Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc12/v13450

Text File | 1994-03-02 | 4KB | 75 lines

13459
 * Who are shut out from the congregation. (1-8) Cleanliness
 enjoined. (15-25) Of fugitive servants, Usury, and other
 precepts. (9-14)

 #1-8 We ought to value the privileges of God's people, both for
 ourselves and for our children, above all other advantages. No
 personal blemishes, no crimes of our forefathers, no difference
 of nation, shuts us out under the Christian dispensation. But an
 unsound heart will deprive us of blessings; and a bad example,
 or an unsuitable marriage, may shut our children from them.

13467
 #9-14 The camp of the Lord must have nothing offensive in it. If
 there must be this care taken to preserve the body clean, much
 more should we be careful to keep the mind pure.

13473
 #15-25 It is honourable to shelter and protect the weak,
 provided they are not wicked. Proselytes and converts to the
 truth, should be treated with particular tenderness, that they
 may have no temptation to return to the world. We cannot honour
 God with our substance, unless it be honestly and honourably
 come by. It must not only be considered what we give, but how we
 got it. Where the borrower gets, or hopes to get, it is just
 that the lender should share the gain; but to him that borrows
 for necessary food, pity must be showed. That which is gone out
 of thy lips, as a solemn and deliberate vow, must not be
 recalled, but thou shalt keep and perform it punctually and
 fully. They were allowed to pluck and eat of the corn or grapes
 that grew by the road side; only they must not carry any away.
 This law intimated what great plenty of corn and wine they
 should have in Canaan. It provided for the support of poor
 travellers, and teaches us to be kind to such, teaches us to be
 ready to distribute, and not to think every thing lost that is
 given away. Yet it forbids us to abuse the kindness of friends,
 or to take advantage of what is allowed. Faithfulness to their
 engagements should mark the people of God; and they should never
 encroach upon others.
13484
 * Of divorce. (1-4) Of new-married persons, Of man-stealers, Of
 pledges. (5-13) Of justice and generosity. (14-22)

 #1-4 Where the providence of God, or his own wrong choice in
 marriage, has allotted to a Christian a trial instead of a help
 meet; he will from his heart prefer bearing the cross, to such
 relief as tends to sin, confusion, and misery. Divine grace will
 sanctify this cross, support under it, and teach so to behave,
 as will gradually render it more tolerable.

13488
 #5-13 It is of great consequence that love be kept up between
 husband and wife; that they carefully avoid every thing which
 might make them strange one to another. Man-stealing was a
 capital crime, which could not be settled, as other thefts, by
 restitution. The laws concerning leprosy must be carefully
 observed. Thus all who feel their consciences under guilt and
 wrath, must not cover it, or endeavour to shake off their
 convictions; but by repentance, and prayer, and humble
 confession, take the way to peace and pardon. Some orders are
 given about pledges for money lent. This teaches us to consult
 the comfort and subsistence of others, as much as our own
 advantage. Let the poor debtor sleep in his own raiment, and
 praise God for thy kindness to him. Poor debtors ought to feel
 more than commonly they do, the goodness of creditors who do not
 take all the advantage of the law against them, nor should this
 ever be looked upon as weakness.

13497
 #14-22 It is not hard to prove that purity, piety, justice,
 mercy, fair conduct, kindness to the poor and destitute,
 consideration for them, and generosity of spirit, are pleasing
 to God, and becoming in his redeemed people. The difficulty is
 to attend to them in our daily walk and conversation.