Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc06/v07050

Text File | 1994-03-02 | 13KB | 212 lines

07060
 #32-38 After all our searches into the Scriptures, there is more
 to be learned from them. We should be pleased to think, how
 great the number of believers was under the Old Testament, and
 how strong their faith, though the objects of it were not then
 so fully made known as now. And we should lament that now, in
 gospel times, when the rule of faith is more clear and perfect,
 the number of believers should be so small, and their faith so
 weak. It is the excellence of the grace of faith, that, while it
 helps men to do great things, like Gideon, it keeps from high
 and great thoughts of themselves. Faith, like Barak's, has
 recourse unto God in all dangers and difficulties, and then
 makes grateful returns to God for all mercies and deliverances.
 By faith, the servants of God shall overcome even the roaring
 lion that goeth about seeking whom he may devour. The believer's
 faith endures to the end, and, in dying, gives him victory over
 death and all his deadly enemies, like Samson. The grace of God
 often fixes upon very undeserving and ill-deserving persons, to
 do great things for them and by them. But the grace of faith,
 wherever it is, will put men upon acknowledging God in all their
 ways, as Jephthah. It will make men bold and courageous in a
 good cause. Few ever met with greater trials, few ever showed
 more lively faith, than David, and he has left a testimony as to
 the trials and acts of faith, in the book of Psalms, which has
 been, and ever will be, of great value to the people of God.
 Those are likely to grow up to be distinguished for faith, who
 begin betimes, like Samuel, to exercise it. And faith will
 enable a man to serve God and his generation, in whatever way he
 may be employed. The interests and powers of kings and kingdoms,
 are often opposed to God and his people; but God can easily
 subdue all that set themselves against him. It is a greater
 honour and happiness to work righteousness than to work
 miracles. By faith we have comfort of the promises; and by faith
 we are prepared to wait for the promises, and in due time to
 receive them. And though we do not hope to have our dead
 relatives or friends restored to life in this world, yet faith
 will support under the loss of them, and direct to the hope of a
 better resurrection. Shall we be most amazed at the wickedness
 of human nature, that it is capable of such awful cruelties to
 fellow-creatures, or at the excellence of Divine grace, that is
 able to bear up the faithful under such cruelties, and to carry
 them safely through all? What a difference between God's
 judgement of a saint, and man's judgment! The world is not
 worthy of those scorned, persecuted saints, whom their
 persecutors reckon unworthy to live. They are not worthy of
 their company, example, counsel, or other benefits. For they
 know not what a saint is, nor the worth of a saint, nor how to
 use him; they hate, and drive such away, as they do the offer of
 Christ and his grace.

07067
 #39,40 The world considers that the righteous are not worthy to
 live in the world, and God declares the world is not worthy of
 them. Though the righteous and the worldlings widely differ in
 their judgment, they agree in this, it is not fit that good men
 should have their rest in this world. Therefore God receives
 them out of it. The apostle tells the Hebrews, that God had
 provided some better things for them, therefore they might be
 sure that he expected as good things from them. As our
 advantages, with the better things God has provided for us, are
 so much beyond theirs, so should our obedience of faith,
 patience of hope, and labour of love, be greater. And unless we
 get true faith as these believers had, they will rise up to
 condemn us at the last day. Let us then pray continually for the
 increase of our faith, that we may follow these bright examples,
 and be, with them, at length made perfect in holiness and
 happiness, and shine like the sun in the kingdom of our Father
 for evermore.
07069
 * An exhortation to be constant and persevere, The example of
 Christ is set forth, and the gracious design of God in all the
 sufferings believers endured. (1-11) Peace and holiness are
 recommended, with cautions against despising spiritual
 blessings. (12-17) The New Testament dispensation shown to be
 much more excellent than the Old. (18-29)

 #1-11 The persevering obedience of faith in Christ, was the race
 set before the Hebrews, wherein they must either win the crown
 of glory, or have everlasting misery for their portion; and it
 is set before us. By the sin that does so easily beset us,
 understand that sin to which we are most prone, or to which we
 are most exposed, from habit, age, or circumstances. This is a
 most important exhortation; for while a man's darling sin, be it
 what it will, remains unsubdued, it will hinder him from running
 the Christian race, as it takes from him every motive for
 running, and gives power to every discouragement. When weary and
 faint in their minds, let them recollect that the holy Jesus
 suffered, to save them from eternal misery. By stedfastly
 looking to Jesus, their thoughts would strengthen holy
 affections, and keep under their carnal desires. Let us then
 frequently consider him. What are our little trials to his
 agonies, or even to our deserts? What are they to the sufferings
 of many others? There is a proneness in believers to grow weary,
 and to faint under trials and afflictions; this is from the
 imperfection of grace and the remains of corruption. Christians
 should not faint under their trials. Though their enemies and
 persecutors may be instruments to inflict sufferings, yet they
 are Divine chastisements; their heavenly Father has his hand in
 all, and his wise end to answer by all. They must not make light
 of afflictions, and be without feeling under them, for they are
 the hand and rod of God, and are his rebukes for sin. They must
 not despond and sink under trials, nor fret and repine, but bear
 up with faith and patience. God may let others alone in their
 sins, but he will correct sin in his own children. In this he
 acts as becomes a father. Our earthly parents sometimes may
 chasten us, to gratify their passion, rather than to reform our
 manners. But the Father of our souls never willingly grieves nor
 afflicts his children. It is always for our profit. Our whole
 life here is a state of childhood, and imperfect as to spiritual
 things; therefore we must submit to the discipline of such a
 state. When we come to a perfect state, we shall be fully
 reconciled to all God's chastisement of us now. God's correction
 is not condemnation; the chastening may be borne with patience,
 and greatly promote holiness. Let us then learn to consider the
 afflictions brought on us by the malice of men, as corrections
 sent by our wise and gracious Father, for our spiritual good.

07080
 #12-17 A burden of affliction is apt to make the Christian's
 hands hang down, and his knees grow feeble, to dispirit him and
 discourage him; but against this he must strive, that he may
 better run his spiritual race and course. Faith and patience
 enable believers to follow peace and holiness, as a man follows
 his calling constantly, diligently, and with pleasure. Peace
 with men, of all sects and parties, will be favourable to our
 pursuit of holiness. But peace and holiness go together; there
 can be not right peace without holiness. Where persons fail of
 having the true grace of God, corruption will prevail and break
 forth; beware lest any unmortified lust in the heart, which
 seems to be dead, should spring up, to trouble and disturb the
 whole body. Falling away from Christ is the fruit of preferring
 the delights of the flesh, to the blessing of God, and the
 heavenly inheritance, as Esau did. But sinners will not always
 have such mean thoughts of the Divine blessing and inheritance
 as they now have. It agrees with the profane man's disposition,
 to desire the blessing, yet to despise the means whereby the
 blessing is to be gained. But God will neither sever the means
 from the blessing, nor join the blessing with the satisfying of
 man's lusts. God's mercy and blessing were never sought
 carefully and not obtained.

07086
 #18-29 Mount Sinai, on which the Jewish church state was formed,
 was a mount such as might be touched, though forbidden to be so,
 a place that could be felt; so the Mosaic dispensation was much
 in outward and earthly things. The gospel state is kind and
 condescending, suited to our weak frame. Under the gospel all
 may come with boldness to God's presence. But the most holy must
 despair, if judged by the holy law given from Sinai, without a
 Saviour. The gospel church is called Mount Zion; there believers
 have clearer views of heaven, and more heavenly tempers of soul.
 All the children of God are heirs, and every one has the
 privileges of the first-born. Let a soul be supposed to join
 that glorious assembly and church above, that is yet
 unacquainted with God, still carnally-minded, loving this
 present world and state of things, looking back to it with a
 lingering eye, full of pride and guile, filled with lusts; such
 a soul would seem to have mistaken its way, place, state, and
 company. It would be uneasy to itself and all about it. Christ
 is the Mediator of this new covenant, between God and man, to
 bring them together in this covenant; to keep them together; to
 plead with God for us, and to plead with us for God; and at
 length to bring God and his people together in heaven. This
 covenant is made firm by the blood of Christ sprinkled upon our
 consciences, as the blood of the sacrifice was sprinkled upon
 the altar and the victim. This blood of Christ speaks in behalf
 of sinners; it pleads not for vengeance, but for mercy. See then
 that you refuse not his gracious call and offered salvation. See
 that you do not refuse Him who speaketh from heaven, with
 infinite tenderness and love; for how can those escape, who turn
 from God in unbelief or apostasy, while he so graciously
 beseeches them to be reconciled, and to receive his everlasting
 favour! God's dealing with men under the gospel, in a way of
 grace, assures us, that he will deal with the despisers of the
 gospel, in a way of judgment. We cannot worship God acceptably,
 unless we worship him with reverence and godly fear. Only the
 grace of God enables us to worship God aright. God is the same
 just and righteous God under the gospel as under the law. The
 inheritance of believers is secured to them; and all things
 pertaining to salvation are freely given in answer to prayer.
 Let us seek for grace, that we may serve God with reverence and
 godly fear.
07098
 * Exhortations to various duties, and to be content with what
 Providence allots. (1-6) To respect the instructions of faithful
 pastors, with cautions against being carried away by strange
 doctrines. (7-15) Further exhortations to duties, that relate to
 God, to our neighbour, and to those set over us in the Lord.
 (16-21) This epistle to be seriously considered. (22-25)

 #1-6 The design of Christ in giving himself for us, is, that he
 may purchase to himself a peculiar people, zealous of good
 works; and true religion is the strongest bond of friendship.
 Here are earnest exhortations to several Christian duties,
 especially contentment. The sin opposed to this grace and duty
 is covetousness, an over-eager desire for the wealth of this
 world, with envy of those who have more than ourselves. Having
 treasures in heaven, we may be content with mean things here.
 Those who cannot be so, would not be content though God raised
 their condition. Adam was in paradise, yet not contented; some
 angels in heaven were not contented; but the apostle Paul,
 though abased and empty, had learned in every state, in any
 state, to be content. Christians have reason to be contented
 with their present lot. This promise contains the sum and
 substance of all the promises; "I will never, no, never leave
 thee, no, never forsake thee." In the original there are no less
 than five negatives put together, to confirm the promise: the
 true believer shall have the gracious presence of God with him,
 in life, at death, and for ever. Men can do nothing against God,
 and God can make all that men do against his people, to turn to
 their good.