I have read of a holy man, who being tempted by some
former companions to sin, he made this answer: I am so busy in reading a
little book, which contains such deep mysteries, that I have resolved to
read it all the days of my life. It has but three pages. In the first
leaf, which is red — I am taught to
meditate on the precious blood of Christ, which was shed for my sins. In
the second leaf, which is white — I meditate on the pure and
glorious joys of Heaven. In the third leaf, which is black — I
contemplate the hideous and dreadful torments of Hell, prepared for the
wicked for all eternity."
The saints are like letters engraved on Christ's
heart, which cannot be erased out.
A child of God fears, because the "gate is narrow;" but hopes, because the gate is open.
A child of God fears, because the "gate is narrow;" but hopes, because the gate is open.
Christians should be both diamonds and loadstones.
Diamonds, for the luster of their graces.
Loadstones, by attracting others to Christ.
A true Christian is a dwarf in humility — but a giant
in strength to fulfill duty, to bear trial, and to endure temptation.
A Christian is as much afraid of a painted
holiness — as he is of going to a painted Heaven.
The song of the Psalmist, when he longed for
deliverance from the sorrows of life, was, "Oh that I had wings like a
dove! I would flee away." The bird longs to be out of the cage, although
it is adorned with pearl and ornamented with gold.
The world, to a godly man, is but a beautiful prison.
Nor can he love his fetters, which detain him there, although they are
made of gold. He sends his heart to Heaven, before his body is set free,
"Setting your affections on things above."
The trees of righteousness, when they grow together,
nourish each other in godliness; the communion of saints promotes
fruitfulness. By Christian fellowship, knowledge is increased, faith is
strengthened, and evidences are cleared. But when the trees which are
planted in the garden of the Lord stand at a distance from each other,
there is neither communion nor fruitfulness.
The godly in this life are like scattered pearls —
they lie distant from each other, and are dispersed into several
regions. But there is a day coming, when God will gather his saints
"unto him" as one places his pearls on a string. "In the day that he
makes up his jewels!"
A believer triumphs more in the imputed righteousness
of Christ, than if he had Adam's righteousness in innocency, nay, than
if he had the angels' righteousness, for now he has the righteousness of
God! "That we might be made the righteousness of God in him."