It frequently happens, that intervening occurrences seem to contradict the truths of God. Therefore if we judge from sight and appearance, we shall often be deceived. God’s word alone is the rule of faith; what he has declared shall certainly come to pass, however repugnant it may seem to carnal reason. Thus our Saviour declares of Lazarus, ‘This sickness is…

In Our natural state we are ever most backward to take guilt to ourselves, most skillful at self-excuses, most averse to self-examination, because we dread self-condemnation; hence we are ever prone to pass judgment at the bar of pride and carnal reason upon the truths of God, because we think they are against us. Oh what is there in such…

‘The Lord of hosts hath decreed to stain the pride of all glory, and to bring into contempt all the honourable of the earth.’ Isa. 23:9. Therefore his word sends us to the common transactions of life, that we may gather instruction in humility, and be taught to bow to his sovereignty. Every dispute against the latter is a strong…

‘Sufficient to the day is the evil thereof.’ As the trial and exercise of our day is, so shall our strength be. Saints shall have suffering grace for suffering times. Hours of great outward calamities often prove seasons of the greatest aboundings of inward consolation. It is said, ‘Stephen fell asleep.’ What! fall asleep under a shower of stones? Yes:…

Observation is the life of understanding, experience is the joy of faith, learning good from others harms is true wisdom. Can we look around us, among the circle of our professing acquaintance, and not see the awful effects of slothfulness in the ways of God. What supine indolence in the cause of Jesus, and careless indifference as to the health…

‘God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew.’ Rom. 11:2. Zealous professors may become shameful apostates. God’s own children may awfully backslide from him, and sadly decline in their love to him and service of him. Such conduct is most base to the best of Beings, most ungrateful to the most loving Lord and Saviour, most wounding to…