| |
| 1. | 1 Chronicles 11-17, Brief Thoughts on |
| There is a great difference between the David of Chronicles and that of Samuel. The king in 1 Chronicles is the David of grace and blessing according to the counsels of God. The king in Samuel is the historical David exercised in responsibility. |
| 2. | 2 Corinthians 10:1-6, Notes on |
| From the exhaustive treatment of giving and receiving according to Christ which filled the two preceding chapters, the apostle turns to vindicate the authority given him in the Lord. This Satan had been bringing into question among the Corinthians, not merely to discredit the servant, but thereby to undermine the |
| 3. | 2 Corinthians 10:13-18, Notes on |
| Another thing forgotten by his adversaries the apostle here introduces. The sphere of work is not a question of human choice or judgment, but of the divine will. There were those who slighted the labors of Paul, and their fruit at Corinth; but as he had not entered on that |
| 4. | 2 Corinthians 10:7-12, Notes on |
| Sum is the way the apostle sets forth beseechingly the authority he had received in the Lord against the detraction of adversaries who were even yet exercising a poisonous influence over the saints. Nothing was farther from him than the fleshly, vacillating, and tortuous policy they attributed to him. But |
| 5. | 2 Corinthians 11-12, Brief Words on |
| Christ's care of the church does not flow from prerogative only, but His care and tenderness are exercised over it. Christ nourishes and cherishes the church. The love we have to learn is not supremacy in love, but caring, as it were, for Himself. (Eph. v. 29) "No man ever |
| 6. | 2 Corinthians 11:1-15, Notes on |
| The apostle loved to spend himself in the service of Christ or the saints, and begrudged a word about himself even when the occasion demanded it, at least when it might look like self-defense. His wisdom as his joy was to testify of Christ. To speak of himself even as |
| 7. | 2 Corinthians 11:16-21, Notes on |
| Having turned aside to warn of pseudo-apostles, their high pretensions, and their tow realities, the apostle comes back again, reluctantly as we see, to speak of himself, his " folly" as he calls it. In truth no task could be to him more repulsive, for he loved to speak only |
| 8. | 2 Corinthians 11:22-33, Notes on |
| The fleshly pretension of those who opposed the apostle prided itself on its Jewish extraction, as clericalism and ecclesiastical corruptions are apt to do virtually if not naturally as here. Knowing that the apostle turned every eye to Christ in heaven as dead and risen, they seem to have forgotten |
| 9. | 2 Corinthians 12:1-6, Notes on |
| We have had the apostle glorying in what had no glory in men's eyes. Now he turns abruptly, from being let down in a basket to escape a Gentile governor, to being caught up to heaven for a vision of the Lord in paradise. |
| 10. | 2 Corinthians 12:11-18, Notes on |
| But was not the apostle speaking of himself, of what grace had given him to suffer? Was it not talking of what he calls weaknesses, insults, necessities, persecutions, and straits for Christ, but on his own part? |
| 11. | 2 Corinthians 12:19-21, Notes on |
| Nothing can be conceived more untrue than the impressions which the Corinthians had received of the one to whom they were so deeply indebted; and this from the rivalry of men who boasted much, and as usual with little or nothing really to boast. So it was even in these |
| 12. | 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Notes on |
| We have seen the spiritual power and tact with which the apostle handles his glorying, how he blends " the man in Christ" with that which was peculiar to himself so as to cut off all self or fleshly boasting, and yet afford every saint intelligent of his privileges the |
| 13. | 2 Corinthians 13:1-5, Notes on |
| The apostle reverts to his intention of visiting the Corinthian saints once more, and in such a way as to give a solemn force to the visit when it should be accomplished. |
| 14. | 2 Corinthians 13:6-14, Notes on |
| Thus did the apostle turn the unworthy demand of some in Corinth as to his apostolate to their own souls' blessing as well as to the overthrow of their argument. So at the beginning of this epistle he had dealt with their imputation of fickle levity if not of untruthfulness |
| 15. | 2 Corinthians 6:1-3, Notes on |
| The apostle now follows up the striking specimen he had given of the ministry of reconciliation toward the close of chapter v. by an appeal to the Corinthians themselves. There we saw how erroneous it is to treat verse 20 as a call to the saints; for he is illustrating |
| 16. | 2 Corinthians 6:11-13, Notes on |
| Having closed the blessed sketch of christian service from its source and power to its moral characteristics and effects, the apostle now turns to the saints with the expression of unhindered affection. There had been a barrier to that expression in their state; but God had wrought in grace, and |
| 17. | 2 Corinthians 6:14-16, Notes on |
| The Corinthians were not only straitened in their affections. They were lax in their associations. Had Christ been the object, the new life had not been hindered in either way; for as He creates, directs, and sustains the affections according to God, so does He guide and guard the feet |
| 18. | 2 Corinthians 6:17-18, Notes on |
| It is not here said that the body of the saint is the temple of God, as we see in 1 Cor. 6, but that the saints are His temple; and it is added that accordingly God said, I will dwell among them and will walk among [them], and |
| 19. | 2 Corinthians 6:4-7, Notes on |
| IT is a right and needed thing to begin with giving no offense in anything which might occasion blame to the ministry. How often there is unguardedness of which the enemy takes advantage, not merely against the servant, but the objects of his work and above all the Master whom |
| 20. | 2 Corinthians 6:7-10, Notes on |
| There is a slight change in the middle of verse 7 indicated by a difference in the preposition and beginning with the needed arms of the christian servant. We have ἐν (" in" or " by") no longer, but διά. Even the latter cannot here, or elsewhere, be restricted to |
| 21. | 2 Corinthians 7:2-18, Notes on |
| The apostle returns to the expression of his affection towards the Corinthians, as he desired their love. |
| 22. | 2 Corinthians 8:1-8, Notes on |
| The apostle was now free, so far as the state of the Corinthian saints was concerned, to introduce the great duty of remembering the poor. Even the most honored servants of the Lord were forward in this work, and not least Paul himself. This he would lay on the heart |
| 23. | 2 Corinthians 8:16-24, Notes on |
| In the rest of the chapter the apostle dwells on the care taken that the administration of the bounty should be not only beyond suspicion, but clothed with dignity and godly confidence by the known character of those entrusted with it. For it is not enough that the end should |
| 24. | 2 Corinthians 8:9-15, Notes on |
| We have seen how powerfully the thought of the Lord acted on the saints of Macedonia, who in spite of their deep poverty had so exceeded the apostle's expectation. Now he brings His grace to bear on those of Achaia whom he had ground to believe awakened to feel accordingly. |
| 25. | 2 Corinthians 9:1-7, Notes on |
| But the apostle has a good deal more to say on a subject so constantly and often urgently needed in the assembly, where the poor are apt ever to abound. He had brought before the Corinthians the bright example of the Macedonian believers, notwithstanding circumstances most unpromising naturally. And this |
| 26. | 2 Corinthians 9:8-15, Notes on |
| The close of the apostolic exhortation on giving is admirably in keeping with all we have had already. Not only does God love a. cheerful giver, but He is able in His grace to see that there shall be means to give, and not in this form only, but for |
| 27. | Acts 13:9 |
| The secret of power and joy in service is to be in the line of the present work of God by the Spirit. We need to judge the energy by which we are walking or serving. Sometimes people judge themselves about the act, the object, and the motive, but do |
| 28. | Another Gospel Which Is Not Another |
| There is, and there can be, but one gospel; God has given one gospel alone for the salvation of sinners. |
| 29. | Brethren and Follow-members of the Church Which is Christ's Body, Known by Whatever Name, An Address to My |
| Brethren,-The test of even an apostle's message was the truth that he brought. Even the signs of an apostle, wrought before men's eyes " in signs and wonders and mighty deeds," were never sufficient of themselves to accredit to his hearers the word he carried. The truth was its own |
| 30. | Brethren and Follow-members of the Church Which is Christ's Body, Known by Whatever Name, An Address to My |
| Brethren, the Jewish nation, or church-for the nation was the church-was no pilgrim or stranger upon earth assuredly. "Days long in the land;" "blessings in casket and in store;" " to be the head only, and not the tail" among the nations, and their enemies smitten before their faces; these |
| 31. | Burnt-offering Compared With Those of Atonement Day |
| The burnt-offering was for the acceptance of the offerer (translated in the Authorized Version, " of his
own voluntary will"), but was meeting the judgment of sin for God's glory, though of a perfect sweet
savor in itself. The LORD'S lot (Lev. 16) was a sin-offering, but not for |
| 32. | Christianity (Fragment), Foundation of |
| The foundation of Christianity is that I pass through death. If I held myself always for dead, Satan would have no hold on me. Why have you sinned? You have let the flesh act'; you have acted as a child of Adam. A child of God sinneth not. |
| 33. | Christ's Burial Supper |
| A little but most affecting scene is here brought out, Christ at His burial supper; for now the Lord let in His thought and mind upon the path He was treading, that we may see in Him the meekness of the prepared Lamb; and this last circumstance brought out in |
| 34. | Communion |
| 1 John speaks of communion with the Father and Son. This is interrupted by any sin, and Christ is our Advocate with the Father to restore it. Hebrews is occupied with access to God within the veil, the conscience being perfect, and we with boldness. Hence, failure and restoration are |
| 35. | Conflict in Ephesians 6, The |
| One great thing in Christianity is that it brings us back to God; not only that we have mercies from God, providential and the like, but we are brought to God. Towards the Jew God put a veil before His face, and He said, " I dwell in the thick |
| 36. | Conversion and Sealing |
| Is a man, convinced of sin, and believing in the Lord Jesus as the alone and perfect Savior, who had finished the work committed to Him by the Father, can, from the bottom of his heart, say, "Abba, Father," such an |
| 37. | David and Solomon |
| " And they made Solomon, the son of David, king the second time; and anointed him unto the LORD to be the chief governor, and Zadok to be priest. Then Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king, instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel |
| 38. | David and Solomon |
| Again, in further process of time, it pleased Him to make another of His glories known. In the person of the patriarch Abraham, we have him before us as the father of the household of God; as it is written, "Behold my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be |
| 39. | David and Solomon |
| And this humiliation of the Son of God was marked not only through His life and ministry (as we have been noticing somewhat in detail), but in the person that He had previously assumed (being in the esteem of men nothing better than the " carpenter, the son of Mary"), |
| 40. | Declared Purpose and Present Moral Processes, The: The History of Faith |
| Nothing can be known of God, save as He is pleased to reveal. Man has projected an imaginary being, the creation of his own mind, the personification of the qualities he finds in himself-has clothed it with power beyond his own, has deified and worshipped it. In result he has |
| 41. | Declared Purpose and Present Moral Processes, The: The History of Faith |
| Soon the evidence appeared of the change in the nature of man; from being good, it has become bad-utterly bad. The sin of Adam shows itself in distrust and disobedience, in lust, in disbelief of His love and truth, in guilty distance and self-justification. Fallen nature showed itself in the |
| 42. | Declared Purpose and Present Moral Processes, The: The History of Faith |
| When the power of imitation was denied to Satan, the sovereignty of mercy was declared toward Israel. This alone made the difference between Israel and Egypt: no merit or worth in Israel; only grace, and the purposes of grace. " I will have mercy upon whom I will have mercy." |
| 43. | Declared Purpose and Present Moral Processes, The: The History of Faith |
| While in Abraham we see the energy and activity of faith, in Isaac it is rather peace and rest in the land (save when he went to Gerar, where the Philistines strove with him), that is, as compared with Abraham; for his dwelling was a tent as well as Abraham's. |
| 44. | Declared Purpose and Present Moral Processes, The: The History of Faith |
| What follows of Abraham's life is not so much the exhibition of faith and its lessons, as the foreshadowing of God's purpose. And the character of the type is in keeping with the family character of God's dealings and promises to these saints of old. Take the marriage of Isaac. |
| 45. | Declared Purpose and Present Moral Processes, The: The History of Faith |
| In the spirit of one who has not learned this perfect love of God, Jacob makes a vow; in fact he tries to make a bargain with God. If God will give Jacob all he wants, then Jacob will serve God I And this when God has already given him |
| 46. | Declared Purpose and Present Moral Processes, The: The History of Faith |
| From chapter 36 onwards, Joseph is the central figure. Neither his father nor his brethren-save the story of Judah (chap. 38)-appear again but in connection with Joseph, who henceforward fills the first place. Faith, as real in him as in Abraham, is not so prominently seen; for God was not |
| 47. | Declared Purpose and Present Moral Processes, The: The History of Faith |
| In their murmuring for water, what a proof we have that no exhibition of grace can make man-unless born again-trust in God. The people quite lost sight of God's power and goodness, so abundantly declared every step of their way. They forgot His power who made water as a wall |
| 48. | Declared Purpose and Present Moral Processes, The: The History of Faith |
| The first transgression was not of one of the lesser commandments, but of the greatest of all. (Matt. 22:36-38 36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. (Matthew 22:36-38).) Had the broken commandment been, " Thou shalt not steal,"-their ruin would have been as certain; but that the great commandment should be the first broken makes their ruin and |
| 49. | Declared Purpose and Present Moral Processes, The: The History of Faith |
| The perverseness of man is seen more plainly in Israel after they were in the land than while going through the desert. This did not appear at the first, where is an instance of what the energy of faith in one man can do. All the days of Joshua, and |
| 50. | Declared Purpose and Present Moral Processes, The: The History of Faith |
| The process of Israel's. trial under prophet rule was exceedingly short. Many priests had been in this high position, only one prophet. For their failure under the rule of Samuel was worse than any previous, and necessitated a complete change in the manner, or mode, of the connection between Jehovah |
| 51. | Declared Purpose and Present Moral Processes, The: The History of Faith |
| A good king of Israel was an impossibility, for in such a case there would have been two central cities, Jerusalem and Samaria, one in religion and worship; yet opposed to each other, sometimes at war, and Samaria always the rebel city, and without a single vestige of authority, or |
| 52. | Declared Purpose and Present Moral Processes, The: The History of Faith |
| In Judah, morally worse than Israel, God raised up some righteous kings, in order to maintain His visible connection with them, until, forced to judge, the kingdom of Judah is carried away captive, as Israel had been. They took no heed of the judgment that fell upon the sister kingdom, |
| 53. | Declared Purpose and Present Moral Processes, The: The History of Faith |
| In a few years of lingering agony and of ever lowering evil the cruel Babylonian carried them away, having slain nearly all who were noble and great. The closing verses in the Chronicles sum up the whole case. The utmost forbearance of God, and the continued rebellion of Judah. " |
| 54. | Declared Purpose and Present Moral Processes, The: The History of Faith |
| So, when He came as Messiah, there was proof in His works of grace and miracle of His birth as Son of David, for the faith of all who would follow Him, and own Him as King, spite of lowliness and poverty. And when openly rejected, and going to the |
| 55. | Ephesians 1, Thoughts on |
| Is Ephesians, although the church is put in the highest place it can be, yet the doctrine is individual, and is used for the building up of individual souls. Being a heavenly thing, the place where it is spoken of as being already is heaven- its proper place- and there |
| 56. | Ephesians 5:17-21 |
| One thought was particularly on my mind in reacting this portion-the astonishing grace implied in such an exhortation as this: " Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." This is not a mere duty. I need not say |
| 57. | Exodus |
| "The Lord brought you forth out of the iron furnace, even out of Egypt." (Deut. 4: 20.) " For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp |
| 58. | Few Remarks From a Private Letter in Reply to a Friend Who Enclosed the Paper, A |
| Let me assure you that, were I ever so sensitive, I am too inured to the hardness a soldier of Christ must endure, if in any measure faithful through grace, to take amiss the little extracts from A. N. Groves' Memoir. |
| 59. | For She Loved Much |
| To explain the expression, " Her sins are forgiven, for she loved much," we must distinguish between grace revealed in the person of Jesus, and the pardon He announced to those whom the grace had reached. The Lord is able to make this pardon known. He reveals it to the |
| 60. | Fragments: Dependent Being Elevated by Want |
| A dependent being or a revolted one, perhaps a revolted dependent one, is elevated by its wants, not by its powers. Its powers may develop it, but cannot elevate it. But if I have a want, which is not power, and there is that which meets my want outside myself, |
| 61. | From Gilgal to Bochim |
| The Book of Judges is the book of the unfaithfulness of Israel after God had performed the promises made by Joshua. The Israelites had to sojourn in Egypt until the iniquity of the Amorites was full. God only pronounced His judgment, on the world since the world rejected Jesus. The |
| 62. | Galatian Error, The |
| The occasion of the Epistle to the Galatians was the evil effect of the activity of certain Christians, who contended for the permanency of the Jewish law, asserting that true faith in Christ was not sufficient for salvation. Thus they taught, that, after having abandoned paganism and idolatry, and after |
| 63. | Genesis 17:1-8, Brief Words on |
| God brings good out of evil, and in every kind of the trial of our faith He finds occasion of ministering to us, not only according to His heart, but according to our own. Of this there was none in innocence, as none in heaven. He brings all the fullness |
| 64. | Glory and Virtue |
| There is an expression of the Spirit of God here that brings out our true blessedness now in contrast even with man before the fall. We are often in the habit, and rightly so, as it is with profit to our souls, of contrasting our place with man fallen; but |
| 65. | God's Comforts the Stay of the Soul |
| Psalms 90-100 are connected together, and seem to me to describe the dealings of Jehovah with the Jews, &c., in the latter day, on the earth. But I am not going to speak of that now. We may often derive comfort from principles which we find in such portions |
| 66. | Guidance of Grace, The |
| We have here the blessing of the Lord which precedes always our miseries and our complaints. God ever begins with grace. He promised redemption after the fall before it was a question of repentance of sins. We have also here the history of our privileges. The people were guided by |
| 67. | Happy Close, A |
| The words of "such an one as Paul the aged" would at all times be pregnant with deep interest; how much more so when they are his parting words, his paternal legacy What marks this epistle is the blending of the most solemn truth with the greatest tenderness. It is |
| 68. | Heavenly Calling Foreshewn, The |
| The apostle addresses his brethren in Christ as " partakers of the heavenly calling." (Heb. 3:1 1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; (Hebrews 3:1).) This calling, in another scripture, is styled " the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 3:1414 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14).) And again, it is spoken of as the calling of the Father of glory. |
| 69. | Heavenly Calling Foreshewn, The |
| Such knowledge of the mystery of God's will, purposed in Himself from the beginning, and to be manifested in the dispensation of the fullness of times, by the gathering of all things, whether in heaven or on earth, in one, even in Christ, was thus in types foreshewn to, and |
| 70. | Holy Spirit in Relation to Testimony Corporate and Individual, The |
| The latter part connects itself with the former, with this difference: the one is His presence in the church; the other in individuals. We must bear it in mind, to understand the doctrine of the Holy Ghost; we must not confound the working of the Holy Ghost in the church |
| 71. | Hosea 11:1 and Matthew 2:15, On |
| The notion of the application of the words in Hosea, " I have called my Son out of Egypt," to Christ, is ridiculed by rationalists. Now, I affirm distinctly that it is according to the tenor of scripture testimony, and quite rightly applied. It is a great leading truth. |
| 72. | Isaiah 1-5, Thoughts on |
| The great subject of the introduction to this prophecy is the way in which Jehovah presents Himself alter declaring their state of ruin. There is a day of Jehovah on all the earth, and if there were not a remnant, all the people would be as Sodom and like Gomorrah. |
| 73. | Isaiah 13-18, Thoughts on |
| In the preceding chapters we have the relationship of God with His people closed by the manifestation of Christ in glory. Here begins a new prophecy, which presents to us the relationship of Israel with the nations. This series of the prophecy goes from chapter 13 to the end of |
| 74. | Isaiah 19-25, Thoughts on |
| Chapters 19, 20. |
| 75. | Isaiah 26-30, Thoughts on |
| " In that day" (ver. 1) is an expression of frequent recurrence which marks the time of accomplishment. "In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah." Israel becomes again the center of God's government for the earth. (Deut. 32: 8.) At present the nations have |
| 76. | Isaiah 31-35, Thoughts on |
| Jehovah warns His people against the tendency to seek aid in Egypt. It is not any longer only taking counsel without God, but leaning on the flesh. It is the tendency of us all not to have recourse to God unless forced to it. The prodigal son ate the husks |
| 77. | Isaiah 36-66, Thoughts on |
| Chapters 36-39. |
| 78. | Isaiah 6-7, Thoughts on |
| Here it is a question of the glory of Christ, as we see by comparing John 12:40 40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. (John 12:40) with verse 10 of our chapter. The prophet sees here Christ as Jehovah of hosts who is manifested in the temple; the Spirit of God, putting together His glory and the state |
| 79. | Isaiah 7-12, Thoughts on |
| We find here not only the great principles of the government of God, but moreover the introduction of a personage (Immanuel, the Lord Jesus) on the scene of prophecy and the consequences of this introduction. God had raised up to Israel a stay in David. It was the last support |
| 80. | John 17:1-5, Notes on |
| Next follows a chapter which one may perhaps characterize truly as unequaled for depth and scope in all the scriptures. Holiness, devotedness, love, reign throughout. Who can wonder, seeing that it is unique in this respect as it is the Son opening His heart to the Father when just about |
| 81. | John 17:14-19, Notes on |
| From verse 14 the Lord pleads for another object on behalf of the disciples. He had entreated for them to be set in His love in presence of the Father; He now asks that they may have His place in presence of the world. As He had sought their association |
| 82. | John 17:20-21, Notes on |
| The Lord now proceeds to plead for those to be brought into faith in Him by apostolic testimony that they too might form a unity according to God and bear witness before the world to His mission of the Son. Verse 11 had contemplated only those disciples who were then |
| 83. | John 17:22-23, Notes on |
| There is yet another unity of the deepest interest which our Lord next spreads before the Father: not discipular or apostolic, which was so marvelously sustained, nor of testimony in the grace that would embrace all Christians, which after a bright display at first has long painfully broken down, but |
| 84. | John 17:24-26, Notes on |
| The closing section of our Lord's words is quite distinct in its character, and yet more intimate, as is marked by His use of θέλω " I will" (or " desire") for the first and only time throughout His prayer. |
| 85. | John 17:6-13, Notes on |
| The Lord then explains how souls were brought into such nearness of relationship to Him before the Father. |
| 86. | John 18:1-11, Notes on |
| The Lord had concluded His words to the disciples and to His Father. His work on earth now about to close had been before Him, as well as His departure on high, and contingent on both the approaching mission of the Holy Spirit to abide with His own apart from |
| 87. | John 18:12-27, Notes on |
| The believer will note the bearing of our Lord throughout these closing scenes, His lowliness and dignity, His infinite superiority to all who surrounded Him, friends or foes, His entire submission and withal His power intact. He is a man, the Sent One, but Son of God throughout. It is |
| 88. | John 18:28-40, Notes on |
| This Lord has been before the religious authority; He is now to appear before the civil power. It was a mockery everywhere; and so it must be shown out against His person who will one day cut off him that privily slanders his neighbor and will not suffer the man |
| 89. | John 19:1-15, Notes on |
| Hard-heartedness and insult took their course, for His hour was come. Pilate took and scourged Jesus the. Lord of glory; the soldiers treated their meek prisoner with the unfeeling scorn, natural in such towards One who resisted not; yet we must look to the Jews for extreme and unrelenting hatred. |
| 90. | John 19:1-30, Notes on |
| Tan Christ-rejecting; word was passed. Their allegiance to the Roman was a lie, their mad guilt manifest in getting rid of Messiah and God Himself and all their faith and hopes. The Jews abhorred subjection to Caesar; they owned neither his right nor their own sin, which was the occasion |
| 91. | John 19:31-42, Notes on |
| The reader will remark how perfectly the account of the Lord's death suits the general character and special design of John's Gospel and of no other. Here Jesus is the conscious Son, the divine person who made all things, but became flesh that He might not only give eternal life, |
| 92. | John 20 |
| It is impossible to one, in giving great principles for the help of those who seek to understand the word, to develop all that is so deeply touching and interesting in this twentieth chapter of John, on which we have often pondered with (through grace) an ever-growing interest. This revelation |
| 93. | John 20:1-2, Notes on |
| As no eye beheld what was deepest in the cross of Christ, so only God looked on the Lord rising from
among the dead. This was as it should be. Darkness veiled Him giving Himself for us in atonement. Man saw not that infinite work in His death; yet was |
| 94. | John 20:11-16, Notes on |
| Mary did not, could not, take things so quietly, as the two disciples. What was " home" now to her? What was the world? Nothing but an empty tomb where Jesus had lain. Others might depart again to their own home. |
| 95. | John 20:17-18, Notes on |
| Mary had known Christ according to the flesh, and evidently thought that she was thus to know Him still. But it is not so. Henceforth we know none after this sort. Christ was dead and risen and about to take His place in heaven according to the counsels of God. |
| 96. | John 20:19-23, Notes on |
| The Lord's message was not in vain. The disciples gathered on that resurrection-day with the world shot out, and Jesus stood in the midst. It is the beautiful anticipative picture of the assembly, as may be seen more fully when details are entered into. |
| 97. | John 20:24-29, Notes on |
| On the resurrection-day the apostles were not all present, for " Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples said to him, We have seen the Lord. But he said to them, Except I see in his hands the print of |
| 98. | John 20:3-10, Notes on |
| As To the accounts of the resurrection, let none believe that it is fruitless to compare them, any more than to accept the perfect accuracy of each one. Whether one attempt or despise a harmony, the result must be utterly wrong if he start with interpreting Matt. 28 of |
| 99. | John 20:30-31, Notes on |
| Has the evangelist, as on occasion is his manner, interrupts for a moment the thread of the divine tale to say a few words on the gracious way of the Savior in the affluence of signs or significant miracles which studded His ministry here below, as well as on the |
| 100. | John 21:1-6, Notes on |
| It is impossible fairly to sever the manifestation of Jesus at the lake of Tiberias from the two previous scenes of which it is the complement; as indeed verse 14 warrants us to say with decision. It is therefore quite improper to speak of the chapter as an appendix, still |
| 101. | John 21:15-17, Notes on |
| But our Gospel, while fully revealing God in Christ on earth and in these closing chapters tracing His ways in Christ risen, first, for the Christian and the assembly, next for Israel, and lastly for the Gentiles, never loses sight of grace working with the individual soul; and Peter must |
| 102. | John 21:18-19, Notes on |
| But this is not all. It is not enough for the Lord to restore fully the soul of Peter and to more than reinstate in his relation to the sheep which might have seemed otherwise compromised. Grace would give him in God's due time what be had not only lost |
| 103. | John 21:20-25, Notes on |
| The ardent mind of Peter, kindled by the solemn intimation of the Lord, seizes the opportunity to inquire about one so closely linked with him as the beloved disciple. It is hard in this question to discern the jealousy of the active for the contemplative life, of which early and |
| 104. | John 21:7-14, Notes on |
| The love which is of God makes the eye single, and thereby the whole body is full of light. John was quick to discern the Lord. " Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith to Peter, It is the Lord. Then Simon Peter, hearing that it was [lit. is] the |
| 105. | John 8:12 Compared With 9:5 |
| In these chapters the Lord is presented to us as the Light in two ways. In chapter 8 He is (and that by His own testimony) the glorious person whom man is responsible to receive and to follow, and by following whom he will get the light of life; but |
| 106. | Justification |
| Canada. |
| 107. | Last Words of David, The |
| We may contemplate the close of David's life under two aspects-one historic, the other moral and typical. The first is found in 1 Kings 2:9 9 Now therefore hold him not guiltless: for thou art a wise man, and knowest what thou oughtest to do unto him; but his hoar head bring thou down to the grave with blood. (1 Kings 2:9), the last word uttered by the aged king being, " But his hoar head bring thou down to the grave with blood." " Blood" |
| 108. | Letter on Subjects of Interest |
| London, 1871. |
| 109. | Letters on Subjects of Interest |
| February 10th, 1855. |
| 110. | Leviticus 4 and 6:24-30, On |
| The actual subject is the sacrifice for sin. Other sacrifices show us the perfection of Christ in His sacrifice and in His death, as well as the communion of the saints with God and with Christ therein. But God also made Christ sin for us, and this is what the |
| 111. | Liberty |
| The Christian was called to liberty, the holy liberty of the new nature, but yet liberty. It is no longer a law which constrains, or rather vainly seeks to constrain, a nature whose will is contrary to it, to satisfy the obligations which accompany the relationships, in which by the |
| 112. | Lord's Coming, The: Correction |
| Dear Mr. Editor, |
| 113. | Lord's Dealings Now, The |
| My thought now is to enter a little more into detail with the Lord's dealings in the dispensation in which we live. But first I would take up a more general view of God's dealings with man from the beginning; and for this purpose I now read Heb. 9, |
| 114. | Lord's Dealings Now, The |
| After this we get another thing. A people were to be redeemed; redemption was in a figure brought in when God visited Egypt in judgment, and with a mighty arm brought out a people to Himself. The blood of the paschal lamb was the sign of their shelter from judgment, |
| 115. | Luke 2, A Word on |
| It is beautiful to see the simplicity of the account in the message, the wonderful message, given to the shepherds in their occupation. God comes down in grace, bringing the greatest things down to the commonest circumstances, because He cannot take up the pride of life; for when this comes |
| 116. | Matthew 21-22, Fragment on |
| Observe here, that from Matt. 21:26 26 But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet. (Matthew 21:26) to the end we have the responsibility of the nation looked at as in possession of their original privileges, according to which they ought to have borne fruit. Not having done so, another is put in their place. This is not the cause |
| 117. | Moses' Heavenly Glory |
| IN the previous paper I have meditated on Moses's loss of Canaan. I would now trace the testimony to his heavenly glory. For though he lost the one, the Lord through abounding grace had prepared for him the other. |
| 118. | Moses' Loss of Canaan |
| Moses had his ordinary shepherd's rod in his hand, when God called him to feed Israel. (Ex. 4) It then became God's rod, for God made it the symbol and instrument of Moses's authority and grace in Israel. He was thenceforth to take it, that by it he might |
| 119. | Mount of God, The |
| I SEPARATE these chapters because they present us, I judge, a distinct subject for meditation, and afford us some of the grounds on which it is that Horeb, or Sinai, in Arabia, is called in scripture " the Mount of God." |
| 120. | Mount of God, The |
| I have already looked at Horeb, " the Mount of God," as the witness of grace and glory, or of redemption and the kingdom, being the spot where the Lord of Israel first showed Himself in the burning bush, the symbol of grace or salvation, and afterward displayed the glories |
| 121. | Mount of God, The |
| This we get here in these chapters, and thus read, though in other lines, the title of this mount to be called " the Mount of God." For here God is thus still revealing Himself. Grace and glory had passed before us on this hill in the previous chapters, as |
| 122. | New Testament, Revised: Ephesians |
| In chapter 1:1 the common class is obscured by putting in " the " before " faithful," like Dean Alford, though less than in the Authorized Version, reproduced by Bishop Ellicott. Mr. Green is more accurate.-I do not think that τὴν ἀπολ. in verse 7 is rightly rendered " our |
| 123. | New Testament, Revised: Matthew |
| The first thing that strikes the mind, as undesirable in an accurate version of the Scriptures, is, that words supplied by the translators, which have no counterpart in the original, should not be designated as such by italics as attempted more or less fully in the Authorized Bible. Dr. Scrivener's |
| 124. | Not Man's Conscience or Spirit but God's Spirit |
| A Christian is not under law at all; he is dead to the law by the body of Christ. But it is one of the characteristics of modern rationalism, to take certain advances in truths which the church at large does not see, and to pervert them to evil. Here |
| 125. | Numbers |
| April 19th, 1845. |
| 126. | One Flock, Not Many Folds |
| There is no thought of meddling in these pages with the Irish Church, or its handmaid the Irish Methodist Society, any more than with any other denomination in particular. But it is serious to find a grave man calmly seeking a sanction of the principle and fact of different denominations |
| 127. | Open Exclusivism |
| 1.——Visited, for a short time, the brethren at Plymouth, where I found less comfort than elsewhere, feeling that their original bond of union, in the truth as it is in Jesus, had been changed for a united testimony against all who differed from them."-P. 342. |
| 128. | Paul: a Good Conscience Before God |
| The Holy Spirit often puts Paul forward because in him are manifested the ways of the heart, and this under grace. He displayed a patience truly admirable in caring for the church. We can sound the ways of God and of the human heart in the history that the Holy |
| 129. | Peter and Paul |
| How often have we not heard Peter spoken of as head of the church! That Peter, ardent and full of zeal, began the work at Jerusalem, the Lord working mightily by his means, is certain: we see it plainly in scripture. But he had nothing to do with the work |
| 130. | Prayer of a Saint, The |
| The tenor and subjects of our prayers will ever be in accordance with our knowledge and apprehension of God, and of the relation in which we recognize Him as standing toward us and us to Him. Thus, if we regard God as having given us only the hope of the |
| 131. | Priesthood, Our |
| All the children of God are priests. Peter speaks of a double priesthood of Christians (1 Peter 2:5-9 5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: (1 Peter 2:5-9)), of a holy and of a royal priesthood: spiritual, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ; royal, to show forth the excellencies of Him who called us |
| 132. | Prophetic Word, General Remarks on |
| There is at the outset a great distinction to make between the prophets. Some wrote before the captivity and called the Jews to repentance, as hoping that they might still heed the warning, whatever the solemn light on the future judgment, but with blessing at last. The others wrote a |
| 133. | Prospect, The |
| Beloved, let us sit down, and consider how long it will be before we shall see His face! His face, His own, even His, who is the chiefest amongst ten thousand, the altogether lovely-Jesus, our Lord. Some of us are but young, others are boar-beaded. Even should He not come |
| 134. | Psalm 1-41 |
| The five Books of Psalms are divided thus:-First, from 1 to 41 inclusive; |
| 135. | Psalm 1-41 |
| In Psa. 16 it is divine life in dependence, obedience, and communion. The first characteristic of divine life is trust-Christ putting His trust in Jehovah. As a man He does it. We see Him praying, the true expression of dependence; and in Luke's Gospel this is especially brought out. |
| 136. | Psalm 1-41 |
| Psa. 23 Jehovah is the Shepherd, going before the sheep in the path. We cannot say Christ was a sheep; He is Jehovah; but He emptied Himself-went before them-passed through every difficulty and trial, yet more than the sheep. |
| 137. | Psalm 16, Thoughts on |
| As Psa. 15 gives the character of those who will have their portion with Christ in His kingdom, when God sets Him as King in Zion, so in Psa. 16 Christ Himself seems to say, I have come down from that place God Himself had assigned me, and |
| 138. | Psalm 22:17 |
| That there are difficulties of interpretation or readings in Hebrew, no one doubts. Christianity is in no way concerned in this phrase. It is not quoted in the New Testament. The reason for reading it as it is in the English translation is, that the ancient Jews insist it is |
| 139. | Psalm 25 |
| There is something to touch in seeing a soul open out to God without yet enjoying deliverance. It knows well that he who waits on God shall not be confounded; but peace is not there though seen from afar. We must remark the manner in which God receives this opening |
| 140. | Psalm 25 |
| God makes us understand that He occupies Himself with our sins long before we ourselves were occupied with them. If the goodness of God is occupied with them, it must be that He is so to get rid of them altogether, and He has given Jesus for this purpose. To |
| 141. | Psalm 4 |
| David, the instrument that God employed to give us the Psalms, as also the other Psalmists, passed through the circumstances of which they speak. Hence there are found in them more experiences than prophecies. They are all prophetic no doubt, but at the same time they characteristically give us experiences. |
| 142. | Psalm 91 and 102, Thoughts on |
| The thing we have to learn is Christ. We may learn a good deal in ourselves, but all that is for blessing will be in Christ. This is what the apostle means (Heb. 6:1 1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, (Hebrews 6:1)) when he speaks of going on to perfection. It is vain to learn the first |
| 143. | Publishing |
| The Bible Treasury |
| 144. | Publishing |
| THE BIBLE TREASURY. |
| 145. | Publishing |
| THE BIBLE TREASURY. |
| 146. | Publishing |
| Just published, each Vol. 5s. paper, 6s. cloth. |
| 147. | Publishing |
| THE BIBLE WITNESS AND REVIEW |
| 148. | Publishing |
| THE BIBLE WITNESS AND REVIEW, |
| 149. | Purged Conscience, A |
| A purged conscience makes all simple. I do not discuss with a bad conscience; I can principles with my reason. With a bad conscience I want cleansing; and, because I have offended a loving Father and God, forgiveness too; and, thank God, 1 have it in Christ. There is no |
| 150. | Rationalism Contrasted to 1 John 5 |
| 1 John 5 is exactly the opposite view to rationalism on every point. " For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments." There is obedience to a commandment, the proof of love; "and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh |
| 151. | Revelation 17, Thoughts on |
| " Judgment" does not merely mean the execution of punishment, but the sentence pronounced or accusation. There are here things with which Babylon is charged; and it is said of Christ that Pilate put up His " accusation"-the thing for which He was sentenced. Babylon here has the character of |
| 152. | Revelation 18-19, Thoughts on |
| Chapter 18. |
| 153. | Revelation 19, Thoughts on |
| There is a great break in the book here, Christ coming forth as Man-King of kings, and Lord of lords. |
| 154. | Revelation 22:16-17, Thoughts on |
| The Morning Star is the place Christ has taken so as to have the church with Him in that character. |
| 155. | Revelation 2:8-17, Thoughts on |
| Last time we were speaking of the character of judgment running through this Book of Revelation. We see the Lord in these epistles judging the churches, and then the world; we see Him taking notice of everything: " I will judge every one of you according to his works." |
| 156. | Revelation 3-4, Thoughts on |
| The contrast between the addresses to the church at Sardis and Philadelphia is similar to what is found in 1 Thessalonians where to the world the coming of Christ is spoken of as a thief in the night, but not so to the saints in the world. " Of the |
| 157. | Revelation 5 |
| Redemption puts the government into the hands of the Lamb. This part of Revelation gives us the process (after the church is done with) of putting the inheritance into the hand of the Lamb, or rather the preparing by chastenings those who are to be in the inheritance. |
| 158. | Revelation and Rationalism |
| After the law, the rule of God's government on earth, the prophets showed the coming Messiah, His sufferings and glories; but it was as seeing it afar off, and recalling to the law, not announcing the kingdom as then coming. The law and the prophets were not until John. By |
| 159. | Revelation, Remarks on the |
| Before entering upon the consideration of this portion of the Rev. 1 would briefly revert to chapters 4, 5. The substance of the instruction I derive from them, in one little word, is this-that the Divine Power has taken another and a new position, in which and from which |
| 160. | Revelation, Remarks on the |
| I feel, prevented by ignorance from tracing out the distinctive connection between the respective parts of creation, as represented by the four living creatures, and the works and spheres of these riders. Each of the riders is announced by a living creature: and if the living creatures speak here according |
| 161. | Revelation, Remarks on the |
| The Fifth Seal differs from what has preceded or will follow, as having all the action proper to it confined to heaven. The seal was opened by the Lamb upon the throne in heaven; there also was John. But in this he sees neither horses going forth to earth, nor, |
| 162. | Revelation, Remarks on the |
| The character of the cry expressed upon the earth under the action of this seal, and the universality of it, is of special importance to us, as connected with the sealing of the remnant from among Israel; for, as the character of the four first seals, when taken in connection |
| 163. | Revelation, Remarks on the |
| It is remarkable that the temple in heaven is only thrice mentioned in the revelation to John previous to the opening of the seventh seal, which is the commencement of sorrow to the earth; the three references are (chap. 3: 12), "Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in |
| 164. | Revelation, Remarks on the |
| THE second trouble comes on the sea. The sea is the unformed mass of nations. (Jer. 51:42 42 The sea is come up upon Babylon: she is covered with the multitude of the waves thereof. (Jeremiah 51:42); Dan. 7:88 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things. (Daniel 7:8).) A mountain is a kingdom in symbol. (Isa. 2; Dan. 2) A kingdom falls from the organized earth among the unformed nations under the judgment of God: |
| 165. | Revelation, Remarks on the |
| 5th-" Their teeth were as the teeth of lions." This shows their preparedness for consuming; for the lion, whether applied to Judah, Messiah, Satan, or in nature, stands for courage and power. (Prov. 28:1; 30:14, 30 1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion. (Proverbs 28:1)
14 There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men. (Proverbs 30:14)
30 A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any; (Proverbs 30:30); Dan. 7:7, 197 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns. (Daniel 7:7)
19 Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet; (Daniel 7:19); Joel 1:66 For a nation is come up upon my land, strong, and without number, whose teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he hath the cheek teeth of a great lion. (Joel 1:6).) |
| 166. | Revelation, Remarks on the |
| There seems to me a correspondence between the bitterness in John's belly and the voices of the thunders: on God's part, judgment; on John's, as the representative of the servants of God, bitter sorrow. |
| 167. | Revised New Testament: 1 and 2 Corinthians |
| The First Epistle To The Corinthians. |
| 168. | Revised New Testament: Acts |
| This book furnishes such an abundant harvest of various readings, as well as of questionable renderings that those pointed out, whether for commendation or for censure, must be regarded rather as samples than a complete review. |
| 169. | Revised New Testament: Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians |
| The Epistle To The Galatians. |
| 170. | Revised New Testament: Introduction and Matthew |
| Believing that it may be of service to examine the just published result of the ten years' labor bestowed by the Committee of Revision on the New Testament, I proceed to give a review of their more noteworthy changes from first to last. In this way the reader will have |
| 171. | Revised New Testament: John |
| The corrected rendering of chapter 1:9 seems not only clumsy, but so ambiguous that many readers will doubt or misunderstand what the Revisers really mean by it. " There was the true light, even the light which lighteth every man, coming into the world." If the comma after " man" |
| 172. | Revised New Testament: Luke |
| There is more to court remark in the third Gospel. |
| 173. | Revised New Testament: Mark |
| In chapter 1:2 the Revisers have rightly abandoned " in the prophets" though given in the Alex. and most other MSS, because it is an evident correction made to ease the difficulty. The Sinai, Vatican, Cambridge of Beza, Parisian (L) and St. Gall uncials, with some twenty-five cursives, the most |
| 174. | Revised New Testament: Romans |
| The apostolic epistles afford quite another test of our Revisers; for doctrine far more than narrative materially affects our judgment, as in the earlier half of the New Testament, where a choice of reading or of rendering lies otherwise open to me. A right decision is, if possible, as much |
| 175. | Romans |
| Boston, Feb. 17th, 1867. |
| 176. | Romans 7-8, Thoughts on |
| After justification in Rom. 5 we have in chapter 6 life. In chapter 7 having life, what is to be done with the law? This is the whole subject of the chapter. No man knows himself or the law, if he thinks for a moment of putting himself under |
| 177. | Ruin State of the Church, Practical Hints on the |
| I believe that the churches have been merged in the mass of ecclesiastical popular hierarchism, and lost; but I believe also that the visible church, as it is called, has been merged there too. |
| 178. | Rulers and Clergy |
| The principle of Heb. 13:17 17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. (Hebrews 13:17) (to which I would add 1 Thess. 5:12, 1312 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves. (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13) Cor. 16:15, 16) is in our days more important than ever, because a regular authority, established by the apostle and confirmed by his sanction, no longer exists. Only one thing modifies the application, namely, |
| 179. | Saul Who Also Is Called Paul |
| The statement that he had not learned the gospel from man leads the apostle to relate the history of his life-a history which the Galatians had already heard; but he repeats it afresh, because in that history was found the source of the authority which he possessed from Christ for |
| 180. | Scripture Queries and Answers: 2 Corinthians 5:19 |
| Q. 2 Cor. 5:19 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:19). What would have happened if men had received the Christ of God? We see Him forgiving governmentally, as in Matt. 9 R. |
| 181. | Scripture Queries and Answers: John 10:36 |
| Q. John 10:36 36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? (John 10:36). In what sense is the term "sanctified" used-" whom the Father hath sanctified and sent into the world"? Why does it precede the sending into the world? J. B. P. |
| 182. | Seal and the Earnest of the Spirit, The |
| The Holy Spirit has not only sealed us, but is the earnest of our inheritance. He is the source of our strength, and of our communion. This chapter shows us, first, what we possess already as redeemed; secondly, the hope of the glory; thirdly, the Holy Spirit given us here |
| 183. | Service of a Good Man Full of the Holy Ghost and of Faith, The |
| The Spirit of God has seen good to give us for our profit this notice of one whom He could use fully, in service to the saints, for the glory of Christ; one, a pattern, doubtless, and worthy of imitation by all. It is here unreserved devotedness which is so |
| 184. | Seventh Day and the First, The |
| The sabbath is not " a" seventh day, but significatively " the" seventh day, the rest of God, Jehovah's rest, It is not now the seventh day, the rest of the old creation (to an intelligent Christian that is impossible), but, as clearly distinguished by scripture, the first day of |
| 185. | Spirituality |
| Those who have received the Spirit are not for that reason spiritual as here meant-" Ye that are spiritual." All the Galatians had received the Spirit, as we know from chapter 3, where the apostle asks them the question in verse 2, " Received ye the Spirit by the works |
| 186. | Strength in Weakness |
| Strength in Weakness. 2 Peter 1:19 19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: (2 Peter 1:19)
The apostle is nearing the end of his journey, and knowing that shortly he must put off this his tabernacle, as the Lord Jesus had shown him (John 21:16 -1816 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. (John 21:16-18)), after He bad so thoroughly probed his heart to see whether any |
| 187. | Testimony for Christ |
| Preaching is a testimony for Christ; but the more practical thing here referred to is different. There is a testimony which God secures, as in Ephesians " Unto angels, and principalities, and powers," &c. Now the very existence of the church is this testimony in heavenly' places. Whenever God acts, |
| 188. | Testimony for Christ |
| In the record of the actings of the Most High, can we trace a case to exhibit for Himself as Creator and God of providence; or is the testimony committed to the character of the Savior? |
| 189. | Unbelief on the Way |
| The Book of Numbers gives us the history of the journeying of the Israelites in the wilderness and of their continual rebellion. As the history of God's people, it is most encouraging, inasmuch as it exalts God and shows all His patience toward His people. Toward the end of the |
| 190. | Varieties in the Coming Glory Answering to Christ's Titles |
| A very solemn subject; and I feel thoughtful as to its being brought before the mind, for if one attempts to grapple with the divine glory, there is no saying what danger we may be brought into, though in the liberty of the Spirit I may see-all things. For there |
| 191. | Women's Work |
| The part that women take in all Christ's history is very instructive, especially to them. The activity of public service, that which may be called " work," belongs naturally to men (all that appertains to what is generally termed ministry), although women share a very precious activity in private. But |
| 192. | World, The Elements of the |
| The institutions of the law were adapted to man in the flesh. A magnificent temple, beautiful vestments, a God present to the senses upon earth, though man was not permitted to draw near to ' Him, trumpets, visible sacrifices; all these things were ordained that man in the flesh might |
| 193. | Ye Serve the Lord Christ |
| Two things give character to all true service in the present day. One is, the world has rejected Christ; the other, God has rejected the world. (John 12:31 31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. (John 12:31).) |