William Mason
William Mason (1719-1791) was a High-Calvinist author. For many years he served as a Justice of the Peace, and in 1783 was appointed a Magistrate. He served as editor of the Gospel Magazine before and after the editorship of Augustus Toplady. He is best known for a morning and evening devotional entitled, “A Spiritual Treasury For The Children Of God.”
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The School Of Jesus
The body receives little nourishment, if its food hastily pass through it. To health and strength, proper digestion is necessary. Divine truths, eagerly heard and soon forgot, neither comfort nor strengthen the soul. When the babe Jesus was lying in the manger, and the shepherds had told the glorious things they had seen and heard concerning him, many ‘wondered.’ But it was the happiness of the virgin mother, that ‘she kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.’ Luke 2:18. We can never be comfortable in Jesus, but while the truths concerning him dwell in our minds.
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Crucify The Flesh, With Its Affections And Lusts
The Lord our God is a jealous God; jealous of his own glory and his people’s good. Sin is contrary to both. God so loves his people, that he will not suffer sin to reign in them. Wilful, allowed sin, however secret, he will chastise for, and bring the soul to confess and repent of. Though sin shall not bring any one of God’s dear children to hell, yet it may bring a hell into the conscience for a season. Sin may break the peace of mind, though it cannot break the covenant of peace. Willful transgression causes the Lord to hide his face, or frown upon his dear children.
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Take Heed What Ye Hear
It is our unspeakable mercy, it calls for our daily tribute of praise, and daily study to improve it, that a free use of the lively oracles of truth is permitted us; others are denied this rich privilege. Happy those to whom the word of God is the rule of their faith, a light to direct their paths, and a standard whereby they try and prove the doctrines they hear, whether they are of God or man. The whole truth, as it is in Jesus, is precious to every believer. ‘Faith comes by hearing the word of God.’ As the ear is the inlet to the soul, we should ever take heed what kind of doctrines we hear. It was through the ear that Satan…
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Hope, Anchored In The Word Of God
It is not natural to us to hope in God’s word. This the power of God causeth us to do. Where there is true knowledge of Jesus, the essential Word, there will be a real esteem for the scriptures, the written word of Jehovah. The Spirit that dwelt in Jesus dictated the truths concerning him, and the same Spirit testifies of Jesus in the hearts of his children. By the word we are favoured with clear ideas, just conceptions, and encouraging views of the truths of grace and salvation. Hence we have the firmest foundation, the strongest confidence, and fullest assurance to build our faith and hope upon. Hence also we are emboldened to draw nigh to a throne of grace, to plead our case,…
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Be Not High-Minded, But Fear
So we are called upon by the spirit of prophecy, ‘Behold (give the most earnest attention, let this truth sink deep in your hearts) his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him.’ Hab. 2:4. Standing by faith, and living by faith, are ever opposed to pride, vain confidence, and a high conceit of our own attainments. True faith in Jesus sinks the soul in humility, works by real love to God, is accompanied with a child like fear of offending him, and excites to a godly jealousy...
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Commit Thy Ways Unto The Lord
We are too apt to forget where we are, what we are called to, and whither we are going. When we take a survey of the present state of men and things, judge according to appearances in nature and sense, and see one event happen alike to all, we are ready to ask, what advantage then hath the Christian; or what profit is there to new-born believing souls?
