Grace Gems

[nChrist]

Lord, dig the earth out of my heart!

        The DANGER of covetousness. "Take heed and beware of covetousness!" Luke 12:15. It is a direct breach of the tenth commandment. It is a moral vice, it infects and pollutes the whole soul.

        (1) Covetousness is a SUBTLE sin. It is a sin that many cannot so well discern in themselves. This sin can dress itself in the attire of virtue. It is called the "cloak of covetousness." 1 Thess 2:5. It is a sin which wears a cloak, it cloaks itself under the name of frugality and good taste. It has many pleas and excuses for itself; more than any other sin -- such as providing for one's family.

        (2) Covetousness is a DANGEROUS sin. It checks all that is good. It is an enemy to grace; it damps holy affections, as the earth puts out the fire. The hedgehog, in the fable, came to the cony-burrows, in stormy weather, and desired harbor; but when once he had got admission, he set up his prickles, and never ceased until he had thrust the poor conies out of their burrows! Just so, covetousness, by fair pretenses, winds itself into the heart; but as soon as you have let it in, it will never leave until it has choked all good beginnings, and thrust all piety out of your hearts. "Covetousness hinders the efficacy of the Word preached."

        In the parable of the sower, the thorns, which Christ expounded to be the cares of this life -- choked the good seed. Matt 13:22. Many sermons lie dead and buried in earthly hearts. We preach to men to get their hearts in heaven; but where covetousness is predominant, it chains them to earth, and makes them like the woman which Satan had bent down for eighteen years, so that she was unable to stand up straight. Luke 13:11. You may as well bid an elephant fly in the air -- as a covetous man live by faith. We preach to men to give freely to Christ's poor; but covetousness makes them like the man in the gospel, who had "a withered hand." Mark 3:1. They have a withered hand, and cannot stretch it out to the poor. It is impossible to be earthly-minded and charitably-minded. Covetousness obstructs the efficacy of the Word, and makes it prove abortive. Those whose hearts are rooted in the earth, will be so far from profiting by the Word, that they will be ready rather to deride it. The Pharisees, who were covetous, "derided Him." Luke 16:14.

        (3) Covetousness is a MOTHER sin. It is a radical vice. "The love of money is the root of all evil." 1 Tim 6:10. "O accursed lust for gold! what crimes do you not urge upon the human heart!" Virgil. He who has an earthly itch, a greedy desire of getting the world, has in him the root of all sin. Covetousness is a mother sin. Covetousness breaks the first commandment; "You shall have no other gods but one." The covetous man has more gods than one; Mammon is his God. He has a god of gold, therefore he is called an idolater. Col 3:5. The mammonist covets his neighbor's house and goods, and endeavors to get them into his own hands. Thus you see how vile a sin covetousness is!

        (4) Covetousness is a DISHONORABLE sin to religion. For men to say their hopes are above -- while their hearts are below; to profess to be above the stars -- while they "lick the dust" of the serpent; to be born of God -- while they are buried in the earth; how dishonorable is this to religion! The lapwing, which wears a little coronet on its head, and yet feeds on dung, is an emblem of such as profess to be crowned kings and priests unto God, and yet feed immoderately on earthly dunghill comforts. The higher grace is, the less earthly should Christians be; as the higher the sun is, the shorter is the shadow.

        (5) Covetousness is a DAMNING sin. It exposes us to God's abhorrence. "The covetous, whom the Lord abhors." Psalm 10:3. A king abhors to see his statue abused, so God abhors to see man, made in His image, having the heart of a beast. Who would live in such a sin -- as makes him abhorred of God? Whom God abhors He curses, and His curse blasts wherever it comes!
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[nChrist]

Lord, dig the earth out of my heart!

        Covetousness brings men to eternal ruin, and shuts them out of heaven. "This you know, that no covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God." Eph 5:5. What could a covetous man do in heaven? God can no more converse with him -- than a king can converse with a swine! "Those who will be rich fall into a snare, and many hurtful lusts, which drown men in perdition." 1 Tim 6:9. A covetous man is like a bee that gets into a barrel of honey, and there drowns itself. As a ferry-man, to increase his fare, takes in too many passengers, that he sinks his boat; so a covetous man takes in so much gold to increase his estate, that he drowns himself in perdition! I have read of some inhabitants near Athens, who, living in a very dry and barren island, took much pains to draw a river to the island to water it and make it fruitful; but when they had opened the passages, and brought the river to it, the water broke in with such force, that it drowned the land, and all the people in it. This is an emblem of a covetous man, who labors to draw riches to him, and at last they come in such abundance, that they drown him in perdition! How many, to build up an estate, pull down their souls! Oh, then, flee from covetousness!

        The CURE for covetousness.

        (1) Faith. "This is the victory that overcomes the world -- even our faith." 1 John 5:4. The root of covetousness is distrust of God's providence. Faith believes that God will provide; that He who feeds the birds will feed His children; that He who clothes the lilies will clothe His lambs; and thus faith overcomes the world. Faith is the cure of care. It not only purifies the heart -- but satisfies it; it makes God our portion, and in Him we have enough. Faith, by a divine chemistry, extracts comfort out of God. A little, with God -- is sweet. Thus faith is a remedy against covetousness; it overcomes, not only the fear of the world -- but the love of the world.

        (2) The second remedy is, judicious considerations. Ah, what poor things, are these earthly things -- that we should covet them! We covet that which will not satisfy us. "He who loves silver, shall not be satisfied with silver." Eccl 5:10. Solomon had put all the creatures in a scale, and distilled out their essence, and behold -- "All was vanity!" Eccl 2:11. A man with dropsy -- "the more water he drinks, the more he craves." Just so, the more a covetous man has of the world, the more he thirsts. Worldly things cannot remove trouble of mind. When King Saul was perplexed in conscience, his crown jewels could not comfort him. 1 Sam 28:15.

        The things of the world can no more ease a troubled spirit -- than a gold cap can cure the headache! The things of the world cannot continue with you. The creature has a little honey in its mouth -- but it has wings to fly away. Earthly things either leave us -- or we leave them! What poor things are they to covet!

        (3) The third remedy for covetousness is to covet spiritual things more. Covet grace, for it is the best blessing, it is the seed of God. Covet heaven, which is the region of perfect happiness -- the most pleasant climate. If we covet heaven more -- we shall covet earth less! To those who stand on the top of the Alps, the great cities of Campania seem but as small villages; so if our hearts were more fixed upon the Jerusalem above, all worldly things would disappear, would diminish, and be as nothing in our eyes. We read of an angel coming down from heaven, and setting his right foot on the sea, and his left foot on the earth. Rev 10:2. Had we been in heaven, and viewed its superlative glory, how would we, with holy scorn, trample with one foot upon the earth and with the other foot upon the sea! O covet after heavenly things! There is the tree of life, the mountains of spices, the rivers of pleasure, the honeycomb of God's love dropping, the delights of angels, and the flower of joy, fully ripe and blown. There is the pure air to breathe in; no fogs or vapors of sin arise to infect that air -- but the Sun of Righteousness enlightens the whole horizon continually with His glorious beams. O let your thoughts and delights be always taken up with the city of pearls, the paradise of God! Were our hearts raised by the power of the Holy Spirit up to heaven, we would not be much absorbed with earthly things.

        (4) The best remedy for covetousness is contentment. Be content! "In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content -- whether well-fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need." Philippians 4:12. The best way to be contented, is to believe that condition to be best, which God by His providence carves out to you. If He had seen fit for us to have more -- we would have had it. Perhaps we could not manage a great estate. It is hard to carry a full cup without spilling -- and a full estate without sinning! Great estates may be snares! There is no better antidote against coveting that which is another's -- than being content with that which is our own.

        (5) Pray for a heavenly mind. "Lord, let the loadstone of Your Spirit draw my heart upward. Lord, dig the earth out of my heart! Teach me how to possess the world, and not love it; how to hold it in my hand, and not let it get into my heart!"

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[nChrist]

The whole life
     
(Henry Law, "Beacons of the Bible" 1869)

"Their mind is on earthly things." Phil. 3:19

To find amusement in the vanities of time;
to sip admiration from the cup of flattery;
to flutter with the giddy moths around the
blaze of merriment—is the whole life of
the ungodly.

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[nChrist]

The knife which killed her husband!

(Thomas Watson, "The Ten Commandments")

The Lord's Supper is the looking-glass in which we see
Him whom our souls love; it is the chariot by which we
are carried up to Christ. God has appointed the Lord's
Supper to cheer and revive our sad hearts. When we
look on our sins--we have cause to mourn; but when
we see Christ's blood shed for our sins--we rejoice!

In the Lord's Supper our spiritual needs are supplied,
our strength is renewed; there we meet with Christ
--and He says to us, "All I have is yours! My love is
yours, to pity you! My mercy is yours, to save you!"
Christ's blood is the key which opens heaven--else
we had all been shut out!

The end of the Lord's Supper, is to work in us an
endeared love to Christ. When Christ bleeds for us,
well may we say, "Behold how He loved us!" That
is a heart of stone--which Christ's love will not melt!

Another end of the Lord's Supper is the mortifying of
corruption. To see Christ crucified for us--is a means
to crucify sin in us. How can a wife endure to see the
knife which killed her husband! How can we endure
those sins--which made Christ veil His glory and shed
His blood! Sin has rent the white robe of Christ's flesh,
and dyed it of a crimson color. The thoughts of this
should make us seek to be avenged on our sins!

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[nChrist]

God's flail

(Thomas Watson, "The Ten Commandments")

God's children may sometimes be under sore afflictions.
They have no charter of exemption from trouble, in this
life. While the wicked are kept in sugar--the godly are
often kept in brine.

And, indeed, how could God's power be seen in bringing
them out of trouble--if He did not sometimes bring them
into it? How could God wipe away the tears from their
eyes in heaven--if on earth they shed none?

Doubtless, God sees there is need that His children should
be sometimes in the house of bondage. "If need be, you
are in heaviness." 1 Peter 1:6. The body sometimes needs
a bitter portion--more than a sweet one.

"You refined us like silver. You brought us into prison
 and laid burdens on our backs." Psalm 66:10, 11

Why does God bring His people into an afflicted state?

God gives affliction--to purge our corruption. The eye,
though a tender part--yet when infected, we put sharp
medicines into it, to purge out the disease. Just so,
though the people of God are dear to Him as the apple
of His eye--yet, when corruption begins to grow in them,
He will apply the sharp medicine of affliction--to purge
out the disease.

Affliction is God's flail to gotcha76 our husks.

Affliction is a means God uses to purge out
sloth, luxury, pride, and love of the world.

God's furnace is not to consume--but to refine.

God gives us more affliction--that we may have less sin!

God also gives affliction to increase our graces. Grace
thrives most in the iron furnace. Grace in the saints is
often as fire hidden in the embers; affliction is the
bellows to blow it up into a flame!

God sanctifies all our afflictions. They shall not be
destructive punishments--but medicines! They shall
corrode and eat out the venom of sin! They shall polish
and refine our grace! The more the diamond is cut--the
more it sparkles. The more God afflicts us--the more
our graces cast a sparkling luster!

The stones which are cut out for a building, are first
hewn and squared. The godly are called "living stones."
1 Peter 2:5. God hews and polishes them by affliction,
that they may be fit for the heavenly building.

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[nChrist]

A panacea

(Thomas Watson, "The Ten Commandments")

The Scripture is a golden epistle, written by
the Holy Spirit--and sent to us from heaven!

The Scripture is a spiritual looking-glass, to dress
our souls by. It shows us heart-sins, vain thoughts,
unbelief, etc. It not only shows us our spots--but
washes them away!

The Scripture is an armory, out of which we may
fetch spiritual artillery to fight against Satan. When
our Savior was tempted by the devil, He fetched
armor and weapons from Scripture: "It is written!"

The Scripture is a panacea, or universal medicine
for the soul. It gives a remedy to cure deadness of
heart, Psalm 119:50; pride, 1 Pet 5:5; and infidelity,
John 3:36. It is a garden of remedies, where we may
gather an herb or antidote, to expel the poison of sin!

The Scripture is "the only standard of conduct."
It is the only rule by which we are to square our
lives. It contains in it:
  all things needful to salvation;
  what duties we are to do;
  what sins we are to avoid.

"When your words came, I ate them; they were my
joy and my heart's delight!" Jer. 15:16. All true solid
comfort is fetched out of the Word. The Word is a
spiritual garden, and the promises are the fragrant
flowers or spices in this garden. How should we
delight to walk among these beds of spices!

The Scripture is a sovereign elixir, or comfort,
in an hour of distress. "Your promise revives me;
it comforts me in all my troubles!" Psalm 119:50.

If we would have the Scripture effectual, let us
labor not only to have the light of it in our heads;
but its power in our hearts!

"I have hidden your Word in my heart, that I might
not sin against you." Psalm 119:11. The Word, locked
up in the heart--is a preservative against sin. As one
would carry an antidote with him when he comes near
an infected place--so David carried the Word in his
heart as a sacred antidote to preserve him from
the infection of sin.

When we read the holy Scriptures--let us look up to
God for a blessing. Let us pray that God would not
only give us His Word as a rule of holiness--but His
grace as a principle of holiness! It is said, that the
alchemist can draw oil out of iron. God's Spirit can
produce grace in the most obdurate heart!

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[nChrist]

It is utterly impossible

(Octavius Winslow, 1852)

It has been the distinctive aim, and the sincere
desire of my ministry--to make known and to
endear the Savior to your hearts.

Oh, how worthy is He . . .
  of your most exalted conceptions,
  of your most implicit confidence,
  of your most self-denying service,
  of your most fervent love!

When He could give you no more--and
the fathomless depths of His love, and
the boundless resources of His grace,
would not be satisfied by giving you
less--He gave you Himself!

Robed in your nature,
laden with your curse,
oppressed with your sorrows,
wounded for your transgressions,
and slain for your sins--
He gave His entire self for you!

His redeeming work now finished--He is perpetually
engaged in meting out blessings to His people, from
the exhaustless treasures of His love! He constantly
woos your affection--invites your grief--and bids you
repair with your daily trials to His sympathy, and with
your hourly guilt to His blood. You cannot in your drafts
upon Christ's fullness, be too covetous; nor in your
expectations of supply, be too extravagant! You may
fail, as, alas! the most of us do, in making too little of
Christ--but you cannot fail, in making too much of Him!

It is utterly impossible to know Christ,
and not become inspired with a desire . . .
  to love Him supremely,
  to serve Him devotedly,
  to resemble Him closely,
  to glorify Him faithfully here,
  and to enjoy Him fully hereafter!

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[nChrist]

I am with you always

(John MacDuff, "The Christian's Pathway" 1858 )

"Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed,
 for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you.
 I will uphold you with My victorious right hand." Is. 41:10

The Divine presence is . . .
  the believer's strength in weakness;
  his support in suffering;
  his consolation in the hour of death.

The blessed assurance, "I am with you," is sufficient to
enliven every scene, and sweeten every condition. Its
realization opens springs of joy in the cheerless waste
of this desert world. The Divine presence . . .
  dissipates the thickest darkness,
  soothes the anguish of the keenest affliction, and
  lightens the heaviest load of poverty and distress.

Reader, be anxious to possess an abiding consciousness
of the great truth--that the eye of God is ever upon you!
Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing--set the
Lord always before you. Having Him at your right hand,
whatever difficulties and dangers may surround your
path--you shall not be moved.

"Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to
 the end of the age." Matthew 28:20

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[nChrist]

It will not matter a single straw!

(John MacDuff, "The Christian's Pathway" 1858 )

"We labor, that we may be accepted of Him." 2 Corinthians 5:9

Reader, it will matter but little what you may possess--if you live and
die destitute of this great blessing! Were you to attain everything that
mankind regard as enviable; were all the treasures of the globe to be
heaped upon you; were you endowed with all knowledge, so that the
wisest sages would think it an honor to sit at your feet; were the most
magnificent titles to be conferred upon you, and your fame to ring to
earth's remotest bounds; were you raised to the heights of universal
empire, having all the nations of the world as your willing subjects; in
a word, had you all that the most unbounded ambition in her loftiest
heights and most extravagant wishes ever panted after--what would
the whole be if, instead of being accepted of God, you were disowned
and rejected by Him, and exposed to His everlasting wrath!

But, enjoying His favor, which is life; and His loving-kindness, which
is better than life--it matters but little whether we are rich--or poor;
whether the sun of prosperity shines--or the clouds of adversity lower;
whether we are reveling in health--or stretched upon beds of languishing;
whether we are toiling as slaves--or wearing crowns and diadems. After
a few more rising and setting suns--it will not matter a single
straw--what our earthly lot may have been! The only matter of
importance then--will be whether we have been accepted of God.

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[nChrist]

Let your light shine!

(John MacDuff, "The Christian's Pathway" 1858 )

"Let your light shine before men, so that they may
 see your good works and give glory to your Father
 in heaven." Matthew 5:16

There are many things connected with the Christian's
pathway—which worldlings cannot comprehend. They
know nothing of the high and hidden walks of spiritual
experience. What is said of the workings of the divine
life in the soul—is regarded by them as foolishness
and fanaticism.
  Its internal principles,
  its constraining motives and impulses,
  its heavenly aspirations,
  its rapturous bliss, and
  its agonizing struggles—are things which
these strangers cannot comprehend!

But still, there is much which they are able to
understand—such as . . .
  whatever is consistent in character;
  whatever is honest and straightforward between men;
  whatever is kind and compassionate in behavior;
  whatever is forbearing and forgiving under insults
     and injuries.
Such features, when unostentatiously exhibited—excite
their attention, and, generally, call forth their praise. The
manner in which the ordinary duties of life are discharged,
is something so tangible—that it lies within the province of
their own observation. These things they can understand;
and it is of the highest importance that all who profess to
be Christians, should be distinguished by an exhibition of
these practical fruits of righteousness.

What if a small band of Christians were placed in some
locality, by whom the principles of the gospel were fully
lived out. What a powerful effect, we may suppose, would
their simple presence produce! Let them be connected with
those around them—by the ordinary engagements of life;
but without employing any direct means to promulgate
their Christian views. There they are—"blameless and pure,
children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved
generation." Their hearts are filled, not merely with love
to God—but with sincere and ardent affection for all by
whom they are surrounded. Selfishness, pride, resentment,
censoriousness—have no place among them. Their entire
spirit and deportment are influenced and controlled by
those noble, and generous, and god-like sentiments and
feelings, which Christianity inculcates and inspires. The holy
religion they profess, would appear in its true character and
beneficent tendency; and men would be constrained by the
good works which they beheld—to glorify God.

May the Lord strengthen you with all might, according to
His glorious power—"that you may live a life worthy of the
Lord and may please Him in every way—bearing fruit in
every good work, growing in the knowledge of God!"

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[nChrist]

Sharp arrows!

(Thomas Watson, "The Lord's Prayer")

"Our Father in heaven." Matthew 6:9

If God is our Father, then however He treats His
children, is done in love. If He frowns; if He dips
His pen in gall, and writes bitter things; if He
disciplines--it is all done in love! "For the Lord
disciplines the one He loves, and punishes every
son whom He receives." Hebrews 12:6

A father loves his child as well when he chastises and
disciplines him--as when he settles his inheritance on
him! "Those whom I love--I rebuke and discipline."
Rev 3:19. "Afflictions are sharp arrows--but they
are shot from the hand of a loving Father!"

Correction is God's gymnasium. Correction is God's
school of character. God afflicts His children--in love!
He does it to humble and purify. Gentle correction is
as necessary as daily bread! There is love in all! God
smites--that He may save! "God disciplines us for our
good, that we may share in His holiness." Heb. 12:10

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[nChrist]

He welcomes them to hell

(Thomas Watson, "The Lord's Prayer")

"The prince of this world." John 16:11

The devil has a kingdom. His throne is set up in
the hearts of men. Satan does not care for their
purses--but their hearts! Satan's empire is very
large. Most people in the world pay tribute to him.

His kingdom has two characters:

[1] Satan's kingdom is a kingdom of IMPIETY.
Nothing but sin goes on in his kingdom. Murder
and heresy, lust and treachery, oppression and
division--are the constant trade driven in his
dominions. He is called "the unclean spirit."
Nothing else but iniquity is propagated in
his kingdom.

[2] Satan's kingdom is a kingdom of SLAVERY.
He makes all his subjects--slaves. The sinner is
held captive under the grim tyranny of the devil!

Satan is a tyrant--and a worse tyrant than any
other! Other tyrants do but rule over the body:
but Satan rules over the soul! He rides his
captives--as we ride upon horses.

Other tyrants have some pity on their slaves.
Though they make them work in the galleys;
yet they give them food, and let them have
their hours for rest. But Satan is a merciless
tyrant--who gives his slaves poison instead of
food, and hurtful lusts to feed on! 1 Tim 6:9.
Nor will he let his slaves have any rest--he
wearies them out to do his drudgery. "They
weary themselves to commit iniquity." Jer 9:5.
When men have served him to their utmost
strength--he welcomes them to hell with fire
and brimstone! Thus he is the worst of tyrants.

Men are willing slaves to Satan! They will fight
and die for him! Therefore he is not only called
"the prince of this world," but "the god of this
world" (2 Cor 4:4), to show what power he has
over men's souls.

O let us pray that "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

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[nChrist]

All this, and unspeakably more!

(John MacDuff, "The Christian's Pathway" 1858 )

"Receiving the end of your faith--the salvation of
 your souls." 1 Peter 1:9

The full and final salvation of our souls, embraces
the whole of what God has in reserve for His people
through eternity! It includes the enjoyment of
those pleasures . . .
  which no sin can ever pollute,
  which no sorrow can ever becloud,
  which no time can ever impair,
  which no change can ever affect,
  which no calamity can ever destroy!

The full and final salvation of our souls, includes . . .
  whatever the infinite wisdom of God can devise;
  whatever the infinite love of God can prepare;
  whatever the infinite power of God can secure;
  complete deliverance from the bondage of corruption;
  entire emancipation from the power of every foe;
  the body of sin and death forever left behind;
  every grace, grown to perfect maturity;
  all the ineffable treasures of eternal glory;
  all this, and unspeakably more!

Welcome shame and sorrow--if such an end shall at
length be ours! The ungodly world may despise us;
even our nearest friends may forsake us. Yet we can
well afford to bear their opposition without a single
murmur, if we are only permitted to cherish the hope
--that our course will eventually terminate in so blissful
a consummation!

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[nChrist]

Satan's workshop!

(Thomas Watson, "The Lord's Prayer")

"May Your kingdom come." Matthew 6:10

When we pray, "May Your kingdom come," we pray
that the kingdom of grace may come into our hearts.
"The kingdom of God is within you." Luke 17:21.

Why is grace called a kingdom? Because, when
grace comes, there is a kingly government set up in
the soul. Grace rules the will and affections, and brings
the whole man in subjection to Christ. Grace . . .
  kings it in the soul,
  sways the scepter,
  subdues mutinous lusts, and
  keeps the soul in a spiritual decorum.

Unless the kingdom of grace is set up in our hearts--
our purest offerings are defiled. They may be good
as to the matter--but not as to the manner; they
lack that which would meliorate and sweeten them.
Until the kingdom of grace is in our hearts, our good
works do not purify us--but we pollute them! Even
the prayer of an ungracious person is sin. "The
Lord hates the sacrifice of the wicked." Proverbs 15:8.

A sinner's best works are 'opera mortua'--dead
works! And those works which are dead, cannot please
God. A dead flower has no sweetness. Hebrews 11:6.

Unless the kingdom of grace is set up in our hearts--
we are loathsome in God's eyes. "My soul loathed them."
Zech 11:8. A heart void of grace looks blacker than
hell. Sin transforms man into a devil. So deformed is a
graceless person, that when once he sees his own
filth and leprosy, the first thing he does is to loathe
and abhor himself. "You shall loathe yourself in your
own sight for all your evils!" Ezekiel 20:43.

Unless the kingdom of grace is set up in our hearts--
we are of the bastard brood of the old serpent--and
so cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven! "You
are the children of your father the Devil!" John 8:44.

Unless the kingdom of grace is set up in our hearts--
the kingdom of Satan is set up in them! They are said
to be under "the power of Satan." Acts 26:18. Satan
commands the will--by his subtle temptations he can
draw it. He is said to take men captive "at his will."
2 Tim 2:26.

The sinner's heart is the devil's mansion-house. "I will
return into my house." Matthew 12:44. The sinner's heart
is Satan's workshop, where he works. "Satan, the mighty
prince of the power of the air, who now works in the children
of disobedience." Eph 2:2. The members of the body are the
tools with which Satan works. He possesses men. In Christ's
time many had their bodies possessed--but it is far worse to
have the souls possessed. One is possessed with an impure
devil, another with a revengeful devil, another with a
covetousness devil, etc.

The ship goes full sail when the wind blows. Just so, men
go full sail in sin when the devil, the prince of the air, blows
them! Thus, until the kingdom of grace comes--men are
under the power of Satan, who writes all his laws in blood.

Unless the kingdom of grace is set up in our hearts--we
are exposed to the wrath of God. What will it be--when
God stirs up all His anger? So inconceivably torturing is
God's wrath, that the wicked call to the rocks and mountains
to fall on them and hide them from it. Rev 6:16. The hellish
torments are compared to a fiery lake. Rev 20:15. Other fire
is but painted fire--in comparison with this! This lake of fire
burns forever. Mark 9:44. God's breath kindles this fire. Isa
30:33. Where shall we find buckets to quench it? Time will
not finish it; tears will not quench it. To this fiery lake men
are doomed--until the kingdom of grace is set up in them.
Hell follows death!

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[nChrist]

Desiring God

(Thomas Watson, "The Lord's Prayer")

We may know the kingdom of grace is set up in
our hearts--by having true desires after God. By
the beating of this pulse--we conclude there is life.

A true desire after God is sincere. We desire God for
Himself, for His intrinsic excellencies. The savor of the
ointment of Christ's graces draws the virgins' desires after
Him. Canticles 1:3. A true saint desires Him not only for
what God has--but for what He is; not only for His rewards
--but for His holiness. No hypocrite can thus desire God.
He may desire Him for His jewels--but not for His beauty!

A true desire after God is insatiable. It cannot be satisfied
without God; let the world heap her honors and riches--they
will not satisfy. No flowers or music will content him who is
thirsty. Just so, nothing will quench the soul's thirst--but the
blood of Christ! He faints away, his heart breaks with longing
for God. Psalm 84:2; Psalm 119:20.

A true desire after God is active. It flourishes into endeavor.
"With my soul have I desired you in the night; yes, with my
spirit within me will I seek you early." Isaiah 26:9. A soul that
desires aright says, "I must have Christ! I must have grace!
I must have heaven, though I take it by storm!"

A true desire after God is supreme. We desire Christ, not
only more than the world--but more than heaven! "Whom
have I in heaven but You?" Psalm 73:25. Heaven itself would
not satisfy--without Christ. Christ is the diamond in the ring
of glory!

A true desire after God is increasing. A little of God will not
satisfy--but the pious soul desires still more. A drop of water
is not enough for the thirsty traveler. Though a Christian is
thankful for the least degree of grace--yet he is not satisfied
with the greatest degree of grace. He still thirsts for more of
Christ, and His Spirit. A saint would have more knowledge,
more sanctity, more of Christ's presence. A glimpse of Christ
through the lattice of an ordinance is sweet; but the soul will
never stop longing--until it sees Him face to face! It desires to
have grace perfected in glory! It desires to be wholly plunged
into the sweetness of God. We would be swallowed up in God,
and be forever bathing ourselves in those perfumed waters of
pleasure, which run at His right hand!

Surely this sincere desire after God is a blessed sign that the
kingdom of grace has come into our hearts. The beating of
this pulse shows life! "Desires for God--are from God." If iron
moves upwards contrary to its nature--it is a sign some magnet
has been drawing it. Just so, if the soul moves towards God in
sincere desires--it is a sign the magnet of the Spirit has been
drawing it!

____________________

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Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
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