“If thy brother shall sin against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: If he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear, take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. … Continue reading “THE
CURE OF EVIL-SPEAKING”
SELF-DENIAL
“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” Luke 9:23 1. It has been frequently imagined, that the direction here given related chiefly, if not wholly, to the Apostles; at least, to the Christians of the first … Continue reading “SELF-DENIAL”
HEAVINESS THROUGH MANIFOLD TEMPTATIONS
“Now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations.” 1 Pet. 1:6. 1. In the preceding discourse I have particularly spoken of that darkness of mind into which those are often observed to fall who once walked in the light of God’s countenance. Nearly related to this is the heaviness … Continue reading “HEAVINESS
THROUGH MANIFOLD TEMPTATIONS”
THE WILDERNESS STATE
“Ye now have sorrow: But I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.” John 16:22. 1. After God had wrought a great deliverance for Israel, by bringing them out of the house of bondage, they did not immediately enter into the land which he had … Continue reading “THE
WILDERNESS STATE”
THE NEW BIRTH
“Ye must be born again.” John 3:7. 1. If any doctrines within the whole compass of Christianity may be properly termed fundamental, they are doubtless these two, — the doctrine of justification, and that of the new birth: The former relating to that great work which God does for us, in forgiving our sins; the … Continue reading “THE
NEW BIRTH”
THE SCRIPTURE WAY OF SALVATION
“Ye are saved through faith.” Ephesians 2:8. 1. Nothing can be more intricate, complex, and hard to be understood, than religion, as it has been often described. And this is not only true concerning the religion of the Heathens, even many of the wisest of them, but concerning the religion of those also who were, … Continue reading “THE
SCRIPTURE WAY OF SALVATION”
SATAN’S DEVICES
“We are not ignorant of his devices.” 2 Cor. 2:11. 1. The devices whereby the subtle god of this world labours to destroy the children of God — or at least to torment whom he cannot destroy, to perplex and hinder them in running the race which is set before them — are numberless as … Continue reading “SATAN’S
DEVICES”
WANDERING THOUGHTS
“Bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Cor. 5:5. 1. But will God so “bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,” that no wandering thought will find a place in the mind, even while we remain in the body? So some have vehemently maintained; yea, have affirmed that … Continue reading “WANDERING
THOUGHTS”
CHRISTIAN PERFECTION
“Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect.” Phil. 3:12. 1. There is scarce any expression in Holy Writ which has given more offence than this. The word perfect is what many cannot bear. The very sound of it is an abomination to them. And whosoever preaches perfection (as the phrase is,) … Continue reading “CHRISTIAN
PERFECTION”
CATHOLIC SPIRIT
“And when he was departed thence, he lighted on Jehonadab the son of Rechab coming to meet him, and he saluted him, and said to him, Is thine heart right, as my heart is with thy heart? And Jehonadab answered: It is. If it be, give me thine hand.” 2 Kings 10:15. 1. It is … Continue reading “CATHOLIC
SPIRIT”