TIMOTHY MISSION FUND

During the month of February gifts totalling $35.00 were received for our Timothy Mission Fund, which we acknowledge with grateful thanks. Again it was possible for us to send out financial support to the mission activities, for this month consisting of checks in the amount of $ 100.00. each for the work of Rev. Kuijt in West Irian and for the work of Miss Ann Herfst in Nigeria. The balance in our fund at the end of the month was $41.90. Your gifts should be sent to The Timothy Mission Fund, P.O. Box 2182, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49003.”

Many of you have recently had the opportunity to see the pictures of the work being done in Nigeria, as well as to hear Miss Herfst tell about it. There is much work yet to be done, but much progress has been made. May the Lord incline hearts unto generosity in support of their work, but that earnest prayer may also be made for His indispensable blessing.”

GIFTS RECEIVED FOR MISSIONS IN FEBRUARY 1972”

CLASSIS EAST SOURCE AMOUNT”

A friend in Clifton Gift 500.00”

Friend in Prospect Park Gift 10.00”

Friend in Haskell, N.J. Gift 10.00”

CLASSIS MIDWEST”

Friend in Grand Rapids Gift 20.00”

Friend in Michigan Gift 75.00”

Bradford Ch. Col. (Nov.) Collection 206.20”

Bradford Ch. Col. (Dec.) Collection 150.71”

Bradford Sunday School Gift 12.84”

Bradford Gift B. Gift 20.00”

Bradford Gift Gift 40.00”

Account Y.T.S. to the Mission Gift 249.99”

Friend in Grand Rapids Gift 10.00”

Friend in Hamilton Gift 20.00”

Friend in Michigan Gift 25.00”

Timothy Mission Fund Gift 100.00”

CLASSIS WEST”

Friend in Larchwood Gift 100.00”

Friend in Sheboygan Gift 20.00”

Corsica Mission Collection Collection 123.40”

CLASSIS FAR WEST”

Van Couver Ch. Col. Collection 121.77”

TOTAL: $1814.91”

Dear Friends:”

The month has swiftly gone by. Again we were privileged to receive many gifts for the mission for which everyone is heartily acknowledged. May the Lord’ s rich blessing rest upon you and your gift. We wrote the last time that we would write about the work of Miss Ann Herfst, but we feel it would be out of place at this time as she is traveling to most of the congregations to speak about the mission work so we will write a little about the work of Rev. Kuijt. The last that we heard from him a few weeks ago, he was very discouraged and downhearted. It seems as the Lord does not give opening as yet in the new tribe of Nipsan. Rev. Kuijt and those who are with him are continually being watched by those hostile people, and are not permitted to wander around in this valley. Rev. Kuijt wrote, he does not know which way to turn but many times it has pleased the Lord that His servants and people must first go through bitter trials before the Lord sends deliverance. May the Lord give much prayer for him, that he may be made faithful to the work that he is called to. May the Lord open the hearts of that hostile people to receive His Holy Word, that it may all redown to the glory of God and to the salvation of sinners. We hope this may give you some information what is going on in Nipsan. Thanks again in the name of the Mission Committee.”

American General Mission Fund”

Netherland Reformed Churches”

of America and Canada”

John Spaans, Treasurer”

Plankinton Box 106 RR1”

South Dakota 57368”

NOTES OUT OF THE CATECHISM CLASSES”

OF REV.J.FRAANJE”

Using the Catechism Book”

SPECIMENS OF DIVINE TRUTHS”

BY Rev. A. Hellenbroek”

Lesson 8 - Part 1”

Concerning Creation”

As we proceed with our catechism lessons we come this afternoon to the one entitled “Creation.””

Last week we dealt with a few questions regarding God’ s decrees. In connection with that, it is now asked: “Doth God also put His decrees into effect?””

Answer: Yes, in time by His works.”

I hope all of you remember what we said in our first lesson, namely: God’ s works in time are twofold. First, His works in nature and, second, His works in grace.”

Further, His works in nature, are divided into two parts, namely: first, His works of creation and, second, His works of providence.”

We see here, then, a sequence.”

God established His decrees in eternity, but He works out all these decrees in time in various ways.”

The execution of those eternal decrees concerning the work of creation and providence was also brought about.”

Which of those two, do you think had to be revealed first?”

I shall give an example first, then you may give me the answer.”

A house that is built and carefully maintained by its owner manifests two things: First, the house was erected. Secondly, the house was kept in good condition. But, what was necessarily the first work?”

Building the house; isn’t that true? He could not maintain it before it existed.”

The work of creation must take place first, otherwise, the work of providence could not follow. Providence is the sustenance, cooperation and ruling of all creation.”

Now it is asked: What is it to create?”

Answer: To produce or give existence to something, by an omnipotent act of a simple will.”

The truth of this answer is proven out of Rev. 4:11 “For thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.””

This almighty deed was not the work of only one of the divine persons; no, the creation is the work of a Triune God as it is plainly read in Psalm 33:6, “By the Word of the Lord were the heavens made ; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.””

Concerning the order of work in creation, it is said the Father stands in the forground, just as it is said of the Son in the work of redemption and of the Holy Ghost in the work of sanctification.”

Considering it in the broadest sense we speak of it in this way: The Triune God created the World.”

And when did He do this?”

Hellenbroek says it very briefly, “In the beginning.””

This answer embraces the first words of the Holy Scriptures: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.”

And God said, “Let there be light; and there was light.””

The first three verses of Genesis 1 speak of it just this way.”

We find the answers to these four questions in Gods Word: First — Who has created all things? Answer: God. Second — Of what are all things made? Answer: Out of nothing. Third — By what means has He done this? Answer: Through His power. Fourth — For what reason did God create the world? Answer: For His own glory.”

There are very many people in the world who do not believe God’ s Word is truth. Or, if they voice agreement in speaking about it, they want to give an explanation that is in accordance with their own notions.”

When you become older you, too, will hear or read about certain educated people who suggest: “There is an eternal fluttering matter and all the separate parts or cells just grew and continued developing until they took the form of a plant or animal. This growing process took a long time involving many thousands of years. The matter continually improved until it became what it is now.””

If these people give pretense in believing God’ s Word, they explain that the six days of creation are six periods of time, each one consisting of many hundreds of years. “And so,” they say, “God has created all things, in that He created the first matter and, further, let all things develop.””

Boys and girls, perhaps sometime in the future, you will hear or read many things that are contrary to the simple explanations given in the lessons by Rev. Hellenbroek.”

But consider this, these lessons are the true doctrine, founded upon God’ s Word. Hold firmly to them, even though it may be only with an historical faith. Don’ t follow along with the varied proposals of people who do not believe in God and who bring into question the authority of His Word.”

The Lord tells us plainly in His infallible Word: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth,” and then follow the achievements He accomplished in the first six days.”

Isn’t it plain from the great creation alone, that there is a creator?”

If we were to visit a place where there is an especially fine building, we would, at first, thoughtfully admire that showpiece, but eventually we would ask: “Who is the architect of this magnificent building?” We would have high regard for the man who brought about this work. Don’ t you agree?”

So also, the whole creation should fill us with reverence and awe. He is worthy of all honor as the planner and executor of all creation.”

Now in nature, it is impossible for the most expert of builders to make something if he does not have materials.”

The great Creator, however, created everything from nothing. That was omnipotence.”

Paul was not among those that say that there was an eternal living cell that formed into a completed object after thousands of years. No, He said in Romans 4:17 “And calleth those things which be not as though they were.””

Hellenbroek says, “Respecting the matter, in a moment, and respecting the farther disposition of them, in six days.””

Now, I would like to ask something:”

When God created the light and the other things in the succeeding days that followed, did the earth, with all that was on it and in it, contribute to or hinder the creation? Or, did it simply remain the way it was? The latter we call “being passive.””

What are your thoughts on this matter?”

The world did not contribute and neither did it hinder. It was a creation but had no acting strength either for or against.”

It was as clay in the hands of God, the great Potter. He spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.”

It states, “In the beginning.” God was from eternity.”

There never was a beginning with Him.”

But according to His eternal decree, He wanted to create “time.” We could say it this way: In the beginning when God opened time and made a continuation of it, days, nights, light and darkness came into being.”

The first thing He created in heaven and on earth was light. That was necessary, because without light, what would the rest of creation be? Our human minds cannot comprehend what light actually is. How valuable it is in the natural creation.”

Now, each day follows another; there is sun and moon, trees, beasts, etc.”

But, what would you think to be the greatest thing created?”

You should read Genesis 1&2 very carefully, this evening.”

You will notice there that just before God created the greatest work, He said something that He never had said before.”

Again and again it states, after it was evening and morning: “God said” etc., and then follows what he brought forth.”

But on the sixth day it states something else. Just read in verse 26 “And God said: Let us make man in our image, after our likeness, etc.””

Is not that a wonderful decree?”

The holy Divine Being refers to Himself, for the first time after all that creating, in the plural: “Us,” Father, Son and Holy Ghost. As if the emphasis is laid upon this: That of all that He had created in the six days, He now would create the ornament of it all.”

Not incomprehensible light, not seas, great powerful beasts or magnificent plants, no, now it would be something totally different; now something in God’ s own likeness! You must think about that for a moment.”

And that was - man.”

I hope all of you know how He did this and what substance He used.”

God tells us briefly: “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” Genesis 2:7.”

He called this first person “Adam,” that is “Earth man.””

He created Adam to be the head of the whole human race.”

One for all, or: All in one. That is also the meaning of the words that Paul said to the Athenians (Acts 17:26) “And hath made of one blood all nations of men etc.””

But what about Eve? Was she created to be a “head” of the human race?”

No, she was named Eve, which means: Mother of all living. Only Adam was established as the responsible head of his whole posterity.”

(To be continued.)”

VARIOUS QUESTIONS (3)”

Christ is the hope of glory. He is explained and revealed as the only Name given under heaven, whereby we must be saved. Here in a beginning, but by and by perfectly in eternity, the chosen people shall be filled with God, “I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness.” Ps. 17:15 Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh to Him. The deliverance from sin and the restoration in the communion with God lies only, and that perfectly, in Him. Then we may say of them, as we read in Psalm 84:5: “Blessed is the man whose strength is in Thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.””

But there is more: “being washed by His blood.” God’ s justice cannot be satisfied by our tears and by our confession of guilt. That justice has found satisfaction in the blood of that Lamb of God that was without blemish and without spot. That blood was the price with which God’ s people were bought. “For ye are bought with a price.” (2 Cor. 6:11). The whole church of God has been washed in that blood. Already in His painful circumcision on the eighth day that blood has flowed, and the fountain of Christ’ s blood was opened. That blood has flowed in Gethsemane, Gabbatha, and Golgotha. With that blood Christ entered into the inner sanctuary and appeared before His Father.”

Because of our sin we are black, unclean, unholy, leprous, entirely corrupt, rejectable and condemnable in ourselves. The Lord Himself testified, “Though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before Me.” Because of the broken covenant of works we try to wash ourselves, but the more we try to cleanse ourselves, the blacker we become, we cannot make the black Ethiopian white. Hear the church of God as it glories in Rev. 1:5, “And from Jesus Christ, Who is the faithful Witness, and the first forgotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth. Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood” ; and in Eph. 1:7, “In Whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to His good pleasure.””

Objectively the church, the entire elect church, has been washed from their sins in the death of Christ, and declared pure and holy in His blessed resurrection. There the Father gave His Son the acquittal, declaring that He would never be wroth with His people, nor rebuke them. Because of Christ’ s mediatorial ministry God beholds no iniquity in Jacob nor perverseness in Israel. However, if we are to have the fruit, the power, and the comfort of it in our own heart, it must be applied and experienced subjectively. It is and remains a personal matter. Although it is true for the church, I want to know whether that is my portion. David says in Psalm 35, “Say unto my soul, ‘ I am thy salvation.’ “And we must hear that voice spoken with Divine power, and faith to believe that it is for us must be given to us personally.”

No, it is not a matter that takes place outside of us. It is not thus that on a certain day we feel happy, and say, “My sins are forgiven, I felt it. A voice in my heart said, ‘ Thy sins are forgiven thee.’ Then I believed it, and now I have nothing to worry about.””

Many people in our days boast in the forgiveness of sins, without ever having become sinners before God, without ever having learned to know their sins, without ever having had their sins brought home to them, without ever having had sorrow for sin, without ever having accepted the punishment of their iniquity, without ever having accepted their guilt, without ever learning to love God’ s righteousness above all, without ever learning to know the difference between their original and their actual sins, without ever having become Adam before God, without ever having been made acquainted with the law and its curse, without ever having received any experimental knowledge of Christ as the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believes.”

Christ came into the world to seek and to save that which was lost. If it has never become a lost cause, if we have never become undone, if we have never been cut off, if we have never fallen under God, so that, be it said with reverence, God became God, and could do with us as He pleased, we can never be redeemed with judgment. Friends, that is the only way, and it cannot be otherwise.”

How many people are misled for eternity, who never hear anything but that it is well with them for eternity. They are being built up without a foundation, built upon the grounds of being baptized, making confession, and going to the Lord’ s Supper. In practice for them historical faith is the same as saving faith. If only they accept and believe what the Bible says, it is well with them for eternity. They agree that they are sinners, and at the same time they believe that Christ came and died for sinners. “Well then,” they say, “what more do we need? We must believe God’ s Word. If we do not believe God we commit the great sin of unbelief; so we believe, and all is well. Oh, what a sad deception for eternity. Truly, upon such sandy grounds they expect to go to heaven, and — land in hell.”

They think it is terrible, terrible, that we judge thus. No, they do not want to come in contact with those who would have them doubt. They do not want the company of those who say they must experience a true conversion. They think it terrible to attend a preaching about the important matters that must be known and experienced. Sometimes with weddings or funerals of relatives they are compelled to attend such sermons, but that does not incline them to hear that same preacher in a Sunday or weekday service.”

W. C. Lamain”

THROUGH BACA’ S VALE”

“Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall Uve also.” John 14:19.”

Communion with Christ rests on three things — seeing him by faith, living upon his life, and experiencing his manifested presence. But all these three things depend on his resurrection and a knowledge of its power. As risen from the dead, the saints see him; as risen from the dead, they live a life of faith upon him; as risen from the dead, he manifests himself unto them; and as life and feeUng spring up in their souls from sweet communion with him, the power of his resurrection becomes manifest in them.”

This communion, therefore, with the Lord Jesus as a risen Head all the reconciled and justified saints of God are pressing forward after, according to the measure of their grace and the life and power of God in their soul. It is indeed often sadly interrupted and grievously broken through by the sin that dwelleth in us. But the principle is there, for that principle is life; and life is the privilege, the possession, and the distinction of the children of God. You need none to assure you that Jesus is risen from the dead if he manifests himself to your soul. You want no evidence that you are a sheep if you have heard and know his voice. So you may say, “Jesus is risen, for I have seen him; Jesus is risen, for I have heard him; Jesus is risen for I live upon him.” Communion with Jesus is the life of religion, and indeed without it religion is but an empty name. If without him we can do nothing; if he is our life, our risen covenant Head, our Advocate with the Father, our Husband, our Friend, our Brother, how are we to draw sap out of his fulness, as the branch from the vine, or to know him personally and experimentally in any one of his endearing relationships, unless by continual communion with him on his throne of grace? In fact, this is the grand distinguishing point between the living and the dead, between the true child of God and the mere professor, that the one has real union and communion with a risen Jesus, and the other is satisfied with a form of godliness. Every quickened soul is made to feel after the power of God, after communion from above, after pardon and peace, after visitations of mercy and grace; and when he has had a view of Christ by faith, and some revelation of his Person and work, grace and glory, nothing afterwards can ever really satisfy him but that inward communion of spirit with Jesus whereby the Lord and he become one; “for he that is joined to the Lord is one spirit.””

J. C. Philpot”

THE ELEVENTH COMMANDMENT”

The eminent Archbishop Usher, being once on a visit in Scotland, heard a great deal of the piety and devotion of the famous Mr. Samuel Rutherford, who he understood, spent whole nights in prayer, especially before the Sabbath. The bishop wished much to witness such extraordinary down-pouring of the Spirit; but was utterly at a loss how to accomplish his design. At length it came into his mind to dress himself like a pauper (a very poor person), and on a Saturday evening, when it was turning dark, he called at Mr. Rutherford’ s house, and asked if he could get quarters for a night, since he could go to no other house at so late an hour for that purpose. Mr. Rutherford consented to give the poor man a bed for the night, and desired him to sit down in the kitchen, which he did cheerfully. Mrs. Rutherford, according to custom on Saturday-evening, that her servants might be prepared for the Sabbath, called them together and examined them. In the course of examination that evening, she asked the stranger how many commandments there were? To which he answered eleven. Upon receiving this answer, she replied, “What a shame it is for you! a man with gray hairs, living in a Christian country, not to know how many commandments there are ! There is not a child of six years in this parish but could answer this question properly.” She troubled the poor man no more, thinking him so very ignorant! but lamented his condition to her servants; and after giving him some supper, desired a servant to show him upstairs to a bed in the garret. This was the very situation in which he desired to be placed, that he might hear Mr. Rutherford at his secret devotion. However, he was disappointed; for that night that good man went to bed, but did not fall asleep for some hours. The stranger did not go to bed, but sat listening, always hoping to hear Mr. Rutherford at prayer; and at length concluding that all the family were asleep, the bishop thought if he had been disappointed of hearing another offering up his desire to God at the throne of grace, he would embrace the opportunity himself, and poured out his heart to God with so much liberty and enlargement, that Mr. Rutherford, immediately below, overheard; and getting up put on his clothes. Should this have awakened Mrs. Rutherford, she could have suspected nothing of his design, seeing he rose commonly at three o’ clock in the morning; and if she could have heard one at prayer afterwards, she would naturally have concluded it was her husband. Mr. Rutherford went upstairs, and stood waiting at the garret door till the bishop concluded his devotion; upon which he knocked gently at the door, and the other opened it with surprise, thinking none were witness to his devotion. Mr. Rutherford took him by the arm, saying, “Sir, I am persuaded you can be none other than Archbishop Usher; and you must certainly preach for me to-day, being now Sabbath morning.” The bishop confessed who he was; and after telling Mr. Rutherford what induced him to take such a step, said he would preach for him, on condition that he would not discover who he was. Happy union of souls, although of different persuasions! Yet not marvellous; God makes but two distinctions among mankind, the righteous and the wicked.”

Mr. Rutherford furnished the bishop with a suit of his own clothes, and early in the morning he went out to the fields; the other followed him, and brought him in as a strange minister passing by, who had promised to preach for him. Mrs. Rutherford found that the poor man had gone away before any of the family were out of bed. After domestic worship and breakfast, the family went to the church, and the bishop had for his text (John 13:34), “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another” ; a suitable subject for the occasion. In the course of his sermon, he observed that this might be reckoned the eleventh commandment: upon which Mrs. Rutherford said to herself, “That is the answer the poor man gave me last night,” and looking up to the pulpit, said, “It cannot be possible that this is he!” After public worship, the strange minister and Mr. Rutherford spent the evening in mutual satisfaction; and early on Monday morning the former went away in the dress he came in, and was not discovered.”

A SINGLE EYE”

If you desire help from Jesus you must not seek to Him with a vain opinion of your own worth to recommend yourself, nor of your own power to help yourself, but must place your whole dependence on His mercy and His power to save you. Your whole expectation of pardon must be from His blood, and your whole expectation of holiness from His Spirit. He alone must wash you, and He alone must work in you to will and do. And if your eye is single, singly fixed upon Jesus, He will show Himself a Saviour, and fill you notably with heavenly light and peace. When you pray to Jesus Christ to save you from the guilt and power of sin, remember He asks you by His word the same question now which He asked aforetime, “Believest thou that I am able to do this?” Not you and I together; no: but believest thou that I (I without you) I alone am able to do this? And till you can answer this question truly and say, “Lord, I do believe it,” your petitions will draw down no blessing.”

Berridge.”

DO I LOVE HIM YES OR NO?”

Does your conscience condemn you because of your sin, which is only known to God and your own soul? Are there times that you are sorrowful because of the sin of your heart as well as of your actual sin, the sin of your negligence in prayer, reading, and communion with God, and confess that you are a beast before God?”

Isn’t it a time of joy to you when your heart is overwhelmed because of your sin, when the Lord grants you to see them, and you no longer try to cover your sin, but confess them with liberty, and flee to the fullness that there is in Christ Jesus, for His reconciliation?”

Have you times that your heart loves Jesus as King as well as Priest?”

Do you often call upon Him with a request that he will root out all things, which are not submissive to His will; and would it not be to your joy, that with power you were renewed to the image of God in knowledge, righteousness and holiness from day to day?”

Do you find that you have an inward desire to all the commandments of the Lord, to see the beauty of them, and with an ardent desire to keep them?”

Does your soul have a sincere respect and love for the true children of God?”

If this is your condition, O, seek that your soul may no longer dwell in the uncertainty, but based upon God’ s Holy word, place your condition sure; for the true marks of grace are in you, which flow from the change you have experienced.”

Rev. Alexander Comrie”

A BELIEVER IN EXPERIMENTAL TRUTH”

To learn the truth, and know it in the letter only, without feeling the power thereof, tasting its sweetness, enjoying the liberty it proclaims, or being enlarged by its authority, is like a man coming into a Court of Law, as a witness, that has never seen, heard or known anything of the matter about to be investigated; such a one would be held up to ridicule.”

The truth of the gospel can only be known savingly by experiencing in the heart the glorious matter of which it is composed, - the grace of God. The first branch thereof is the communication of life. Previous to this all are dead in trespasses and sin, and “the dead know not anything.” (Eccl. 9:5) Spiritual life is a new convenant promise: “And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.” It is also a free gift, which the Saviour of his bounteous mercy said he would give : “I give unto them (his sheep) eternal life.” (John 10:28)”

After the communication of this wonderful grace, there follows those things that accompany salvation. One of them is poverty of spirit. This feeling every one born of the Spirit feels to a greater or lesser degree. Notwithstanding that they have boundless riches in Christ, they are always turning to their advantage. Another branch of the experience of the living in Zion is real beggary, for that is the way, strange as it may appear, to abound in all the blessed things of the gospel.”

They who have life in the soul find neither rest nor home for their faith in anything beneath the sun. Therefore they are obliged to travel pilgrim-like on foot to another country to obtain rest and home. The experience of spiritual life is productive of saving health. (Prov. 4:22; Ps. 67:2). Such are always sick, and continually in want of the great Physician. (Matt. 9:12.) Another branch of vital experience flowing from the fountain of spiritual life is a blessed and glorious exaltation: “They shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon his land.” (Zech. 9:16) And yet they are always the least (Luke 9:48), the lowest (Luke 14:10), and the last. (Matt. 19:30) The life of God in the soul is always accompanied with an increase of learning, wisdom, and knowledge (Prov. 9:9), and yet they are always fools, and dunces, very ignoramuses. (Isa. 35:8; Prov. 30:2; Ps. 63:22.)”

These are strange things hid from the wise and prudent of this world but revealed unto babes, and accounted foolishness by those who are wise in their own conceits. How wisdom can spring out of foolishness, riches out of poverty, knowledge out of ignorance, health out of sickness, life out of death, strength out of weakness, honour out of shame, peace out of war, gains out of losses, courage out of tremblings, is a problem which all the collegians in the world by carnal wisdom will never unfold. That riddle is only known by plowing with the unction that teacheth all things. (1 John 2:20.) A man thus taught speaketh out of the abundance of his heart of the good things touching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and their testimony is not in word only, but in power. (I Cor. 4:20) Such have power with God and man, and blessedly prevail with God, and over all opposition. (Gen. 32:28.) They are more than conquerors through him that loved them. The devil himself is subject to the power thereof. (Rev. 12:11.) These come with a Thus saith the Lord of hosts in me. (I Cor. 2:13.) They be a cloud of witnesses to the truth (Heb. 12:1), and they all speak the same experimental things, so that there are no divisions among them. (I Cor. 1:10.)”

Everyone saith by the Spirit, “Behold, I am vile.” (Job 40:4) By the same Spirit they say, “My wounds stink and are corrupt, because of my foolishness.” (Ps. 38:5.) By the same influence they say, “All flesh is grass, and the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field; for the grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it; surely the people is grass.” (Isa. 40:6, 7.) They all testify from the same divine, inspired teaching, — “From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it, but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores” (Isa. 1:6), even when the body, the natural body, is sound and healthy.”

Then again from the bubblings of the heart (margin Ps. 45:1), they exclaim, “All our righteousnesses are all filthy rags.” (Isa. 54:6) These are faithful witnesses that will not lie (Prov. 14:5); and their united testimony as of one family (Eph. 3:15) respecting the total ruin and vileness of all, in whole, and part, is of one heart. (II Chron. 3:12; Jer. 32:39; Acts 4:32) Pure heart (II Tim. 2:22), broken heart (Isa. 62:1), enlightened heart. (II Cor. 4:6) “In the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.” (Matt. 18:16)”

Moreover they confess, with one consent, that every right thought, every moving of the affections towards God, every moving of the will towards Him, every stirring of the mind heavenward, every rising of hope, every act of faith, every breath of prayer; yea, every spiritual blessing and mercy is a free, unmerited gift from the God of all grace. (James 1:17.)”

These are the things God hath chosen, that no flesh should glory in his presence. (I Cor. 1:26-31)1 conclude. — A believer in experimental truth, and an unbeliever in the whims of men.”

J. Warburton”

THE UNSEARCHABLE RICHES OF CHRIST”

But weak saints may say, “Sir, we judge that there is weight in what you say, to provoke us to thankfulness; but did we know that we had through grace, though it were never so little — though it were but as the grain of mustard seed — we would be thankful. But this is our condition — we live between fears and hopes; one day hoping we shall go to heaven, and be happy for ever; another day we are fearing that we shall go to hell, and miscarry for ever; and thus we are up and down, backward and forward. Sometimes we believe we have grace, and at other times we doubt we have any. Sometimes we have a little light, and suddenly our sun is clouded. One day we are ready to say, with David, “The Lord is our Portion;” and the next day we are ready to complain, with Jonah, that we are “cast out from the presence of the Lord.””

Methinks I hear a weak saint saying, “Sir, I would fain have an end put to this controversy that has long been in my soul, namely, whether I have grace or not; and, if you please, I will tell you what I find, and so humbly desire your judgment and opinion upon the whole.””

“Well, speak on, poor soul, and let me hear what thou hast found in thine own heart”.”

“Why, sir, I find, first, a restlessness in my soul, till, with old Simeon, I have gotten Christ in my arms — yea, till I have gotten Christ into my heart. I go from duty to duty, and from ordinance to ordinance, and yet I cannot rest, because ‘ I cannot find Him whom my soul loves.’ I am like Noah’ s dove, that could not rest until she had gotten into the ark. Oh, I cannot be quiet till I know that I am housed in Christ! My soul is like a ship in a storm, that is tossed hither and thither. Oh, where shall I find Him? Oh, how shall I obtain Him Who is the Chiefest of ten thousand? What Absalom said, in another case, I can say in this -’ What is all this to me, so long as I cannot see the King’ s face?’ And truly the language of my soul is, ‘ What are honour, and riches, and the favour of creatures to me, so long as I go mourning without my Christ — so long as I see not my interest in my Christ?’””

“Well, have you anything else to say, O weak Christian?””

“Yes; I can truly say that the poorest, the most distressed and afflicted man in the world is not fuller of desires, not stronger in his desires, than I am. The poor man desires bread to feed him; and the wounded desires a plaister to heal him; and the sick man desires cordials to strengthen him. But these are not fuller of desires after those things that are suitable to them, than I am of holy and heavenly desires. Oh, that I had more of God! Oh, that I were filled with Christ! Oh, that I had His righteousness to cover me, His grace to pardon me, His power to support me, His wisdom to counsel me, His loving-kindness to refresh me, and His happiness to crown me!”

“Well, is this all?””

“No; though I dare not say that Christ is mine, yet I can truly say that Christ, His love, His works, His grace, His Word, are the main object of my contemplation and meditation. Oh, I am always beset when I am most meditating and contemplating of Christ, His love, His grace! ‘ How precious are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!” (Psalm 139, 17).”

“No; I can truly say that the want of Christ’ s love is a greater grief and burden to my soul than the want of any outward thing in this world. I am in a wanting condition as to temporals. I want health, and strength, and friends, and money, ‘ that answereth to all things’ as Solomon speaks; and yet all these wants do not so grieve me, and so afflict and trouble me, as the want of Christ, as the want of grace, as the want of the discoveries of that favour which is better than life””

“Well, is this all?””

“No; I would not willingly nor presumptuously sin against Christ for a world. I can say, through grace, were I at this moment to die, that my greatest fear is of sinning against Christ, and my greatest care is of pleasing Christ. I know there was a time when my greatest care was to please myself and the creature, and my greatest fear was of displeasing the creature. I can remember, with sorrow and sadness of heart, how often I have displeased Christ to please myself, and displeased Christ to please the creature. But now, it is quite otherwise with me. My greatest care is to please Christ, and my greatest fear is of offending Christ.””

“Well, is this all?””

“No; though I dare not say that Christ is mine, and that I have an interest in Him, yet I can truly say, I dearly love the people of Christ, for the image of Christ that I see stamped upon them. I cannot say, with Such-and-such, ‘ the Lord is my Portion;’ yet I can say that I dearly love those that have the Lord for their Portion. I can truly say that the poorest, and the most neglected, and the most despised saint in the world is more precious in my eye, and more dear to my soul, than the greatest and richest sinner in the world” (Psalm 16, 3).”

“Well, is this all?””

“No; though I dare not say that I have an interest in Christ, or that I love Christ, yet I dare say that my soul weeps and mourns in secret for the dishonour that is done to Christ, both by myself and by others also. I can look the Lord in the face, were I now to die, and say, ‘ Lord, Thou that knowest all thoughts and hearts, Thou dost know that mine eyes run down with rivers of tears because men keep not Thy law.’””

“Well, is this all?””

“No; I prize persons and things according to the spiri-tualness and holiness that is in them; and the more spiritual and holy any man or thing is, the more is that man and thing prized by my soul. I have often thought of that sweet word, ‘ Thy Word is very pure: therefore doth Thy servant love it’ (Psalm 119, 140). Other men love it because of the profit they get by it, or because of a name, or this or that; but I love it for the purity, for the holiness and the cleanness of it. No preaching, no praying, no talking, and no society that I like, and is sweet to me, but that that is most spiritual, most holy. It is not an exercise tricked and trimmed up with wit, learning, and eloquence - it is not the hanging truth’ s ears with counterfeit pearls — which takes me; but the more plainness, spiritualness, and holiness I see in an exercise, the more is my heart raised to prize and love it. And, therefore, (saith the weak saint), because Christ is perfectly and infinitely holy above all others, I prize Christ above all. Ordinances are sweet; Oh, but Christ more sweet to my soul! Saints are precious, but Christ is far more precious! Heaven is glorious, but Christ is infinitely more glorious. The first thing that I would ask, if I might have it, (saith the weak saint) is Christ; and the next thing that I would ask, if I might have it, is more of Christ; and the last thing that I would ask, if I might have it, is that I might be satiated and filled with the fulness of Christ. Let the ambitious man take the honours of the world, so I may but have Christ; let the voluptuous man swim in all the pleasures of the world, so I may have Christ; and let the covetuous man tumble up and down in all the gold and silver of the world, so I may have Christ, and it shall be enough to my soul.””

“Well, is this all?””

“No; I find the same conflict in my soul that Paul found in his soul, after he was converted near upon 14 years — after he was taken up into as clear and choice enjoyments of God as any soul that ever I read of. The conflict that is mentioned in Romans 7 I find in my soul. The whole frame of my soul, understanding, will, and affections, is set against sin. I find that ‘ I hate the evil that I do;’ and I find that the good I would do, I do not, and the evil that I would not do; that do I.I find a law in my members rebelling against the law of my mind, and leading me captive to the law of sin, and this makes me often to cry out, with Paul, ‘ 0 wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from this body of death?’ Therefore, I sometimes hope that those sins that are now my burden, shall never hereafter be my bane.””

“Well, and is this all?””

“No, I can truly say, when the Lord gives me any strength against sin, and any power to serve Him, and to walk close with Him in His ways, it is a greater joy and comfort to my soul than all the blessings of this life. Though I have not yet seen that He has set me as a seal upon His heart, as a seal upon His arm; though I have not yet the clear assurance of His love; though His Spirit hath not yet set up such a light in my soul, whereby I might run and read my right and title to Himself and heaven, — yet when He doth give me but a little light through a crevice, when He does but begin to cause His love to dawn upon me, when He gives me but a little strength against sin, and a little power to walk close with Himself, oh, this doth administer more abiding joy, and more sweet peace, and more solid comfort to my soul, than all the riches, honours, friends, and favours of this world!””

“Well, is this all?””

“No; though my interest in Christ be not clear to me, yet I can truly say I would not change my condition with the men of this world for a thousand worlds. It is true, I cannot say that I have the seal and witness of the Spirit, that many talk and boast of, though I fear but few enjoy it; yet I can truly say that I would not change my estate with men merely civil, nor with the profane men of this world, for ten thousand worlds.””

“Well, is this all?””

“No, sir, I have but one thing more, and then I have done. I find my soul carried to a secret resting and relying on Christ for life and happiness. Though I know not how it shall go with me, yet I have thrown myself into His arms; I lean upon Him. There I will hang, and there I will rest and stay. If I must perish, I will perish there. And thus, sir, I have opened my state and condition to you, and now I do earnestly desire your judgment upon the whole.””

Well, then, this I shall say, as I must answer it in the day of my appearing before God, that, had I as many souls as I have hairs on my head, or as there be stars in heaven, 1 could freely adventure the loss of them all, if these things do not undeniably speak out, not only the truth, but also the strength of grace. Nay, let me tell you that he that finds but any of these things really in his soul (though the Lord hath not given him a clear and full manifestation of His love and favour) yet while breath is in this body, he has eminent cause to bless God, and to walk thankfully and humbly before Him.”

Thomas Brooks”

PRECIOUS THOUGHTS ON PSALM XLV, VERSE 2”

From an unpublished Prayer Meeting address by J.K. Popham”

And then having seen Christ, the Psalmist declares what he had seen in Him. “Thou art fairer than the children of men.” None so fair as Christ. Fairer in respect of His Person, that He is very God and very Man; Almighty God uniting to Himself human nature. How fair He is!”

Fairer in His mediatorial office and work. “There is one God.” 0 how terrible that truth is when it is made known to a person who is born again! “There is one God” against whom we have sinned. Then when the Spirit comes and gives a view by faith of Christ’ s mediatorial work, “There is one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.” Then faith says, “0 how fair He is! How beautiful in His work of mediation! By Him I venture to God; by Him I pour out my heart to the Lord, make known my requests, confess my sins, bewail my condition, and yet feel a blessed hope in the mercy of God unto eternal life.” Now you, some of you do know this, do you not in a measure? None can say he knows much about Christ, but the least measure of revelation will give a sweet inclining to this in the mind: “Thou art fairer than the children of men” in Thy Person and in Thy mediation; and the mediation of Christ is inclusive. It is a term that includes much. It includes the blessed work which Christ accomplished on the earth, for as a Priest He intervened between God and sinners, so that He said on the cross: “It is finished.” He was there between God and men. There He had offered Himself a sacrifice unto God without spot. There He had put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. The uglier you are in your own eyes, the more dreadful sin is to your heart, the more necessary will Christ be to you, and as you see Him, the more precious. So that you may join with the Psalmist in this: “Thou art fairer than the children of men.””

And fairer in His authority, that benign authority, that gracious authority, that ruling in the heart and mind by a gracious touch, a smile, a visit, a word, a word of pardon or of encouragment, a word of strength saying “Fear not.” Oh how fair He is, how different from the authority of Moses! Moses with his rod and his sword, oh how dreadful! Christ with His rod of strength, His blessed gospel coming, appearing, smiling, speaking. How fair He is in this particular!”

How fair He appears to faith in the Scriptures when she looks on Him, sees Him as the Scriptures testify of Him; the Beloved of the Father, the One in whom the Father is well pleased, the One sent by the Father, and so “the Apostle and High Priest of our profession.” “Thou art fairer than the children of men.” If we saw this Person more by faith we should be weaker in ourselves, we should be viler in our own estimation, we should more and more need Him. Naturally when we take food we get satisfaction and for the time wish for no more. Spiritually it is the opposite of that. When we see Him we want to gaze on Him; when we receive Him we want to hold Him; when He gives us some satisfaction then the appetite is increased. You understand that. Blessed be God that Christ is so fair to some of us!”

Now what will be one effect of this revelation of Christ to our souls? It will be this, that we shall be willing to die, to lose and hate our own life, that we may find it. The man who in the field discovered a pearl of great price went and sold all that he had to buy that field, and if you see Jesus Christ you will be willing to part with yourself, and that is the biggest cost, the greatest trouble, and the heaviest burden, and the sorest stumbling that any child of God has — himself. O but how willing he is if he enters into the experience and language of the Apostle Paul, that he esteemed all things that he possessed to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus his Lord. A fair world becomes very dim, fair things in this world become very empty, when Jesus Christ is seen by faith, life is very, very poor without Christ, and the sinner says: “I know it and I want Him.” So you will part with all and follow Him in the measure in which you know Him.”

A WRONG CHOICE IN EARLY LIFE”

There was time when Abraham and Lot lived together. They both became rich, and could live together no longer. Abraham, the elder of the two, in the true spirit of humility and courtesy, gave Lot the choice of the country, when they resolved to part company: “If thou,” he said, “wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.” (Gen. xiii. 9.)”

And what did Lot do? - We are told he saw that the plains of Jordan, near Sodom, were rich, fertile, and well watered. It was a good land for cattle, and full of pastures. He had large flocks and herds, and it was just suited to his requirements. And this was the land he chose for a residence, simply because it was a rich, “Well watered land.” (Gen.xii. 10)”

It was near the town of Sodom! He cared not for that. The men of Sodom, who would be his neighbours, were wicked! It mattered not. - They were sinners before God exceedingly! It made no difference to him. The pasture was rich. The land was good. He wanted such a country for his flocks and herds. And before that argument all scruples and doubts, if indeed he had any, at once went down.”

He chose by sight, and not by faith. He asked no counsel of God to preserve him from mistakes. He looked to the things of time, and not of eternity. He thought of his worldy profit, and not of his soul. He considered only what would help him in this life. He forgot the solemn business of the life to come. This was a bad beginning.”

But I also observe that Lot mixed with sinners when there was no occasion for his doing so.”

We are first told that he “pitched his tent toward Sodom.” (Gen. xiii 12.) This, as I have already shown, was a great mistake.”

But the next time he is mentioned, we find him actually living in Sodom itself. The Spirit says expressly, “He dwelt in Sodom.” (Gen. xiv. 12.) His tents were left. The country was forsaken. He occupied a house in the very streets of that wicked town.”

We are not told the reason of this change. We are not aware that any occasion could have arisen for it. We are sure that there could have been no command of God. Perhaps his wife liked the town better than the country, for the sake of society. It is plain she had no grace herself. Perhaps she persuaded Lot it was needful for the advantage of his daughters, that they might marry, and get settled in life. Perhaps the daughters urged living in the town for the sake of gay company: they were evidently lightminded young women. Perhaps Lot liked it himself, in order to make more of his flocks and herds. Men never want reasons to confirm their wills. But one thing is very clear — Lot dwelt in the midst of Sodom without good cause”

When a child of God does these two things which I have named, we never need be surprised if we hear, by and by, unfavourable accounts about his soul. We never need wonder if he becomes deaf to the warning voice of affliction, as Lot was (Gen. xiv. 12) and turns out a lingerer in the day of trial and danger, as Lot did.”

Make a wrong choice in life - an unscriptural choice — and settle yourself down unnecessarily in the midst of worldly people, and I know no surer way to damage your own spirituality, and to go backward about your eternal concerns. This is the way to make the pulse of your soul beat feebly and languidly. This is the way to make the edge of your feeling about sin become blunt and dull. This is the way to dim the eyes of your walk. This is the way to bring a moral palsy on your feet and limbs, and make you go tottering and trembling along the road to Zion, as if the grasshopper was a burden. This is the way to sell the pass to your worst enemy — to give the devil vantage-ground in the battle — to tie your arms in fighting — to fetter your legs in running — to dry up the sources of your strength to cripple your energies - to cut off your own hair, like Samson, and give yourself into the hands of the Philistines, to put out your own eyes, grind at the mill, and become a slave.”

I call on every reader of this paper to mark well what I am saying. Settle these things down in your mind. Do not forget them. Recollect them in the morning. Recall them to memory at night. Let them sink down deeply into your heart. If ever you would be safe from “lingering,” beware of the needless mingling with worldly people. Beware of Lot’ s choice! If you would not settle down into a dry, dull, sleepy, lazy, barren, heavy, carnal, stupid, torpid state of soul, beware of Lot’ s choice.”

(a) Remember this in choosing a dwelling-place, or residence. It is not enough that the house is comfortable — the situation good — the air fine — the neighborhood pleasant — the rent or price small — the living cheap. There are other things yet to be considered. You must think of your immortal soul. Will the house you think of help you towards heaven or hell? Is the Gospel preached within an easy distance? Is Christ crucified within reach of your door? Is there a real man of God near, who will watch over your soul? I charge you, if you love life, not to overlook this. Beware of Lot’ s choice!”

(b) Remember this in choosing a calling, a place, or profession in life. It is not enough that the salary is high, the wages good, the work light, the advantages numerous, the prospects of getting on most favourable. Think of your soul, your immortal soul. Will it be prospered or drawn back? Will you have your Sundays free, and be able to have one day in the week for your spiritual business? I beseech you, by the mercies of God, to take heed what you do. Make no rash decision. Look at the place in every light, the light of God as well as the light of the world. Gold may be bought too dear. Beware of Lot’ s choice!”

(c) Remember this in choosing a husband or wife, if you are unmarried. It is not enough that your eye is pleased — that your tastes are met — that your mind find congeniality — that there is amiability and affection — that there is a comfortable home for life. There needs something more than this. There is a life yet to come. Think of your soul, your immortal soul. Will it be helped upwards or dragged downwards by the union you are planning? Will it be made more heavenly, or more earthly, drawn nearer to all your hopes of glory, allow this to enter into your calculations. Think before you commit yourself. “Be not unequally yoked.” (2 Cor. vi. 14) Matrimony is nowhere named a-mong the means of conversion. Remember Lot’ s choice!”

(d) Remember this, if you are ever offered a situation on a railway. It is not enough to have good pay and regular employment — the confidence of the directors, and the best chance of rising to a higher post. These things are very well in their way, but they are not everything. How will your soul fare if you serve a railway company that runs Sunday trains? What opportunities will you have for hearing the gospel preached? I solemnly warn you to consider this. It will profit you nothing to fill your purse, if you bring leanness and poverty on your soul. Beware of selling your Sabbath for the sake of a good place! Remember Esau’ s mess of pottage. Beware of Lot’ s choice!”

Some reader may perhaps think, “A believer need not fear; he is a sheep of Christ, he will never perish, he cannot come to much harm. It cannot be that such small matters can be of great importance.””

Well, you may think so. But I warn you, if you neglect these matters, your soul will never prosper. A true believer will certainly not be cast away, although he may linger. But if he does linger, it is vain to suppose that his religion will thrive. Grace is a tender plant. Unless your cherish it and nurse it well, it will soon become sickly in this evil world. It may droop, though it cannot die. The brightest gold will soon become dim when exposed to a damp atmosphere. The hottest iron will soon become cold. It requires pains and toil to bring it to a red heat: it requires nothing but letting alone, or a little cold water to become black and hard.”

You may be an earnest, zealous Christian now. You may feel like David in his prosperity: “I shall never be moved.” (Psalm xxx. 6.) But be not deceived. You have only got to walk in Lot’ s steps and make Lot’ s choice, and you will soon come to Lot’ s state of soul. Allow yourself to do as he did, presume to act as he acted, and be very sure you will soon discover you have become a wretched “lingerer” like him. You will find, like Samson, the presence of the Lord is no longer with you; You will prove, to your own shame, an undecided, hesitating man, in the day of trial. There will come a canker on your religion, and eat out its vitality without your knowing it. There will come a slow consumption on your spiritual strength, and waste it away insensibly. And at length you will wake up to find your hands hardly able to do the Lord’ s work, and your feet hardly able to carry you along the Lord’ s way, and your faith no bigger than a grain of mustard seed; and this, perhaps, at some turning point in your life, at a time when the enemy is coming in like a flood, and your need is the sorest.”

Ah, if you would not become a lingerer in religion, consider these things! Beware of doing what Lot did!”

Rev. Ryle”

GOOD HOPE”

Remember, O Christian, if thou hast any life, or hope, or desire in Jesus, that it is not thy own life, but the life of Christ in thee; and that, therefore, it can never perish, nor utterly fail. Thy sinful nature can afford no hope, nor the shadow of an hope, not a desire, nor even a wish to desire, the least good thing that relates to Jesus Christ. These are exotics on earth and must be transplanted from heaven. No fruit or flower of grace can spring from thy carnal nature; nothing naturally flourishes there, but the baleful weeds of freewill, or rather selfwill of unbelief and pride. Thy soul by natural pollution is become a dark waste and thorny wilderness; and none but Jesus, the husbandman of the Church, can convert it into a garden. But, when the divine Redeemer has once made this wilderness to blossom as a rose, will He not keep as well as water it every moment? will not He reduce the beast of the forest, with every noxious and creeping thing? Can Jehovah bestow so much affection and care upon His people at one time, and then suffer an apostate spirit, one of His vilest creatures, to ravage and destroy them at another? Reason and scripture, the perfection and mistress of the best reason, renounce the abhorred thought for ever. Take courage, then, believing soul, and look out for thy inestimable privilege of a good hope through grace: and be assured from the testimony of Jesus, that thou shalt never look in vain. Thy heavenly Father despiseth not the day of small things; and why shouldst thou? Thy faith, though now perhaps minute as the smallest of seeds, is notwithstanding precious, and shall one day rise in such luxuriance that all the fowls of the air shall lodge in the branches of it: the holiest graces and most happy desires shall wing their way to thine heart, and shall rest with delight on thine soul, through the everlasting salvation of Jesus. He lives, and because He lives thou shalt live also. The life thou hast received from Him here shall be improved and perfected, shall be increased and glorified, in Him and with Him, for ever, hereafter.”

SERLE”

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.- 1 Cor. 2:14-16”

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