THE CHRISTIAN

THE CHRISTIAN (chapters 16 to 30)

By William S. Plumer, 1878

16. THE CHRISTIAN'S TRUST

In his darkest days, Job said: "Though He slays me, yet will I trust in Him." That was a noble purpose, a blessed resolution.

1. It was called for. There was need of it. Job's circumstances were trying, and demanded that he should take his stand firmly on right ground. It met his case exactly. He knew not what might come; but come what might, He would cleave to the Lord.

2. It was prompt. In it was nothing dilatory. He did not require time and argument to work him up to the good purpose. He uttered it as soon as it was called for. He delayed not, but made haste to flee to God.

3. He had doubtless often said as much before. It is of the very nature of piety to cleave to the Lord with purpose of heart. As one said at a later day, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." There is no piety without hearty confidence in God.

4. It was unfeigned. Job meant what he said; and he said what he meant. He was sincere. No hypocrite under like circumstances would have used such language, but would have given up in despair—would have cursed (or renounced) God and died.

5. It was a wise resolution. We never act so foolishly as when we withdraw our confidence from God. "The fearful" are in Scripture said to have their portion with "the abominable, and murderers, and all liars" (Rev. 21:8). The reason why men do not trust God is because they are wicked. They do not know Him, nor love Him. They hate Him. We never act so wisely as when we cast our burden on the Lord.

6. It is true, the man of Uz acted strangely. God's people are a peculiar people. They are not of this world. They savor the things that are of God and not of men. They are born from above. They are taught of God. There was something quite unusual in Job's conduct. Not many of his contemporaries, nor many of any past age, have imitated Job. It is not commonly regarded as wise to risk life and all things on one's faith—one's faith in God.

7. So Job's purpose must have been gracious. By the grace of God he said what he did. In himself Job was as weak as other men. He abhorred himself and repented in dust and ashes. But the Lord was with him and enabled him to witness a good confession. He had help from heaven. It was not by might, nor by power, but by God's Spirit that he chose his ground.

8. His resolution was kept. From it he never swerved. Though he said some things that did not befit him, yet he never drew back from God. The best resolutions, if broken, are good for nothing. To the last Job denied the charge of a base hypocrisy. To the last he stuck to the Lord his God.

9. His purpose and action on it turned out well. The Lord approved in the main Job's conduct. He said to his three friends: "You have not spoken of Me the thing that is right, as My servant Job has." "The Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning." He did not trust in vain. All ended well. "You have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful and of tender mercy."

10. The darker our way, the more we should trust. God does sometimes slay His people. He kills and He makes alive. He has the keys of death and of hell. Job thought the Lord would probably cut him off with pining sickness. But yet he could not and would not forsake the Rock of his salvation.

Reader, will you follow Job's example? You cannot do better. To go backward from the Almighty is ruin. To distrust Him is excessive folly. There is not one virtuous feeling involved in departing from the living God. To renounce Jehovah is death. If you trust Him, let no other trust intrude. Renounce all else. Some make gold their confidence; some trust in chariots and some in horses; some in bows and some in some in swords; some in native powers and some in acquirements. But wise and godly men trust only in the Lord their God (Job 31:24; Ps. 20:7; Ps. 44:6; Isa. 40:30-31).

And all should trust in the Lord—even the widow, the fatherless, the friendless, and the man that is ready to perish (Ps. 22:9; Jer. 49:11; Ps. 65:5; 1 Tim. 4:10).

The benefits of such trust are many.

a. This is the only way to great spiritual prosperity. "He who puts his trust in the Lord shall be made fat" (Prov. 28:25). Compare Ps. 31:19.

b. This is the great cure of that fear which brings the soul into bondage. "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid" (Isa. 12:2). Compare Isa. 50:10.

c. If we trust not in the Lord, we cannot expect any fixedness of joy or stability of character. "Those who trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abides forever." "The heart of the upright is fixed, trusting in the Lord" (Ps. 125:1; 112:7).

d. Safety is found in no other way than in pious confidence. "He is a shield to all those who trust in Him;" "Whoever puts his trust in the Lord shall be safe" (Ps. 18:30; Prov. 29:25). Compare Dan. 3:28.

e. Our usefulness and comfort depend on our confidence in Jehovah. "Trust in the Lord and do good; so shall you dwell in the land, and verily you shall be fed" (Ps. 37:3).

f. Trust in God is the great solace of old age. So the Psalmist found it. "You are my hope, O Lord God; You are my trust from my youth . . . . Now also when I am old and gray-headed, O God, forsake me not" (Ps. 71:5, 18).

Oh, "it is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes." When will men so learn and so practice?

17. A CHRISTIAN'S GOOD RESOLUTIONS

"The road to hell is paved with good resolutions." I know not who first uttered this alarming sentence. But it contains a fearful truth. Vast numbers of men go to an undone eternity, who not only never had any purpose of so doing, but they actually purposed the contrary. Yet their good resolutions failed. Their resolutions were not as solemn as they ought to have been. They were also made in human strength. The poor sinner, who made them, did not know that he had a deceitful heart, a wicked world, and a great adversary to contend with. He did not know that he had in himself no might to do good, that he was not sufficient as of himself to think anything, and that he could not even pray aright, except as the Holy Spirit enabled him. Thus his resolutions were not humble, nor did they make lowly him who made them. On the contrary, they filled his mind and heart with folly and vanity. He foolishly supposed that he was better for having made them. Consequently he broke them. The road to hell is paved with good resolutions that are broken, not kept.

The road to heaven is paved with good resolutions, with fixed purposes, and holy determinations of mind, formed under a deep sense of weakness and unworthiness, with a pious confidence in the promised aid of Divine grace, and with a holy fear and jealousy over one's own heart. I can remember when it was boldly and unwisely proclaimed that regeneration was nothing but a change of the governing purpose. This was a great practical error. It filled many churches with unworthy members. It begat a very superficial class of professors. Very few are found maintaining this position in our day. In opposing this error, some, perhaps, used unguarded expressions, making the impression that piety grew and flourished without any fixed purposes in the heart. This was as dangerous as the error it opposed. Where or when did ever a wise man undertake or accomplish any great or good work without a settled and deliberate purpose to do so? Whoever would become a scholar, make a crop, or build a house, will naturally first form and fix his plan, and then carry it out. Life without a purpose is vague and vain. Aim at something and then do your best to accomplish it. Look at a few things in the Scripture.

"And Abram took Sarai, his wife, and Lot, his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and those they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan—and into the land of Canaan they came." If you do not go forth to do a thing, you will hardly do it. Set a practicable object before you, and by God's blessing you may accomplish it. Hear the prodigal: "I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before you, and am no more worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired servants." This resolution was the result of sad experience and sound reflection. It was humble. It was honest, for it is added, "And he arose and came to his father." If he had remained much longer in that land of famine, he would have perished. It is not according to wisdom to do anything without purposing to do it.

Read the writings of David, and see how often and how solemnly he resolves to love, and pray, and praise, and obey the Lord. Could he have been so eminent a servant of the Lord, if he had not been so fully purposed in his mind? So far as reason and Scripture speak on this subject, they distinctly require—

1. That our good resolutions be not hastily or hurriedly taken, but that they be well weighed. It is foolish for a man to make inquiry, after he vows. God abhors all false pretenses, all hollow professions. Think, think solemnly and deliberately before you set your hand to a promise even with men. But where the transaction is with God, we cannot be too jealous of our own hearts. He has no pleasure in fools.

2. Any purpose to serve God should be sincere, not hypocritical; cheerful, not reluctant; hearty, not formal. God loves a cheerful giver. The prodigal had a great sense of shame, but no reluctance to return. He took blame to himself, but his hope was that he would at least be allowed the place of a hired servant, which was more than he deserved, and far better than his present condition.

3. Beware of limiting your resolutions of consecration to God. Some are ready to engage to give Him lip-service. Others seem ready to serve Him secretly; but they are not ready to witness a good confession before many witnesses. Some would be willing to engage for a time, but they are not ready to serve God all their lives, yes, to all eternity. Others wish such or such a sin spared. They say it is a little matter. That is not the way.

Reader, deal not so with God. Give Him all; for after all, it is but little that you can do for Him, who has done so much for you.

4. In all your resolutions, keep your eye on the person, work, grace, example, sufferings, righteousness, power, and intercession of Christ. Without Him you can do nothing. His blood can cleanse, but nothing else can wash away the stain of sin. His priestly offering can avail for remission, but your tears cannot purge away a single sin. He is mighty to save, and you need an Almighty Savior. He is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. He is Alpha and Omega. Look to Jesus.

5. Never forget your dependence upon the power and indwelling of God's Spirit. He is the holy anointing oil, with which humble souls are made kings and priests unto God. We are blind, but the Holy Spirit is the eye-salve to open the blind eyes. We are dumb in God's praises, but under His power the tongue of the stammerers shall speak plainly. We are sad and despondent in good things, but He is the oil of gladness to all the saints.

The words in which our resolutions are formed may be very few, but they should be very explicit. Some have recommended a covenant fully drawn up and in express terms. This may be well in many cases. The danger is that the words will not be well chosen, and so in the end will entangle the conscience. But an upright mind will hardly be perplexed with a resolution simple like that of Joshua, or like that in one of our hymns:

"Here, Lord, I give myself away,
'Tis all that I can do."

As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. What do you purpose in your heart? What are your good resolutions? Are you living up to those you have made?

18. THE CHRISTIAN LIVES BY RULE

A great man of the last century said, "He who lives not by rule, lives not at all." Perhaps there is more truth in that assertion than some are at first disposed to admit. Life is very short. A very great work is to be done—or we shall be forever undone. Confusion is very bad. It greatly hinders all good things. There is no example of success without a plan. Method is essential to a good habit, and good habit imparts vigor to character.

Living by rule does not consist in gathering and remembering many notions, though it does presuppose some acquaintance with good maxims. So men who are renewed in heart are correct in life to some extent, before they know all the rules that should govern human conduct. Still, maxims are good and should be studied. Some of the rules of God's Word are prudential. Such are many things in the Book of Proverbs. Some are devotional, as in the Sermon on the Mount, and in many epistles; some are practical, as in the twelfth chapter of Romans; some are experimental, as in the Psalms. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable in some way to advance the Divine life in the soul. The following rules would be very helpful to many:

1. Set the Lord always before you. Live as seeing Him, who is invisible. Often say—God, You see me. To God we must give account. In Him we live and move and have our being. From Him is our fruit found. He is our Rock, our Refuge, our High Tower, our Strength. Blessed is he who frames his doings to please his Maker. Some professed Christians live very much as if they thought there was no God.

2. Know, believe, and practice the whole Word of God. Indulge no prejudices against any portion of the Bible. All of it is truth—all of it is precious truth. The part of Scripture which you slight, probably contains the very truth most needful for the correction of some of your faults. The threatenings warn, the precepts guide, the promises encourage, the doctrines instruct, the examples draw, the histories illustrate, the poems delight. "The law of Your mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver." "I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food."

3. Adopt the pure Gospel scheme of doctrine. Begin not in the Spirit, and then hope to be made perfect by the flesh. It is very sad to see men turning away from the glorious Gospel of the blessed God to fables, however cunningly they may be devised. Whereunto you have attained in evangelical knowledge, hold fast. Never yield first principles; never be beguiled into any form of unsound words. What is the chaff to the wheat? As long as Christ is all in all to you, you are safe; but when you delight in any other way of life, you are guilty of spiritual harlotry. In no way can we more offend God than by slighting His Son.

4. Put a just estimate on both time and eternity. On time, because it is so short, because its earthly pursuits are so vain, because on the right use of it depend everlasting consequences. On eternity, because it is eternity—it has no bounds, it is more vast than the sea. Eternity gives to hell its most impenetrable gloom; and to heaven the unfailing fixedness of its joys.

5. Do whatever is incumbent each moment as it passes. Gape and gaze not after the duties of a future which may never arrive. Waste not life in idle regrets over a past which cannot be reclaimed. Just do present duty. Stand in your lot. Be at your post. Watch and pray. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might. No one has or gives so good assurance that in the future he will be found faithful, as he who is now steadfast with God and righteous in all his ways.

6. Do good to all men as you have opportunity. Deal out kindnesses and favors with an unsparing hand. Make others happy, and see if that does not make you truly blessed. I saw a little child asked to share its apple with its playmate. It refused, and at once frowned and looked miserable. I saw another child asked to do the same thing, and with a benignant smile that told of inward joy, it called on its mother to divide the luscious fruit. All the malevolent passions are self-tormentors; all the benevolent affections conduce to happiness.

7. Another good rule to live by is this: Never make a mock at sin and never jest with sacred things. Let holiness to the Lord be written on His day, His word, His worship, His name, His cause.

8. Never attempt to find out how near you can come to sin without sinning. He who loves danger shall perish therein. Sam Patch made many a foolish leap, but it was only the last that was fatal. In abhorring evil and in cleaving to that which is good, there is no danger of excess.

9. Never expect great things from sloth, nor regard carelessness as the parent of any good. Feeble efforts cannot produce powerful results. It is the hand of the diligent that makes rich.

10. Steadfastly set your face against needless delays in doing any work for the honor of your Master, for the good of your fellow men, or for your own edification. A dilatory spirit is one of the most delusive of all the temptations of the Great Destroyer. It proposes merely to postpone, perhaps, for an hour or a day. It would shudder at the thought of final and utter neglect of what it thus defers. Do this very day and hour the duties which this hour and day demand.

19. THE CHRISTIAN'S ENEMIES

That was a good prayer of David, "Lead me in a plain path, because of my enemies" (Ps. 27:11). A similar is that in Ps. 5:8: "Lead me, O Lord, in Your righteousness, because of my enemies." Divine guidance is in every respect a blessing. When surrounded by foes we must fall, unless God leads and protects us. At such a time it is a great mercy to be kept from perplexity respecting duty. "A plain path," a smooth, clear, open way is of the Lord. The reasons are obvious.

Our enemies are numerous. "Many are my persecutors and my enemies." How the dogs do surround some godly men. Packs of them pursue some all their days. One man often contends against a thousand enemies.

Our enemies often have power, and wealth, and influence on their side. They are also lively (Ps. 38:19). They sleep not except they do some mischief; nor do they measure their hostility. They are like wild beasts. They roar (Ps. 74:4). They make a tumult (Ps. 83:2). They are very violent.

Indeed they are often deadly. Since the days of Pharaoh, their great model, each cries: "I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them, I will draw my sword; mine hands shall destroy them."

Nothing is more noticeable than the merriment of the wicked over sacred things and innocent people. "Our enemies laugh among themselves" (Ps. 80:6). So we still have in the world "cruel mockings," even where "scourgings" and "imprisonments" are unlawful. They love to cry—Aha! aha!

Oftentimes our enemies are so allied to us that we have no more peace at home than abroad (Mic. 7:6). When this is the case, they are a smoke in the eyes, a thorn in the flesh.

Very often they are full of treachery. "The kisses of an enemy are deceitful." Judas was neither the first nor the last who pretended friendship with the basest hypocrisy.

Some men's enmity has no holidays. It never wanes. It never cools. "And Saul became David's enemy continually" (1 Sam. 18:29). Such enemies often produce a deep impression on others, persuading them that we are evil. No small part of Saul's subjects really believed that David was a bad man, so that he says: "Because of all my enemies, I am the utter contempt of my neighbors; I am a dread to my friends—those who see me on the street flee from me. I am forgotten by them as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery."

Even godly men may be often greatly distressed by such hatred. David says: "My eye is consumed because of grief; it waxes old because of all my enemies." Read the Book of Lamentations, and see how Jeremiah sighed and wept under the raging of his foes.

It is no small part of wisdom to know how to treat our foes. God gave Solomon a great blessing because he had "not asked the life of his enemies" (1 Kings 3:11-12; 2 Chron. 1:11-12). We must love our enemies (Matt. 5:44; Luke 6:27-35). We must pray for them at all times, feed them when hungry, clothe them when naked, lend to them when needy.

God always takes sides with the just against all their wicked foes. His promise is: "I will be an enemy unto your enemies, and an adversary unto your adversaries" (Ex. 23:22). The godly man will God never "deliver unto the will of his enemies."

And it is very easy for God to defeat and overthrow all our enemies. He says: "I will send a faintness into their hearts; and the sound of a shaken leaf shall chase them; and they shall flee, as fleeing from a sword; and they shall fall when none pursues" (Lev. 26:36). See also Ex. 23:27.

Under the shadow of God's wings His people are safe from all their adversaries. He stills the enemy and the avenger. "You have been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy" (Ps. 61:3). God can make our worst enemies to be at peace with us (Prov. 16:7). God can convert foes into friends: "Verily I will cause the enemy to entreat you well in the time of evil and in the time of affliction" (Jer. 15:11). God's power can subdue any will, change any heart.

Every child of God may therefore address every foe, as did the Church of old: "Do not rejoice over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will stand up; though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light. Because I have sinned against Him, I must endure the Lord’s rage until He argues my case and establishes justice for me. He will bring me into the light; I will see His salvation. Then my enemy will see, and she will be covered with shame, the one who said to me, "Where is the Lord your God?" My eyes will look at her in triumph; at that time she will be trampled like mud in the streets." Micah 7:8-10

Oh, how sweet will be the rest of heaven. There the wicked cease from troubling, and there the weary are at rest, and the righteous have everlasting deliverance from all their enemies.

A late writer gives this good practical advice: "Have you enemies? Go straight on and mind them not. If they block up your path, walk around them, and do your duty regardless of their spite. A man who has no enemies is seldom good for anything—he is made of that kind of material which is so easily worked that everyone has a hand in it. A sterling character—one who thinks for himself, and speaks what he thinks—is always sure to have enemies. They are as necessary to him as fresh air; they keep him alive and active. A celebrated character, who was surrounded with enemies, used to remark: 'They are sparks which, if you do not blow, will go out of themselves.' Let this be your feeling while endeavoring to live down the scandal of those who are bitter against you. If you stop to dispute, you do but as they desire, and open the way for more abuse. Let the poor fellows talk; there will be a reaction if you perform but your duty, and hundreds who were once alienated from you will flock to you and acknowledge their error."

20. THE CHRISTIAN'S SHEPHERD

"The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack. He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters." Psalm 23:1-2

He leads me.—I certainly need someone to lead me. I am so poor, so blind, so weak, so foolish that, if left to myself, I must fatally err. For a long time I required the help of nurses and the guidance of parents and teachers; and when I ceased to have these, I needed God's help as much as ever. It is not in man that walks to direct his steps. We have in our language hardly any form of speech that expresses a sadder state than when we say of a man, "He is awfully left to himself." Lord, never leave me nor forsake me, lest I be undone.

Then He leads me so gently. Even when all around is uproar and confusion, I am carried along almost as if there was no commotion in the world. When God gives peace, who can make disturbance? The Lord is more true in His friendship than a brother, more pitiful than a father, more loving than a mother, more gentle than a woman. He does not afflict willingly. Nor does the Lord ever lead me otherwise than wisely. He makes no mistakes. He knows the way I ought to go. He knows how much sweet and how much bitter are best for me. He understands me fully. He knows my spirit would fail before Him if I were dealt with severely. Oh, how He mingles mercy with judgment!

True, He leads me often in a mysterious way. I see not the end from the beginning. I cannot see afar off. If I perfectly comprehended all God's ways, I think I would be capable of guiding myself, at least to some extent. When all His waves and billows go over me, how can I tell anything? Would Jacob, or Joseph, or Bunyan, or Rogers have chosen the way the Lord led them? Have not the saints long been crying, "O Lord, how long?" His footsteps are in the sea; clouds and darkness are round about Him. He gives account of none of His matters. His judgments are a great deep. But He never does wrong. He leads me in the paths of righteousness. Righteousness and judgment are the habitation of His throne. In review of all the past I can truly say, "You have dealt well with Your servant, O Lord. I know that in faithfulness You have afflicted me."

He leads me always—in prosperity and in adversity; in joy and in sorrow; when alone and when surrounded by others. If He left me even for an hour I would be undone. When I sleep, You, Lord, keep vigil over me. When I awake, I am still with You. On the land and on the sea I am kept by the mighty power of God.

He leads me, and I will trust Him. He deserves my entire confidence. It is my sin and my folly that I am so slow of heart to repose confidence in Him. I will try to do better. Lord, give me the heritage of those who seek shelter under the shadow of Your wings. You are my Shield, my Refuge, my Strong Rock, my God and Savior.

He leads me, and I will follow Him. I will put my hand in His, and go wherever His prudence shall direct. Never yet has He brought me into needless trouble. When affliction has gained its end, relief, in some form, has come. I will mark His footsteps, and go right forward. He will guide me by His counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Oh, well, if glory is to follow sorrow and anguish, I will say no more:

"The path of sorrow, and that path alone,
Leads to the land where sorrows are unknown."

I must be content that He should have His way. My will is the will of a worm, a fool, a sinner. "Not my will, but Yours be done, O God." I care not what comes if the end be eternal life—everlasting repose in the bosom of God. Guide me on and up and through, O Lord. Be on my right hand and on my left by day and by night. Strengthen me with strength in my soul.

21. THE CHRISTIAN'S ADVOCATE

Who needs an Advocate? The accused. And are we accused? Yes; and we are rightly charged with many offences. Sin has ruined us. Iniquities have sadly prevailed against us. They have brought us into disgrace before God, and angels, and men. Our own consciences indict and convict us. We cannot answer for one of a thousand of our transgressions. In the court of Heaven our names are worthless. God often reminds us of this, telling us that if He shows mercy or spares us—it is not for our sakes. It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

And is there any Advocate for such transgressors? Yes. Is it a sinful man like ourselves? No. Such a one could not answer for himself. Is it some holy angel? No. If such an one were to hear the whole story of our guilt, he would throw out our cause from disgust at such baseness and ingratitude. It is Jesus Christ. He pleads and manages our cause before His Father. We have an Advocate. Thanks be to God for that.

Our Advocate can lay His hand upon our offended Judge. He counts it not robbery to be equal with God. In Him the Father is well pleased. In Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. All the multitudes in heaven worship Him. To Him the Father has committed all judgment and all authority. We are required to honor the Son as we honor the Father. God has given Him a name that is above every name. He is full of power, as He is of truth and grace. There is none like Him. He is over all, God blessed forever.

And He has our nature also. He was once a weeping babe, a friendless stranger, and sorely tempted of the Devil. He is bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh. He has a brother's heart. He knows by experience every kind of sorrow which it was possible for innocence to endure. Above all others was He a man of sorrows. He wept; He sweat blood; He hungered; He thirsted; He expired on the cross; He bore God's wrath.

And He was without sin. He knew no sin. He was holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners. Pilate found no fault in Him. Infidelity has detected no flaw in His character. Omniscient purity declared Him sinless, faultless. Now we may glory in Him. If we sin, we have an Advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, THE RIGHTEOUS. Our hope springs from His worthiness and His merits; in no sense from anything in us. He is THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. That is His name.

Then He is a tried Friend of sinners. God has tried Him and found Him faithful as an Advocate for men. Many penitents have tried Him and found Him gracious. He has never undertaken a cause and lost it. He is mighty to save. His advocacy cannot but succeed. The Father hears Him always. All the redeemed in glory are monuments of the efficacy of His intercession.

All this is right. He gave Himself for us as an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor. He poured out His soul unto death. The Lord made His soul an offering for sin. He redeems not with silver and gold, but with His most precious blood. The ransom He paid was of infinite value. There is no limit to its sufficiency.

"Dear dying Lamb, Your precious blood
Shall never lose its power
Until all the ransomed Church of God
Be saved to sin no more."

Those blessed hands which were pierced for us on Calvary are the hands which are lifted up for us before the eternal and glorious throne above.

Of the manner of His advocacy we know but little, except that it is very glorious, full of dignity, and full of power. He appears for us. That is enough. Dr. Doddridge represents Him as introducing His chosen to the Father, admitting that they are worthy of death, but pleading that He has died for them.

Of the substance of His advocacy we need entertain no doubt. It is pretty fully explained in His great intercessory prayer recorded in the seventeenth chapter of John. Now, does any humble soul wish for a sure ground of hope? He has it in Christ's pleading his cause. "Simon, Simon, Satan has desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat; but I have prayed for you—that your faith fail not" (Luke 22:31-32). And it did not fail—his faith recalled him and made him weep bitterly.

In availing ourselves of Christ's advocacy, let us know what our case is; let us attempt no concealment; let us tell Him all, and let us commit to Him the whole matter. None is able to destroy, if He protects. None can condemn those whom He justifies.

Nor need we be deterred from seeking His mercy by the greatness of our guilt. He saves the chief of sinners as readily as the least of sinners. He is able to save to the uttermost, all who come to God by Him. Reader! you may think your case very bad—and so it is. But you are not worse than the chief of sinners. You may be the uttermost; but you are not beyond the uttermost. Hope in His mercy. Oh, give Him your confidence. Lean on His almighty arm. Take Him as your Advocate.

22. THE CHRISTIAN'S EARNEST

Inspired writers are exceedingly intent on impressing their thoughts on others. They seize on anything that will aid them in their work. They speak of breaking up fallow ground, of sowing and reaping, of building and journeying, when by these things they can unfold or explain what they mean. Paul sees an altar inscribed "To the Unknown God". He immediately proposes to tell them of that very God. Sometimes buying and selling with their various terms and usages serve their turn. Nor do they care whether a usage or idea is heathen or Jewish, so that it is pertinent to the matter in hand. Paul often refers to racing, wrestling, and fighting to elucidate his meaning. So, also, Paul borrows a word from trade among the Phoenicians, Arrabon, to teach a very important truth.

This word Arrabon is always rendered earnest, in the sense of a pledge, a token of something yet to come. It occurs thrice in the New Testament, and only in the writings of Paul: "Now, He who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, is God; who has also sealed us, and given us the EARNEST of the Spirit in our hearts." "Now He who has wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also has given us the EARNEST of the Spirit." "In whom also, after you believed, you were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, which is the EARNEST of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory" (2 Cor. 1:22; 5:5; Eph. 1:13-14).

In many ways does God comfort His people. Sometimes it is by sacraments, which are signs and seals of His covenant. Sometimes it is by promises and oaths, that by these two immutable things His saints might have strong consolation. Sometimes it is by tokens for good, some visible evidence of Divine regard such as is noticed in Ps. 41:11: "By this I know that You favor me." Compare Ps. 86:17. Sometimes it is by giving us an EARNEST.

But what is an earnest? Brown defines it as "Something given in hand to give assurance that what more is promised shall be given in due time. It differs from a pledge, as it is not taken back when full payment is made." Burrill says that "An earnest is part of the price paid for property or goods sold, or money given in token that a bargain is ratified, or to bind a contract; often called earnest money." It seems that the merchants of Phoenicia either first or most extensively resorted to the arrabon, the earnest. One who disregarded the solemnity or obligations of the earnest, would have been infamous.

Now the earnest God gives His people is the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, Sanctifier, and Guide of His redeemed people. Peace of conscience, assured to us by the Blessed Spirit of God, is a sure forerunner of life and peace beyond the grave. He who has the fruits of the Spirit, has the Spirit himself. And he who has the Spirit of God, is the temple of God, and is thus devoted, consecrated, and marked out as one belonging to the Most High. His spot is the spot of God's people. His light is not darkness. His heart is the home of all that can ennoble human character. As David's first anointing by the command of God gave a sure pledge that he should yet reign over Israel, so the anointing of the Christian by the Holy Spirit infallibly betokens his coming greatness, his everlasting bliss. The graces of God's Spirit in our hearts, infallibly assure the people of God that in due time their rest shall be glorious.

The title of believers is found in the righteousness of Christ. The faith of believers surely appropriates the merits of the Redeemer. Faith is the fruit of the Spirit, the gift of God—a gift never bestowed on any who remain in the bond of iniquity or in the gall of bitterness.

And he who has living faith, has all the other graces of the Spirit—love, hope, joy, patience, meekness, gentleness, courage, charity, brotherly kindness, and perseverance. In the new birth there are no monstrous productions. Fear without hope, or hope without fear, would present to us a very sad character. Confidence without reverence, or joy without humility, is not the type of a soul born from above.

In this way a beautiful symmetry of character is secured. The people of God are an honor to God. They adorn the doctrines of God their Savior. They are His witnesses in this wicked world. They are god-like just so far as they are godly. They know whom they have believed. They are known of God, and men take knowledge of them—that they have been with Jesus.

In due time, and by God's favor, such prove that the effect of righteousness is quietness and assurance forever. They see that nothing can harm them, because they are followers of that which is good. They know that they are of the truth, and shall assure their hearts before Him.

The admission of such into glory is indeed a great event. Yet they had a right to expect it. Having on the wedding garments, it is right that they should go into the marriage supper. They walked with God on earth—and so they walk with Him in glory!

23. THE CHRISTIAN'S JOY

The Scriptures as frequently and as urgently call on the righteous to rejoice, as they call on the wicked to weep and mourn. "Let all who put their trust in You, rejoice." "Let Mount Zion rejoice, let Judah be glad." "Let the righteous be glad, let them rejoice before God; yes, let them exceedingly rejoice." "Rejoice evermore." These are mere samples of what may be found in both the Old and the New Testaments.

Nor is the joy of the righteous vain and empty. He has good cause for the very highest exultations in which he ever indulges. Jehovah himself is a never-failing fountain of gladness to the humble. The Psalmist calls God his "exceeding joy." The darkest gulf into which the human mind ever looks, is the gulf of atheism. A world without a sun would be dismal, but a world without a God would be horrible. No wonder that the pious so exult in the Divine existence, and in all the Divine perfections. "Hallelujah, for the Lord God omnipotent reigns!" is a song sung wherever holy beings are found.

The salvation of God is a matter of perpetual gladness to the saints in heaven and on earth. The plan, the Author, the cost, the nature, and the end of redemption—fill the soul with pious wonder, and with joy unspeakable and full of glory.

In like manner the godly have joy in every good thing, in all the common bounties of Providence. They know that everything is sent in love. They even rejoice in tribulation. The martyrs have exultingly washed their hands in the flames which consumed them, and sung the praises of Immanuel until their voices sunk in death.

It does not diminish, but rather increases, and gives permanency to this joy—that it is made sober by trembling, that is, by a holy caution, a beneficial fear. "Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall," is a wholesome caution, and makes no godly man despondent. Godly fear is closely allied to pious joy. It was when the prophet had such a glorious vision of God that he trembled, and his lips quivered, and rottenness entered into his bones, and he trembled in himself, that he exultingly exclaimed: "Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vine; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation" (Hab. 3:17-18). So we see how by fear joy works, and by fear is made perfect. For the saints serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling (Ps. 2:11).

The Christian has great joy when the kingdom of Heaven is first set up in his own heart. No day is more memorable than the day of one's espousal to Christ. How could it be otherwise? The poor soul, long oppressed by the Devil, having all its noble faculties loaded with the chains of ignorance, guilt, depravity, and misery, and made to serve base lusts—is at that time delivered from its cruel taskmasters, and experiences the glorious liberty of the sons of God. "If the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed."

Oftentimes in its pilgrimage the soul is allowed to have glorious views of the mystery of God and of Christ. If not taken to the Mount of Transfiguration, it at least ascends the mount of ordinances, and there it is satisfied, as with marrow and fatness. Then it is made like the chariots of Amminadab. It holds sweet fellowship with Heaven. Its fellowship is truly with the Father, and with His Son, Jesus Christ.

At the close of his great work on the glory of Christ, John Owen has a chapter on the way and means of the recovery of spiritual decays, and of obtaining fresh springs of grace. He says: "There are two things which those who, after a long profession of the Gospel, are entering into the confines of eternity, do long for and desire. The one is, that all their breaches may be repaired, their decays recovered, their backslidings healed. The other is, that they may have fresh springs of spiritual life, and vigorous actings of all Divine graces, in spiritual mindedness, holiness, and fruitfulness unto the praise of God, the honor of the Gospel, and the increase of their own peace and joy. These things they value more than all the world, and all that is in it." To such in a very pleasing degree God grants their desire. He has said that He would. Hear Him: "I will be your God throughout your lifetime—until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you" (Isa. 46:4). Again He says: "Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green" (Ps. 92:14). Because God is faithful, He gives increase of peace and joy to His aged servants. I have met many such in my lifetime.

I have met some such the last year. They tell me that they are just waiting, that they have no tormenting fears, that the joy of the Lord is their strength, and that their hearts are where their treasure is—even in heaven. Blessed are such. Their joys bear them quite above their trials and their sorrows.

A young orchard full of blooms is a goodly sight. But a matured orchard in autumn, laden with the richest fruit, is still more charming. The last is the reality; the first was but the promise. The end of sowing is reaping. The end of a life of piety is comfort and joy in the Holy Spirit. He who says there is no solid nor abounding joy to the Christian, is a stranger to vital godliness. The joy of the Lord is his strength.

24. THE CHRISTIANS SORROW

"God had one Son on earth without sin—but never a son on earth without affliction." This has long been regarded as one of the best sayings of Augustine. It is very true and quite coincides with Scripture. It is fully borne out by that saying of the prophet David: "Many are the afflictions of the righteous." Blessed Paul says, "Whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives." And sixty years after His ascension to glory, Jesus Himself said: "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten."

All this, when rightly considered, is seen to be fair and fitting. For if the Savior suffered, it is right the saved should suffer also. It is a great thing to be conformed to Christ in temper or suffering. "If we suffer with Him, we shall also reign with Him." "Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I am completing in my flesh what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for His body, that is, the church." As Christ's sufferings prepared Him to be the Captain of our salvation and our sympathizing Friend, so our sufferings make us mindful of the sorrows of our Lord and increase our sympathy with Him in all His undertaking for us.

There is a "need be" for all the trials of God's children on earth. Their pangs promote their purity. God puts them into the furnace that He may consume their dross, take away all their sin, and bring them out as pure gold. "He does not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men." He has no pleasure in seeing His chosen suffer, but He delights to see His image on their hearts perfected. He chastens them for their profit, that they may be partakers of His holiness. He is a wise and good Father, and all His people on earth are more or less wayward. Blessed be His name. He will not cease to chastise them until their wills submit to His and rejoice in tribulation. Thereby the Lord is honored and their salvation promoted.

Future glory will be somewhat in proportion to what Christ's people suffer for Him here. The crown of martyrdom is exceedingly bright. The glorious throng which John saw was made up of those who came out of great tribulation and had washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. How sweet will be rest after turmoil, peace after war, a quiet home after a long and perilous journey.

Where is the experienced minister who has not often seen one year of suffering, do more for the glory of Christ than five years of service?

N. D. was a small man whose speech sounded very unusual. He was not popular. He lived in considerable retirement. He had but little worldly goods, yet no one accused him of stinginess. For one in his circumstances he gave liberally. He was a great student of the Word of God. He saw in men much that he could not approve. Nor did he keep silence at such times. He was very punctual in attending the house of God. He maintained family worship with great regularity. No one saw any flaws in his morals. But he could not express himself well on any subject. His manners were stiff and awkward.

When he had been a professor of religion for about twenty-five years, he became a great sufferer. A complication of diseases came upon him. No such case of bodily disease had ever been seen in his neighborhood. He could not sleep for as much as six weeks at a time. He was in constant and excruciating pain. No one could see him without feeling great pain at his bodily distress. He wore away rapidly. He could not walk at all. He could not turn himself in bed. In this sharp trial his piety shined forth with great clearness. Not a murmur escaped his lips. He showed no impatience. His meekness and mildness were very striking. He was full of thankfulness to God and man. Of the least favor done him he would make some respectful and grateful mention. His whole character seemed to be changed.

Yet he did not profess to be recently converted. On the contrary, he still believed that he had met with a saving change of heart long before. He spoke with delight of many pleasant days he had in youth when alone or when publicly worshiping God. He seemed to remember with accuracy and to quote with aptness considerable portions of God's Word. He was a wonder unto many. Yes, he was a wonder to himself. He expressed his views as candidly as ever, but with the greatest gentleness and charitableness. His case was much spoken of. Many a Christian went miles to see him. The feeling of everyone seemed to be much like that of the prophet when he saw the bush in the midst of the flame unconsumed, "I will turn aside and see this great sight." And, truly, it was good to see how grace could bear one up, and bear him on, and bear him through, when his body was wracked with exquisite tortures.

N. D. lived several years after this season of violent suffering, but he never ceased to be an invalid, nearly helpless, and often full of pain. His faith seemed to grow exceedingly. His end was peace. This little narrative should teach us—

1. Not to judge of character by mere voice or manners. Some godly men have no manners at all—and some very godly men have very bad manners.

2. Yet we ought to study to commend to others our religion by those ways which are pleasant, lovely, and of good report. Piety is no foe to the civilities of life.

3. No man knows what he can do and what he can bear—until he is tried and receives new supplies of grace. N. D. considered himself a wonder of mercy.

4. Let no man judge his brother. "The weak brother shall be held up, for God is able to make him stand." He who is most humble is best prepared to stand severe tests.

5. We greatly err when we lightly esteem the least of Christ's disciples, the poorest of the saints. On trial they may quite outshine us.

6. It is certain that neither N. D. nor any other godly man who has left this world regrets any sufferings he ever endured on earth. All is well that ends in glory.

7. Amazing is the distinguishing love of God which often takes men who are naturally neither attractive nor amiable—and makes them the monuments of redeeming mercy."I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure." Matthew 11:25-26

The following "Song of a Tired Servant" has recently been printed in several journals:

"One more day's work for Jesus,
One less of life for me!
But heaven is nearer,
And Christ is dearer
Than yesterday, to me.
His love and light
Fill all my soul tonight.
One more day's work for Jesus:
How glorious is my King;
'Tis joy, not duty,
To speak His beauty;
My soul mounts on the wing
At the mere thought
How Christ its life has bought.
One more day's work for Jesus,
Sweet, sweet the work has been,
To tell this story,
To show the glory,
Where Christ's flock enter in.
How did it shine
In this poor heart of mine!
One more day's work for Jesus.
In hope, in faith, in prayer,
His word I've spoken,
His bread I've broken
To souls faint with despair;
And bade them flee
To Him who has saved me.
One more day's work for Jesus.
Yes, and a weary day.
But heaven shines clearer,
And rest comes nearer.
At each step of the way.
And Christ is all;
Before His face I fall.
O blessed work for Jesus;
O rest at Jesus' feet!
There toil seems pleasure,
My wants are treasure,
And for Him looks sweet.
Lord, if I may, I'll serve
You more another day."

25. THE CHRISTIAN'S SORROW—Continued

It is not sinful to be sad. Blessed be God for that! Jesus wept. Tears have often been the food and drink of God's people day and night. Sorrow is natural to men. It may become sinful, but it is not necessarily sinful. In fact, it is often a blessing, and does more good than gladness itself. Hear the wise man: "Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the countenance, the heart is made better. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth." The day of desperate sorrow seems to be reserved to the wicked (Isa. 17:11). To saints, no night is without its morning. Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Blessed is he who has the hope of salvation to cheer him along!

David sometimes complains that his sorrow is daily, and sometimes that it is continual. Grief is often great, and dries up the blood and spirits. Job says: "My eyes have grown dim from grief, and my whole body has become but a shadow." We ought never to allow our sorrow to become turbulent, leading us to behave like the bullock unaccustomed to the yoke. This seems to have been one of the errors into which the man of Uz once fell (Job 6:8-11).

Frequently sorrow is incurable. When it is felt to be so, we are in danger of sinking into sullenness, or of making our hearts like a stone—both very dangerous states of mind. A much better way, the right way, is in meekness to bear it, uttering no foolish words against God or man. "It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth. He sits alone, and keeps silence, because he has borne it upon him." Let the sorrowful commit their ways to the Lord. "All the days of my appointed time will I wait, until my change comes," was one of Job's wise sayings.

Stoicism is not a virtue. When God calls us to weeping, we ought to weep. Insensibility is never pleasing to God—hardness of heart under judgments is very vile. "The Lord, the Lord Almighty, called you on that day to weep and to wail, to tear out your hair and put on sackcloth. But see, there is joy and revelry!" (Isa. 22:12-1.3). To despise the chastening of the Lord is to despise the Lord Himself.

But sorrow may be excessive. It is right to mourn when God calls us thereto; but it is wicked to faint when we are rebuked by Him. Our moderation should be as clearly known in grief as in joy. God's people may not mourn the death of even great and godly men, as those who have no hope, or as the heathen do (Lev. 19:28; Deut. 14:1; 1 Thess. 4:13). We should pray that we may not have "overmuch sorrow," "sorrow upon sorrow," or "sorrow without hope," as the Bible uses those phrases.

Nor are we any more at liberty to let our sorrow become excessive, than we are at liberty to indulge mirth to wildness. The tendency of sorrow is to break the spirit (Prov. 15:13). But we must encourage ourselves in the Lord our God. When our sorrow is excessive, it is the sorrow of the world. Yet who can stand when God dispenses sorrow in anger? (Job 41:10).

It is only by the Gospel that sorrow and sighing are effectually made to flee away. Only by faith can men in this life enter into rest. Believers, and only they, can be sorrowful, yet always rejoicing (2 Cor. 6:10). To such God is indeed a stay and a friend. Hear Him: "I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul" (Jer. 31:25). By faith He, who was the man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, becomes our solace and our stay. Oh, consider Him! (Heb. 12:3; 2 Tim. 2:11-13).

Our great resort in times of sorrow must be the throne of grace. Is any afflicted? let him pray. David found this the best way (Ps. 116:3-4).

Reader, are you tender and pitiful to the children of sorrow? You ought to be. "To him who is afflicted, pity should be showed from his friend" (Job 6:14). Oh, be tender, and avoid all harshness in dealing with the sorrowful.

26. THE CHRISTIAN'S HATRED OF ERROR

Truth is light. It makes manifest. It is one. It is harmonious. No truth contradicts any other truth. Truth has in it no jars, no discords, no contradictions. Like its Author, it is simple, eternal, and immutable. It came from God, who cannot lie, cannot deceive, cannot be mistaken, cannot be outwitted. Sin and holiness never were the same, and to all eternity they shall be different. Right and wrong cannot agree, because one is conformity to truth and the other is at war with truth. One is from above; the other is from beneath. Truth is the opposite of fiction, fable, falsehood.

All truth is equally true, but all truth is not equally important. The axioms of geometry are as true as the first principles of the Gospel, yet a man may be happy, holy, and saved without knowing any mathematical truth whatever; but eternal life depends on our knowing God and Jesus Christ, whom He has sent. In the arts and sciences a truth may be of great value to one man, while to him whose calling or profession is different, it is of no considerable value. But all Christian truth is of great price to every man. On it depends his eternal well-being. We cannot give too much for it. "Buy the truth and sell it not." The wise men of the East took a long journey to see Him who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life; and they gained their object. They went on no fool's errand. It was with a great sum that the chief captain obtained the freedom of a Roman citizen. It was a grant worth having; but it reached not beyond this life. Many who had it not, lived virtuously and piously, and were happy beyond the grave. But he who has the truth is blessed forever and ever.

No deficiency is so appalling as to be left destitute of God's mercy and truth. All else is bearable. This is intolerable misery. Hezekiah justly thought it would be well with him if peace and truth were in his days. When the Messiah rides prosperously, it is because of truth and meekness and righteousness. When God would pronounce a blessing on philanthropists and benefactors, He says: "Mercy and truth shall be to those who devise good." Nor is there ever a sadder state of things in a community, than when truth is fallen in the streets, for then justice stands afar off and equity cannot enter.

On the other hand, a lie is the opposite of truth. It misleads, deceives, and beguiles, just as far as it is received. It is the progeny of the wicked one. When men delight in lies they curse inwardly. The sentence of God is, "He who speaks lies shall perish." If any doubt God's abhorrence of lies, in the shape of falsehood to men, let them read the awful history of Gehazi. And if any doubt God's abhorrence of lies uttered to Himself, let him read the appalling story of Ananias and Sapphira.

Lies, in the shape of religious error, are greatly displeasing to God. False teachers cause the people to err by their lies. By the same means they make the heart of godly men sad. They thus afflict whom God would comfort. When men speak lies in hypocrisy, you may know that their conscience is seared with a hot iron. Just as sure as a man loves God's word—he hates and abhors lying. Nothing is more offensive to God than false doctrine. It is a slander on the Almighty. It is a deadly poison. It eats like a cancer.

It is astonishing how bitter is the malignity of men against all who are grieved by their false doctrines. "A lying tongue hates those that are afflicted by it." The basest passions were indulged against all the prophets and apostles and intrepid friends of truth by all the fautors of wicked dogmas.

"No lie is of the truth." That is, no lie is a part of the truth. No false doctrine is any part of Christianity. Pool: "Any part of false doctrine does so ill match and square with the frame of Divine truth, that judicious Christians may discern they are not of a piece."

Remarks.

1. It is a solemn duty to be valiant for the truth. Men whose profession, office, or station calls them to be so, and are not—are justly condemned of the Lord, and are put down among the greatest enemies of God and man (Jer. 9:3). Over a people in such a state the bitterest tears may be justly poured out. If they cannot be changed, they are utterly undone.

2. God's peace and God's truth go together. We cannot have the former without the latter. Holy writers often unite them. Why should we foolishly try to separate them? They are closely united in all good governments, in all happy families, in all virtuous people.

3. No lie has any sanctifying power. It comes from wickedness. It leads to wickedness. God may save us notwithstanding some errors, but He will not save us by means of our errors. "Sanctify them through Your truth; Your word is truth."

4. True liberty is by the power of truth in the hands of the Holy Spirit. "The truth shall make you free." All error is wicked. It enslaves. It degrades. It debases. It opposes the God of truth and the Spirit of truth.

5. The truth may be held in unrighteousness. Many have done so. It is bad not to know the truth. It is ruinous to know the truth and not obey it. Practice is the very life of piety. "Everyone that is of the truth hears My voice," says Christ. "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good."

27. THE CHRISTIAN'S GLORIOUS RICHES

"Known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything" (2 Cor. 6:9-10). The Christian is a paradox. Because he has Christ, he has the unsearchable riches of Christ. Four times does Paul speak of "the riches of His glory." It is a Hebrew form of expression, equivalent to "His glorious riches." In Romans 9:23, the apostle states it was God's plan to "make known the riches of His glory on objects of mercy that He prepared beforehand for glory." In Eph. 1:18, he prays that the eyes of their understanding being enlightened, they "may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints." In Eph. 3:16, he prays that God "would grant them, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man." And in Col. 1:27, we read of "the saints, to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." It is therefore clear that all implied in this phrase shall be made manifest in the saints, shall be known by them, shall strengthen them, and shall secure to them the blessings of a glorious eternity.

What, then, are these "glorious riches"? Who but God can fully answer that question? Sometimes He speaks to us concerning them. By one apostle He tells us of "love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance" (Gal. 5:22-23). By another He tells us of "faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity" (2 Pet. 1:5-7). What a beautiful constellation of virtues is here! They are the graces of the Holy Spirit. He who has these—has glorious riches. Nothing shall ever harm him.

In another place God says, "All things are yours, whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come: all are yours" (1 Cor. 3:21-22). Are not these riches of glory? This world and the next, with all the real blessings in both, belong to the people of the Most High God. This is very much the way in which Christ personally stated the matter: "Verily I say unto you, There is no man that has left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting" (Luke 18:29-30). In like manner, Paul says that godliness has the "promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come" (1 Tim. 4:8).

We may, then, sum up these riches of glory thus: Believers have full and free forgiveness of all their sins; they are fully accepted in the Beloved; they are clothed in Christ's spotless righteousness; they are adopted into the family of God; their title to heaven through Christ is perfect; they are regenerated; they have increase of grace; their sanctification is secured; they have peace in believing; they are sure of victory over sins, the world, the flesh, the devil, all sorrow, death, hell, and the grave; they have the elements and principles of all virtues, and shall infallibly have them all perfected; they have God for their Father, Christ for their Savior, the Holy Spirit for their Comforter, hope in God for their anchor, and heaven for their home; they shall have boldness in the day of judgment; they shall be like Christ and with Christ forever; they shall inherit all things.

Oh, who would not be a Christian?

28. SOME MUSINGS OF AN OLD CHRISTIAN

Long-continued and sore trials would drown the people of God in sorrow, but that the Lord gives them blessed cordials and puts underneath them the everlasting arms. Sad indeed is the case of a man when Divine mercy cannot effect its object without his overthrow. God never withdrew His tender mercies from any, until sin had made its dreadful mark.

As God is the Father of the fatherless, so is He also the Helper of the helpless.

He who so fears as not to love, and he who so loves as not to fear his Maker—are alike destitute of true piety.

He who trusts in great men is as foolish as he who trusts in base men.

God's condescension is equal to His majesty.

Man's knowledge is soon exhausted.

Inanimate creation and brutes glorify God. Why should man expect to be left to do as he pleased, and honor or dishonor God, as he might choose?

Our circumstances are never so depressed that the Almighty cannot give us effectual aid.

The worst maladies are sinful passions.

Neither men nor angels are ever better employed than in obeying God's commandments.

It is sad that so many boast of justification or cry for pardon—who never speak of sanctification nor pray for purity.

Having learned to sing God's praises here—we shall not lose the heavenly art by passing over Jordan.

"Every creature is to us what God makes it to be—a friend or an enemy."

Let all who have unusual prosperity remember that their condition has temptations not a whit less severe, than those of abject wretchedness.

The early Christians, who had been converted from heathenism, often write almost as if they had just escaped from the precincts of perdition.

Those who have honestly and heartily received the righteousness of Christ—will be sure to mark His footsteps and walk as He walked.

All the sufferings and perplexities of man can be fairly traced to his apostasy from his Maker.

Through the wonders of Divine grace, the natural evils which befall godly men are the means not only of checking, but also of eradicating, the evils of their hearts and preparing them for glory.

The heart of Christ and the heart of His people, agree on all vital matters.

If the Lord sufficiently helps His people along under trials, He shows Himself as kind as in granting deliverance.

As the whole scheme of salvation had its origin in Jehovah's mercy, goodness, and loving-kindness; and as He changes not, so we may rest assured He will perfect all the work He has begun.

The most glorious thing in salvation, is the perfect consistency of its rich grace with inflexible justice.

There are wonders enough in the constitution of the person of the Mediator, and in His amazing history while on earth, to fill the wisest and best of men with adoring admiration until they are admitted within the veil to behold the King in His glory.

God is so determined on having our warm affections enlisted in all our approaches to Him, that if this point be not gained, nothing will please Him.

Nothing is more necessary than the help of God's Spirit. Without wind, sails will not carry a vessel onward. Without fire from heaven, Elijah's sacrifice would have been no better than that offered to Baal. Without the spirit the body is dead.

It would be a mystery amounting to a contradiction, if the salvation of God produced no controlling, delightful emotions in the souls of His true children.

The nine lepers who returned not to give glory to God, were as well pleased with their cure as their companion, the tenth; but they cared nothing for the author of so great a mercy.

It is sad to see teachers flattering their pupils, and pastors their people; but all that would be harmless if men did not flatter themselves and refuse to receive evidence against themselves.

29. WHAT CAN I DO

"What can I do?" asked one, "I am a poor, feeble, erring creature. I know nothing aright until I am taught of God. I find my strength to be perfect weakness. My wisdom is folly. I make many mistakes. When I would do good, evil is present with me."

Now, dear sir, let me say a few plain things for your guidance and encouragement. It is true that, if you are left to yourself, you are as weak as water. Think as little of yourself as the truth will allow, and yet say, "Surely, in the Lord have I righteousness and strength." Look away from yourself. You have, no doubt, often trusted in yourself in a foolish and sinful way, forgetting that "even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fail, but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." We cannot be too much emptied of self; we cannot too confidingly trust in the Lord.

A just sense of your weakness, therefore, so far from being a disqualification for usefulness, is really a preparation for it. "When I am weak, then am I strong," is true of the people of God in all their ways and duties. Let me advise you never to put yourself in a state either of indifference or of hostility to any good work or plan. It is impossible for every man to give effective aid in every enterprise. But let him not discourage or hinder others who can push it forward.

Be careful, too, lest while you are doing nothing good, you are doing something wrong. Some professing people do a world of mischief. They display such carnal affections, are so much like men of the world, practice so little prudence, so often allow their good to be evil spoken of, and manifest such lack of tenderness of conscience—that they give great occasion to the enemy to speak reproachfully.

If you would be useful on a large scale, take these hints:

1. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might. Pursue no good thing with languor. Feeble exertions court opposition and create embarrassments.

2. Believe assuredly that God can and will bestow a blessing on right plans rightly conducted. Be not faithless. Take God at His word. It is never relied on in vain.

3. Be patient and not fretful and restless. The farmer has great patience and waits for the precious fruits of the earth. Many a scheme cannot be executed in a day or a month. If a man would raise a forest of oaks, he must not expect to see his desires fully accomplished in even one long lifetime. Let us sow seed. Let us plant acorns.

4. Do not try to control Providence, but find out and conform yourself to its plans. Men may sometimes dream of making water run up stream. But they never really succeed. "Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate."

5. Be not easily discouraged. Hope on. Hope ever. A very experienced laborer says that he has frequently seen the happiest results flowing from labors performed under the greatest discouragements. Many have said as much. Look not much at discouragements.

6. Pray much. "To pray frequently is to pray fervently." Pitch your tent close by the mercy-seat. Pray without ceasing. Never be at ease in Zion. "The voice that rolls the stars along spoke all the promises." Plead them before God. Adopt the language of one of old: "I will not let You go except You bless me."

7. Enlist, so far as you can, the prayers and cooperation of others, especially of humble godly people. Waiting on the great for help and patronage is very tedious and discouraging. Hardly anything is more so. People of good sense and ardent piety, in the middle walks of life, are commonly, the best helpers.

8. Having done your best, cast yourself and your endeavors wholly on God's great mercy in Christ Jesus. Seek to have yourself and your labors washed in atoning blood. Freely admit that you are nothing, that you deserve nothing, and that all you dare to hope to be and to obtain—is wholly through God's sovereign grace. Be humble.

30. POSTHUMOUS USEFULNESS

Dr. Doddridge has a chapter showing that we ought to glorify God in our death. And reason would show that we should try so to live as to be useful even after death. The Scriptures say of Abel: "He, being dead, yet speaks." This was said of a man nearly four thousand years after his time. This should encourage us to zeal in our Master's service. Such cases are not rare, nor are they confined to olden times.

God shall never cease to own His people and their pious labors. Their prayers, examples, sayings, and writings exert an influence long after they bid farewell to earth. However long ago genuine supplications and intercessions for the cause of Christ may have been offered, they are still sweet odors before God. Many have suggested that Saul of Tarsus was probably converted and saved in answer to the last prayer of the first martyr, Stephen. There is as sweet a savor in the prayer of the psalmist, "O send out Your light and Your truth," as in the day it was first offered. And a good life, how does God delight in it. He never forgets it. In His book of remembrance it is all delineated, even down to the giving of a cup of cold water. So a good song, or saying, or book may be blessed long after its pious author has slept the sleep of death. Their virtue ever depended on the truth they taught, and the spirit they breathed—and not at all on the natural life of him who wrote them. Blessed be God for all the bright hopes which His people are warranted to cherish for usefulness in this world after death, as well as for the glory, honor and immortality in the world that is to come.

HOME QUOTES SERMONS BOOKS