I besought Him to give me some work to do for Him, as an outlet for love and gratitude, some self-denying service, no matter what it might be, however trying or however trivial; something with which He would be pleased, and that I might do for Him who had done so much for me. Well do I remember, as in unreserved consecration I put myself, my life, my friends, my all, upon the altar, the deep solemnity that came over my soul with the assurance that my offering was accepted. The presence of God because unutterably real and blessed; and though but a child under sixteen, I remember stretching myself on the ground, and lying there silent before Him with unspeakable awe and unspeakable joy.
For what service I was accepted, I knew not; but a deep consciousness that I was no longer my own took possession of me, which has never since been effaced.
I told him that God had called my to spend my life in missionary service in that land. "And how do you propose to go there?" he inquired. I answered that i did not at all know; that it seemed to me probable that i should need to do as the Twelve and the Seventy had done in Judea - go without purse or scrip, relying on Him who had called me to supply all my need. Kindly placing his hand upon my shoulder, the minister replied, "Ah, my boy, as you grow older you will get wiser than that. Such an idea would do very well in the days when Christ Himself was on earth, but not now."
I have grown older since then, but now wiser. I am more than ever convinced that if we were to take the directions of our Master and the assurances He gave to His first disciples more fully as our guide, we should find them to be just as suited to our times as to those in which they were originally given. (p.16)
Adapted from pages 21-27:
My experience was that the less I spent on myself and the more I gave away, the fuller of happiness and blessing did my soul become. Unspeakable joy all the day long, and every day, was my happy experience. God, even my God, was a living, bright reality; and all I had to do was joyful service. ...At such times it almost seemed to me as if Heaven were begun below, and that all that could be looked for was an enlargement of one's capacity for joy, not a truer filling than I possessed.
One night a poor man asked me to go and pray with his wife, saying that she was dying. Up a miserable flight of stairs, into a wretched room, he led me; and oh, what a sight there presented itself to our eyes! Four or five poor children stood about, their sunken cheeks and temples all telling unmistakably the story of slow starvation.
Immediately it occurred to me that all the money I had in the world was in one coin. I was not yet prepared to trust Him only, without any money at all in my pocket. Somehow or other there was at once a stoppage in the flow of joy in my heart. It will scarcely seems strange that I was unable to say much to comfort these people. I needed comfort myself. I began to tell them, however, that they must not be cast down, that though their circumstances were very distressing, there was a kind and loving Father in Heaven; but something within me said, "You hypocrite, telling these unconverted people about a kind and loving Father in Heaven, and not prepared yourself to trust him without half a crown!" I was nearly choked.
To talk was impossible under these circumstances; yet, strange to say, I thought I should have no difficulty in praying. Prayer was a delightful occupation to me in those days; time thus spent never seemed wearisome, and I knew nothing of lack of words. I seemed to think that all I should have to do would be to kneel down and engage in prayer, and that relief would come to them and to myself together. But scarcely had I opened my lips with "Our Father who art in heaven" than conscience said within, "Dare you mock God? Dare you kneel down and call him Father with that half crown in your pocket?" Such a time of conflict came upon me then as I have never experienced before or since.
Just then the word flashed into my mind, "Give to him that asketh of thee." And in the word of a King there is great power! I put my hand in my pocket, and slowly drawing forth the half crown, gave it to the man, telling him that it might seem a small matter to him, but that in parting with that coin I was giving him all I had to live on, and that what I had been trying to tell him was indeed true - God really was a Father, and might be trusted.
The joy all came back in full flood tide to my heart; and the hindrance to blessing was gone. Not only was the poor woman's life saved, but I realized that my life was saved too! It might have been a wreck - would have been a wreck probably - had not grace at that time conquered, and the striving of God's Spirit been obeyed. I well remember how that night, as I went home to my lodgings, my heart was as light as my pocket. When I took my basin of gruel before retiring that night, I would not have exchanged it for a prince's feast.
The next morning a postman's knock was heard on the door. I was not in the habit of receiving letters on Monday, as my parents and most of my friends refrained from posting on Saturday; so that I was somewhat surprised when the landlady came in holding a packet in her wet hand. It was either a strange hand or a feigned one, and the postmark was blurred. Where it came from I could not tell. On opening the envelope I found nothing written within, but inside was a folded pair of kid gloves, from which, as I opened them in astonishment, half a sovereign fell to the ground.
I cannot tell you how often my mind has returned to this incident, or all the help it has been to me in circumstances of later difficulty. If we are faithful to God in little things, we shall gain experience and strength that will be helpful to us in the more serious trials of life."
Showing posts with label joy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label joy. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 11, 2016
Saturday, January 11, 2014
Heaven on Earth - Thomas Brooks
"The joy that attends the subduing of sin is a noble joy, a pure joy, a peculiar joy, an increasing joy, and a lasting joy; but that joy that attends the committing of sin is an ignoble joy, a corrupt joy, a decreasing joy, a dying joy."
I am sure that I am his, as I am sure that I live. I am his by purchase, and I am his by conquest; I am his by donation, and I am his by election; I am his by covenant, and I am his by marriage. I am wholly his; I am peculiarly his; I am universally his; I am eternally his. This I well know, and the knowledge thereof is my joy in life, and my strength and crown in death. p. 19
What I have found and felt, and what I do find and feel, is wonderfully beyond what I am able to express. I am as well able to tell the stars of heaven, and to number the sand of the sea, as I am able to declare to you the joy, the joy, the inconceivable joy, the assurance, the glorious assurance, that God hath given me. p. 52
Such souls as have once been in the arms of God, in the midst of all oppositions, they are as men made all of fire walking in stubble; they consume and overcome all oppositions; all difficulties are but as whetstones to their fortitude. The moon will run her course, though the dogs bark at it, so will all those choice souls that have found warmth under Christ's wings run their Christian race in spite of all difficulties and dangers. p.62
God loves to smile most upon his people when the world frowns most. When the world puts its iron chains upon their legs, then God puts his golden chains about their necks; when the world puts a bitter cup into their hands, then God drops some of his honey, some of his goodness and sweetness into it. p. 65
Ah, Christian, you wrong two at once, Christ and your own souls, whilst you thus reason: Lord, give me first assurance, and then I will believe in thee and rest upon thee; whereas your great work is to believe, and to hold on believing and acting of faith on the Lord Jesus, till you come to be assured and sealed up to the day of redemption. This is the surest and shortest way to assurance. p. 71
Ah, Christians! believing, believing is the ready way, the safest way, the sweetest way, the shortest way, the only way to a well-grounded assurance, and to that unspeakable joy and peace that flows from it, as the effect from the cause, the fruit from the root, the stream from the fountain. There is such assurance, and such joy that springs from the fresh and frequent actings of faith, that cannot be expressed, that cannot be painted. No man can paint the sweetness of the honeycomb, the sweetness of paradise, the fragrancy of the rose of Sharon. As the being of things cannot be painted, and as the sweetness of things cannot be painted, no more can that assurance and joy that flows from believing be painted or expressed; it is too great and too glorious for weak man to paint or set forth. p. 72
"O God, thou art my God, early I will seek thee! my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is: to see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary." In these words you have David's strong, earnest, and vehement desires; here you have desire upon desire; here you have the very flower and vigor of his spirit, the strength and sinews of his soul, the prime and top of his inflamed affections, all strongly working after a fuller enjoyment of God. Look, as the espoused maid longs for the marriage day, the apprentice for his freedom, the captive for his ransom, the condemned man for his pardon, the traveler for his inn, and the mariner for his haven; so doth a soul, that hath met with God in his ordinances, long to meet with God in heaven. It is not a drop, it is not a lap and away, a sip and away, that will suffice such a soul. No. This soul will never be quiet till it sees God face to face, till it be quiet in the bosom of God. The more a saint tastes of God in an ordinance, the more are his desires raised and whetted, and the more are his teeth set on edge for more and more of God. p. 70
"Thous hast loved my sol from the grave, for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back." Ah, says Hezekiah, I have now found that in my afflictions thy affections have been most strongly carried towards me, as towards one whom thou art exceedingly taken with. p. 84
The surest and the shortest way to assurance is to wrestle and contend with God for holiness, as the angel contended with the devil about the body of Moses, Jude 9. When the stream and cream of a man's spirit runs after holiness, it will not be night with that man; the Sun of righteousness will shine forth upon that man, and turn his winter into summer, and crown him with the diadem of assurance. p. 87
Well! remember this, it is mercy to lack mercy till we are fit for mercy, till we are able to bear the weight of mercy, and make a divine improvement of mercy. p. 88
Praying souls, remember this. It is but weakness to think that men shall reap as soon as they sow, that they shall reap in the evening when they have but sowed in the morning. p. 90
The soul of Mary Magdalene was full of devils; and yet Christ cast them out, and made her heart his house, his presence chamber. Why dos thou then say there is no hope for thee, O despairing soul? Paul was full of rage against Christ and his people, and full of blasphemy and impiety, and yet behold, Paul becomes a chosen vessel, Paul is caught up into the heaven, and he is filled with the gifts and graces of the Holy Ghost. Though the prodigal had run from his father, and spent and wasted all his estate in ways of wickedness, yet upon his resolution to return, his father meets him, and instead of killing him, he kisses; instead of kicking him, he embraces him; instead of shutting the door upon him, he makes sumptuous provision for him. And how then dost thou dare to say, O despairing soul, that God will never cast an eye of love upon thee, nor bestow a crumb of mercy on thee! p. 94
"God so loved the world;" so freely, so vehemently, so fully, so admirably, so inconceivably, "that he gave his only Son."
From first to last all is from free grace. God loves freely. The only ground of God's love is his love. p. 96
Verily, seeing all happiness and blessedness comes in a way of free grace, and not in a way of doing, not in a way of works, you should arise, O despairing souls! and cast off all despairing thoughts, and drink of the waters of life freely.
God's mercies are above all his works, and above all ours too. His mercy is without measures and rules. All the acts and attributes of God sit at the feet of mercy. p. 97
Who is he that condemns? It is Christ that died." Romans 8:33-38 The apostle, upon the account of Christ's death, of Christ's blood cries out Victory, victory! He looks upon all his enemies and sings it sweetly out, "Over all these we are more than conquerors" or "above conquerors." We do over-overcome. p. 100
Do not deceive yourselves; it is not a careless, slight, slender searching into your own hearts that will enable you to see the deep, the secret, the curious, the mysterious work of God upon you. If you do not "seek as for silver," and search for Christ and grace "as for hid treasures," you will not find them. Your richest metals lie lowest, your choicest gems are in the bowels of the earth, and they that will have them must search diligently, and dig deep, or else they must go without them. p. 106
It is not a superficial, but a thorough, serious, substantial examination that must enable a man to know whether he hath precious faith or no; whether he be Christ's spouse or the devil's prostitute. All is not gold that glitters; all is not faith that men call faith. p. 106
God hath his doing hand, his working hand in every man's heart; either he is a-working there in ways of mercy or of wrath; either he is building up or a-plucking down; either he is a-making all glorious within, or else he is a-turning all into a hell. Well! doubting souls, remember this, that the soundest joy, the strongest consolation, flow from a thorough examination of things within.
Many trembling souls are apt to call their faith unbelief, and their confidence presumption, and their zeal passion, and by this means many are kept off from assurance. Now, the way to remove this impediment is wisely and seriously to distinguish between renewing grace and restraining grace, betwixt common grace and special grace, betwixt temporary grace and sanctifying grace. Now, the difference between the one and the other I have shewed in ten particulars in my treatise called "Precious Remedies against Satan's Devices," and to that I refer thee for full satisfaction. p. 107
A lazy Christian will always lack four things, viz., comfort, content, confidence, and assurance. ...The lazy Christian hath his mouth full of complaints, when the active Christian hath his heart full of comforts. God would have the hearts of his children to be hot in religious services. "Be fervent" (or seething hot, as it is in the original) "in spirit, serving the Lord," Rom. 12:11. p. 111
Therefore, if ever you would have assurance, seek the Lord, not only while he may be found, but also in every gracious dispensation where he may be found.
Sicily, saith one, is so full of sweet flowers, that dogs cannot hunt there, the scent of the sweet flowers divereth their smell. And ah! what doth all the sweet delights and contents of this world, but make men lose the sense of heaven, but divert men from hunting after assurance, and from running after Christ. p. 115
I am sure that I am his, as I am sure that I live. I am his by purchase, and I am his by conquest; I am his by donation, and I am his by election; I am his by covenant, and I am his by marriage. I am wholly his; I am peculiarly his; I am universally his; I am eternally his. This I well know, and the knowledge thereof is my joy in life, and my strength and crown in death. p. 19
What I have found and felt, and what I do find and feel, is wonderfully beyond what I am able to express. I am as well able to tell the stars of heaven, and to number the sand of the sea, as I am able to declare to you the joy, the joy, the inconceivable joy, the assurance, the glorious assurance, that God hath given me. p. 52
Such souls as have once been in the arms of God, in the midst of all oppositions, they are as men made all of fire walking in stubble; they consume and overcome all oppositions; all difficulties are but as whetstones to their fortitude. The moon will run her course, though the dogs bark at it, so will all those choice souls that have found warmth under Christ's wings run their Christian race in spite of all difficulties and dangers. p.62
God loves to smile most upon his people when the world frowns most. When the world puts its iron chains upon their legs, then God puts his golden chains about their necks; when the world puts a bitter cup into their hands, then God drops some of his honey, some of his goodness and sweetness into it. p. 65
Ah, Christian, you wrong two at once, Christ and your own souls, whilst you thus reason: Lord, give me first assurance, and then I will believe in thee and rest upon thee; whereas your great work is to believe, and to hold on believing and acting of faith on the Lord Jesus, till you come to be assured and sealed up to the day of redemption. This is the surest and shortest way to assurance. p. 71
Ah, Christians! believing, believing is the ready way, the safest way, the sweetest way, the shortest way, the only way to a well-grounded assurance, and to that unspeakable joy and peace that flows from it, as the effect from the cause, the fruit from the root, the stream from the fountain. There is such assurance, and such joy that springs from the fresh and frequent actings of faith, that cannot be expressed, that cannot be painted. No man can paint the sweetness of the honeycomb, the sweetness of paradise, the fragrancy of the rose of Sharon. As the being of things cannot be painted, and as the sweetness of things cannot be painted, no more can that assurance and joy that flows from believing be painted or expressed; it is too great and too glorious for weak man to paint or set forth. p. 72
"O God, thou art my God, early I will seek thee! my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is: to see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary." In these words you have David's strong, earnest, and vehement desires; here you have desire upon desire; here you have the very flower and vigor of his spirit, the strength and sinews of his soul, the prime and top of his inflamed affections, all strongly working after a fuller enjoyment of God. Look, as the espoused maid longs for the marriage day, the apprentice for his freedom, the captive for his ransom, the condemned man for his pardon, the traveler for his inn, and the mariner for his haven; so doth a soul, that hath met with God in his ordinances, long to meet with God in heaven. It is not a drop, it is not a lap and away, a sip and away, that will suffice such a soul. No. This soul will never be quiet till it sees God face to face, till it be quiet in the bosom of God. The more a saint tastes of God in an ordinance, the more are his desires raised and whetted, and the more are his teeth set on edge for more and more of God. p. 70
"Thous hast loved my sol from the grave, for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back." Ah, says Hezekiah, I have now found that in my afflictions thy affections have been most strongly carried towards me, as towards one whom thou art exceedingly taken with. p. 84
The surest and the shortest way to assurance is to wrestle and contend with God for holiness, as the angel contended with the devil about the body of Moses, Jude 9. When the stream and cream of a man's spirit runs after holiness, it will not be night with that man; the Sun of righteousness will shine forth upon that man, and turn his winter into summer, and crown him with the diadem of assurance. p. 87
Well! remember this, it is mercy to lack mercy till we are fit for mercy, till we are able to bear the weight of mercy, and make a divine improvement of mercy. p. 88
Praying souls, remember this. It is but weakness to think that men shall reap as soon as they sow, that they shall reap in the evening when they have but sowed in the morning. p. 90
The soul of Mary Magdalene was full of devils; and yet Christ cast them out, and made her heart his house, his presence chamber. Why dos thou then say there is no hope for thee, O despairing soul? Paul was full of rage against Christ and his people, and full of blasphemy and impiety, and yet behold, Paul becomes a chosen vessel, Paul is caught up into the heaven, and he is filled with the gifts and graces of the Holy Ghost. Though the prodigal had run from his father, and spent and wasted all his estate in ways of wickedness, yet upon his resolution to return, his father meets him, and instead of killing him, he kisses; instead of kicking him, he embraces him; instead of shutting the door upon him, he makes sumptuous provision for him. And how then dost thou dare to say, O despairing soul, that God will never cast an eye of love upon thee, nor bestow a crumb of mercy on thee! p. 94
"God so loved the world;" so freely, so vehemently, so fully, so admirably, so inconceivably, "that he gave his only Son."
From first to last all is from free grace. God loves freely. The only ground of God's love is his love. p. 96
Verily, seeing all happiness and blessedness comes in a way of free grace, and not in a way of doing, not in a way of works, you should arise, O despairing souls! and cast off all despairing thoughts, and drink of the waters of life freely.
God's mercies are above all his works, and above all ours too. His mercy is without measures and rules. All the acts and attributes of God sit at the feet of mercy. p. 97
Who is he that condemns? It is Christ that died." Romans 8:33-38 The apostle, upon the account of Christ's death, of Christ's blood cries out Victory, victory! He looks upon all his enemies and sings it sweetly out, "Over all these we are more than conquerors" or "above conquerors." We do over-overcome. p. 100
Do not deceive yourselves; it is not a careless, slight, slender searching into your own hearts that will enable you to see the deep, the secret, the curious, the mysterious work of God upon you. If you do not "seek as for silver," and search for Christ and grace "as for hid treasures," you will not find them. Your richest metals lie lowest, your choicest gems are in the bowels of the earth, and they that will have them must search diligently, and dig deep, or else they must go without them. p. 106
It is not a superficial, but a thorough, serious, substantial examination that must enable a man to know whether he hath precious faith or no; whether he be Christ's spouse or the devil's prostitute. All is not gold that glitters; all is not faith that men call faith. p. 106
God hath his doing hand, his working hand in every man's heart; either he is a-working there in ways of mercy or of wrath; either he is building up or a-plucking down; either he is a-making all glorious within, or else he is a-turning all into a hell. Well! doubting souls, remember this, that the soundest joy, the strongest consolation, flow from a thorough examination of things within.
Many trembling souls are apt to call their faith unbelief, and their confidence presumption, and their zeal passion, and by this means many are kept off from assurance. Now, the way to remove this impediment is wisely and seriously to distinguish between renewing grace and restraining grace, betwixt common grace and special grace, betwixt temporary grace and sanctifying grace. Now, the difference between the one and the other I have shewed in ten particulars in my treatise called "Precious Remedies against Satan's Devices," and to that I refer thee for full satisfaction. p. 107
A lazy Christian will always lack four things, viz., comfort, content, confidence, and assurance. ...The lazy Christian hath his mouth full of complaints, when the active Christian hath his heart full of comforts. God would have the hearts of his children to be hot in religious services. "Be fervent" (or seething hot, as it is in the original) "in spirit, serving the Lord," Rom. 12:11. p. 111
Therefore, if ever you would have assurance, seek the Lord, not only while he may be found, but also in every gracious dispensation where he may be found.
Sicily, saith one, is so full of sweet flowers, that dogs cannot hunt there, the scent of the sweet flowers divereth their smell. And ah! what doth all the sweet delights and contents of this world, but make men lose the sense of heaven, but divert men from hunting after assurance, and from running after Christ. p. 115
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Poems by Emily Dickinson
Too Much
I should have been too glad, I see,
Too lifted for the scant degree
Of life's penurious round;
My little circuit would have shamed
This new circumference, have blamed
The homelier time behind.
I should have been too saved, I see,
Too rescued; fear too dim to me
That I could spell the prayer
I knew so perfect yesterday, --
That scalding one, "Sabachthani,"
Recited fluent here.
Earth would have been too much, I see,
And heaven not enough for me;
I should have had the joy
Without the fear to justify, --
The palm without the Calvary;
So, Saviour, crucify.
Defeat whets victory, they say;
The reefs in old Gethsemane
Endear the shore beyond.
'Tis beggars banquets best define;
'Tis thirsting vitalizes wine, --
Faith faints to understand.
Monday, December 16, 2013
Matthew Henry Quotes
"Men need not be drawn from their religion by the temptation of mirth, for we serve a Master that has abundantly provided for the joy of his servants: serious godliness is a continual feast, and joy in God always."
‘The pleasures of sense are puddle-water; spiritual delights are rock water, so pure, so clear, so refreshing — rivers of pleasure." (on Exodus 17:1-7)
“Ask, seek, knock, that is in one word: pray, pray, and pray again. Ask as a beggar asks for alms. Those who would be rich in grace must apply themselves to the poor trade of begging, and they shall find it a thriving trade. ...
Present your needs and burdens to God. Ask as a traveler asks the way; to pray is to plead with God. Seek as for a thing of value that we have lost. Seek in prayer. Knock, as he who desires to enter the house knocks at the door. Sin has shut and barred the door against us; by prayer we knock; "Lord, Lord, open the door to us!" Christ knocks at our door and allows us to knock at his which is a favor we do not allow common beggars. Seeking and knocking imply something more than asking and praying... We must not only ask, but knock; we must come to God's door, must ask importunately, not only pray, but plead and wrestle with God.”
"Let a righteous man strike me - it is a kindness; let him rebuke me—it is oil for my head; let my head not refuse it.” David desires to be told of his faults. We are here taught how to receive the reproofs of the righteous and wise. If my own heart does not strike me, as it ought, let my friend do it; let me never fall under that dreadful judgment of being let alone in sin. We must account it a duty of friendship. We must not only bear it patiently, but take it as a kindness. Though reproofs cut, it is to affect a cure, and therefore they are much more desirable than the kisses of an enemy or the song of fools.”
"Were we to think more of our own mistakes and offenses, we should be less apt to judge other people. While we are severe against what we count offensive in others, we do not consider how much there is in us which is justly offensive to them. Self-justifiers are commonly self-deceivers. We are all guilty before God; and those who vaunt it over the frailties and infirmities of others little think how many things they offend in themselves. Nay, perhaps their magisterial deportment, and censorious tongues, may prove worse than any faults they condemn in others. (on James 3:1-2)
Observe,I. How the people fretted themselves: They lifted up their voices and cried (v. 1); giving credit to the report of the spies rather than to the word of God, and imagining their condition desperate, they laid the reins on the neck of their passions, and could keep no manner of temper. Like foolish froward children, they fall a crying, 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; but those that cried when nothing hurt them deserved to have something given them to cry for. And, as if all had been already gone, they sat down and wept that night. Note, Unbelief, or distrust of God, is a sin that is its own punishment. Those that do not trust God are continually vexing themselves. The world’s mourners are more than God’s, and the sorrow of the world worketh death. (on Numbers 14)
Suppose the difficulties of conquering Canaan were as great as they imagined, those of returning to Egypt were much greater. In this let us see, (1.) The folly of discontent and impatience under the crosses of our outward condition. We are uneasy at that which is, complain of our place and lot, and we would shift; but is there any place or condition in this world that has not something in it to make us uneasy if we are disposed to be so? The way to better our condition is to get our spirits into a better frame; and instead of asking, "Were it not better to go to Egypt?’’ ask, "Were it not better to be content, and make the best of that which is?’’ (on Numbers 14)
What will those be pleased with whom manna will not please? (on Numbers 21)
Note, We are more endangered by the charms of a smiling world than by the terrors of a frowning world. (Numbers 25:1-2)
The rule is general, If a man vow, he must pay. But for a daughter it is express: her vow is nugatory or in suspense till her father knows it, and (it is supposed) knows it from her; for, when it comes to his knowledge, it is in his power either to ratify or nullify it. But in favour of the vow, 1. Even his silence shall suffice to ratify it: If hehold his peace, her vows shall stand, v. 4. Qui tacet, consentire videtur—Silence gives consent.Hereby he allows his daughter the liberty she has assumed, and, as long as he says nothing against her vow, she shall be bound by it. (On Numbers 30)
I shall do to you as I thought to do unto them, v. 56. It was intended that the Canaanites should be dispossessed; but if the Israelites fell in with them, and learned their way, they should be dispossessed, for God’s displeasure would justly be greater against them than against the Canaanites themselves. Let us hear this, and fear. If we do not drive sin out, sin will drive us out; if we be not the death of our lusts, our lusts will be the death of our souls. (Numbers 33)
God sets bounds to our lot; let us then set bounds to our desires, and bring our mind to our condition. (Numbers 34)
Note, Those know Christ best that know him by experience, that can say of his power, It works in me; of his love, He loved me. And this proves Christ not only to have a divine mission, but to be a divine person, that he is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart, therefore the essential, eternal Word, (on John 16:26-30)
If Christ had indeed sought to save his life, now had been his time to have spoken; but that which he had to do was to lay down his life.(5.) Christ’s pertinent answer to this check, v. 11, where,[1.] He boldly rebukes his arrogance, and rectifies his mistake: "Big as thou lookest and talkest, thou couldest have no power at all against me, no power to scourge, no power to crucify, except it were given thee from above.’’ Though Christ did not think fit to answer him when he was impertinent (then answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like him ), yet he did think fit to answer him when he was imperious; then answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit, Prov. 26:4, Prov. 26:5 . (on John 19:11)
Observe what it is that he begs of God for them,I. That they might be knowing intelligent Christians: filled with the knowledge of his will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. Observe, 1. The knowledge of our duty is the best knowledge. A mere empty notion of the greatest truths is insignificant. Our knowledge of the will of God must be always practical: we must know it, in order to do it. 2. Our knowledge is then a blessing indeed when it is in wisdom, when we know how to apply our general knowledge to our particular occasions, and to suit it to all emergencies. 3. Christians should endeavour to be filled with knowledge; not only to know the will of God, but to know more of it, and to increase in the knowledge of God (as it is v. 10), and to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, (on Col 1:9)
The sin that rightly troubles us, shall not ruin us. And there may be good hopes through grace, even where there is the sense of great guilt before God. The case is plain; what has been done amiss, must be undone again as far as possible; nothing less than this is true repentance. Sin must be put away, with a resolution never to have any thing more to do with it. What has been unjustly got, must be restored. Arise, be of good courage. Weeping, in this case, is good, but reforming is better. (on Ezra 10)
‘The pleasures of sense are puddle-water; spiritual delights are rock water, so pure, so clear, so refreshing — rivers of pleasure." (on Exodus 17:1-7)
“Ask, seek, knock, that is in one word: pray, pray, and pray again. Ask as a beggar asks for alms. Those who would be rich in grace must apply themselves to the poor trade of begging, and they shall find it a thriving trade. ...
Present your needs and burdens to God. Ask as a traveler asks the way; to pray is to plead with God. Seek as for a thing of value that we have lost. Seek in prayer. Knock, as he who desires to enter the house knocks at the door. Sin has shut and barred the door against us; by prayer we knock; "Lord, Lord, open the door to us!" Christ knocks at our door and allows us to knock at his which is a favor we do not allow common beggars. Seeking and knocking imply something more than asking and praying... We must not only ask, but knock; we must come to God's door, must ask importunately, not only pray, but plead and wrestle with God.”
"Let a righteous man strike me - it is a kindness; let him rebuke me—it is oil for my head; let my head not refuse it.” David desires to be told of his faults. We are here taught how to receive the reproofs of the righteous and wise. If my own heart does not strike me, as it ought, let my friend do it; let me never fall under that dreadful judgment of being let alone in sin. We must account it a duty of friendship. We must not only bear it patiently, but take it as a kindness. Though reproofs cut, it is to affect a cure, and therefore they are much more desirable than the kisses of an enemy or the song of fools.”
"Were we to think more of our own mistakes and offenses, we should be less apt to judge other people. While we are severe against what we count offensive in others, we do not consider how much there is in us which is justly offensive to them. Self-justifiers are commonly self-deceivers. We are all guilty before God; and those who vaunt it over the frailties and infirmities of others little think how many things they offend in themselves. Nay, perhaps their magisterial deportment, and censorious tongues, may prove worse than any faults they condemn in others. (on James 3:1-2)
Observe,I. How the people fretted themselves: They lifted up their voices and cried (v. 1); giving credit to the report of the spies rather than to the word of God, and imagining their condition desperate, they laid the reins on the neck of their passions, and could keep no manner of temper. Like foolish froward children, they fall a crying, 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; but those that cried when nothing hurt them deserved to have something given them to cry for. And, as if all had been already gone, they sat down and wept that night. Note, Unbelief, or distrust of God, is a sin that is its own punishment. Those that do not trust God are continually vexing themselves. The world’s mourners are more than God’s, and the sorrow of the world worketh death. (on Numbers 14)
Suppose the difficulties of conquering Canaan were as great as they imagined, those of returning to Egypt were much greater. In this let us see, (1.) The folly of discontent and impatience under the crosses of our outward condition. We are uneasy at that which is, complain of our place and lot, and we would shift; but is there any place or condition in this world that has not something in it to make us uneasy if we are disposed to be so? The way to better our condition is to get our spirits into a better frame; and instead of asking, "Were it not better to go to Egypt?’’ ask, "Were it not better to be content, and make the best of that which is?’’ (on Numbers 14)
What will those be pleased with whom manna will not please? (on Numbers 21)
Note, We are more endangered by the charms of a smiling world than by the terrors of a frowning world. (Numbers 25:1-2)
The rule is general, If a man vow, he must pay. But for a daughter it is express: her vow is nugatory or in suspense till her father knows it, and (it is supposed) knows it from her; for, when it comes to his knowledge, it is in his power either to ratify or nullify it. But in favour of the vow, 1. Even his silence shall suffice to ratify it: If hehold his peace, her vows shall stand, v. 4. Qui tacet, consentire videtur—Silence gives consent.Hereby he allows his daughter the liberty she has assumed, and, as long as he says nothing against her vow, she shall be bound by it. (On Numbers 30)
I shall do to you as I thought to do unto them, v. 56. It was intended that the Canaanites should be dispossessed; but if the Israelites fell in with them, and learned their way, they should be dispossessed, for God’s displeasure would justly be greater against them than against the Canaanites themselves. Let us hear this, and fear. If we do not drive sin out, sin will drive us out; if we be not the death of our lusts, our lusts will be the death of our souls. (Numbers 33)
God sets bounds to our lot; let us then set bounds to our desires, and bring our mind to our condition. (Numbers 34)
Note, Those know Christ best that know him by experience, that can say of his power, It works in me; of his love, He loved me. And this proves Christ not only to have a divine mission, but to be a divine person, that he is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart, therefore the essential, eternal Word, (on John 16:26-30)
If Christ had indeed sought to save his life, now had been his time to have spoken; but that which he had to do was to lay down his life.(5.) Christ’s pertinent answer to this check, v. 11, where,[1.] He boldly rebukes his arrogance, and rectifies his mistake: "Big as thou lookest and talkest, thou couldest have no power at all against me, no power to scourge, no power to crucify, except it were given thee from above.’’ Though Christ did not think fit to answer him when he was impertinent (then answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like him ), yet he did think fit to answer him when he was imperious; then answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit, Prov. 26:4, Prov. 26:5 . (on John 19:11)
Observe what it is that he begs of God for them,I. That they might be knowing intelligent Christians: filled with the knowledge of his will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. Observe, 1. The knowledge of our duty is the best knowledge. A mere empty notion of the greatest truths is insignificant. Our knowledge of the will of God must be always practical: we must know it, in order to do it. 2. Our knowledge is then a blessing indeed when it is in wisdom, when we know how to apply our general knowledge to our particular occasions, and to suit it to all emergencies. 3. Christians should endeavour to be filled with knowledge; not only to know the will of God, but to know more of it, and to increase in the knowledge of God (as it is v. 10), and to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, (on Col 1:9)
The sin that rightly troubles us, shall not ruin us. And there may be good hopes through grace, even where there is the sense of great guilt before God. The case is plain; what has been done amiss, must be undone again as far as possible; nothing less than this is true repentance. Sin must be put away, with a resolution never to have any thing more to do with it. What has been unjustly got, must be restored. Arise, be of good courage. Weeping, in this case, is good, but reforming is better. (on Ezra 10)
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