen', do not approve of it, no, nor think indifferently concerning it, much less imitate it or accustom yourselves to it. Let not any of their customs steal in among you (as they are apt to do insensibly) nor mingle themselves with your religion. Note, it ill becomes those that are

Luke 12

Had they come to take him by force and make him a prisoner, he could not have been more industrious to abscond than he was when they would make him a king. Let us not then covet to be the idols of the crowd, nor be desirous of vainglory.

John 6

Worship

The world may be used, but must not be abused. It is abused when it is not used to those purposes for which it is given, to honour God and do good to men — when, instead of being oil to the wheels of our world draws down the heart from God; and so the more the love of the world prevails the more the love of God dwindles and decays.

1 John 2 obedience, it is made fuel to lust — when, instead of being

Worship a servant, it is made our master, our idol, and has that room in our affections which should be reserved for God. And there is great danger of abusing it in all these respects, if our hearts are too much set upon it. We must keep the world as much as may be out of our hearts, that we may not abuse it when we have

When we are going to worship

God, we should seriously consider whether we have everything ready, especially the lamb for a burnt offering. The fire is ready, the Spirit's assistance and God's acceptance; the wood is ready, the instituted ordinances designed to kindle our affections (which indeed, without the Spirit, are but like wood without fire, but the Spirit works by them). All things are now ready but where is the lamb? Where is the heart? Is that ready to be offered up to God to ascend to him as a burnt offering?

it in our hands.

Possess what you must shortly leave without suffering yourselves to be possessed by it. Why should your hearts be much set on what you must quickly resign?

1 Corinthians 7

Genesis 22

Those that are forgiven of God are strongly obliged to relinquish this world, which so interferes with 'the love of God'.

As secret worship is better the more secret it is, so public worship is better the more public it is.

2 Samuel 6

If they be not too hard for the devil, he will be too hard for them. Let vigorous Christians show their strength in conquering the world.

It is not time lost which is spent in composing ourselves for the work of God and disentangling ourselves from everything which might distract or divert us ... we are truly serving God when we are preparing for his service and furnishing ourselves for it.

Their love should be reserved for God; throw it not away upon the world.

The inconsistency of this love with the love of God: 'If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him' (v. 15). The heart of man is narrow, and

1 Kings 6

Crowned heads must bow before the King of kings. What is here said to the mighty is said to all: cannot contain both loves. The

Worship

manner and not carelessly (v. 2):

Worship God, it is the sum and substance of the everlasting Gospel (Rev. 14:6, 7).

'Awake psaltery and harp', let it not be done with a dull and sleepy tune, but let the airs be all lively. 'I myself will awake early' to do it, with all that is within me, and all little enough.

The glorious majesty of God is called the beauty of holiness (2 Chron. 20:21). In the worship of God we must have an eye to his beauty, and adore him, not only as infinitely awful and therefore to be _ feared above all, but as_ infinitely amiable and therefore to be loved and delighted in above

Warm devotions honour God.

Psalm 108

His lying prostrate was a posture of greater reverence, but his standing up would be a posture of greater readiness and fitness for business. Our adorings of God must not hinder, but rather quicken and excite, our actings for God. He fell on his face in a holy fear and awe of God, but he was quickly raised up again; for those that humble themselves shall be exalted. God delights not in the dejections of his servants, but the same that brings them low will raise them up.

all; especially we must have anmeyerito -the:, beauty of jhis holiness; this the angels fasten upon in their praises (Rev. 4:8).

Psalm 29

The pleasantness of the harp and the awfulness of the trumpet intimate to us that God is to be worshipped with cheerfulness and holy joy, with reverence and godly fear. Singing aloud and making a noise intimate that we must be warm and affectionate in praising God, that we must with a hearty goodwill show forth his praise, as those that are not ashamed to own _ our dependence on him and obligations to him.

Ezekiel 2

Gospel-worship is here represented by the 'keeping of the feast of tabernacles', for the sake of those two great graces which were in a special manner

'acted' and 'signified' in that feast — contempt of the world, and joy in God (Neh. 8:17). The life of a good Christian is

Psalm 81

In all the acts of religious worship, this is that which we must aim at, to pay him some of that reverence which we owe him as the best of beings and the fountain of our being.

a constant 'feast of tabernacles', and, in all acts of devotion, we must retire from the world and rejoice in the Lord, must worship as in that feast.

Zechariah 14

Psalm 96

If we worship God ignorantly, and without understanding, we bring the blind for sacrifice; if we do it carelessly, and without consideration, if we are cold, and dull, and dead, in it, we

We must praise God with fervency of affection, and must stir up ourselves to do it, that it may be done in a lively

Young People bring the sick; if we rest in the bodily exercise, and do not make heart-work of it, we bring the lame; and, if we suffer vain thoughts and distractions to lodge within us, we bring the torn, and 'is not ourselves to the punishment of disobedience. Are the laws of temperance thought hard? The effects of intemperance will be much harder. The service of virtue is perfect liberty, the service of lust is perfect slavery.

this: "evil? "Is it not -a "great affront to God and a great wrong and injury to our own souls? Do not our books tell us, nay, do not our own hearts

2 Chronicles 12

Young people are api to be impatient of check and control, to vex and fret at anything that tell us, that 'this is evil?' For God, who _ is the best, ought to be served with the best we have.

is humbling and mortifying to them, and their proud hearts rise against everything that crosses and contradicts them. They are so set upon that which is pleasing to sense that they cannot bear anything that

Malachi 1

Yoke of God is displeasing, but it goes with sorrow to their heart. Their pride often disquiets them, and makes them uneasy. Put that away, and the love of the world, and lay thy expectations low from the creature, and then disappointments will not be occasions of sorrow and anger to thee.

They complained it may be of the strictness of their religion and forsook the law of the Lord because they thought it a yoke too hard, too heavy upon them. 'Well', saith God,

'let them better themselves if they can; let the neighbouring princes rule them awhile since they are not willing that I should rule them and let them try how they like that'. They might have served God with joyfulness and_ gladness of heart and would not. Let them serve their enemies then in hunger and thirst (Deut. 28: 47, 48) till they think of returning to their first Master for then it was better with thei (Hosea 2:7). . .° The more God's service is compared with other services, the more reasonable and easy it will appear. Whatever difficulties

Ecclesiastes 11

Young People

Young people should be told of their faults as soon as it is perceived that they begin to be extravagant, lest their hearts be hardened those that allow and countenance their children in any evil way and do not use their authority to restrain and punish them, do, in effect, honour them more than God, being more tender of their reputation than of his glory and more desirous to humour them than honour him.

or hardships we may imagine there are in the way of obedience, it is better a thousand times to go through them than to expose

1 Samuel 2

Zeal

Zeal

Canaanites and make no peace with them.

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.

Joshua 16

When their sincerity was made to appear, we do not find that they were blamed for their rashness. God does, and men should, overlook the weakness of an honest zeal.

Joshua 22

He did it with all his heart, and all his soul and all his might, with vigour and courage and resolution. He could not otherwise have broken through the difficulties he had to grapple with. What great things may we bring to pass in the service of God if we be but lively and hearty in it. He did this according to all the law of Moses in exact observance of that law and with an actual regard to it. His zeal did not transport him into any irregularities but in

Numbers 29

Jerusalem is said to continue in the hands of the Jebusites for the children of Judah could not drive them out through their sluggishness, stupidity and unbelief. Had they attempted it with vigour and resolution, we have reason to think that God would not have been wanting to them to give them success but they could not do it because they would not. .

all he did he walked by rule.

2 Kings 23

He did that which was right like David. Of several of his predecessors it had been said that they did that which was right but not like David; not with David's integrity and zeal, but here was one that had as hearty an affection for the ark

Joshua 15

A brand is put upon the Ephraimites that they did not drive out the Canaanites from Gezer either through carelessness or cowardice, either for want of faith in the promise of God that he would give them success if they would make a vigorous effort or for want of zeal for the command of God which obliged them utterly to drive out the and law of God as ever David had.

2 Chronicles 29

Many of them were a great way from home _ and_ had business in the country to look after for this, being the second month, they were in the midst of their harvest, yet they were in no_ haste to return. The zeal of God's house

Zeal

made them forget their secular affairs.

taught by him, their zeal had been commendable; but to come so far to oppose him, and to check the progress of his gospel, was great wickedness.

2 Chronicles 30

By this it appears they were not averse to go, but were slothful and inattentive, and only wanted to be called upon and excited to go. What a pity it is that good men should omit a good work, merely for want of being spoken to! What a pity that they should need it, but, if they do, what

Mark 7

True zeal makes nothing of hardships in the way of duty. They that have a full feast for their souls may be content with slender provision for their bodies. It was an old saying among the Puritans, 'Brown bread and the gospel are good a pity that they should be left without it!

fares

Mark 8

Ezra 8

He went into every city to preach; so they, one would think, should have contented themselves to hear him when he came to their own city (we know those that would); but there were those here _ that came to him out of every city, would not stay till he came to them, nor think that they had enough when he left them, but met him when he was coming

The flame of their zeal in the worship of false gods may shame us for our coldness and indifference in the worship of the true God. They strove to inflame themselves, but we distract and deaden ourselves.

Isaiah 57

The evening drawing on, the disciples moved it to Christ to send the multitude away; they thought there was a good days work done, and it was time to disperse. Note, Christ's disciples are often more careful to show their discretion, than to show their zeal; and their abundant consideration, rather than their abundant affection in the things of God.

towards them, and followed him when he was going from them.

Luke 8

They were somewhat surprised at first to see him to whom they were directed as the Lamb of God in such a heat, and him whom they believed to be the King of Israel take so little state upon him as to do this himself; but one scripture came to their thoughts, which taught them to reconcile this action both with the meekness of the Lamb of God and with the majesty of the King of Israel; for David, speaking of the Messiah, takes notice of his

Matthew 14

These Pharisees and scribes with whom he had this argument, are said to come from Jerusalem down to Galilee — fourscore or a hundred miles, to pick quarrels with our Saviour there, where they supposed him to have the greatest interest and reputation. Had they come so far to be

Zeal zeal for God's house, as so great that it even ate him up, it made him forget himself (Ps. 69:9). John 2 being strong, and their desires warm, they followed him presently. Good motions are often crushed, and come to nothing, for want of being prosecuted in time.

Those who are newly acquainted with the things of God must be excused, if at first they be so taken up with the new world into which they are brought that the things of this world seem to be for a time wholly neglected.

John 6

Let us see then that we do good, and have zeal in it; only looking that zeal be guided by knowledge and _ spirited with love, directed to the glory of God, and always in some good thing.

He resolved never to quit it, nor to lay it down, till he could say, 'It is finished'. Many have zeal to carry them out at first, but not zeal to carry them on to the last; but our Lord Jesus was intent upon finishing his work,

Titus 2

The origin of their wars and fightings was not (as they pretended) a true zeal for their country, and for the honour of God, but that their prevailing lusts were the cause of all. Observe hence: What ts sheltered and shrouded under

John 4

They did not defer, in hopes to see him again on this side the water; but their convictions a specious pretence of zeal for

God and religion often comes from men's pride, malice, covetousness, ambition, and revenge.

James 4

QAQ

Index to Scripture References

Genesis

oo ee OU Lee, 125, 86a, 020 es 0G

155,355 yao eae

ils 997 270,921

Sraonoe: LOT,

675235; 279 Atel Ole 2185 276, 284, 328 89, 231

Ploy tose 7 , 272,285, 301,306

: 263 OO ISL O25 4050

pach pace Ue

: 141,341 OM hehe Zoinire.) > 229 29:

126, 231, 346 yas a!

seltOr7, pelos. 3 ltsoe 2 7

Sule Ss 35:

307 351

ie 20, Somow

5 llsys

Deuteronomy

loo eo 7, O20 1200171, 180

Exodus

2 I, BOA Ge

Ihave 16: Sle 34:

1 Samuel

Leviticus

179, 162263

cIs2soe0

286,594

Uy) 266 Zl 2aeere One Oia 176 19771995245

126 1277206 284, 286: 164 NOMA So? SLO oar 1246, L770, 263 me:

Joshua

5 Sail tone aS

SURG oe

De Be

108 (Mil ecahan ail 184, 266

176,290

5 IPAS

4: 5:

Numbers

ibs 123, 206

Index to Scripture References

24: 25: 238 EO9 O22 Wks PAS

346 193 1 Sal 52

547 2

OBByE 24: 25:

a OMe eno le,

1 Chronicles

294, 259.299 rely)

5 Pla)

2 Samuel

2a 224

: 55, 343 SAD, 2353 BS eo Sone £216.

61, 168 189 2169242 64, 116; 229; 243, 304, 336 1, 347 Do aA 21 LS 0. LOO 2205. 222 eel 7

Nehemiah

216, 310

2 Chronicles 65,106, 217 340 203

149 oo eoo BO 302 312

Esther

4: 81, 243 5: 214 6: 99 17 (Intro.): 243

naa, LAS, 045

5 1242297

2081298 318, 336

ile

1°48, 2709307, 309 Dl Ue eso al, 313 (Intro.): 313

BR sll

5 a37/

141, 318 111 20,112 101, biz 206, 299

203;,/29i1

op 1Ss'3'69'203,,

See

229, 253, 346

o 133222 125 224

Re OO CO C}OD Or 09

Index to Scripture References

12-1 7s. 281 287 90: 20,58 133682. 101 25: 96, 233 91: 239 15: 48 26: 62 92: 122, 237 17: 39,53, 263 27: 42,102,168 9391105, 321 18: 10, 225 28: 294 94: 27,113,311 19: 313 29: 312,344 95: 287 20: 145,152 31: 3 96: 325,344 22: 337 33: 108,310 98: 291

- 28: 117, 206, 243 36: 102,165 100: 157,173 24: 237 37: 300, 337 101: 245, 292 25: 196 38: 42,75, 287 102: 99, 207,215,

26: 304 39: 3 234

Oe: eos, £1,4138% 41: 173 103: 127,311 141, 218 42: 170,171 104: 109,300

28: 564..112, 121, 49: 21,58, 229, 105: 50,127 244 337 106: 95,165, 218,

31: 48,112,307 51: 164, 190, 203, 108: 217, 234, 344

34: 39,196 54: 145 291

37: 102,112, 143, 64: 112 118: 239 162 65: 207 119: 4, 18,1921,

38: 134, 144, 203 66: 310 50, 66,103,

276 71: 4 D1be2lGwei7,

42: 225, 244, 334 722197 234593 7875. 73: 63, 103, 200 279

Psalms 152 253 127-8239

6: 332 81: 344 137: 26

9: 105 83: 329 139: 103

17: 206, 239, 307 207 143: 92,245 1932177102 87: 38, 249 145: 100,103,105,

20: 34,41, 206 88: 4,62, 216, 205, 266

223, 272, 296 233, 249, 309, 93 Aj, 538,171, 310

Index to Scripture References

Proverbs

Song of Solomon

2 O25 4505 342 LOD 213, 254

278 128

26, 240, 260 57, 65 (Ee rae ee 220, 240

cial Ws beg h 68)

Isaiah

Pal ens cee PALE

a2 bil

54, 143 GUI oo 155), 225 267, 287 139

Ke OO COT OBD OOH

seg, 113, 1438. 211, 302 ee iy 200, 288 7120 250568, 62592" Loo TFL, 219

— eS ee Set mB OO DO

OR ay

200,04 72322

3 1907226

SA TOF3 021-10;

rari

314 98, 162, 194, 260

PS Be 80.0)

19:

> 254 arate. Poe 2207265.

2. 5051504267

dco pramed Wo Soa AS) 234, 321

Ver VALOG eo te

Ecclesiastes

5: 42,48,75,

: 154, 288 Ut Rod |

208 RLS 213, 338

SAT ia 22

2 Jax0)

Sp lox

2 PS

5 M452192° 202. 246 68, 160, 234, 345

Jeremiah

Lamentations

174, 335 LV 41825251 4 OWT 4258

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