God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. GAL. vi. 14. WH HATEVER others may do, or whatever they may exult or glory in, God forbid that I should exult, except in the cross of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, and in the grand doctrine of justification and sanctification through him. And what else could I exult or glory in?-for a true beliver has nothing to glory in but CHRIST alone. Even in his very best performances he will be often deeply humbled, and cry out, "LORD, enter not into judgment!"—and well he may; for the ground of our glory, comfort, and salvation, is not in works, but in CHRIST, and the free grace of GOD; who, for his Son's sake, lays nothing to our charge, but daily covers and richly pardons all our iniquities: and thus believers walking steadily, might always be kept in solid peace; for the cross of CHRIST is a solid and unshaken foundation. When I survey the wondrous cross And pour contempt on all my pride! Save in the cross of CHRIST my GOD; His dying crimson, like a robe, Were the whole realm of nature mine, Demands my soul, my life, my all. Purifying their hearts by faith. ACTS XV. 9. OY faith in the SON of GOD we get an interest By in his great and glorious salvation; we are justified by faith; we have peace with GoD by faith. This is an excellent grace, which brings us out of a state of slavery and sin, into the liberty of the sons and daughters of GOD, and will issue in everlasting salvation. Faith purifies the heart of man, naturally vicious, and unites us to CHRIST, the root of all holiness. Now, reader, examine yourself whether you be in the faith; try the tree by its fruits; ask yourself these questions: Has my faith a purifying influence on my heart? Does the view of CHRIST dying for my sins make me die unto them? Has my faith in CHRIST as wounded for my transgressions and bruised for my iniquities, made me bitterly lament them, sincerely hate them, and seek the death of every one of them? Though there may be still sin in me, is there none allowed? Is there none, no, not one; no, not that sin which does most easily beset me, which I desire to be spared and excused in? Do I rather look upon all sin as the enemy of CHRIST and my own soul, and as such do I hate it with a perfect hatred? Am I praying fervently for divine grace to subdue it? and in the strength of that grace, do I maintain a constant and vigorous war with it, determined never to give it any rest in my heart, never to cease my conflict with it, till I have gained the complete and everlasting victory? Then thou art upright, go on and prosper! That faith to me, O LORD, impart, Which while it bringeth peace, Will daily purify my heart, And bring in holiness! upon He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root: Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit. Isa. xxvii. 6. They shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward. Chap. xxxvii. 31. They shall bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing. PSALM Xcii. 14. Her leaf shall be green, and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. JER. xvii. 8. HE evangelical Christians look THE themselves as barren trees, ever crying out, "O my leanness, my leanness!" Even before the judgment-seat of CHRIST, they acknowledge no fruits nor will plead them, though they have been fruitful. Matt. xxv. 37-39. The reason is, they are poor in spirit, and are not pleased with their fruits but only with CHRIST. Grant, O LORD, that I may earnestly seek to bring forth fruits, and may grow in fruitfulness as I grow in years, and never cease from yielding fruit; hereby proving myself to be a tree of the LORD's planting, whose leaf is green, and whose branches are flourishing and fruitful! Yet bless me also with deep poverty of spirit, that may see myself still nothing, having nothing of my own to glory in, or to justify me; and thus esteem CHRIST my All, and rest upon him wholly. LORD, 'tis a pleasant thing to stand In gardens planted by thy hand; Let me within thy courts be seen, Like a young cedar, fresh and green. There grow thy saints in faith and love, Blest with thy influence from above! Time, that doth all things else impair, Still makes them flourish strong and fair. Laden with fruits of age, they show The LORD is holy, just, and true; None that attend his gates shall find A God unfaithful or unkind! I The breaker is come up before them: they have broken up, and have passed through the gate; and their King (as the Author and Finisher of faith) shall pass before them, and the Lord on the head of them. MICAH ii. 13. Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. JOHN xvi. 33. HEB. xii. 1, 2. SOM OMETIMES the enemy seems to get an advantage over us; but the battle is not over yet. At last thou shalt have the victory, and carry the day for all that. In hard struggles remember the power of CHRIST, who, in his resurrection, broke through everything. With him thou canst also break through, and be more than conqueror. Yea, in every conflict, if thy faith be firm, thou canst be sure of victory beforehand; for faith engages CHRIST's power, and his power ensureth victory: it is as impossible for thine enemies to keep thee always in bonds, as it was impossible that CHRIST could be kept in the grave by the stone, seal, and keepers. Nay, the greater their force is, the more glorious will be the victory of CHRIST Over them. Hosannah to our conqu'ring King! The Prince of Darkness flies; Hosannah to our conqu'ring King! All hail, incarnate love! Ten thousand songs and glories wait Thy vict'ries and thy deathless fame And everlasting ages sing The triumphs thou hast won. Can two walk together, except they be agreed? : THEY must be agreed in heart, in affection, in May the grace of CHRIST our Saviour, With the Holy Spirit's favour, Thus shall we abide in union With each other and the LORD, Love is the golden chain that binds And he's an heir of heaven who finds H |