Jesus, the great prophet of his church, speaks to the hearts of his members. This is his superior excellence above all other prophets, for they can only speak to the ear. To attend a preached gospel is our constant duty; but all our profit and happiness arise from hearing the Saviour’s voice to our souls. Under the outward ministry, inwardly to listen to the teachings of his Lord, should be every Christian’s concern. Many cry, ‘Oh what an excellent preacher, what a charming sermon:’ but why? Didst thou hear Jesus speak; did he teach, and hast thou heard somewhat from him? Thou knowest, disciple, though a Paul plants, though an Apollos waters, yet it is the Saviour’s presence and power that give the increase of…

What poor, low, legal work is this, say some. We are happy in Christ without such a strife. We are perfect, fully born again, perfectly sanctified and freed from all sin; therefore our strife is at an end, say others. Alas, poor, honest, upright Christian, thou art ever in danger; on the right hand, of licentiousness; on the left hand, of pride and delusion, and also from a deceitful heart within. What with the white devil of pride, and the black devil of lust, thou art ever liable to be seduced from the truth. What a mercy to have a true touch­ stone to try men and doctrines by! The experience of Christians of old, as recorded by the Spirit of truth, affords us quite…

Such as our notions of sin and danger are, such is our judgment of salvation and deliverance. In our natural state we see only the fruits of sin in outward actions, but consider not the corrupt cursed root from whence they spring. Hence poor souls think it no great and difficult matter to be saved, especially if they have some specious show of the external adornings of sobriety, morality, and religion. Happy souls, who have escaped this dangerous rock of pride and self deceit. For when the scales of ignorance fall from the eyes, and the veil of unbelief is taken off the heart; when the true light shineth in the mind, and the purity and spirituality of God’s holy law is made manifest in…

We are loved with precious love, redeemed by precious blood, comforted by precious promises, justified by precious faith; yea, righteousness, holiness, heaven, we have all by union with a precious Jesus. Surely then ‘to them that believe he is precious.’ Say, ye sons and daughters of poverty and affliction, is not this a time when friends grow cold and desert you? But in such a season did you find one friend who visited you in your distress, who was ever saying kind things to you, ever doing all possible good for you; when in prison he sought you out, and set you at liberty; when sick he was your physician and healed you, when naked he clothed you, when in abject poverty he made you…