Grace Gems

[nChrist]

The hypocrite's desire

(Thomas Watson, "The Beatitudes" 1660)

"Let me die the death of the righteous!"
 Numbers 23:10

This was Balaam's desire. The hypocrite, when he
is about to die and can keep his sins no longer—
now he desires a passport to carry him to heaven!
Such desires as these are found among the damned.

Hypocrites have desires—but no endeavors.
They would like to go to heaven—but they
will take no pains. But true desire is always
quickened into endeavor.

The hypocrite would have . . .
  heaven—and his sins too,
  heaven—and his pride too,
  heaven—and his covetousness too.
"They have gone astray and have followed
 the path of Balaam—who loved the wages
 of unrighteousness." 2 Peter 2:15

The true Christian says, "Give me Christ on any
terms. Let God propound whatever articles He
will—I will subscribe to them. Would He have me
deny myself? Would He have me mortify sin? I
am content to do anything—just so that I may
have Christ!" Hypocrites would have Christ—but
they will not part with their beloved lust for Him!

The hypocrite does not desire grace for itself.
He desires grace—only as a bridge to lead him
over to heaven. He does not so much search
after grace—as glory. He does not so much
desire the way of righteousness—as the crown
of righteousness. His desire is not to be made
like Christ—but to reign with Christ. This is the
hypocrite's desire.

But a child of God desires grace for itself, and
Christ for Himself. To a believer, not only is
heaven precious—but Christ is precious, "Yes, He
is very precious to you who believe!" 1 Peter 2:7

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[nChrist]

The infernal dungeon of hell

(John Bunyan)

"Depart from Me, you who are cursed—into the
 eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels!"
 Matthew 25:41

Those in the infernal dungeon of hell, will undergo
a variety of torments. Those who are most afflicted
upon earth, have seldom any more than one malady
at a time. But should they have the plague, the gout,
the stone, and fever all at one time—how miserable
would they think themselves! Yet all that is but like
the biting of a flea—compared to those intolerable,
pungent pains which those in hell endure! There they
have all the loathed variety of hell to grapple with—
  the unquenchable fire to burn them;
  a lake of burning brimstone ever choking them;
  eternal chains to bind them;
  utter darkness to affright them, and
  a worm of conscience which gnaws upon them
eternally. Any one of these is worse to bear, than
all the torments which mankind ever felt on earth.

But the torments in hell are also universal, afflicting
each part of the body and soul—which renders what
they suffer, most insufferable. In those illnesses which
men are seized with on earth, though some parts are
afflicted, other parts are free. But in hell, each member
of the soul and body is continually tormented. The eye
is tormented with the sight of the devils, who appear in
all the horrid and black shapes which sin can give them!
The ear is tormented with the loud yellings and continual
outcries of the damned. The nostrils are smothered with
sulphurous flames; the tongue is covered with burning
blisters; and the whole body is rolled in flames of liquid
fire! The imagination is tormented with the thoughts of
what a heaven has been lost; the memory is tormented
with reflecting on those opportunities they had of being
saved. The mind is tormented with considering how vainly
precious time has been wasted. The understanding is
tormented with the thoughts of of present pains, and
future sorrows—which are to last for ever! The conscience
is tormented with a continual gnawing worm.

Another thing which makes the misery of hell so dreadful,
is the extremity of the torments. The fire which burns is
so violent that all the water in the sea can never quench it!
The pains suffered are so extreme, that it is impossible
they should be known by any, but those who feel them.

Another part of hell's misery is the ceaselessness of the
torments. As various, as universal, and as extremely violent
as they are—they are continual, also. Nor have they the least
rest from them. If there were any relaxation—it might be
some allay. But what makes this condition so deplorable—
is that there is no easing of the torments! "They will go
away into eternal punishment!" Matthew 25:46

The company they have there, is another element of
their misery. Tormenting devils and tormented souls are
all the company. Dreadful shrieks and howlings, under
the fierceness of pain, and fearful blasphemies, is all
the conversation.

The place in which they suffer is another thing which
increases the sufferings. Hell is the epitome of all misery—
  a prison,
  a dungeon,
  a bottomless pit,
  a lake of fire and brimstone,
  a furnace of fire which burns to eternity,
  the blackness of darkness forever!

The cruelty of our tormentors is another thing which
adds to the torments. The tormentors are devils, in
whom there is no pity. Being tormented themselves,
they take pleasure in tormenting others.

But that which makes these sufferings most grievous—
is that they shall always be so—these most intolerable
sufferings shall last to all eternity. 'Depart from Me, you
who are cursed, into the eternal fire!" will perpetually
sound in the ears of the damned! The miserable
situation they are in, shall be forever!

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[nChrist]

Cruel mercy

(Thomas Watson, "The Beatitudes" 1660)

"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain
 mercy." Matthew 5:7

When the sun shines--the ice melts. When the Sun of
righteousness once shines with beams of grace upon
the soul--then it melts in mercy and tenderness.

Mercifulness is a melting disposition whereby we lay
to heart the miseries of others, and are instrumental
for their good. We must chiefly be merciful to the
SOULS of others. Indeed soul-mercy is the chief of
mercies. The soul is the most precious thing; it is a
rich diamond set in a ring of clay. Had we seen that
madman in the gospel cutting himself with stones--
it would have moved our pity (Mark 5:5). To see a
sinner stabbing himself and having his hands imbrued
in his own blood, should cause us to sincerely pity him.

That is a cruel mercy--when we see men go on in
sin, and we let them alone. And that is a merciful
cruelty--when we are sharp against men's sins and
will not let them go to hell quietly.

Fond sentimentality is no better than cruelty.

The surgeon cuts and lances the flesh—but it is in
order to a cure. They are healing wounds. So when
we lance men's consciences and let out the blood of
sin, we exercise spiritual surgery. This is showing
mercy.

"Rescue others by snatching them from the fire!"
(Jude 23). If a man had fallen into the fire, though
you hurt him a little in pulling him out--he would be
thankful and take it as a kindness. Some men, when
we tell them of sin say, 'O, you are unloving!' No! it
is showing mercy. If a man's house were on fire, and
another should see it and not tell him of it, for fear of
waking him--would not this be cruelty? When we see
others sleeping in their sin, and the fire of God's wrath
ready to burn them up--and we are silent--is not this
cruelty?

They are unmerciful ministers who, instead of
breaking the bread of life--fill their people's heads
with airy speculations and notions! Some ministers
endeavor only to be admired. They go into the pulpit
only to amuse the people. Such ministers give poison
to their people in a golden cup! They are the devil's
ambassadors, who ride up and down, and with Satan
compass the earth--to deceive and devour souls!

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[nChrist]

The children which faith bears

(Thomas Watson, "The Beatitudes" 1660)

"Those who have believed God might be careful
 to devote themselves to good works." Titus 3:8

Grace does not lie as a sleepy habit in the soul,
but will put forth itself in vigorous and glorious
actings. Grace can no more be concealed, than
fire. Grace does not lie in the heart as a stone
in the earth—but as seed in the earth. It will
spring up into good works! "Our people must
also learn to devote themselves to good works."
Titus 3:14

The lamp of faith must be filled with the oil of
charity. Faith alone justifies—but justifying faith
is never alone. You may as well separate weight
from lead, or heat from fire—as works from faith.

Good works, though they are not the causes of
salvation—yet they are evidences of salvation.
Though they are not the foundation—yet they
are the superstructure. Faith must not be built
upon works—but works must be built upon faith.
"You are married to Christ—that we should bring
forth fruit unto God." Romans 7:4. Faith is the
grace which marries Christ, and good works
are the children which faith bears.

Works are distinct from faith—as the sap in the
vine is different from the clusters of fruit which
grow upon it.

Works are the touchstone of faith. "Show me
your faith by your works." James 2:18

Works honor faith. These fruits adorn the 'trees
of righteousness'. This queen—faith, has the
handmaids of good works waiting upon her.

Good works are more visible and conspicuous than faith.
Faith is a more hidden grace. It may lie hidden in the
heart and not be seen—but when works are joined with
it, now it shines forth in its native beauty! Though a
garden is ever so decked with flowers—yet they are not
seen until the light comes. So the heart of a Christian
may be enriched with faith—but it is like a flower in the
night. It is not seen until works come. When this light
shines before men, then faith appears in its orient colors!

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[nChrist]

Strewing flowers on a dead corpse!

(Thomas Watson, "The Beatitudes" 1660)

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall
 see God." Matthew 5:8

External morality is not heart-purity. A person
may be clothed with great moral virtues, such as
justice, charity, prudence, and temperance—and
yet go to hell.

We must not rest in mere outward morality. A swine
may be washed—yet be a swine still. Morality does
but wash a man—grace changes him. Morality may
shine in the eyes of the world—but it differs as much
from purity, as a pebble differs from a diamond!

Morality is but strewing flowers on a dead corpse!

A man who is but highly moral—is but a tame devil.

How many have made 'morality' their Savior!
Morality will damn—as well as vice! A boat may
be sunk with gold—as well as with dung.

The moral person, though he will not commit gross
sins—yet he is not sensible of heart sins. He is not
troubled for unbelief, hardness of heart, vanity of
thoughts. He abhors gross-sins, not gospel-sins.

The snake has a fine appearance—but has a deadly
sting! Just so, the moral man is fair to look on—but
has a secret antipathy against the holy ways of God.

Morality is not to be rested in. The heart must be pure.
God would have Aaron wash the inner parts of the
sacrifice (Leviticus 9:14). Morality does but wash the
outside; the inside must be washed. "Blessed are the
pure in heart, for they shall see God." Matthew 5:8

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[Def]

The way to be like Jesus

(Thomas Watson, "The Beatitudes" 1660)

To render evil for evil is brutish;
to render evil for good is devilish;
to render good for evil is Christian.

"Blessed are the meek." Matthew 5:5

Meekness is a grace whereby we are enabled by
the Spirit of God, to moderate our angry passions.
Meekness has a divine beauty and sweetness in
it. This meekness consists in three things:
  the bearing of injuries,
  the forgiving of injuries,
  the recompensing good for evil.

Meekness is opposed to:
  anger,
  malice,
  revenge and
  evil-speaking.

Meekness is a great ornament to a Christian. "The
ornament of a meek spirit—which is so precious to
God!" (1 Peter 3:4). How lovely is a saint in God's
eye, when adorned with this jewel! No garment
is more befitting to a Christian, than meekness.
Therefore we are bid to put on this garment, "Put
on therefore as the elect of God—meekness."
(Colossians 3:12)

Meekness is a noble and excellent spirit. A meek man
is a valorous man. He gets a victory over himself! Anger
arises from weakness of character. The meek man is able
to conquer his fury. "He who is slow to anger is better
than the mighty; controlling one's temper is better than
capturing a city." (Proverbs 16:32). To yield to one's
anger is easy—it is swimming along with the tide of
corrupt nature. But to turn against nature—to resist
anger, to "overcome evil with good"—this is truly
Christian.

Meekness is the best way to conquer and melt the
heart of an enemy. Meekness melts and thaws the
heart of others. The greatest victory is to overcome
an enemy—without striking a blow! Mildness prevails
more than fierceness. Anger makes an enemy of a
friend. Meekness makes a friend of an enemy.

Meekness is the way to be like Jesus—"Learn of
Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart." Mat. 11:29.
It is not profession which makes us like Jesus—but
imitation. Where meekness is lacking—we are like
brutes. Where it is present—we are like Jesus.

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may it be so I pray in Jesus ,s name (Mat 11:29)
i will follow Him
 i might be last
but I will follow..
brother Tom,You were always on my mind...and i kept looking up!
Love in Jesus Def

[nChrist]

How befilthying a thing it is

(Thomas Watson, "The Beatitudes" 1660)

"Unto Him who loved us, and washed us from
 our sins in His own blood!" Revelation 1:5

We are all loathsome to God, before we are
washed pure in the blood of Christ!

By nature, we are all in a filthy and cursed condition.
We are a lump of clay and sin mingled together. Sin
not only blinds us—but defiles us. It is called filthiness
(James 1:21). And to show how befilthying a thing
it is, it is compared . . .
  to a plague of the heart (1 Kings 8:38),
  to corruption (Deuteronomy 32:5),
  to vomit (2 Peter 2:22),
  to a menstrual cloth (Isaiah 30:22).

If all the evils in the world were put together and their
quintessence strained out—they could not make a thing
so black and polluted as sin is! A sinner is a devil in
a man's shape! When Moses' rod was turned into a
serpent—he fled from it. If God would open men's eyes
and show them their deformities and damnable spots
—they would fly from themselves, as from serpents!

When grace comes—it washes off this hellish filth!
It turns ravens into swans. It makes those who are
as black as hell—to become as white as snow!

"Christ gave Himself for us to redeem us from all
wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that
are His very own." Christ shed His blood—to wash
off our filth. The cross was both an altar and a laver.
Jesus died not only to save us from wrath (1 Thes.
1:10)—but to save us from sin! (Matthew 1:21).
Out of his side came water which signifies our
cleansing—as well as blood which signifies our
justifying (1 John 5:6).

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[nChrist]

What Would Jesus Do?

(R. A. Torrey, "Looking to Jesus")

If at any time you are in any perplexity as to what to
do, simply ask the question--"What would Jesus do?"
Ask God by His Holy Spirit to show you what Jesus would
do. Study your Bible to find out what Jesus did do--and
follow Him.

"I have given you an example to follow." John 13:15

"Leaving you an example, so that you should follow
 in His steps." 1 Peter 2:21

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[nChrist]

Caterers for their lusts!

(Thomas Watson, "The Beatitudes" 1660)

"If I regard iniquity in my heart" Psalm 66:18

What is it to regard iniquity in the heart?

When we INDULGE in sin. When sin not only lives
in us—but when we live in sin. Some will leave all
their sins, but one. Jacob would let all his sons go,
but Benjamin. The fowler holds the bird fast enough
by one claw. Just so, Satan can hold a man by one sin.

Others HIDE their sins. Many deal with their sins
as Moses' mother dealt with her son. She hid him
in the basket, as if she had left him—but her eye
was still upon him—and in the end, she became his
nurse (Exodus 2:9). Just so, many seem to leave
their sins—but they only hide them from the eye
of others. Their heart still goes after them, and at
last they nurse and give breast to their sins.

To regard iniquity is to DELIGHT in iniquity. Though
a child of God sins—yet he does not take a delight in
sin. "I do the very thing I hate" (Romans 7:15). But
the wicked make a recreation of sin. They "delight in
wickedness" (2 Thessalonians 2:12). Never did one
feed with more delight on a meal he loves—than a
wicked man does upon the forbidden fruit!

To regard iniquity is to make PROVISION for sin. "Make
no provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof."
(Rom. 13:14). The wicked are caterers for their lusts.
This is to make provision for the flesh—when one studies
to satisfy the flesh and provide fuel for lust. Thus Amnon
made provision for the flesh (2 Samuel 13:5). He pretends
to be sick, and his sister Tamar, must be his nurse. She
must serve his food to him—by which means he defiled
her virginity. It is sad when men's concern is not to be
holy—but to satisfy lust!

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[nChrist]

If death gives them a jog

(Thomas Watson, "The Beatitudes" 1660)

"And as it is appointed unto men once to die, and
 after that to face judgment." Hebrews 9:27

The wicked tread upon the banks of the bottomless
pit. If death gives them a jog—they tumble in!

"Prepare to meet your God!" Amos 4:12

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[nChrist]

Run to this heavenly Father!

(Thomas Watson, "The Beatitudes" 1660)

"The Father of mercies and the God of all comfort."
    2 Corinthians 1:3

Christians should look upon God under this notion—the
Father of all mercy, sitting upon a throne of grace. We
should run to this heavenly Father in all conditions!

We should run to our Father with our sins, as that sick
child who, as soon as he found himself ill—he ran to his
father to help him, "My head! My head!" 2 Kings 4:19
So in case of sin—run to God and say: "My heart! My
heart! O this dead heart—Father, quicken it! This hard
heart—Father, soften it! Father, my heart, my heart!"

We should run to our Father with our temptations.
A child, when another strikes him, runs to his father.
So when the devil strikes us with his temptations, let
us run to our Father: "Father, Satan assaults and hurls
in his fiery darts at me! Father, it is Your child who is
assaulted by this red dragon! Father, take off the
tempter!"

"Cast all your care upon Him, because He cares about
you!" 1 Peter 5:7. What a sweet privilege is this! When
any burden lies upon our hearts—we may go to our
Father and unload all our cares and griefs into His
loving bosom! "Cast your burden on the Lord, and He
will support you; He will never allow the righteous to
be shaken!" Psalm 55:22

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[nChrist]

Sin first enslaves—and then damns!

(Thomas Watson, "The Beatitudes" 1660)

"I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a
 slave to sin." John 8:34

"You are of your father the Devil, and you want
 to carry out your father's desires!" John 8:44

It is the sad misery of an unregenerate person,
that he is in a state of vassalage. He is under the
tyranny of sin. "It is the greatest slavery in the
world for a man to be a slave to his own passions!"

A wicked man is as much a slave—as he who works in
the galley! Look into his heart—and there are legions
of lusts ruling him! He must do what sin will have him
to do. A slave is at the service of a usurping tyrant. If
he bids him dig in the mine, or hew in the quarries, or
tug at the oar—he must do it. Thus every wicked man
must do what corrupt nature, inspired by the devil, bids
him to do. If sin bids him to be drunk, or to be unchaste
—he is at the command of sin, as the donkey is at the
command of the driver.

Sin first enslaves—and then damns!

"But now that you have been set free from sin and have
 become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to
 holiness, and the result is eternal life." Romans 6:22

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[nChrist]

God has two fires

(Thomas Watson, "The Beatitudes" 1660)

"I have refined you in the furnace of affliction."
     Isaiah 48:10

"Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal
 fire prepared for the Devil and his demons! And they
 will go away into eternal punishment!" Mt. 25:41, 46

God has two fires—
  one where He puts His gold,
  one where He puts His dross.

The fire where He puts His gold, is
the fire of affliction—to purify them.

The fire where He puts His dross, is
the fire of damnation—to punish them.

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[nChrist]

There are nails in that cross!

(Thomas Watson, "The Beatitudes" 1660)

"If anyone would come after Me, he must deny
 himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me."
    Luke 9:23

Self-denial is the highest sign of a sincere Christian.
Hypocrites may have great knowledge and make large
profession—but it is only the true-hearted believer who
can deny himself for Christ.

Self-denial is the foundation of godliness, and if this
foundation is not well-laid, the whole building will fall.
If there is any lust in our souls which we cannot deny
—it will turn at length, either to scandal or apostasy.
Self-denial is the thread which must run along through
the whole work of piety.

A man must deny self-esteem. Every man by nature
has a high opinion of himself. He is drunk with spiritual
pride. A proud man disdains the cross. He thinks himself
too good to suffer. Oh deny self-esteem! Let the plumes
of pride fall off! Let us shake off this viper of pride!

A man must deny carnal self. This I take to be the
chief sense of the text. He must deny fleshly ease.
The flesh cries out for ease. It is loath to put its neck
under Christ's yoke or stretch itself upon the cross. The
flesh cries out, "Oh! the cross of Christ is heavy! There
are nails in that cross which will lacerate, and fetch
blood!" We must deny our self-ease, and be as a deaf
adder, stopping our ears to the charmings of the flesh!
Those who lean on the soft pillow of sloth, will hardly
take up the cross.

This self-denying frame of heart is very hard. This is "to
pluck out the right eye." It is easier to overcome men and
devils, than to overcome self. "Stronger is he who conquers
himself, than he who conquers the strongest walled city."

SELF is the idol, and how hard it is to sacrifice this idol,
and to turn self-seeking into self-denial! But though it is
difficult—it is essential. A Christian must first lay down
self—before he can take up the cross.

Alas! how far are they from self-denial—who cannot deny
themselves in the least things; who in their diet or apparel,
instead of martyring the flesh—pamper the flesh! Instead of
taking up the cross—take up their cups! Is this self-denial—
to let loose the reins to the flesh? Oh Christians, as ever you
would be able to carry Christ's cross, begin to deny yourselves.

"Everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or
father or mother or children or property, for My sake, will
receive a hundred times as much in return and will have
eternal life!" Matthew 19:29. Here is a very choice bargain!

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[nChrist]

Pope Self

(J. C. Ryle, "The Gospel of Luke" 1858)

"An argument started among the disciples as to
which of them would be the greatest." Luke 9:46

Astonishing as it may seem, this little company
of fishermen and publicans was not beyond the
plague of a self seeking and ambitious spirit.

There is something very instructive in this fact.
It ought to sink down deeply into the heart of
every Christian reader. Of all sins, there is none
against which we have such need to watch and
pray as PRIDE.

No sin is so deeply rooted in our nature.

Pride cleaves to us like our skin!

Its roots never entirely die. They are ready,
at any moment, to spring up, and exhibit a
most pernicious vitality.

No sin is so senseless and deceitful.
It can wear the garb of humility itself!

Pride can lurk in the hearts of the ignorant,
the vile, and the poor”as well as in the minds
of the great, the learned, and the rich.

It is a quaint and homely saying, but only
too true”that no pope has ever received
such honor as "Pope Self."

Of all creatures, none has so little a right to be
proud as man; and of all men, none ought to be
so humble as the Christian. Is it really true that
we confess ourselves to be "miserable sinners,"
and daily debtors to mercy and grace? Are we the
followers of Jesus, who was meek and humble of
heart? Then let that same mind be in us which
was in Him. "Learn from Me, for I am gentle and
humble in heart." Matthew 11:29

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