‘Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit; after the traditions of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.’ Col. 2:8. Why this caution from the voice of inspiration? Our daily danger makes it expedient, ‘lest any man beguile you of your reward. Beware of men. Call no man Rabbi, saith thy Lord, lest any man judge against your privileges, impair your comforts, or distress your mind. Here is every blessing to make poor sinners happy. Righteousness imputed without works; iniquities forgiven, and sins covered; sin not imputed. This trinity of blessings flow from the unity of free grace. Such blessedness ‘cometh free as the air, unmerited as the light, comforting as the sun, possessed by the unworthy,…

When a child departs from an indulgent father, or a wife forsakes an affectionate husband, they in effect say, they have other objects with whom they are more delighted, and from whom they expect greater happiness. Oh backsliding soul, is such thy conduct towards the best of Fathers, the most affectionate Bridegroom? Thy present practice loudly speaks this language, ‘I have other lovers, and after them I will go.’ Monstrous ingratitude! A child of special grace, and yet fly from thy most loving Father; a spouse of the most affectionate Bridegroom, and yet be unchaste to thy rightful Husband. Shocking carriage! Yet, hear and wonder, hear and love, love and be ashamed, be ashamed and return; for, marvelous grace, though thou hast broken thy marriage-contract,…

He would be a traitor and a rebel who should dare set up his standard in England, and demand allegiance from the king’s subjects, and require obedience to his commands, who had no right to the crown. So Jesus, if he is not King of kings and Lord of lords, the King of saints, the living and true God; but only a mere man, a prophet mighty in word and in deed, a very good man, who taught the best morals, and set us a good example, as some proud, vain, ignorant creatures pretend; verily, if this were all, we, Christians, could see no goodness in him. But he would be a bold usurper against the one eternal Jehovah, striving to alienate the affections of…

As faith gives a holy boldness at the throne of grace, so the regenerate soul is open and ingenuous in confession of sin. When sin is dethroned in the heart, its errors are its concerns; the most secret faults bow it in humility before the Lamb. To his precious blood the believer has recourse for cleansing; he has daily need of it. He cannot understand all his errors. Many secret faults cleave unto him. He is sensible that even these must be washed away, lest they defile his conscience, and spread a cloud over his mind. It is the peculiar wisdom of disciples, not only to observe the bud, blossom, and fruit of sin, but also to consider the evil root, the polluted nature from…

The soul of every disciple of Jesus is most dearly beloved by the holy Trinity. It is a precious jewel in the eyes of the loving Father, the redeeming Son, and the sanctifying Spirit; who all unite to make it happy. But it hath a world of enemies. Yea, it is at present in the closest and nearest relation to one of its greatest foes, the flesh; the lusts and desires of which are at continual war against the peace, comfort, and welfare of the soul. Therefore, oh Christian, thy best friend sounds an alarm of love, and gives thee a kind warning. ‘Abstain from fleshly lusts.' He knows what great hurt compliance with and indulgence in them will do thee; thou wilt surely smart…

In consequence of a blessed union between Jesus and his believing members, the word discovers the sweet concord and delight that naturally subsists in the heart towards each other. Thus of old it is declared, ‘The Lord’s portion is his people.’ Deut. 27:9. And the church claims Jesus under the same appellation: ‘The Lord is my portion, saith my soul.’ Lam. 3:24. ‘Ye shall be to me a holy nation.’ Ex. 19:6. ‘I will dwell in them, and walk in them,’ saith our gracious Immanuel. Therefore, such highly-favoured souls are called to the most special and peculiar service on earth, ere they attain the perfect enjoyment of Jesus in glory. What more exalted pitch of honour, than for creatures of a day to sanctify the…