Vain confidence begets spiritual sloth. Licentious principles harden the heart in sin, deafen the ear to the calls of grace, and cause the tongue to pronounce evangelical excitements to love and obedience, legal. But the faith of Jesus enlivens to duty, and inspires the soul with godly jealousy and holy watchfulness. So the members of Jesus are blessed, blessed in him with all spiritual blessings; and they enjoy a sweet sense of blessedness in obeying him. ‘Behold I come,’ saith Jesus our head. In the faith of this enable me, Lord, to watch alway, saith every living member. We know but in part; there are infinitely greater blessings to be found in Jesus, more of his Knowledge, his love, his peace, of his image, greater…

Faith, by ancient writers, has been styled ‘the queen of graces.’ As such she displays her dignity, by disdaining to consult any power below the King of saints. When she calls in reason and reflection upon past experience, it is to give all the glory to her sovereign Lord. Thus David makes confession of faith in his king. What was the gigantic size, the formidable appearance, and the haughty threatenings of his Philistine antagonist? To the eye of his faith, all were mean and contemptible; for he saw him that was invisible: he fixed his confidence on the invisible power of the Omnipotent. He considered not himself: ‘he was strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.’ He had sweet experience of…

Outward, gross, abominable sins, self-righteous pharisees cry out against, and profess to humble themselves for; but to mourn over and be humbled for heart-sins and spiritual pride, is peculiar to gracious souls only. We read of two things in the word, the most opposite to each other. Hear and adore the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, ‘humbleth himself to visit man.’ Psalm 113:6. Hear, and be astonished: ‘Man opposeth and exalteth himself against God.’ 2 Thess. 2:4. ‘Pride proceeds out of the heart,’ saith Jesus: this makes us murmur against the God of providence, fretful under his dispensations, forgetful of his benefits, and unthankful for his mercies. Pride opposeth the sovereign God of grace, and would snatch the crown of glory from the…

Thou feeble-minded disciple, weak in faith, thy Jesus speaks not thus to discourage thee from seeking salvation by him only; for he also says, ‘Every one that seeketh findeth.’ But rather he hereby animates and encourages thy soul in striving against every enemy that opposeth thy entering his kingdom by the strait gate, even by his one atonement, and one righteousness only. He designs also to show that men may not only seek, but strive as in an agony, ‘to enter in, but shall not be able.’ Why? Because they expect to enter the kingdom by some other gate than Jesus. But, says the apostle, ‘No man is crowned, except he strives lawfully.’ Earnestness, zeal, activity, avail nothing, while Jesus is not the only object;…

No sooner had good king Hezekiah established his throne in righteousness, restored religion in his kingdom, set his whole heart to serve the Lord, and his God prospered him, but an invading Sennacherib enters his territories, and encamps against his fenced cities. 2 Chron. 32:1. Scripture and experience daily preach to God’s children, ‘This is not your rest;’ you are in a militant state. Though Jesus hath taken possession of the soul, and cast out the strong man armed, think not of folding your arms, and saying, I shall see war no more; for your adversary has many after-games to play. He will not only encamp against your fenced cities, and attack your out-works, but will also attempt your very heart and mind. Beware of…