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Though he fall he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand....Psalm xxxvii. 24.

THE absolute declarations and promises of scripture are ever to be considered as having relation to, and dependance upon the covenant of grace. Hence, whatever is asserted concerning the salvation of lost sinners, is an exhibition or display of the grace of the covenant by Jesus Christ. When men see not the nature of the covenant, ordered in all things and sure, they make the promises of the gospel as it were a mere rope of sand. Not seeing salvation, established upon the sure foundation of God's immutable love and faithfulness, they make it depend on human wisdom, power, and goodness. Poor comfort for sensible souls. Though pride for a time may keep up the vain hopes of the self-righteous and self-deluded....How long? Till they are tried by fire.

The just man's standing is of God's power. His falls are from his own frailty. That he is raised from his falls, is from the sovereign love and covenant faithfulness of his God. But, is not God able to keep us from falling? Doubtless his power is almighty. He can take away all sin and corruption out of us and not suffer temptation from satan, the world and the flesh, ever to attack us. Yea, he can instantly change us into angelic purity. But this is not his will. The Lord sees it most for his glory that we should be just what we are.... believe his truths....live upon his promises....rely on his power from day to day, or it should be otherwise. All things are in being for the elect's sake. All things "work together for their good,"....Rom. viii. 28. Satan may tempt souls as he did Christ, to cast themselves down to prove the power of God. Carnal hearts may say, "let us do evil, that good may come." Each shew what spirit they are of. Saints express the inward disposition of their souls by other language. Gracious works proceed from gracious hearts which are influenced by divine truth and everlasting love. Saints' falls are suffered, to humble them for sin, wean them from their pride, self-righteousness, and self-sufficiency; to deaden them to the love of the world, and to endear Jesus more and more to them; to teach them the usefulness of ordinances; to exercise their graces; to purge out their dross; to enable them to succour others with the assurance of comfort and protection, which they themselves have found from our Saviour. So he displays the wisdom, power and faithfulness of a covenant-God. Thus he makes souls meet for glory, and causes them to long more for the heavenly inheritance. Saints may fall, and do fall into many things that hurt and bruise them. This is their shame; it causeth sorrow and grief; and excites watchfulness. But fall into hell they cannot, they shall not, because they are upheld by the arm of omnipotence; and Jesus declares, “I give unto them eternal life."....John x. 28.

If he be the king of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him....Matt. xxvii. 42...

OUR blessed Lord was not only crucified between two thieves, but was also surrounded on the cross, and mocked and derided by the very worst sort of thieves, the chief priests, scribes, and elders. These professing ministers of Jehovah did their utmost to rob the prince of life and Lord of glory of that honor which is ever due unto him, of being our Saviour; and, like thieves and robbers, they would enter his kingdom some other way. Verily he is the king of all his spiritual Israel. Every subject of his love will bow to the sovereignty of his grace, kiss the sceptre of his love, glory only in his despised cross, and rejoice that Jesus rules in and reigns over him. Most true, this way of salvation is contrary to the wisdom of the flesh, the reasonings of corrupt nature, and the pride of boasted FREE-WILL These, by how much the more they are assisted by human learning, are so much the more strengthened and fortified against this self-denying truth, salvation by free-grace, through the cross of a despised Jesus. "Their wisdom and their knowledge had perverted them," says Isaiah, xlvii. 10, or they would not have said, "Let him Now.come, and we WILL believe." Poor proud creatures! FREE-WILL is ever the same. Where it reigns it always exalts the creature and opposes the sovereignty of God. It prescribes methods of conviction. It refuses to submit to those of infinite wisdom. Through a life of thirty years, Jesus had afforded them the fullest conviction of their senses, and they believed not on him; neither would their hearts have been persuaded though he had come down from the cross; yea, though he actually did rise again from the dead, still they resisted the fullest evidence; therefore they remained inexcusable.

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Outward miracles and wonders may surprize the senses, but cannot work saving faith in the heart. Pride ever reigns in unregene rate hearts, and nothing but sovereign grace can subdue it. Even in hell the notion of free-will prevails. "Nay, but" said Dives, "if one went to them from the dead, they wILL repent."....Luke xvi. 30. Humble souls are thankful for the gift of precious faith in a precious Christ. They know it is not of themselves that they believe. Therefore they adore and love "the author and finisher of faith," and own it is given of distinguishing love and sovereign grace. Thus all glorying in the flesh is cut off. By faith we glory in the truth and rejoice in Jesus only. "It is not of him who willeth.". ..Rom.ix 16.

Subdue the pride of my free will,
By thy free grace, my Lord;
engthen my faith, confirm my hope, May I rejoice to know thy truth,
thine unerring word.

While others tempt, and ask a sign,
In order to believe;

And on thy truth to live.

M.

-To them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: mercy unto you, and peace, and love be multiplied....Jude, ver. 1, 2.

ONE frequently meets with poor trembling souls, just enlightened by the Spirit to see their misery, feel their wretchedness as sinners, and who flee to Christ for hope; yet their poor hearts are greatly distressed with fear, lest they should not be sanctified, but perish in their sins, and so never obtain the end of their faith, the salvation of their souls. But that is impossible. They do not at present see the glorious order of the covenant; nor consider the certain security of all who are effectually called by the word and Spirit to the knowledge of Christ. For this is a consequence of their being sanctified, separated or set apart by God the Father, as the objects of his everlasting love. As God loves them as his jewels, he is careful to preserve them. He well knew and clearly foresaw the miserable effects sin would bring on them, therefore he chose them in Christ Jesus. He committed them into his hands. They are preserved safe and secure; not from falling into sin; for they are in themselves sinners; by nature "children of wrath even as others." And to their after shame and sorrow, many of them run dreadful lengths in sin before their conversion. Some like Saul, are mad against Jesus, the way of salvation by him, and holiness by his Spirit. But still, as with the people of old, God bears with their manners. The long-suffering of the Lord is their salvation. He is not willing that any one of them should perish. All of them are called to repentance; and to know the preciousness of Jesus, in whom they are preserved.

Disciple of Jesus, canst thou not look back on thy past life, and see thy many, many narrow escapes from death? How many dangers hast thou been delivered from; yea, when only one hair's breadth seemed between thee and eternity! O, hadst thou died in thy unregenerate state of sin and unbelief, how couldst thou have escaped the damnation of hell! But impossible this. Thou wast preserved in Christ Jesus, therefore every snare of death has been broken. Thou wast immortal till the Spirit called thee. Think of this and be humbled. Reflect on the love of thy God; rejoice, and give him all the glory. Thou hast not only been preserved from death and hell, but art called to life and salvation by Jesus. His life is thy righteousness, his blood is thy redemption, his intercession thy salvation. And what awaits thee now? Mercy from God the Father, peace in Christ Jesus, love from the blessed Spirit. Such, such is the happy portion of all the called. May this be multiplied more and more upon thee day by day! Such is the doctrine, such the prayer of Jude, the servant of Jesus, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit of truth." Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."....John xvi. 24.

VOL. I.

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Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom....Luke xii. 32.

WHEN poor sinners are converted to Jesus, they become little in their own eyes, and they see but few comparatively who follow the Lamb. Their former friends turn their enemies. Their former hopes are cut off. They know their own strength to be perfect weakness; and they feel the burden of a body of sin and death. Hence their poor hearts are often exercised with anxious cares and distressing fears. Their Saviour knows this; therefore he speaks to them in love, forbids their fears, and administers the most reviving draught of consolation.

Ye children, consider your dignity as adopted sons of God. Call to mind your honorable state, heirs of a kingdom, heirs of God the King of kings, and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ your elder brother. Though at present ye are in a state of exile. The world knows you not. Your kindred after the flesh despise you. Carnal professors revile and persecute you. Satan is enraged to tempt and accuse you. Yea, and your worst foes are most nearly allied to you; the flesh, with its corruptions and lusts, sin and unbelief. Yet, saith the head, in glory, to his conflicting members on earth, "Fear not." Why? what consideration can dispel the anxious fears, and alleviate the distressing doubts of drooping disciples? Verily the goodpleasure of their Father: the eternal purposes of his grace: the immutable designs of his love. A kingdom is prepared for you. Earth, with all its power: sin, with all its malignity: hell, with all its rage and malice, shall never deprive you of your Father's patrimony. O disciple! how does this heighten the mercy and secure the inheritance? It is a FREE GIFT, by Jesus Christ. Poor soul, thou art fearing about thy interest in and title to the kingdom of glory. Verily, thou canst find nothing in thyself, to give thee a right thereto. But thy Saviour plainly assures thee, it is of "thy Father's good pleasure." What power can avert that? Hast thou an heart to seek the kingdom? Dost thou believe in, and follow the Lamb? Dost thou see somewhat in Jesus, which attracts thy affections? Is the desire of thy soul after him, and to the remembrance of his name? Then hath the glory of the kingdom, by the Spirit, shined upon thine heart. No marvel sin is thy grief and burden, while Jesus is the delight and hope of thy soul. May it suffice to quiet and still thy mind, that the Father's gift is sure. And so is the way also; it is by Jesus. And "through much tribulation thou (and all the heirs) must enter into the kingdom."....Acts xiv. 22.

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-Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth....Psalm cx. 3.

WHEN Sovereign grace reacheth the heart, it casts out that son of the bond-woman, natural free-will. This had long usurped the throne, and subjected the poor sinner to nothing but pride and evil. Yet all the while the sinner vainly boasted of his liberty; though he was a servile slave to the worst of drudgery. Free indeed to do evil; but to do good without power. Such is the natural will of every sinner, that it is as averse to turn to Jesus as the will of the devil is. But because of the free-will offering of Jesus his members are made willing, by the Spirit, to come to him as their only hope. To HIM they bring free-will offerings, with holy worship. Thus Jehovah the Father speaks to the Son of his love, and gives a glorious display of the effects of everlasting election and covenant love, under the energy of the divine Spirit. See, believer, behold and adore the equal love of the glorious trinity. Is thy WILL towards Jesus? is the language of thy heart none but Jesus, all other saviours I disclaim? Verily, where this wILL is given by the Spirit in a day of power, the affections are attracted to Jesus in the beauties of holiness. Dost thou not choose the sceptre of his love to rule over thee as well as the atonement of his blood to obtain thy pardon? These are inseparable. Let no soul deceive himself. Every believer is washed in the blood of Jesus, and made a priest unto God. As the high-priest under the law "put on the breast-plate of judgment; the urim and thummim," Exod. xxviii. So, so every anointed one is endued with LIGHT and PERFECTION.... The light of the knowledge of Jesus, and the perfection of grace which dwells in him, is communicated to his members. Hence in the exercise of faith, their souls obey willingly, serve cheerfully, and delight in Jesus continually. This is a soul-affecting consideration: all is of grace. Conceived in the womb of the morning of eternity, and its rich profusion freely poured forth in time, like the pearly dew upon the vegetable creation, produces its verdure, refreshment, and fruits.

So, disciple, all thy mercies come from above. Freely thou hast received an understanding to know, a will to choose, and affections to cleave unto Jesus: "Render therefore unto Cæsar the things that are Cæsar's." Do thou take all the shame of thy sinful, freewill and nature-state to thyself, and be humbled: "But unto God the things that are God's." By his grace "I am what I am," should be thy daily confession; and this the sweet exercise of thy grateful heart, to glory in the Lord alone, and devote thyself to his service. "Ye are not your own.".... 1 Cor. vi. 19.

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