Imatges de pàgina
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Unto you
of God....Mark iv. 11.

it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom

WHEN the Son of God came from heaven to earth, then was the mystery of heaven revealed, and the kingdom of God made manifest to the sons of men. What, to all of them? No: many when Christ was on earth, and ever since, have neither eyes to see, ears to hear, nor hearts to understand the mystery of the kingdom of God. The god of this world blinds their eyes, stops their ears, and shuts their hearts against spiritual mysteries; and they are honest enough to proclaim it with their tongues; saying, where mysteries begin, there religion ends. Lord, why am not I left in natural blindness, ignorance, and stupidity of soul? O why me, Lord, and not others? 1st. The mystery of the kingdom of God is that revealed truth, that the Trinity, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, will get everlasting honor and glory to all the attributes and perfections of the godhead, by the incarnate JEsus in the salvation of cursed, miserable sinners, in setting up the kingdom of God in their hearts upon the ruins of sin, and by the destruction of satan: "This is the mystery of godliness, God manifest in the flesh.".... 1 Tim. iii. 16. This mystery, angels desire to look into.".... 1 Pet. i. 12. O my soul, O my fellow-sinners, we are much more concerned in it than they. Let us pry into it daily, with greatest earnestness and deepest attention. 2d. What is it to know this mystery? It is spiritually, savingly and experimentally to see it, understand the grace and mercy of it, to believe its suitableness to us; our want of it, the hope, peace, and joy which are brought to our souls by it; so as heartily to approve of God's bringing an atonement for our sins, righteousness for our justification, and salvation to our souls, by his beloved Son, the MAN Christ Jesus. 3d. How do we know this? By the revelation of the word and inspiration of the Spirit. It is GIVEN us to know it. The Spirit opens our eyes to see it, and our hearts to understand and believe it, as revealed in his word. 4th. Who? Even ALL whom the Lord shall call. In the days of his flesh, Jesus called unto him whom he would....Mark iii. 13. So in the days of the Spirit's power, he enlightens whom he will to know the mystery of the kingdom of God. 5th. We know the sweet "fellowship of this mystery."....Eph. iii. 9. Our hearts are in love with the doctrines of grace, and our affections swayed by them, for we understand them and our judgments approve of them: thus we have joyful fellowship with the Father and his Son Jesus Christ in the truth, through the grace of the Spirit. The more we know of this mystery, the more comfort. Study the love of Christ, that ye may be filled with all the fulness of God....Eph. iii. 18.

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What profit is it, that we have kept his ordinances, and walked mournfully before the Lord of hosts?....Mal. iii. 14.

THESE words were spoken to the carnal Jews. They may be applied to us; for the filthy leaven of the proud Pharisee works in all our natures, at least I know one who finds it does. What does it produce? Hard thoughts of God and stout words against him. We are apt to arraign his conduct towards others and think he deals rather hardly with us. 1st. "We call the proud happy." In a dark tried, tempted, deserted hour, when we see the poor, proud sons of pride and folly ranting and revelling in all the gay scenes of mirth and jollity, we are apt to look at them, think of them, and draw such conclusions from them as these: well, surely these people are happier in their ways than I am in mine; they are strangers to my heart-burdens and soul-distresses; mirth sits on their countenance while grief and sorrow weigh me down. This was the experience of David, Job, Asaph, and the prophets: we frequently find them at times sorely distressed about this very thing The chief of sinners, and the least of all saints, who now writes, has also been often tried and tempted in this matter. 2d. "We say, they who work wickedness are set up." It staggers our reason to see the openly notorious and ungodly flourish in great esteem and abundance; while I think, if I am a child of God, I am despised and can but just get the necessaries of life, and those with hard labour and much care. 3d. "Those who tempt God are even delivered." If they get into troubles and perplexities, though they daringly provoke God to his face, yet they find friends enough to deliver them, while I combat my troubles daily and no man cares for my soul. And therefore, 4th. The words of the text are taken up, "What profit is it," &c. O, my soul! lie low before the Lord; be ashamed of thy base, carnal reasoning against, and unbelieving thoughts of thy God. What profit? Pride avaunt. Look not to thy keeping his ordinances and walking mournfully in deep humiliation before the Lord, yet do both constantly; but look to a covenant God in Christ.... look at the precious, free-grace promises which are in him....look to THE COMFORTER, to receive freely out of the fulness of Jesus, love and salvation....look not at others with an eye of envy, but look at thyself with an eye of astonishment, and adore the distinguishing love of the Lord. What if thou hast not expected comforts in the way? What if thou walkest mournfully all the way? Yet thou art blessed, and hast blessed promises to support thee: "Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted."....Matt. v. 4, Mind that precious word: they who sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing....Psalm cxxvi. 6.

My beloved is mine....Song ii. 16.

HERE is a knowledge worth more than heaven and earth; for heaven and earth shall pass away, but this knowledge endureth for ever. O happy souls, who are favored with it, give fresh glory to your beloved to night. Ye who are seeking it, rejoice; for he hath said, “every one that seeketh findeth."....Matt. vii. 8. Happy Job was favored with it when he was in heaviness through manifold temptations, broken in the place of dragons, and covered with the shadow of death: then he must have utterly fainted had he not believed. Time was, when Job could say, my health, my wealth, мy honors, MY children, My comforts; but these were all dead and gone: he had nothing within nor without to stay his soul upon, but the word of the Lord and the Lord revealed in the word. This was his support and his glory; though I have lost all things, I have My Redeemer still: he lives: I know it: while he lives, I cannot die: as he has redeemed me, I cannot perish: while I know it, I cannot despair: I will rejoice in him, though I am stript of all things besides him. O, how does the whole world lie fast asleep in the arms of the wicked one, without the least thought of, or desire after the knowledge of this precious Redeemer! But how many poor sinners are saying! O that I knew this dear Redeemer was mine: O that I could say, “I know My Redeemer liveth." Nothing in all the world could give me such comfort as this. Bless the dear Spirit, for he hath given you peculiar knowledge of Christ and special approbation of him. It is special grace to see your misery as a sinner and your want of a Redeemer, and to make Christ the choice of your soul. You know, you believe the Redeemer liveth. Why, all this is in consequence of his love to you: he chose you: he loves you: he died for you: he lives to pray for you: therefore he has blessed you, by sending his Spirit to you. Why then should unbelief so prevail in you as to keep you from honoring him, by claiming him as your beloved and rejoicing in him as your friend? O the unspeakable mercy to have such a Redeemer! We have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: perfect peace with God and a sure title to glory. Blessed be God for Jesus Christ. O study the work, the perfectly finished and everlastingly glorious work of Christ's redemption believe his precious word of invitation, come unto me : his precious promise is, I will give you rest. What could Christ have done more than he hath to manifest his love to sinners? Why then should you or I, or any poor sinner be kept from claiming him by faith, saying, this is my beloved and my friend?....Song v. 16,

Take no thought, saying, what shall we eat? Or what shall we drink? Or wherewithal shall we be clothed? Matt. vi. 31.

THE word of God is like a well drawn picture, which, whoever looks at, thinks the eyes are towards him and fixed on him.

There is in Christ's word somewhat that suits our state under every cir cumstance and in all times and seasons. Pliny speaks of a rod of myrtle, which if a traveller carries in his hand, he never grows faint nor weary. Verily, Christ's word is like this rod of myrtle ; for it beguiles our weary steps, smooths our rugged paths, braces our weak nerves, animates our weary minds, resolves our unreasonable doubts, forbids every anxious thought and tormenting care. Christ would have our hearts simple in faith and our hope steadily fixed on him, so as not to be running out in anxious cares about a dying body and a perishing world. To cure this, let it suffice, that your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of these things: therefore be not of doubtful mind, as though ye were orphans, who have no father to love you or provide for you: he directs our thoughts to his kingdom, as our first and chief concern, and assures us, all temporal things shall be added: or, as it were thrown into the scale. If not for the body, so neither for the soul, should we be of doubtful minds. Our Father hath made ample provision for that also. 1st. "What shall we eat?" The most precious, heavenly, soul-nourishing food is set before us in the gospel, THE FLESH OF CHRIST which is meat indeed: "The WORD was made flesh, and dwelt among us."....John i. 14. On purpose that we might feed on him and live by him. Says he, "he that eateth me, even he shall live by me."....John vi. 57. Believing on Christ is feeding on him. Hath your heart fed on Christ to day by faith? 2d." What shall we drink?" The blood of Christ. His blood is drink indeed. Says he, "He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him." O, without this mutual in-dwelling, if we have the most spacious dwelling, we are under wrath and curse; but if Christ be in us, and we in him, we dwell in God, in heaven, in glory, by faith. Drink the precious, sin-atoning blood of Christ by faith to-night, and be thankful. 3d. "Wherewithal shall we be clothed?" Poor naked sinner, the robe of righteousness, the garment of salvation, wrought out by the elder brother, is put upon thee by thy heavenly Father. It is not only unto ALL, but upon ALL who believe....Rom. iii. 22. Remember the myrtle: car ry Christ's word in the hand of faith, "lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds."....Heb. xii. 3.

Our heavenly Father will provide
What's needful and is best,

Then turn your anxious thoughts to
In Jesus ever rest.
[pray'rs,

M.

Jesus said unto his disciples, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself....Matt. xvi. 24.

WE are called to follow Christ in the REGENERATION....Matt. xix. 28. That is, in that new state of things, called "the time of reformation."....Heb. ix. 10. Wherein he has set all things right between God and us sinners. Christ has not left us any thing to do, whereby to satisfy divine justice and to fulfil the holy law, in order to procure God's favor and a title to his kingdom; but only to come after him, to reap all the glorious spoils and victories of his lawfulfilling life and sin-atoning death, in our perfect reconciliation to God, justification before him, acceptance and peace with him. O soul, this knowledge is essential to thy following Christ in faith and love without this, you cannot come after him one step. Therefore in love he bids thee deny thyself: as though he had said, all things in the old creation of fallen nature are contrary to my spiritual kingdom and oppose my reign in the heart, therefore, all in self must be denied. Receive this in faith, as the command of love, to enjoy peace and comfort in thy Lord. 1st. Thy carnal reason exalts itself against the grace and truth of thy Lord: deny this. 2d. Thy selfrighteous pride of obtaining righteousness by works, opposes free and full justification unto life, by the spotless righteousness of Christ: renounce that. 3d. The selfish notion of fulfilling terms and conditions of salvation, is contrary to following Christ, as having finished our salvation: disown that. 4th. Corrupt lusts will draw away thy heart from following Christ, in the paths of holiness : deny them. 5th. The pleasures of carnal sense attract the heart from Christ: renounce them. 6th. Unbelief is an enemy to thy Lord's love and truth: resist it: oppose thy Lord's word to it. 7th. Doubts and fears that Christ will not receive thee; will reject thee ; that he will not save thee to the uttermost; that thou mayest perish at last, will prevent thy comfortably following Christ: reject them: oppose his loving promise to them. Lastly, deny, renounce and disown the notion, that thou hast any power of thy own to deny thyself in following Christ and to persevere to the end. Let this ever be thy prayer, "Draw me, I will run after thee."....Song. i. 4. Christ's power of drawing is our strength for denying and running: therefore, when Christ says DENY THYSELF, look not on him as a rigorous law-giver, to enslave thee under bondage; but as a precious law-fulfiller, a loving Saviour, and grace bestowed on miserable sinners. He would have us live totally out of corrupt nature and carnal self, be quite happy in him, and comfortable in following of him for he saith, "I that speak in righteousness, am mighty to save."....Isą. Ixiii. 1. Profession is easy to hypocrites: self-denial is the evidence of real disciples.

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