Grace Gems

[nChrist]

Your sins, and errors, and follies

(William S. Plumer, "The Rock of Our Salvation" 1867)

Jesus knows your sins, and errors, and follies--but
He still loves you tenderly! Your weakness affords Him
a welcome opportunity to show pity. There are heights,
and depths, and lengths, and breadths of mercy in Christ
--beyond all human necessities, miseries, and sins!
He has helped myriads to glory--who were as weak, as
unworthy, as desponding as any of us! His mercies are . . .
  shoreless,
  fathomless,
  eternal,
  unchangeable!

Some humble child of God may say, "I have made but
poor progress. I have sore troubles, "fears within, and
fightings without." Let such remember, that whatever
makes us humble is good for us. Humility is the most
lovely of graces. Without it, there is no real progress
heavenward. It is a precious token of God's regard to
us, that He so deals with us, as to . . .
  destroy our carnal security,
  mortify our pride,
  make us loathe and abhor ourselves,
and yet gives us a relish for spiritual enjoyments,
and leads us to seek them above all other things.

He is a growing Christian, to whom Christ is more and
more precious. As our estimate of Christ rises--our
estimate of ourselves necessarily becomes lower. To
believers, Christ is everything. He is all their salvation.

If we are guilty, He has atoned.

If we are vile, He is worthy.

If we are nothing, He is all in all.

To be in Christ is heaven begun! To be with
Christ and like Christ is heaven completed!

He . . .
  to whom Christ is precious,
  to whom the word of God is sweeter than honey,
  to whom sin is odious,
  to whom secret devotion is a delight,
  who strives to honor his Master in his life,
  who regards the world as a broken idol
--has passed from death unto life.

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[nChrist]

These saving lessons

(A Puritan Prayer)

In Jesus . . .
  my debt is paid,
  my sins are forgiven,
  my soul is saved,
  hell is vanquished,
  heaven is opened,
  eternity is made mine!

O Holy Spirit, deepen in me these
saving lessons. Write them upon
my heart, that my walk be . . .
  sin-loathing,
  sin-fleeing,
  Christ-loving.

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[nChrist]

Your gracious keeping

(John MacDuff, "The Gates of Prayer")

Anew I commend myself to Your gracious keeping this day.
Guide me by Your counsel--guard me from temptation--lead
me in the everlasting way. May every unloving thought--every
unworthy aim and aspiration--give place to what is pure and
unselfish and kind. May every idol that would usurp Your place
be overthrown. May no corrupt thought pollute my heart--no
unworthy utterance defile my tongue--no unholy action stain
my life. Preserve me from the world's insinuating, seductive
power--and from the treachery and deceitfulness of my own
evil heart.

Whatever is my dominant sin--
  ease or pleasure;
  pride or passion;
  covetousness or ambition;
enable me by the promised help of Your Spirit,
to subdue it--nailing it to the Redeemer's cross.

Defend me from every snare and danger
which may beset my path. Be . . .
  my Shield in prosperity;
  my Refuge in adversity;
  my Comforter in sorrow;
  my Light in darkness;
  my Hope in death;
  my Defender and Vindicator in judgment;
  my Joy and Portion through all eternity!

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[nChrist]

Fresh supplies of Your grace

(John MacDuff, "The Gates of Prayer")

I know not what difficulties, or trials, or temptations,
may be before me this day. Prepare me whether for
duty or for conflict. Knowing the treachery of the
heart, I desire this morning, and each morning, to
receive fresh supplies of Your grace.


Live among the swine?

(Leighton, "Practical Commentary on 1 Peter")

Shall those who are purged by Christ's blood,
return to live among the swine, and tumble
with them in the mire?

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[nChrist]

From his mother's womb!

(John Calvin)

"Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the
 time my mother conceived me." Psalm 51:5

David does not confess himself guilty merely of some
one or more sins--but that from his mother's womb
he has brought forth nothing but sin, and by nature
is wholly corrupt, and, as it were, immersed in sin.

"Every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood."
Genesis 8:21

"We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly
 desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and
 thoughts, and by nature we were children under
 wrath, as the others were also." Ephesians 2:3

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[nChrist]

Mohammed

(William S. Plumer, "The Rock of Our Salvation" 1867)

Although just now somewhat shorn of his power to persecute,
Mohammed, the prophet of Mecca, still practices his sorceries,
maddens the passions of men, holds the cup of carnal delight
to the lips of his besotted worshipers, and endeavors to light
up the horrors of the grave by pointing to a Paradise of sin!

(This apt summary of the Islam religion was written in 1867!)

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[nChrist]

Splendid sins!

(William S. Plumer, "Sinners Saved by Unmerited Kindness")

Two things are required to make an action right. One is that
it be lawful in itself. The other is that it be done with a right
motive. If the thing done is itself wrong, no motives can make
it right. On the other hand, the thing done may be right in
itself, but the motive which governs us may be wrong, and
so the act may be sinful because the motive is sinful. Bad
motives in good actions are like dead flies in sweet ointments.
They corrupt the whole. The motive of the heart is everything!

Most unbelievers do many things which are very proper,
but not out of love to God. The unregenerate man never
does anything with holy motives. His life is better than his
heart. Indeed his heart is the worst part of him! It is all
wrong. It is hard, and proud, and selfish, and unbelieving,
and without any love to God. So far from pleasing God, all
the unregenerate are continually offending him. Their very
best works are but splendid sins! They do some things
which God requires, and abstain from some things which God
forbids--not because they love God or His law, but because it
promotes their health, or wealth, or honor to do so.

Ploughing is itself a lawful act. If there is no ploughing,
there can be no bread. Yet God says: "The ploughing of
the wicked is sin!" Yes, he puts it down with other sins
which greatly offend him. The whole verse reads thus:
"A high look, and a proud heart, and the ploughing of
the wicked--is sin." Proverbs 21:4. If God had intended
to teach that everything done by wicked men--even the
most common and necessary thing was sinful--could He
have chosen more fit words?

Here is a passage which shows that all the religious services
of the unconverted, are defiled with sin. "The sacrifice of the
wicked is an abomination to the Lord." Proverbs 15:8.

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[nChrist]

There goes John Bradford!

(William Plumer, "Sinners Saved by Unmerited Kindness")

When others sin, godly men see what they themselves
were before conversion; or what they would have been--
but for the restraints of God's grace.

Bradford, an eminent servant of Christ, seeing a criminal
led to execution said, "There goes John Bradford--but
for the grace of God!"

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[nChrist]

What devils never did

(William S. Plumer, "Sinners Saved by Unmerited Kindness")

"You are the children of your father the Devil, and you love
 to do the evil things he does." John 8:44

Such is the sad state of man by nature, that he bears a fearful
resemblance to devils. This truth is very abasing to human pride.

Unconverted men are like devils in the sense in which a child
is like a man, or a cub like a lion. All admit that devils have
no holiness. In this unconverted men are precisely like them.
They do not love God's law, or nature, or government. They
are alienated from Him, and opposed to all His attributes and
authority. They do not glorify Him, do not delight in Him, do
not find pleasure in thinking on His name. They choose sin
and death--rather than holiness and life.

Laws, public opinion, and God's providence now restrain
many; but the heart of unrenewed man is as wicked as it
ever was. It hates holiness.

In some things, the ungodly do what devils never did.
They reject mercy and grace, kindly offered to them by
the Lord. Devils never did that! You say--They never had
the opportunity. True, but they never did it. Neither did
they ever laugh at eternity, judgment and damnation.
They have too fearful a sense of the wrath of God to be
able to mock and jest at these most solemn things.

How dreadful is sin! It converts angels into devils, and men
into fiends! There is no unfitness in the arrangement which
God has made for having one great prison-house for all
His incorrigible foes. The very place prepared for the devil
and his angels--will be the final abode of impenitent men!

"Then He will also say to those on the left--Depart from
 Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for
 the Devil and his angels!" Matthew 25:41

How dreadful will hell be!

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[nChrist]

When God pardons

(William S. Plumer, "Sinners Saved by Unmerited Kindness")

One unpardoned sin would destroy a soul forever.

Many words in Scripture point towards forgiveness, such as:
  grace,
  mercy,
  peace with God,
  not imputing iniquity,
  taking away sin,
  bearing sin,
  making an end of transgression,
  covering sin,
  forgetting sin,
  not remembering iniquity,
  washing, cleansing and removing sin,
  casting it into the sea, or behind the back,
  scattering it like a cloud,
  burying it,
  blotting it out,
  pardoning it.

The forgiveness of sins is free. It is "without money and
without price." We can do nothing to merit it, or prepare
ourselves for it. When God pardons, He pardons:
  all sins,
  original sin and actual sin,
  sins of omission and of commission,
  secret and open sins,
  sins of thought, word and deed.

To those who believe in Jesus, all is freely forgiven.
Full pardon, or none at all, is what God gives. Nor is
this gift ever revoked by God. When He forgives, He
forgives forever!

"Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven,
 whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin
 the Lord does not count against him." Psalm 32:1-2

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[nChrist]

Wonderful mystery!

(William Plumer, "Sinners Saved by Unmerited Kindness")

Wonderful mystery! God was manifest in the flesh!

Our Lord Jesus Christ became incarnate, lived, acted,
obeyed, suffered, died and rose again--for His people.

He came down to earth--that they might go up to heaven.

He suffered--that they might reign.

He became a servant--that they might become kings
and priests unto God.

He died that--they might live.

He bore the cross--that their enmity might be slain,
and their sins expiated.

He loved them--that they might love God.

He was rich and became poor--that they, who
were poor, might be made rich.

He descended into the grave--that they might
sit in heavenly places.

He emptied Himself--that they might be filled
with all the fullness of God.

He took upon Him human nature--that they
might be partakers of the divine nature.

He made Himself of no reputation--that they might
wear His new name, and obtain eternal excellency.

He became a worm, and no man--that they, who were
sinful worms, might be made equal to the angels.

He bore the curse of a broken covenant--that they
might partake of all the blessings of the everlasting
covenant, ordered in all things and sure.

Though heir of all things, He was willingly despised
of the people--that they, who were justly condemned,
might obtain an inheritance which is incorruptible,
undefiled, and which fades not away.

His death was a satisfaction to divine justice, a ransom
for many, a propitiation for sin, a sweet smelling savor
to God--that we, who were an offence to God, might
become His sons and daughters.

He was made sin for His people--that they might be
made the righteousness of God in Him.

Though Lord of all, He took the form of a servant--that
they, who were the servants of sin, might prevail like
princes with God.

He had no where to lay His head--that they who otherwise
must have lain down in eternal sorrow, might reach the
mansions in His Father's house.

He drank the cup of God's indignation--that they
might forever drink of the river of his pleasures.

He hungered--that they might eat the bread of life.

He thirsted--that they might drink the water of life.

He was numbered with the transgressors--that they might
stand among the justified, and be counted among His jewels.

Though He existed from everlasting, from the beginning,
before ever the earth was, yet He became a helpless infant
--that creatures of yesterday, sentenced to death, might
live forever.

He wore a crown of thorns--that all who love His
appearing, might wear a crown of life.

He wept tears of anguish--that His elect might
weep tears of godly repentance.

He bore the yoke of obedience unto death--that
they might find His yoke easy and His burden light.

He poured out his soul unto death, lay three days in
the heart of the earth, then burst the bars of death,
and arose to God--that they, who through fear of
death were all their lifetime subject to bondage,
might obtain the victory over the grave and become
partakers of His resurrection.

He exhausted the penalty of the law--that His redeemed
might have access to His inexhaustible treasures of mercy,
wisdom, faithfulness, truth and grace.

He was matchless in grace--that they might be matchless
in gratitude.

Though a Son, He became a voluntary exile--that they, who had
wickedly wandered afar off, might be brought near by His blood.

His visage was so marred more than any man--that His
ransomed ones might be presented before God without
spot, or blemish, or wrinkle, or any such thing.

For a time He was forsaken of his Father--that they, whom
He bought with His blood, might behold the light of God's
countenance forever.

He came and dwelt with them--that they might be forever
with the Lord.

He was hung up naked before His insulting foes--that all
who believe on His name, might wear a glorious wedding
garment--a spotless righteousness.

Wonderful mystery! God was manifest in the flesh!
Blessed is he who loves the incarnate mystery, and
rests upon it. It is a mystery . . .
  of love,
  of truth,
  of grace,
  of wisdom,
  of condescension,
  of power,
  of salvation!
It is the great study of the inhabitants of heaven,
and shall be while immortality endures!

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[nChrist]

Every man has a heaven and a hell

(Hall)

Every man has a heaven and a hell.

Earth is the ungodly man's heaven; his hell is to come.

The godly have their hell upon earth, when they
are vexed with temptations and afflictions by Satan
and his accomplices; their heaven is above in endless
happiness. If it be ill with me on earth, it is well that
my torment is so short and easy; I cannot be so
unreasonable as to expect two heavens!

    * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"If we have the kingdom at last--it is no great
matter what we suffer on the way to it." Manton

    * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"All the sufferings of the believer are not hell;
but they are all the hell he shall suffer." Mason

    * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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[nChrist]

Nothing but the blood of Christ

(Plumer, "Sinners Saved by Unmerited Kindness")

Nothing but the blood of Christ can quench . . .
  the fire of God's wrath,
  the fire of lust, or
  the fiery darts of Satan!


    * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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[nChrist]

Short-lived, imperfect and unsatisfying

(William Plumer, "Sinners Saved by Unmerited Kindness")

"In Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are
 eternal pleasures! Psalms 16:11

Here on earth--our greatest joys are short-lived, imperfect
and unsatisfying. Nothing continues in a perpetually happy
state. All is unsettled, and easily marred. In heaven--all is as
stable as eternity--all is as durable as the throne of God! All
flows from the bounty of an infinite God and Savior.

Here on earth--sorrows beset us in troops. In heaven--
  all sorrows cease;
  sickness, sadness and sighing flee away;
  bereavement never desolates;
  tears never flow;
  tempests never rage;
  temptations never vex;
  poverty, war, and death never enter;
  rust never corrupts;
  thieves never steal;
  weariness and vanity are forever unknown;
  sin never defiles;
  peace reigns unbroken;
  "the wicked cease from troubling,
   and the weary are at rest."

"Well done, good and faithful servant! Enter
 into the joy of your Lord!" Matthew 25:21

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[nChrist]

There is none like Jesus!

(William S. Plumer, "Sinners Saved by Unmerited Kindness")

"What is your Beloved more than another beloved?"

Our Beloved alone can do sinners good. His blood alone atones.
He loved us unto death!

Jesus has at once an almighty arm--and a brother's heart!

None is more exalted--yet none stoops so low!

None is mightier--yet none is more tender! He shall not
break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax.

He is meek and lowly, merciful and mild--at the same
time He is the omnipotent Jehovah!

He enlightens, purifies and comforts the heart!

His word cannot be broken!

His power cannot be resisted!

The law of heavenly kindness is in His heart!

Great is His faithfulness!

His royal titles are . . .
  Wonderful Counselor,
  Mighty God,
  Everlasting Father,
  Prince of Peace!

To the pious, Jesus is the source of . .  .
  all hope,
  all joy,
  all peace,
  all life,
  all comfort.

Jesus is still as gentle, as kind, as tender as when He . . .
  wept at the grave of Lazarus,
  gave eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame,
  or granted mercy to a wretch hanging by His side.

In Him dwell all excellencies!

He is full of grace and truth!

He takes poor, vile, ignorant, guilty, helpless
sinners--raises them to sonship with God, and
makes them partakers of His holiness!

There is none like Him--no, not one!

He is the chief among ten thousand!

Wherever He is, there is heaven!

There is none like Jesus!

"Yes, He is altogether lovely! This is my Beloved,
 and this is my Friend!"

"Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive
 power and wealth and wisdom and strength and
 honor and glory and praise!" Revelation 5:12

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