Grace Gems for March 2008
An easy hell
(Thomas Watson, "The Art of Divine Contentment")
"I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances
I am. I know both how to have a little, and I know how
to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned
the secret of being content—whether well-fed or hungry,
whether in abundance or in need." Philippians 4:11-12
Whatever affliction or trouble a child of God meets with—
it is all the hell he shall ever have! Whatever eclipse may
be upon his name or estate—it is but a little cloud which
will soon be blown over—and then his hell is past!
Death begins a wicked man's hell.
Death ends a godly man's hell.
Think with yourself, "What is my affliction? It is but a
temporary hell. Indeed, if all my hell is here on earth
—it is but an easy hell. What is the cup of affliction
—compared to the cup of damnation!"
Lazarus could not get a crumb; he was so diseased that
the dogs took pity on him; and as if they had been his
physicians, licked his sores. But this was an easy hell
—the angels quickly fetched him out of it!
If all our hell is in this life—and in the midst of this
hell, we have the love of God—then it is no more hell,
but paradise! If all our hell is here on earth, we may
see to the end of it; it is but skin-deep, it cannot
touch the soul. It is a short-lived hell. After a dreary
night of affliction, comes the bright morning of glory!
Since our lives are short—our trials cannot be long!
As our riches take wings and fly away—so do our sufferings!
Let us learn then, to be content, whatever our circumstances.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
This incomparable book!
(Thomas Brooks, "Apples of Gold" 1660)
The whole of Scripture is but one entire love
letter, dispatched from the Lord Christ, to
His beloved spouse!
Oh! the mysteries, the excellencies, the glories
which are in this incomparable book! There
are none so useful, none so needful, none so
delightful, none so necessary to make you
happy and to keep you happy—as this!
Ah! the Word of the Lord is . . .
a light to guide you,
a counselor to counsel you,
a comforter to comfort you,
a staff to support you,
a sword to defend you,
a physician to cure you!
The Word is . . .
a mine to enrich you,
a robe to clothe you,
a crown to crown you.
bread to strengthen you,
wine to cheer you,
a honeycomb to feast you,
music to delight you,
a paradise to entertain you!
Oh! therefore, before all and above all:
search the Scripture,
study the Scripture,
meditate on the Scripture,
delight in the Scripture,
treasure up the Scripture!
There is . . .
no wisdom like Scripture wisdom,
no knowledge like Scripture knowledge,
no experience like Scripture experience,
no comforts like Scripture comforts,
no delights like Scripture delights,
no convictions like Scripture convictions,
no conversion like Scripture conversion!
I exhort you to a speedy, serious, diligent,
and constant study of the Scripture.
Ah! you do not know how soon . . .
your blind minds may be enlightened,
your hard hearts may be softened,
your proud spirits may be humbled,
your sinful natures may be changed,
your defiled consciences may be purged,
your distempered affections may be regulated,
and your poor souls may be saved . . .
by searching into the Scriptures,
by reading the Scripture, and
by pondering upon the Scripture.
Ah! if you do not in good earnest,
give yourself up . . .
to the reading,
to the studying,
to the pondering,
to the believing,
to the practicing,
to the applying, and
to the living up to the Scripture—
Satan will be too hard for you,
the world will be too hard for you,
your lusts will be too hard for you,
temptations will be too hard for you,
deceivers will be too hard for you,
and in the end you will be miserable!~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Their motto
(Horatius Bonar, "Christ and the World")
"Let us eat and drink—for tomorrow we die!"
1 Corinthians 15:32
Worldly people seem to be well aware, that it is only
in this life that they will be able to give vent to their
worldliness. They know that death will put an end to it
all; and this is one of the main reasons for their dread
of death, and their dislike even of the thoughts of it.
They know that there will be no "worldliness" in "the
world to come;" that there will be no money-making,
nor pleasure-finding, nor feasting, nor reveling; no
dances, nor races, nor theaters—in heaven or in hell.
Hence their eagerness to taste "life's glad moments,"
to take their fill of mirth, to make the best of this life
while it lasts. Hence the origin of their motto, "Let
us eat and drink—for tomorrow we die!" Such are . . .
the out-and-out "lovers of pleasure,"
the worshipers of the god of this world,
the admirers of vanity,
the indulgers of the flesh.
They do not profess to be "pious;" but rather take
pains to show that they are not so, and boast that
they are not hypocrites.
But pleasure won't last always;
and this world will not last forever;
and vanity will soon pass away;
and the flesh will cease to satisfy.
And when all these things come to an end, what
will be the condition of those whose gods they were?
Cheated, befooled, despairing, they shall lie down in
sorrow. Their idols are broken in pieces, and they find
at last that they have trusted in a lie. They are left
without a god, without light, without help, without
even so much as the hope of a hope, or the faintest
glimmer of a dawn—in that long night which, after
their merry day of pleasure, has fallen so thickly
over them.
They will find too late that, in gaining the world—they
have lost their souls; that, in filling up time with vanity
—they have filled eternity with misery; that, in snatching
at the pleasures of earth—they have lost the joys of
heaven, and the glories of the everlasting inheritance.
O man, dying man, dweller on a dying earth, living amid
sickbeds and deathbeds, and funerals and graves—the
sport of broken hopes, and fruitless joys, and empty
dreams, and fervent longings, and never-healing, never
-ending heartaches—O man, dying man, will you . . .
still follow vanity and lies;
still chase pleasure and gaiety;
still sow the wind—and reap the whirlwind?After all that has been told you of earth's weariness,
and pleasure's emptiness; after all that you yourself
have experienced of the vanity of all things here
below; after having been so often disappointed,
mocked, and made miserable by that world which
you worship—will you still pursue the lusts of the
flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life?
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
A remedy against all our trouble
(Thomas Watson, "The Art of Divine Contentment")
"I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances
I am. I know both how to have a little, and I know how
to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned
the secret of being content—whether well-fed or hungry,
whether in abundance or in need." Philippians 4:11-12
Contentment sweetens every condition.
Christ turned the water into wine. Just so, contentment
turns the bitter waters of Marah, into spiritual wine.
Contentment is a flower which does not grow in every
garden. You would think it were excellent, if I could
prescribe a remedy or antidote against poverty. Behold,
here is that which is more excellent—for a man to be
poor—and yet have enough! Contentment teaches a
man how to abound—in the midst of poverty!
"Have I but little? Yet it is more than I deserve. Do
I meet with some crosses? My comfort is, if they are
heavy—I have not far to go! I shall but carry my cross
to Golgotha and there I shall leave it. My cross is light
—in comparison with the weight of glory. Has God
taken away my comforts from me? It is well—the
Comforter still abides with me." Thus contentment,
as a honeycomb, drops sweetness into every condition.
Discontent is a leaven which sours every comfort; it
puts vinegar into every mercy; it doubles every cross.
But the contented spirit sucks sweetness from every
flower of providence. Contentment is full of consolation.
Contentment is . . .
a remedy against all our trouble,
an alleviation to all our burdens,
the cure of to every worry.
As medicine works disease out of the body—so
does contentment work trouble out of the heart.
Holy contentment keeps the heart from fainting.
Contentment is the golden shield, which beats
back all discouragements.
Contentment, though it is not properly a grace (it
is rather, a disposition of mind,) yet in it there is a
happy mixture of all the graces. Contentment is a
most precious compound! The ingredients put into
it are faith, patience, meekness, humility, etc.
Wicked men are often disquieted in the enjoyment of all
things. But the contented Christian is joyful in the lack of
all things! He may have little in the world—yet be perfectly
content. O the rare art, or rather—miracle of contentment!
A Christian finds contentment distilled out of the breasts
of the promises. He is poor in purse—but rich in promise.
There is one promise which brings much sweet contentment
into the soul: "Those who seek the Lord shall not lack any
good thing." (Psalm 34:10) If the thing we desire is good
for us—we shall have it. If it is not good—then the not
having is good for us. The resting satisfied with the
promise, gives contentment.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The acorns with which God feeds swine!
(Thomas Watson, "The Art of Divine Contentment")
"I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity
of the wicked!" Psalm 73:3
It is often that the evil enjoy all the good—and the
good endure all the evil. Be contented; for remember:
Worldly goods are not the only things, nor the best
things. They are mere temporal blessings. These are
but the acorns with which God feeds swine!
You who are believers have more choice fruit—the
olive, the pomegranate, the fruit which grows on
the true vine Jesus Christ! Others have the fat of
the earth—you have the dew of heaven! They have
muddied puddles—but you have those springs of
living water which are purified with Christ's blood,
and filled with His love!
To see the wicked flourish is rather a matter of pity,
than of envy! This is all the heaven they will
have! "Woe to you who are rich, for you have your
only happiness now!" (Luke 6:24) Hence it was,
that David made it his solemn prayer, "Deliver me
from the wicked, from men of the world, who have
their portion in this life!" Psalm 17:15
When the wicked have eaten of their dainty dishes
—there comes in a sad reckoning, which will spoil all.
We should not envy a man who will fry and blaze
in hell—let him have enough of the fat of the earth.
O remember—for every sand of mercy which runs
out of the wicked, God puts a drop of wrath into
His vial! "You are storing up wrath for yourself in
the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment
is revealed." Romans 2:5
Do you envy the wicked? Alas! their prosperity is
like Haman's banquet—before his execution! If a
man were to be hanged—would you envy to see
him walk to the gallows through pleasant fields, or
to see him go up the ladder in expensive clothing?
"I will curse your blessings!" (Malachi 2:2) Whatever
a sinner enjoys—he has a curse with it! And shall we
envy him? Would we envy a dog—if poisoned food
was given to it!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Its pretty things
(Arthur W. Pink)
The more fully we are conformed unto the image
of Christ—the less power will the world have to
attract us. When I say that, I refer to something
more than its amusements and grosser sins; I
mean also its pretty things.
One of the marks of a child is to value a thing
not according to its worth and usefulness—but
according to its attractiveness to the eye.The more we are really growing in grace—the less
shall we be attracted by such baubles, and the more
attention shall we give to the adorning of our souls.
One half of practical godliness, is a dying unto the world;
the other half is a living unto God: the mortification of
self-love; and the strengthening of love to God. "But God
forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord
Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and
I unto the world." (Galat. 6:14) That is the language and
the experience of a mature saint—dead to the world. It
no longer has any attraction for him, nor power over him.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Lilies and roses—among the briars
(Thomas Watson, "Religion Our True Interest")
"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of
this world!" Romans 12:2
We should be holiest in evil times. The profaneness
of the times should not slacken our zeal—but heighten
it. The looser others are—the stricter we should be.
The way to hell is a well-trodden road. "You shall not
follow a multitude to do evil." Exodus 23:2. Dead fish
swim down the stream—living fish swim against it. Mere
professors cut the garment of their religion according to
the mode and fashion of the times.
Let us keep up the vigor of our zeal, in degenerate times.
We should by a holy contrariness—burn hotter in a frozen
age. We live in the dregs of time; sin is grown common and
impudent. It is excellent to walk contrary to the world. Let
us be as lilies and roses—among the briars. Sin is
never the better—because it is in fashion! The impiety of
the times, is a foil to set off grace all the more, and give
it a greater luster.
This plea will not help at the last day—"that we did as
most others did." God will say, "Seeing you sinned with
the multitude—you shall go to hell with the multitude!"
Oh, let us keep pure among the dregs! Let us be like
fish, which retain their freshness, in salt waters.
It is better to go to heaven with a few—than to hell in the
crowd! "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate
and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many
enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road
that leads to life, and only a few find it." Matthew 7:13-14
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Life is hard for most people
(J. R. Miller, "Counsel and Help" 1907)
"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient,
bearing with one another in love." Ephesians 4:2
We should train ourselves to such regard, to such
respect for others, that we shall never hurt the heart
of one of God's creatures, even by a disdainful look!
Our love ought also to be patient. Our neighbor may
have his faults—but we are taught to bear with one
another's infirmities. If we knew the story of men's
lives, the hidden loads and burdens which they are
often carrying, the unhealed sore in their heart—we
would have most gentle patience with them. Life is
hard for most people; certainly hard enough without
our adding to its burdens by our censoriousness, our
unkindness, our jeering and contempt."Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly
loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness,
humility, gentleness and patience." Colossians 3:12
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Not charity, but cruelty!
(Thomas Watson, "A Plea for Alms" 1658)
"He who turns a sinner from the error of his way, will
save his soul from death and cover a multitude of sins."
James 5:20
Charity to the souls of others, is the highest kind
of charity. The soul is the most precious thing. It is
a rich diamond, set in a ring of clay.
This is charity to souls—when we see others in the
bondage of sin—and we labor by counsel, admonition
or reproof to pull them out of their dreadful estate, as
the angels did to Lot in Sodom. "Hurry! Get out of here
right now, or you will be caught in the destruction of
the city! When Lot still hesitated, the angels seized his
hand and the hands of his wife and two daughters and
rushed them to safety outside the city!" Genesis 19.
God made a law (Exodus 23:5) "If you see the donkey
of someone who hates you fallen down under its load,
do not leave it there; be sure you help him with it."
On these words Chrysostom said, "We will help a beast
which is fallen under its load—and shall we not extend
relief to those who are fallen under a worse load of sin!"
To let others go on in sin securely—is not charity, but
cruelty!
If a man's house were on fire, and another should see
it and not tell him of it for fear of waking him—would
not this be cruelty! And when we see the souls of others
sleeping the sleep of death, and the fire of God's wrath
ready to burn about their ears—and we are silent—is not
this to be accessory to their death!
If men wish to go to hell—and we do not attempt to
stop them—is this love to their souls?
"He who turns a sinner from the error of his way, will
save his soul from death and cover a multitude of sins."
James 5:20~ ~ ~ ~ ~
God's jewels!
(Thomas Watson, "Religion Our True Interest")
"They will be Mine!" says the Lord Almighty, "in the
day when I make up My jewels!" Malachi 3:17
God's people are His jewels—His own special treasure!
Jewels are precious things; the Hebrew word for
jewels signifies a treasure. A treasure is made up
of costly things: gold, and diamonds, and rubies.
Such a precious treasure, are the saints to God.
In what sense are the saints, God's jewels?
They are jewels for their sparkling quality. Their
holiness shines and sparkles in God's eyes! (Song
of Solomon 4:9), "You have ravished My heart,
with one glance of your eyes!" That is, with one
of your graces.
The godly are jewels for their scarcity. Diamonds
are not common. Just so, the godly are scarce and
rare. There are but few of these to be found. There
are many false professors (as there are many paste
diamonds) but few true Christians. Among the
millions in Rome, there were but few senators.
Just so, among the swarms of people in the
world—there are but few true believers.
The godly are jewels for their price. Queen Cleopatra
had two jewels which were worth half the price of a
kingdom. Thus the saints are jewels, for their value.
God esteems them at a high rate; He parted with His
best jewel for them—Christ's precious blood was shed
to ransom these jewels!
The saints are jewels for their adorning quality. Jewels
adorn those who wear them. The saints are jewels which
adorn the world. Their piety mixed with prudence honors
the gospel. Hypocrites eclipse true religion and make it
badly spoken of. The saints as jewels, render it illustrious
by their sanctity.
God the Father has chosen these jewels, and set
them apart for Himself!
Christ has bought these jewels with His blood!
The Holy Spirit has sanctified them. When they were
a lump of sin—He made them into His jewels! He will
string these pearls together—and put them into His
celestial cabinet!
Bless God who has wrought such a change in you! From
lumps of dirt and sin—He has made you into His jewels!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Halifax nuts
(Thomas Brooks, "The Crown and Glory of Christianity,
or, HOLINESS, the Only Way to Happiness", 1662)
A man may be visibly holy—who is not inwardly holy.
A man may have an outward dress of holiness upon him
—who has not the spirit and vitality of holiness in him.
They say of Halifax nuts, that they are all shells—with
no kernels. Just so, there are many who make a glorious
show before men—who are abominable in the sight of
God; who are gold in man's eyes—but dirt in God's sight.
"In the same way, on the outside you appear to people
as righteous; but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy
and wickedness." Matthew 23:28
They were outwardly religious—but inwardly wicked; they
had the semblance of sanctity—but inwardly very full of
impurity; they were fair professors—but foul sinners; they
were gracious without—but impious within. Look! as those
are the worst of vices which are covered over with the show
of virtue; so they are the worst of sinners, who cover over
their inward filthiness with the disguises of outward holiness.
The Egyptian temples were fair on the outside—but foul and
filthy within. Such were the Scribes and Pharisees in Christ's
days—and such are many professors in our days!
God will at last hate that man to hell, yes, cast him into the
hottest place in hell—who has a form of godliness upon him;
but nothing of the reality and power of holiness in him.
"You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape
being condemned to hell!" Matthew 23:33
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
He who holds the pruning-knife
(J. R. Miller, "Making the Most of Life" 1891)
"Every branch that does bear fruit He prunes,
so that it will be even more fruitful." John 15:2
Every sorrow has a mission. It comes to us,
as God's messenger—with a message!
Of lessons to be learned in sorrow, the first
always is submission.
A strong, abiding confidence that all the trials,
sorrows, and losses of our lives are parts of our
Father's husbandry—ought to silence every
question, quiet every fear, and give peace and
restful assurance to our hearts in all their pain.
We cannot know the reason for the painful
strokes—but we know that He who holds
the pruning-knife is our Father! That ought
always to be enough for us to know.
"Every branch that does bear fruit He prunes,
so that it will be even more fruitful." John 15:2
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Sharp chiseling!
(J. R. Miller, "Making the Most of Life" 1891)
"I have refined you in the furnace of affliction."
Isaiah 48:10
We were stones in the quarry. When Christ saved
us—we were cut from the great mass of rock. But
we were yet rough and unshapely; not fit for heaven.
Before we can be ready for our place in the heavenly
temple—we must be hewn and shaped. The hammer
must do its work—breaking off the roughnesses. The
chisel must be used—carving and polishing our lives
into beauty. This work is done in the many processes
of life. Every sinful thing, every fault in our character
—is a rough place in the stone, which must be chiseled
off. All the crooked lines must be straightened. Our
lives must be cut and hewn—until they conform to
the perfect standard of divine truth.
Quarry-work is not always pleasant. If stones had
hearts and sensibilities—they would cry out in sore
pain as they feel the hammer strokes and the deep
cutting of the chisel. Yet the workman must not
heed their cries, and withdraw his hand, else they
would at last be thrown aside as worthless blocks,
never to be built into the beautiful temple.
We are not stones; we have hearts and sensibilities,
and we do cry out ofttimes, as the hammer smites
away the roughnesses in our character! But we
must yield to the painful work and let it go on, or
we shall never have our place as living stones in
Christ's beautiful temple. We must not wince under
the sharp chiseling of sorrow and affliction.
"I have refined you in the furnace of affliction."
Isaiah 48:10
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
All life's tangles
(J. R. Miller, "Morning Thoughts" 1906)
"And we know that God causes everything to
work together for the good of those who love
God and are called according to His purpose."
Romans 8:28
Our affairs are forever getting tangled, like threads
in a child's hands—and we cannot straighten out
the tangles ourselves! We cannot see how anything
beautiful or good can come out of our poor living, or
our feeble striving.
Our days are full of disappointments, and our
night's rest is broken by anxieties. Yet it is the
Christian's privilege to commit all life's tangles
into the hands of Jesus Christ. He can take our
broken things—and build them up into beauty.
One of the finest windows in a great cathedral is
said to have been made out of the fragments of
broken glass which the workmen had thrown away
as worthless. A skillful hand gathered them up—
and wrought them into lovely form.
Just so, Jesus Christ can take . . .
our failures,
our mistakes,
our follies,
our broken fragments of life,
even our sins, and
make them into beautiful life and character!
"Commit your way unto the Lord; trust also in
Him; and He shall bring it to pass." Psalm 37:5
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The moment after our friends say we are dead
(J. R. Miller, "Glimpses of the Heavenly Life" 1908)
No earthly language is adequate to describe the
blessedness, the joy, the happiness of heaven!
Perhaps no human word gathers and holds in itself
so much of the truest meaning of heaven—as the
word "home". Home is a place of love. It is a place
of confidence. We have nothing to hide or conceal
from each other, inside home's doors. We know we
are loved. Our faults may be seen and known—but
we are dear in spite of them. We find there sympathy
with our sufferings, and patience with our infirmities
and shortcomings. Heaven is our home! Into it, all
God's children will be gathered. It is a place of glory,
of beauty, of splendor, a holy place—but, best of all,
it is a place of perfect love.
As we read the wonderful description of the
heavenly life in the book of Revelation, we
find that all heaven's glory comes from Christ!
"Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been
slain, standing in the center of the throne!"
Revelation 5:6
Whatever else heaven may mean to us, it will,
first of all, mean being with Christ! Here we
see Him only by faith, ofttimes dimly. We long
to see Him as He is. Our hearts hunger for Him.
"We would see Jesus!" is our cry all our days.
But when the veil which hides heaven from our
sight is torn for us—and the glory is suddenly
revealed—we shall see, first of all, before we look
upon any of the splendors of the place—Him we
have loved—our Savior and our Friend, Jesus
Christ! And He will wipe away every tear from
our eyes!
Being with Him—we shall need nothing else to
make our blessedness complete. Seeing Him—we
shall be satisfied. Seeing Him—we shall be like
Him, changed fully into His image! Seeing Him
—we shall then be with Him forever!
This dull bud will open—and a glorious rose will
unfold in all its splendor! From this poor, feeble,
struggling earthly life—will emerge a child of
God, in glorious beauty! If only we could have
a glimpse of ourselves—what we will be the
moment after our friends say we are dead,
could we go on living as if we were made only
for the earth! Let us not grovel any longer! Let
us who have this glorious future—not creep in
the slime and dust! Let us live worthy of our
exalted honor. When we see Christ, we shall
be made like Him! "We know that when He
appears, we will be like Him, because we
will see Him as He is!" 1 John 3:2
This hope of heaven should strengthen us
to overcome all earthly discouragements.
No matter how hard the way is—the end
is glorious! No matter how great . . .
the fierceness of the battle,
the weariness of the struggle,
the bitterness of the sorrow,
the keenness of the suffering,
glory is the final outcome!"And so we will be with the Lord forever!
Therefore comfort and encourage each
other with these words!" 1 Thess. 4:17-18
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
A sweeter, holier life(Octavius Winslow, "The Overflowing Cup")
"Cast all your care upon Him; for He cares
for you." 1 Peter 5:7A sweeter, holier life we cannot live, than
a life of daily, childlike reliance upon the
providential care of our Heavenly Father.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Poor lost sinner
(Jonathan Edwards, "The Justice of
God in the Damnation of Sinners")Poor lost sinner, you never have exercised the
least degree of love to God; and therefore it would
be agreeable to your treatment of Him—if He should
never express any love to you. Why should God be
obliged to express such wonderful love to you—who
has never exercised the least degree of love to Him
in all your life? You never have loved God—who is
infinitely glorious and lovely; and why then, is God
under obligation to love you—who are deformed all
over, and loathsome as a filthy worm, or rather a
hateful viper!You have also slighted the honor of God, and
valued it no more than the dirt under your feet!
Seeing you thus disregard so great a God—is it
a heinous thing for God to slight you—a little,
wretched, despicable creature; a worm, a mere
nothing, and less than nothing; a vile insect, that
has risen up in contempt against the Majesty of
heaven and earth?Must God take these bold and vile despisers of
His majesty—and forgive all their sins? And not
only so, but must He adopt them into His family,
and make them His children, and bestow eternal
glory upon them?
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"God is the best friend,
but the worst enemy!"
(Thomas Watson)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The evil spirit which haunts the rich man
(Thomas Watson, "The Art of Divine Contentment")
"But godliness with contentment is great gain."
1 Timothy 6:6.
There is more trouble in a prosperous condition.
Many who have abundance of all things to enjoy,
yet have not so much contentment and sweetness
in their lives—as some who go to their hard labor.
Sad, anxious thoughts often attend a prosperous
condition. Worry is the evil spirit which haunts
the rich man—and will not allow him to be quiet
and content. When his chest is full of gold—his heart
is full of worry—either how to manage, or how to
increase, or how to secure what he has gotten! O
the troubles and perplexities which attend prosperity!
The world's high seats are very uneasy. Sunshine is
pleasant—but sometimes it scorches with its heat.
The bee gives honey—but sometimes it stings! Just
so, prosperity has its sweetness—and also its sting!
A large estate is but like a long trailing garment,
which is more troublesome than useful."But godliness with contentment is a great gain.
For we brought nothing into the world, and we
can take nothing out. But if we have food and
clothing, we will be content with these."
1 Timothy 6:6-8
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
A cross of their own choosing
(Thomas Watson, "The Art of Divine Contentment")
"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
I know both how to have a little—and I know how to have
a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret
of being content—whether well-fed or hungry, whether in
abundance or in need." Philippians 4:11-12
Paul knew how to manage in every state—he learned to be
content whatever his circumstances. If he was in prosperity
—he knew how to be thankful. If he was in adversity—he
knew how to be patient. He was neither lifted up with
prosperity—nor cast down with adversity.
A Christian should be content in any and every situation.
Many are contented in some conditions—but not in every
condition. They can be content in a wealthy state. When
they have the streams of milk and honey—now they are
content. But if the wind turns and is against them—now
they are discontented. While they have a silver crutch to
lean upon—they are contented; but if God breaks this
crutch—now they are discontented.
Many would be content with their affliction—if God would
allow them to pick and choose. They could better endure
sickness—than poverty; or bear loss of estate—than loss
of children. If they might have a cross of their own
choosing—they would be content.
But a contented Christian does not desire to choose his
cross—but leaves God to choose for him. He is content
both for the kind of the afflictions, and the duration of
the afflictions, which God gives him. A contented man
says, "Let God apply whatever medicine He pleases—
and let it lie on as long as He desires. I know when it
has done its cure, and eaten the venom of sin out of
my heart—that God will take it away."
A contented Christian, being sweetly captivated under
the authority of the Word, desires to be wholly at God's
disposal, and cheerfully lives in whatever circumstances
that God has placed him in. "I delight in weaknesses, in
insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties."
(2 Corinthians 12:10) He does not only submit to God's
dealings—but rejoices in them!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Doctrine is useless!
(J. C. Ryle)"If you know these things, you are blessed if
you do them." John 13:17
Doctrine is useless—if it is not accompanied
by a holy life. It is worse than useless; it does
positive harm. Something of the 'image of Christ'
must be seen and observed in our private life,
and habits, and character, and doings.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Keep this medicine next to your heart
(Thomas Watson, "The Lord's Supper")
"The people of Israel called the bread manna.
It was white like coriander seed and tasted
like wafers made with honey." Exodus 16:31
The manna was a lively type and emblem of Christ,
for manna was sweet. It was a delicious food—and
was called angel's food for its excellency. Psalm
78:25. So Christ, the sacramental manna, is sweet
to a believer's soul. "His fruit was sweet to my taste,"
Song of Solomon 2:3. Everything of Christ is sweet.
His name is sweet. His virtue is sweet. This manna
sweetens the bitter waters of Marah.
Nay, Christ's flesh excels manna. Manna was food—but
not medicine. If an Israelite had been sick, manna could
not have cured him. But this blessed manna is not only
for food—but for medicine! Christ has healing under His
wings, Malachi 4:2. He heals the blind eye, and the hard
heart. Keep this medicine next to your heart—and it
will heal you of all your spiritual distempers!
Also, manna was corruptible. It ceased when Israel came
to Canaan. But this blessed manna will never cease! The
saints will feed with infinite delight and soul satisfaction,
upon Christ—to all eternity! The joys of heaven would
cease—if this manna would cease.
Every crumb of this Bread of life is precious!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
A gospel honeycomb
(Thomas Watson, "The Crown of Righteousness")
"Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of
righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous
Judge, shall give me at that day!" 2 Timothy 4:8
Here is a gospel honeycomb, dropping comfort
into the hearts of the godly. How may this alleviate
all the afflictions of this life—and make these bitter
waters of Marah, become sweet and pleasant to
drink of! There is a crown laid up for me!
A Christian in this life, has something to grieve him
—and yet something to comfort him. A true saint is
an heir of the cross. If he wears any robes—they are
bloody. If he wears any crown—it is one of thorns.
But here is that which may sweeten his sufferings;
here is sweet wine mingled with his wormwood—
he shall be crowned in paradise! This, my brethren,
may change our mourning—into melody; and our
tears—into triumph! Though we bear the cross—
we shall wear the crown!
Our sufferings cannot continue long. If our life is
short—our sufferings cannot be long. Oh, how may
this sweeten all the bitter cups we drink of! Cleopatra
put a jewel in her cup which contained the price of a
kingdom. When we are drinking in our wormwood
cup—let this jewel be put into our cup to make it go
down more pleasantly—we will shortly have an eternal
reward of glory! Though bitterness is in the cup—sugar
lies at the bottom!
"Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of
righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous
Judge, shall give me at that day!" 2 Timothy 4:8
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
If you been a dog, a toad, or a serpent
(Thomas Doolittle, "How we should eye eternity, that
it may have its due influence upon us in all we do.")
If you lose your health—you might recover it again;
if you lose your estate—you might get it again;
but if you lose your time—it is gone forever!
You are as near to heaven or hell—to an eternity
of joy or of misery—as to your grave!
Suppose you were to live a thousand years of
pleasure upon earth—and after that pass into
an eternity of pain and torment. Would you not,
when there, cry out against your own folly—that
you should purchase a thousand years of pleasure
at so dear a rate—as to endure everlasting
burnings for them?
Better for you, if you been a dog, a toad, or
a serpent; than you should lie in an eternity of
pains in hell—and be forever miserable!
"Then they will go away to eternal punishment,
but the righteous to eternal life." Matthew 25:46
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
From belly—to cards or dice
(Thomas Brooks, "London's Lamentations" 1670)
"Those who wear expensive clothes and indulge
in luxury are in palaces." Luke 7:25
"There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and
fine linen and lived in luxury every day." Luke 16:19
"The rich man also died and was buried. In hell,
where he was in torment," Luke 16:22-23
Luxury is one of the great darling sins of our age and day!
It is a very God-dishonoring sin, and a God-provoking sin,
and a soul-damning sin! It shuts men out from all the glory
of heaven—and tumbles them down to the lowest hell!
Look! no luxurious person shall enter into heaven. Of all
sorts of sinners—the luxurious sinner is most rarely reformed.
The adulterer may become chaste, the thief may become an
honest man, the swearer may obtain a sanctified tongue;
but how rare is it to see a luxurious person repent, break
off his sins, submit to Christ, and walk to heaven!
Of such professors who live and wallow in luxury and
intemperance, if we compare Christ's laws and their
lives together, I think we may confidently conclude,
that they are not Christians.
Panormitan, a heathen, having read Christ's sermon
on the mount, and comparing those standards with
the loose and luxurious lives of professing Christians;
concluded that those people were not Christians.
Chrysostom preferred brute beasts before luxurious
people; for the beast goes from belly—to labor. But
the luxurious person goes from belly—to bed; or from
belly—to cards or dice, if not to something worse!
"You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence.
You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter!"
James 5:5
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Nothing escapes His notice!
(Arthur Pink, "The Attributes of God")
What a wondrous Being is the God of Scripture!
"Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight.
Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the
eyes of Him to whom we must give account."
Hebrews 4:13
God is omniscient.
He knows everything:
everything possible,
everything actual,
all events,
all creatures,
of the past, the present, and the future.
He is perfectly acquainted with every detail in the
life of every being in heaven, in earth, and in hell.
Nothing escapes His notice, nothing can be
hidden from Him, nothing is forgotten by Him.
His knowledge is perfect.
He never errs.
He never changes.
He never overlooks anything.
God not only knows whatever has happened in the past
in every part of His vast domains; and He is not only
thoroughly acquainted with everything that is now
transpiring throughout the entire universe—but He is
also perfectly cognizant of every event, from the least
to the greatest, that ever will happen in the ages to
come! God's knowledge of the future is as complete
as is His knowledge of the past and the present; and
that, because the future depends entirely upon Himself.
God has Himself designed whatever shall yet be, and
what He has designed, must be effectuated. God's
knowledge does not arise from things because they
are or will be—but because He has ordained them to
be! Yes, such is the God with whom we have to do!
"You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my
thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my
lying down; You are familiar with all my ways. Before a
word is on my tongue—You know it completely, O Lord!"
Psalm 139:2-4
How solemn is this fact: nothing can be concealed from
God! "For I know the things that come into your mind,
every one of them" (Ezekiel 11:5). Though He is invisible
to us—we are not so to Him. Neither the darkness of night,
the closest curtains, nor the deepest dungeon—can hide
any sinner from the eyes of Omniscience! Men would strip
Deity of His omniscience if they could. They wish there
might be . . .
no Witness of their sins,
no Searcher of their hearts,
no Judge of their deeds!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Lamb's wife!
(J. C. Ryle, "The Gospel of Matthew" 1856)
Jesus answered, "How can the guests of the
Bridegroom mourn while He is with them?"
Matthew 9:15
Let us mark in this passage, the gracious name
by which the Lord Jesus speaks of Himself. He
calls Himself "the Bridegroom".
What the bridegroom is to the bride—the
Lord Jesus is to all who believe in Him.
He loves them with a deep and everlasting love.
He takes them into union with Himself.
He pays all their debts to God.
He supplies all their daily needs.
He sympathizes with them in all their troubles.
He bears with all their infirmities, and does
not reject them for a few weaknesses.
He regards them as part of Himself.
The glory which He has received from His
Father—they will one day share with Him.
Where He is—there shall they be.
Such are the privileges of all true Christians!
They are the Lamb's wife!
"Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His
bride has made herself ready!" Revelation 19:7
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The glory of heaven!
(Thomas Watson, "The Christian Soldier" 1669)
If the mountains were gold; if every sand in the sea
were a diamond; if the whole globe were a shining
gem—it would all still be infinitely beneath the glory
of heaven!
1. In heaven, there shall be freedom from sin. Here
on earth, sin keeps house with us; it is as natural for us
to sin—as to breathe. The soul that is most purified, and
cleansed by grace, is not without some dregs of corruption.
But a sinful thought shall not creep into heaven! There is
beauty—which is not stained with lust; and honor—which
is not swelled with pride. "Nothing impure will ever enter
it!" Revelation 21:27
2. In heaven, there shall be freedom from the assaults
of the red dragon. It is sad to have Satan daily soliciting
us by his temptations—and laboring to trick us into sin. But
the old serpent is forever cast out of the heavenly Paradise!
3. In heaven, there shall be freedom from all afflictions.
Our lives now are intertwined with troubles. "My life is consumed
by anguish, and my years by groaning; my strength fails because
of my affliction, and my bones grow weak." Psalm 31:10. There
are many things to occasion trouble—sometimes poverty afflicts;
sometimes sickness tortures; sometimes the unkindness of friends
breaks the heart. Our lives, like the seas, are full of tempests.
But in the kingdom of Heaven, there is nothing to give grief.
There, all is serene and calm; there is nothing within to trouble
us—or without to molest us.
4. The delights of the heavenly kingdom are unmixed. The
comforts here below, are checkered. Honor may be stained
with disgrace; joy interwoven with sorrow. Our suns are mixed
with clouds. But the delicacies of heaven are pure as well as
pleasant. There is honey—which has not one drop of gall. The
crystal spring of joy, has no settlings of sorrow at the bottom.
The rose in that paradise—is without prickles; the sun in that
horizon—is without eclipse.
This glorious kingdom, will make amends for all our labor and pains!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
A place where sorrow cannot live—and joy cannot die!
(Thomas Watson, "Time's Shortness")
"But this I say, brethren, the time is short." 1 Corinthians 7:29
Here his honey for the godly. The time being short, their sinning time cannot be long. Sin is a troublesome inmate. Paul, that bird of paradise, sighed and groaned under corruption. (Romans 7:24) A child of God mingles sin with his duties. He cannot write a copy of holiness, without blotting. There's a part of a regenerate heart, which sides with Satan. But be of good comfort—the time is short! It is but for a short while, Christians, that you shall be combating a proud, unbelieving heart. Death does to the godly, as the angel did to Peter—it smites them, and makes their chains of sin fall off!
The time being short, their working time cannot be long. But here is the saint's comfort—their working time is short. Revelation 14:13: "They will rest from their labors." When their bodies return to dust—their souls return to rest.
The time being short, their suffering time cannot be long. Life is laden with trouble, "How frail is humanity! How short is life, and how full of trouble!" Job 14:1. You may as well separate weight from lead—as trouble from a man's life. We come into the world with a cry—and go out with a groan! Everyone has his yoke, and it is well if there is not a nail in it. Though the cross is heavy—we have but a little way to carry it. Death will give the godly a writ of ease.
The time being short, their waiting time cannot be long. The godly shall not be long out of heaven. While the blessed angels see the orient beauties which shine in God's face, believers live far from court, being imprisoned in the body. Here they rather desire God—than enjoy Him. But the time is short, perhaps a few days or hours—and the saints shall be solacing themselves in the light of God's countenance! They shall leave their pillow of thorns—and lay their head on Christ's bosom! Faith gives a propriety in God; death gives a possession. The wagons and chariots came rattling to old Jacob—but they were to carry him to his son, Joseph. Death's chariot wheels may come rattling to a believer—but it is to carry him home to his Father's house!
In that paradise of God, a Christian shall have more than he can ever imagine (Ephesians 3:20). He can imagine, "What if—every mountain were a pearl, every flower a ruby, every sand in the sea a diamond, the whole globe a shining gem?" But all his thoughts are too low and dwarf-like, to reach the glory of the celestial pyramids. The heavenly reward (as Augustine said) exceeds faith—and, as the time is short, a Christian shall be in heaven before he is aware. Then he shall bathe his soul in those perfumed pleasures of paradise, which run at God's right hand forevermore!
God sets three crowns upon the elect: grace, joy, and glory. What should we thirst after, but this incomprehensible bliss! If our thoughts dwelt above—we would live sweeter lives!
Heaven is a place where sorrow cannot live—and joy cannot die!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Darkness, fire, and chains!
(Thomas Watson, "The Righteous Man's Weal—and the Wicked Man's Woe")
"Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them! They will be paid back for what their hands have done!" Isaiah 3:10-11
When things seem to be well with the wicked—though they have more than their heart can wish—yet it shall be woe with them at last! "Because the wicked do not fear God, it will not go well with them." Ecclesiastes 8:13
The ungodly man lives under the curse of God! Floods of God's fury and wrath hang over the head of a wicked man! He is heir to all the plagues written in the Book of God! All of God's curses are the sinner's portion, and, if he dies in his sin—he is sure to have his portion paid to him!
Woe unto the wicked! Every bit of food he has—he has it with a curse! It is like poisoned food given to a dog! Every drop of wine he drinks—he swallows a curse with it! Woe unto the wicked! There is a curse in his cup, and upon his table!
Death puts an end to all his COMFORTS—no more indulging and pampering the flesh; no more cups of wine; no more music. "All the fancy things you loved so much are gone! The luxuries and splendor that you prized so much will never be yours again. They are gone forever!" Revelation 18:14. No more joy and gladness, no more mirth and music. All a sinner's choice foods, his fancy garments, his sparkling jewels—all depart from him at death!
Death is the beginning of all his MISERIES! Every sin at the hour of death, stands with its drawn sword in its hand. Those sins which delighted him in life—now frighten and terrify him! All his joy and mirth—is turn into sadness! All the sugared joys of a wicked man at the hour of death—turn into the water of tears and sorrow.
After death, follows the sentence: "Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels!" Go from the presence of Christ—in whose presence is fullness of joy! Go from Christ—with a curse! Remember this, you who go on in your sins—once this sentence is passed—it can never be reversed!
Hell is the very epitome of misery, "I am in agony in this fire!" Luke 16:24. The Scripture tells us that in hell, there are these three things: darkness, fire, and chains!
Hell is called a place of DARKNESS. "For whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever!" Jude 13. Hell is a black region, nothing but the blackness of darkness forever. It must be a dark place—where they shall be separated from the light of God's presence. Indeed, Augustine thinks there shall be some little sulphurous light there; but even if it is so, that light will only serve that the damned may see the tragedy of their own misery, and see themselves tormented!
In hell, there is FIRE. It is called a burning lake "Anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life, was thrown into the lake of fire!" Revelation 20:15. You know that fire is the most torturing element, and makes the most dreadful impression on the flesh. Hell is a place of fire.
It is disputed among the learned, what kind of fire it is—I wish we may never know! It is material fire—but far hotter than any earthly fires—which are but painted fires in comparison with hell-fire! Who knows the power of God's anger! Who can dwell with these everlasting burnings! It is intolerable to endure them—and impossible to escape them!
In hell, there are CHAINS. 2 Peter 2:4. Sinners who now will not be bound by any law of God—shall then have chains of darkness to bind them! These chains suggest unto us, that the wicked in hell shall not have power to walk up and down, which perhaps might be a little easier for them, though very little. But they shall be firmly chained down—so as not to be able to stir! Oh, this will be terrible indeed!
Suppose a man should lie always firmly chained on a down bed—and might not stir out of his place—it would be very painful unto him. But the damned will lie eternally chained upon the rack, always under the torturing scorching of God's wrath!How dreadful are the thoughts of the condition of the wicked! They are under darkness, fire, and chains!
To add to the torment of hell, there are two more things which show that it shall be woe to the wicked—the worm and the serpent.
First, there is the WORM to torture the damned spirits—the worm of a tormenting conscience! "Where the worm never dies!" Mark 9:44. Oh, how dreadful it will be, to have this tormenting worm! The tormenting conscience a hellish fury! Conscience will be just as if a worm full of poison were feeding on the heart of a man! Those sinners who would never hear the voice of conscience—shall feel the worm of conscience!
Second, as there is the worm to torment, so there is the DEVIL, who is called "the old serpent." In hell, as there is the biting of this worm—so there is the stinging of this old serpent! The damned shall be forced to behold the devil. Anselm said, "I would rather endure all the torments of this life, than to see the devil with bodily eyes." But the wicked shall see the devil—whether they want to or not; and not only see—but feel the stinging of this old serpent, the devil. Satan is full of rage against mankind, and will show no mercy. As he puts forth all his subtlety in tempting man—so he puts out all his cruelty in tormenting man.
This is not all! There are two more things in the torments of hell.
These agonies and hell-convulsions shall be forever. "And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever and they have not relief day nor night!" Revelation 14:11. Thus it is in hell. They desire to die—but they cannot. The wicked shall be always dying—but never dead. The smoke of the furnace ascends forever and ever. Oh, who can endure thus to be forever upon this rack! This word "forever" breaks the heart! Wicked men now think a sermon and a prayer long—but oh, how long will it be, to lie in hell forever and ever! After millions of years, their torments are as far from ending—as at the first hour they began!
Another aggravation of hell torment, is that the damned in hell have none to pity them. It is some comfort, some ease—to now have our friends to pity us in our sickness and need—but those in hell have no friends. God's mercy will not pity them. His mercy is turned into fury! The holy angels will not pity them—but will rejoice when they see God's vengeance. They exult and glory when they see the justice of God executed upon His enemies! "And again they shouted—Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever!" Revelation 19:3. Oh, how sad is this—to lie in the scalding furnace of God's wrath—and none to pity them! When they cry out—God will laugh at them!
What a frightening word is this—to all wicked men who go on desperately in sin. There has never been such an inundation of wickedness, as now. Men sin as if they would spite God, and dare Him to damn them! Men sin so greedily—as if they were afraid that hell's gates would be shut up before they got there! Oh, how brazenly do many sin! They go to hell shamelessly in their wickedness!
"There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth!" One says, "That is sad fare—where weeping is the first course—and gnashing of teeth is the second course!" This gnashing of teeth arises from the extremity of the torment which the wicked suffer. They are not able to bear it—and know not how to avoid it! Also, the wicked in hell gnash their teeth at the godly—to see them in heaven, those whom they persecuted, scoffed, and jeered at—and themselves in hell forever! How may this astonish a wicked man! If all the curses in the Bible will make a man miserable—he shall be made so!Take heed that none of you are found among the number of the wicked. Take heed of being of this black regiment, which wears the devil's colors and fights under his banner! The sinner and the fiery furnace—shall never be parted! Take heed of those sins which will bring you to hell-fire! When you are tempted to any wickedness, think to yourself, "How can I bear the fierceness of God's wrath forever! How can I lie in the winepress of God's wrath forever!" Take heed of those sins which will bring you into this place of torment!
I have read a story of a young woman who, being tempted by a young man to commit sin, said unto him, "Grant me but one request—and I will do what you ask."
"What is that?" he said.
"Only hold your finger for one hour, in the flame of this burning candle."
"No, I will not do that!"
She replied, "Will you not for my sake, hold your finger for one hour in the flame—and will you have my soul lie burning in hell forever!" Thus, she rebuked the temptation.
Does Satan tempt you to wickedness? Say this, "Oh, Satan, if I embrace your temptations, I must lie under your tormenting cruelty for all eternity!" This will be a shield, to quench the fiery darts of the devil.Wicked men live cursed—and die damned! They are the very mark which God will shoot at—and He never misses His mark!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
It would make a man to tremble
(Thomas Doolittle, "How we should eye eternity, that it may have its due influence upon us in all we do.")
"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen." 2 Corinthians 4:18. The men of the world stand gazing at these temporal things—until their eyes are dazzled with them, and their souls damned for them!
The good things in this world which are seen—such as riches, pleasures, honors—are things of time, and only for time; therefore we Christians are not much concerned whether we win or lose them. And the bad things in this life which are seen—such as poverty, imprisonment, persecution—are at longest but for a short space; and therefore we are not much concerned whether we endure them, or are freed from them.
"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:18
That which adds weight to the things in the other world, which draws our eyes toward them, and keeps them fixed thereon—is the eternity of them. It is the observation which believers make—that all seen things are temporal; while unseen things are eternal; and this influences them in what they do. They realize that all worldly things are but temporary toys and trifles!
We seriously consider and weigh in our minds—the vanity, insufficiency, and short continuance of all visible things, both good and bad, whether profit or poverty, honor or disgrace; and the fullness, excellency, and everlasting nature of things unseen; and therefore prefer these eternal realities.
Believers are lowly in heart; but they look high. The men of this world are of a haughty spirit; but they aim at low things.
Take, then, a summary account of all that wicked, worldly men have—all is "but for a while." See what the richest among them have: their grandeur endures "but a short time;" and then is past and gone, and has no more existence. See what the merriest among them have—pleasures, mirth, carnal delights and joy: and this is "but for a season;" their merry bouts will be quickly over—and then follows weeping and wailing forever! Upon all they have, you may write, "All is temporal!" They had riches—but they are gone. They had honors and pleasures—but they are gone. They had many good things in time—but, at the end of time, all have an end! And then, when their endless misery comes, this will be their doleful tune, "All our good is past and gone!"
It would make a man to tremble, to think what a sight these sinners shall have, after death has closed their eyes; when their soul shall see an angry God, a condemning Judge, the gates of heaven shut against it, and itself in everlasting misery!