What! not a word from the compassionate Saviour, who is touched with the feeling of our infirmities? Is he deaf to the cries, and dumb to the entreaties of a distressed sorrowful heart? No; love in the heart has always an open ear to complaints, a ready tongue to speak comfort, and a kind hand to relieve. But Love afflicts, to bring his children to him, and to make them call upon him: he forbears to answer, that they may be the more importunate. God’s delays prove faith’s vigour, make love cleave the closer, prayer more fervent, and patience shine brighter. So the graces of God’s children are drawn forth into lively exercise, and are made manifest that they are wrought by God. Perseverance obtains…

Since the fall of man, there is no other way of being made just or righteous, but by the righteousness of the man Christ Jesus. Just Noah, righteous Lot, meek Moses, faithful Abraham, patriarchs, prophets, and apostles, all were sinners in themselves, but ‘their righteousness is of me,’ saith Jehovah Jesus. Is. 54:17. Hence the Lord calls his people righteous. They are really constituted so in his sight. This truth should ever dwell in our minds: it is the foundation of all delight in God and love to him. Hence we are comforted in the way of truth and holiness. For Jesus, who is our righteousness, is also our light to direct our steps, and our path wherein we walk. He is the light of…

This is a glorious confession of faith, worthy to be written in letters of gold, and set with the most precious jewels, and ever to be worn as the believer’s ornament and glory. For here is the rich display of sovereign grace, and the glory of almighty power, in producing light in the hearts of sinners, who are by nature not only in the dark, but even darkness itself. The knowledge of Jesus is commanded by the same omnipotent Agent, who called forth light in the beginning, upon this dark terraqueous globe. Light gladdens the whole creation of nature: and this spiritual light causeth joy in the soul; for it gives the knowledge of God’s glory. In what respect? that God is glorious in majesty?…

‘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…