Grace Gems

[nChrist]

They have many scars and spots

(Thomas Watson, "The Godly Man's
Picture Drawn with a Scripture Pencil)

"He has not beheld iniquity in Jacob." Numbers 23:21

"Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart." Heb. 10:22

If the heart is sincere, God will wink at many failings. 
God's love does not make Him blind; He can see our
infirmities. But how does God look at a believer's sins?
Not with an eye of revenge--but of pity, as a physician
sees a disease in his patient--so as to heal him. God
does not see iniquity in Jacob--so as to destroy him;
but to heal him!

How much pride, vanity, passion, does the Lord pass
by in His sincere ones! He sees the integrity--and
pardons the infirmity. We esteem a picture, though
it is not drawn full length. Just so, the graces of God's
people are not drawn to their full length. They have
many scars and spots--yet being sincere, they shall
find mercy. God loves the sincere, and it is the nature
of love to cover infirmity.

____________________

From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
____________________

[nChrist]

"Lord, smite this sin!"

(Thomas Watson, "The Godly Man's
Picture Drawn with a Scripture Pencil)

"Your Word is completely pure, and Your
 servant loves it." Psalms 119:140

Do we love the holiness of the Word? The Word is
preached--to beat down sin, and advance holiness.
Do we love it for its spirituality and purity? Many
love the Preached Word only for its eloquence and
notion. They come to a sermon as to a performance
(Ezek. 33:31,32) or as to a garden to pick flowers;
but not to have their lusts subdued or their hearts
purified. These are like a foolish woman who paints
her face--but neglects her health!

Do we love the convictions of the Word? Do we
love the Word when it comes home to our conscience
and shoots its arrows of reproof at our sins? It is the
minister's duty sometimes to reprove. He who can
speak smooth words in the pulpit--but does not know
how to reprove, is like a sword with a fine handle, but
without an edge! "Rebuke them sharply!" (Titus 2:15).
Dip the nail in oil--reprove in love--but strike the nail
home!

Now Christian, when the Word touches on your sin
and says, "You are the man!" do you love the reproof?
Can you bless God that "the sword of the Spirit" has
divided between you and your lusts? This is indeed a
sign of grace, and shows that you are a lover of the
Word.

A corrupt heart loves the comforts of the Word--but
not the reproofs: "You hate the one who reproves...
and despise him who tells the truth!" (Amos 5:10).
"Their eyes flash with fire!" Like venomous creatures
that at the least touch, spit poison! "When they heard
these things, they were enraged in their hearts and
gnashed their teeth at him!" (Acts 7:54). When
Stephen touched their sins, they were furious and
could not endure it.


How shall we know that we love the reproofs of the Word?

When we desire to sit under a heart-searching ministry.
Who cares for medicines that will not work? A godly man
does not choose to sit under a ministry that will not work
upon his conscience.

When we pray that the Word may meet with our sins. If
there is any traitorous lust in our heart--we would have
it found out, and executed. We do not want sin covered;
but cured! We can open our heart to the sword of the
Word and say, "Lord, smite this sin!"

When we are thankful for a reproof. "Let a righteous
man strike me--it is a kindness; let him rebuke me--it
is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it." (Psalm
141:5). David was glad for a reproof.

Suppose a man were in the mouth of a lion, and another
should shoot the lion and save the man; would he not be
thankful? So, when we are in the mouth of sin, as of a
lion, and the minister by a reproof shoots this sin to
death--shall we not be thankful?

A gracious soul rejoices, when the sharp lance of the Word
has pierced his abscess of sin! He wears a reproof like a jewel
on his ear: "Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold
is a wise man's rebuke to a listening ear." (Proverbs 25:12).

To conclude, it is convincing preaching which must do the
soul good. A nipping reproof prepares for comfort--as a
nipping frost prepares for the sweet flowers of spring.

____________________

From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
____________________

[nChrist]

Then you will be thankful

(Thomas Watson, "The Godly Man's
Picture Drawn with a Scripture Pencil)

If you wish to be thankful, get a heart deeply
humbled with the sense of your own vileness.
A broken heart is the best pipe to sound forth
God's praise. He who studies his sins, wonders
that he has anything, and that God should shine
on such a dunghill: "I was once a blasphemer
and a persecutor and a violent man--but I was
shown mercy!" (1 Timothy 1:13). How thankful
Paul was! How he trumpeted forth free grace!

A proud man will never be thankful. He looks on
all his mercies as either of his own procuring or
deserving. If he has an estate, this he got by his
wits and industry; not considering that scripture,
"Always remember that it is the Lord your God
who gives you power to become rich" (Dt. 8:18 ).
Pride stops the current of gratitude. O Christian,
think of your unworthiness; see yourself as the
least of saints, and the chief of sinners--and
then you will be thankful.

____________________

From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
____________________

[nChrist]

The golden bait

(Thomas Watson, "The Godly Man's
Picture Drawn with a Scripture Pencil)

Gain is the golden bait, with which Satan fishes
for souls! This was the last temptation he used
with Christ: "All these things will I give you!" But
Christ saw the hook under the bait! Many who have
escaped gross sins, are still caught in a golden net!

A godly man dare not travel for riches, along the
devil's highway. Those are sad gains, which make
a man lose heaven at last!

"What good will it be for a man if he gains the
 whole world, yet forfeits his soul?" Mat. 16:26

____________________

From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
____________________

[nChrist]

The curtain-sinner

(Thomas Watson, "The Godly Man's
Picture Drawn with a Scripture Pencil)

A godly man does not indulge himself in any sin.

Though sin lives in him--yet he does not live in sin.
A godly man may step into sin through infirmity--
but he does not keep on that road.

What is it to indulge sin? To indulge sin is to give the
breast to it and feed it. To indulge sin is to commit it
with delight. The ungodly "delight in wickedness."
(2 Thess. 2:12). In this sense, a godly man does not
indulge sin. Though sin is in him--he is troubled at it
and would gladly get rid of it.

There is as much difference between sin in the
wicked, and sin in the godly--as between poison
being in a serpent, and poison being in a man.
Poison in a serpent is in its natural place and is
delightful--but poison in a man's body is harmful
and he uses antidotes to expel it. So sin in a
wicked man is delightful, being in its natural
place--but sin in a child of God is burdensome
and he uses all means to expel it.

A godly man will not allow himself in secret sins.
Some are more modest than to commit open gross
sin. That would be a stain on their reputation. All
will not sin on a balcony--but perhaps they will
sin behind the curtain!

But a godly man dare not sin secretly, for he knows
that God can neither be deceived by our subtlety, nor
excluded by our secrecy. He knows that secret sins are
in some sense worse than others. They reveal more
deceit and atheism. "He knows the secrets of every
heart." (Psalm 44:21)

But the curtain-sinner thinks that God does not see:
"Have you seen what the leaders of Israel are doing with
their idols in dark rooms? They are saying--The Lord
doesn't see us!" (Ezek. 8:12). How it provokes God, that
men's atheism should give the lie to His omniscience! "He
who formed the eye--shall He not see?" (Psalm 94:9).

A godly man knows that secret sins shall not escape God's
justice. A judge on the bench cannot punish the treason of
the heart. But the sins of the heart are as visible to God,
as if they were written upon the forehead! As God will
reward secret duties; so He will revenge secret sins!

A godly man enters his protest against sin: "Oh,
what a miserable person I am! Who will free me
from this life that is dominated by sin?" (Romans
7:24). A child of God, while he commits sin, hates
the sin he commits!

 

____________________

From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
____________________

[nChrist]

The harlot in your bosom!

(Thomas Watson, "The Godly Man's
Picture Drawn with a Scripture Pencil")

"Let us throw off everything that hinders and the
 sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with
 perseverance the race marked out for us." Heb. 12:1

There is usually one sin that is the favorite--the sin
which the heart is most fond of. A godly man will not
indulge his darling sin: "I kept myself from my iniquity."
(Psalm 18:23). "I will not indulge the sin to which the
bias of my heart more naturally inclines."

"Fight neither with small nor great--but only with the
king." (1 Kings 22:31). A godly man fights this king
sin. If we would have peace in our souls, we must
maintain a war against our favorite sin, and never
leave off until it is subdued.

Question: How shall we know what our beloved sin is?

Answer 1: The sin which a man does not love to have
reproved--is the darling sin. Herod could not endure
having his incest spoken against. If the prophet meddles
with that sin--it shall cost him his head! "Do not touch
my Herodias!" Men can be content to have other sins
reproved--but if the minister puts his finger on the
sore, and touches this sin--their hearts begin to burn
in malice against him!

Answer 2: The sin on which the thoughts run most, is
the darling sin. Whichever way the thoughts go, the
heart goes. He who is in love with a person cannot
keep his thoughts off that person. Examine what sin
runs most in your mind, what sin is first in your
thoughts and greets you in the morning--that is
your predominant sin.

Answer 3: The sin which has most power over us, and
most easily leads us captive--is the one beloved by the
soul. There are some sins which a man can better resist.
If they come for entertainment, he can more easily put
them off. But the bosom sin comes as a suitor, and he
cannot deny it--but is overcome by it. The young man in
the Gospel had repulsed many sins--but there was one
sin which soiled him, and that was covetousness.

Mark what sin you are most readily led captive by--that
is the harlot in your bosom! It is a sad thing that a
man should be so bewitched by lust, that if it asks him
to part with the kingdom of heaven--he must part with
it, to gratify that lust!

Answer 4: The sin which men most defend, is the
beloved sin. He who has a jewel in his bosom, will
defend it to his death. The sin we advocate and
dispute for, is the besetting sin. The sin which we
plead for, and perhaps wrest Scripture to justify it
--that is the sin which lies nearest the heart.

Answer 5: The sin which a man finds most difficulty in
giving up, is the endeared sin. Of all his sons, Jacob
found most difficulty in parting with Benjamin. So the
sinner says, "This and that sin I have parted with--but
must Benjamin go! Must I part with this delightful sin?
That pierces my heart!" A man may allow some of his
sins to be demolished--but when it comes to one sin,
that is the taking of the castle; he will never agree to
part with that! That is the master sin for sure.

The besetting sin is, of all others, most dangerous.
As Samson's strength lay in his hair--so the strength
of sin, lies in this beloved sin. This is like a poison
striking the heart, which brings death. A godly man
will lay the axe of repentance to this sin and hew it
down! He will sacrifice this Isaac; he will pluck out
this right eye--so that he may see better to go to
heaven.

____________________

From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
____________________

[nChrist]

One sin lived in

(Thomas Watson, "The Godly Man's
Picture Drawn with a Scripture Pencil")

A godly man considers the mischief which
one sin lived in, will do.

1. One sin lived in, gives Satan as much advantage
against you as more sins. The fowler can hold a bird
by one wing. Satan held Judas fast by one sin.

2. One sin lived in, proves that the heart is not sound.
He who hides one rebel in his house is a traitor to the
crown. The person who indulges one sin is a traitorous
hypocrite!

3. One sin lived in, will make way for moreas a little
thief can open the door to more. Sins are linked and
chained together. One sin will draw on more. David's
adultery made way for murder. One sin never goes alone!
If there is only one nest egg the devil can brood on it!

4. One sin lived in, is as much a breach of God's law as
more sins. "Whoever keeps the entire law, yet fails in one
point, is guilty of breaking it all." (James 2:10) The king
may make a law against felony, treason and murder. If a
man is guilty of only one of these he is a transgressor.

5. One sin lived in, prevents Christ from entering. One
stone in the pipe keeps out the water. One sin indulged
in, obstructs the soul and keeps the streams of Christ's
blood from running into it!

6. One sin lived in, will spoil all your good duties. One
dead fly will spoil the whole box of precious ointment.
A drop of poison will spoil a glass of wine. Abimelech, a
bastard-son, destroyed seventy of his brethren. (Judges
9:5) One bastard-sin will destroy seventy prayers.

7. One sin lived in, will be a cankerworm to eat out the
peace of conscience. "Alas! What a scorpion lies within!"
(Seneca). One sin is a pirate to rob a Christian of his
comfort. One jarring string puts all the music out of tune.
One sin lived in will spoil the music of conscience.

8. One sin lived in, will damn as well as more sins. One
disease is enough to kill. If a fence is made ever so strong,
and only one gap is left open; the wild beast may enter and
tread down the corn. If only one sin is allowed in the soul,
you leave open a gap for the devil to enter! A soldier may
have only one gap in his armor and the bullet may enter
there. He may as well be shot thereas if he had no armor
on at all. So if you favor only one sin, you leave a part of
your soul unprotected and the bullet of God's wrath may
enter there and shoot you! One sin lived in, may shut you
out of heaven! What difference is there, between being shut
out of heaven for one sin or for many sins? One millstone
will sink a man into the sea as well as a hundred!

Therefore, beware of cherishing one sin! Give a certificate
of divorce to every sin. Kill the Goliath sin! "Let not sin reign
over you." (Romans 6:12) In the original it is "Let not sin king
it over you." Grace and sin may be together but grace and the
love of sin cannot. Therefore parley with sin no longer but with
the spear of mortification, spill the heart-blood of every sin!

"For if you live after the flesh, you shall die: but if you through
 the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, you shall live."
    Romans 8:13.

"So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you."
    Colossians 3:5

____________________

From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
____________________

[nChrist]

Gone so soon without a trace!

(Thomas Watson, "The Godly Man's
Picture Drawn with a Scripture Pencil")

"Redeeming the time." Ephesians 5:16

How you spend your time, is a matter of great
importance. Many people fool away their time--
some in idle visits, others in recreations and
pleasures which secretly bewitch the heart, and
take it away from holy things. What are our
golden hours for--but to attend to our souls?
Time misspent is not time lived--but time lost!

Time is a precious commodity. As salvation is to
be worked out in it, and a conveyance of heaven
depends on using it well--it is of infinite concern!

Think of your short stay in the world. "We are here
for only a moment, visitors and strangers in the land
as our ancestors were before us. Our days on earth
are like a shadow--gone so soon without a trace!"
1 Chronicles 29:15

There is only a span between the cradle and the grave!
Solomon says there is "a time to be born and a time to
die"--but mentions no time of living--as if that were so
short, it was not worth naming!

Time, when it has once gone, can never be recalled.

"My life passes more swiftly than a runner. It flees away,
filled with tragedy. It disappears like a swift boat, like an
eagle that swoops down on its prey." Job 9:25-26

This Scripture compares time to a flying eagle. Yet time
differs from the eagle in this: the eagle flies forward and
then back again--but time has wings only to fly forward
--it never returns! "Time flies away irrevocably."

The serious thoughts of our short stay here in this world,
would be a great means of promoting godliness. Whoever
considers how flitting and winged his life is--will hasten
his repentance.

____________________

From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
____________________

[nChrist]

High, supercilious thoughts of yourselves

(Thomas Watson, "The Duty of Self-Denial" 1675)

"Vain man would be wise." Job 11:12

In the Hebrew it is "Empty man!" Man is a proud
piece of flesh! He is apt to have a high opinion of
himself.

Such as view themselves in the flattering looking-glass
of self-love, appear bigger in their own eyes than they
are! They think their spark--is a sun! They think their
drop--is a sea!

That you may deny all high, supercilious thoughts
of yourselves, consider that self-conceit is a great sin.
Chrysostom calls it "the mother of hell." It is a kind of
idolatry, a self-worshiping. This should pull down the
plumes of pride and self-conceit!

"What makes you better than anyone else? What do you
 have that God hasn't given you? And if all you have is
 from God, why boast as though you have accomplished
 something on your own?" 1 Corinthians 4:7

Consider that, whatever noble endowments you have,
are borrowed. What wise man would be proud of a
jewel which was lent to him? The moon has no cause
to be proud of her borrowed light.

Consider what a hell of sin you carry about you! Sin is
the accursed thing, Joshua 5:13. It is the quintessence
of evil. It was typified by the menstrual cloth, which
was the most unclean thing under the Law. This may
demolish all proud imaginations.

Grace can never thrive where pride and self-conceit grow.
As a body with cancer cannot thrive--so neither can the
soul thrive, which is cancered with pride and self-conceit.
A proud head--makes a barren heart!

A supercilious conceitedness is odious to God. The more
one values himself--the less God values him. Such as
have a high opinion of their own excellencies, are on the
fast track to eternal ruin! The Lord sometimes lets vain,
conceited people fall--not only foully, but finally! "The
doves," says Pliny, "take pride in their feathers, and in
their flying high. But they soar so high, that they are
prey to the hawk!" Just so, when men fly high in pride,
they become prey to the prince of the air!

All this should make us kill the worm of self-conceit!

Let Paul be our pattern. Though he was the chief of the
Apostles, he says, "I am less than the least of all God's
people." Ephesians 3:8. "I am nothing." 2 Corin. 12:11.
This illustrious Apostle, a star of the first magnitude,
shrank into nothing in his own eyes!

____________________

From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
____________________

[nChrist]

Many dig their graves, with their teeth!

(Thomas Watson, "The Duty of Self-Denial" 1675)

More are hurt by excess in lawful things--than by
meddling with sinful things. More are killed by wine
--than by poison. Many make their belly their god,
Philippians 3:19. And to this god, they pour their
drink offerings!

One writes of a fish whose heart is in his belly.
This is an emblem of epicures--whose heart is
in their belly; they are devoted to their appetite.
Excess in food or drink--
  clouds the mind,
  chokes holy affections,
  provokes lust, and
  shortens life!

Many dig their graves, with their teeth!

Seneca could say he was born to higher things--than to
be a slave to his body. What a shame is it--that the soul,
that princely part, which sways the scepter of reason,
should be enslaved to the brutish part! What has God
given conscience for--but to be a golden bridle to check
the inordinacy of the appetite! Deny the sinful cravings
of the flesh!

"I beat my body and make it my slave." 1 Cor. 9:27

____________________

From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
____________________

[nChrist]

A bundle of ridiculous ceremonies!

(Thomas Watson, "The Ten Commandments")

"Flee from idolatry!" 1 Corinthians 10:14

It is idolatry, not only to worship a false god--but
to worship the true God in a false manner.

See the goodness of God to our nation, in delivering us
from popery, which is Romish idolatry--and causing the
light of His truth to break forth gloriously among us. In
former times, England was overspread with idolatry.
We had . . .
  purgatory,
  indulgences,
  the idolatrous mass,
  prayers to saints and angels,
  and image-worship.

What is the popish religion, but a bundle of ridiculous
ceremonies! Their candles, beads, crucifixes; what are
these but Satan's policy, to dress up a carnal worship,
fitted to carnal minds! Oh! what cause have we to bless
God for delivering us from popery! It was a mercy to be
delivered from the Spanish invasion; but it is a far greater
mercy to be delivered from the popish religion!

"What have I to do any more with idols?" Hosea 14:8

____________________

From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
____________________

[nChrist]

How did those swine run!

(Thomas Watson, "The Ten Commandments")

"Then they may come to their senses and escape
 the Devil's trap, having been captured by him to
 do his will." 2 Timothy 2:26.

Men naturally are enslaved to Satan. Satan is called
the prince of this world (John 14:30); and the god
of this world (2 Cor 4:4); because he has power to
command and enslave his dupes. Though he shall
one day be a fellow prisoner in chains--yet now he
insults and tyrannizes over the souls of men. Sinners
are under his rule, he exercises a jurisdiction over
them. He fills men's heads with error--and their
hearts with malice. "Why has Satan filled your
heart?" Act 5:3. A sinner's heart is the devil's
mansion house. "I will return into my house."
Matthew 12:44

Satan is a comprehensive tyrant.

He rules men's minds, he blinds them with ignorance.
"The God of this world has blinded the minds of those
who believe not." 2 Cor 4:4.

He rules their memories. They remember that which
is evil, and forget that which is good. Their memories
are like a strainer, which lets go all the pure--and
retains only the dregs.

He rules their wills. Though he cannot force the will,
he draws it. "You are of your father the devil, and the
lusts of your father--you will do." John 8:44. He has
control over their hearts, and they willingly obey him.
His strong temptations draw men to evil--more than
all the promises of God can draw them to good.

This is the state of every man by nature--the devil
has him in his power! A sinner grinds in the devil's
mill! He is at the command of Satan--as the donkey is
at the command of the driver.

How did those swine run--when the devil entered
into them! "They entered the swine. And suddenly the
whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea
and perished in the water!" Matthew 8:32

It is a dreadful and dismal case, to be under the
power and tyranny of Satan! He wholly possesses
them. If people should see their pets bewitched and
possessed by the devil, they would be much troubled;
and yet, though their souls are possessed by Satan,
they are not sensible of it! What can be worse, than
for men to be in bondage to the devil, and him hurry
them on in their lusts--to perdition! Yet they are
willingly enslaved to Satan! They love their gawler!

What an infinite mercy it is--when God brings poor
souls out of this house of bondage, when He gives them
a deliverance from the prince of darkness.

As David rescued a lamb out of the lion's mouth--so Christ
rescues souls out of the mouth of the roaring lion! Oh, what
a mercy it is--to be turned "from the power of Satan, unto
God" (Acts 26:18 ) to be brought out of the house of bondage,
from being Satan's captives--to be made subjects of the
Prince of Peace!

____________________

From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
____________________

[Def]

Good food ..a real feast...so special ..Thank you brother Tom..love in Jesus... Def(+¸+)

[Def]

Many dig their graves, with their teeth!

(Thomas Watson, "The Duty of Self-Denial" 1675)

More are hurt by excess in lawful things--than by
meddling with sinful things. More are killed by wine
--than by poison. Many make their belly their god,
Philippians 3:19. And to this god, they pour their
drink offerings!

One writes of a fish whose heart is in his belly.
This is an emblem of epicures--whose heart is
in their belly; they are devoted to their appetite.
Excess in food or drink--
  clouds the mind,
  chokes holy affections,
  provokes lust, and
  shortens life!

Many dig their graves, with their teeth!

Seneca could say he was born to higher things--than to
be a slave to his body. What a shame is it--that the soul,
that princely part, which sways the scepter of reason,
should be enslaved to the brutish part! What has God
given conscience for--but to be a golden bridle to check
the inordinacy of the appetite! Deny the sinful cravings
of the flesh!

"I beat my body and make it my slave." 1 Cor. 9:27

____________________

From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
____________________

Iknew that  i learn somethings every day, i knew i had a golden bridle and a bit, but i did not know that i had a slave . I  must threat that slave right , for it is the temple of the Holy Spirit..thank you Tom..Hidden with Christ in God(Col3;3)..Def (+¸+)

[nChrist]

Why must there be a hell?

(Thomas Watson, "The Ten Commandments")

"The wicked shall be turned into hell." Psalm 9:17

"How can you escape the damnation of hell?" Matthew 23:33

God has built hell built on purpose, for the damned to lie in.

See the dreadfulness of that place! Hell is the epitome of
misery! Besides "the punishment of loss," which is the exclusion
of the soul from the gloried sight of God, which some think is
the worst part of hell--there will be "the punishment of sense."

In hell there will be a plurality of torments:
There will be the "chains of darkness." 2 Peter 2:4.
There will be the "never-dying worm." Mark 9:48.
    This is the worm of conscience.
There will be the "lake of fire." Revelation 20:15.
Other fire is but 'painted fire'--compared to this.

This house of hell is haunted with devils! Matt 25:41.
Anselm says, "I had rather endure all torments, than
see the devil with bodily eyes." Such as go to hell, must
not only be forced to behold the devil--but must be shut
up with this lion in his den! They must keep the devil
company! This red dragon is full of spite--and will spit
fire in men's faces!

The torments of hell abide forever! "The smoke of their
torment ascends up forever and ever." Rev. 14:2. Time
cannot finish hell. Tears cannot quench hell. Mark 9:44.
The wicked will always live in the fire of hell--but never
be consumed. After they have lain millions of years in hell,
their punishment is as far from ending, as it was at the
beginning! If all the earth and sea were sand, and every
thousandth year a bird should come, and take away one
grain--it would be a long time before that vast heap would
be removed! Yet, if after all that time the damned might
come out of hell--there would be some hope; but this
word FOREVER breaks the heart!

If anyone should ask, where is hell? I wish he may never
know experimentally. "Let us not so much," says Chrysostom,
"labor to know where hell is--as how to escape it."

Why must there be a hell? Because there must be a place
for the execution of divine justice. Earthly monarchs have their
prison for criminals--and shall not God have his? Sinners are
criminals, they have offended God. It would not be consistent
with His holiness and justice--to have His laws infringed, and
not inflict penalties.

How does it seem to comport with God's justice--to punish
a sin committed in a moment--with eternal torment?

1. Because there is an eternity of sin in man's nature. They
will continue to sin in hell. "Men gnawed their tongues in
agony and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains
and their sores, but they refused to repent of what they
had done." Revelation 16:10-11

2. Because sin is "committed against an infinite majesty,"
and therefore the sin itself is infinite, and proportionally
the punishment must be infinite.

3. Because a finite creature cannot satisfy infinite wrath,
he must be eternally paying what he can never pay.

"Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath!" 1 Thess 1:10
What infinite cause have they to bless God--who are delivered
from hell! Jesus Christ suffered the torments of hell in His soul
--that believers should not suffer them. Oh, how should we
bless God to be preserved from the wrath to come!

It may cause more thankfulness in us, to realize that most
people go to hell when they die. To be of the number of
those few who are delivered from hell--is matter of infinite
thankfulness. "Wide is the gate and broad is the road that
leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small
is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only
a few find it." Matthew 7:13-14

"Divide the world," says one, "into thirty-one parts, nineteen
parts of it are Jews and Turks, and seven parts are heathen;
so that there are but five parts of professing Christians--and
among these, so many deceived Papists on the one hand, and
so many formal Protestants on the other--that we may
conclude that the major part of the world goes to hell.

Scripture compares the wicked to "the mire in the streets."
Isaiah 10:6. Few precious jewels are in the street--but you
cannot go a step without meeting with mire! The wicked are
as common as the dirt in the street! The devil has most of
the harvest--and God has only a few gleanings. Oh, then,
such as are delivered from hell, have infinite cause to admire
and bless God. How should the vessels of mercy run over with
thankfulness! When most others are carried as prisoners to
hell--they are delivered from the wrath to come!

How shall I know if I am delivered from hell?

(1) Those whom Christ saves from hell--He saves from sin.
"He shall save His people from their sins." Matthew 1:21.
Has God delivered you from the power of corruption, from
pride, malice, and lust? If He has delivered you from the
hell of sin, He has delivered you from the hell of torment.

(2) If you prize, trust and love Christ--you are delivered
from hell and damnation. "There is no condemnation to
those who are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1. If you are in
Christ, He has put the garment of His righteousness over
you--and hell-fire can never singe it!

____________________

From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
____________________