Grace Gems

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I would have been perfectly submissive!

(Theodore Cuyler, "God's Light on Dark Clouds")

    None of us has any trouble in accepting the doctrine of God's sovereignty--as long as things go to our liking! We are perfectly satisfied to let God have His way--as long as He does not cross us! We all believe in His administration, and are ready to "vote God in as our governor" as long as our business thrives, and our crops are plentiful, and everyone around our own table is healthy and happy.

    As long as His mercies are poured out in sweet wine--we drink of them gladly. But as soon as the same cup begins to taste of wormwood--we push it away in disgust, or cry out piteously, "Let this cup pass from me! Any other cup I would have swallowed--but not this one! If God had only tried me with the loss of property, and spared my health--I could have borne it! Or if He had sent the sickness at some other time--I would not murmur so! Or if His blow had struck me somewhere else but in my most tender spot--I would not cry out so bitterly! In short, if God had only consulted me as to the medicine I should take, and as to which branch His pruning knife should lop off--I would have been perfectly submissive!"

    As some of our readers may just now be smarting under God's strokes of discipline, or letting their hearts fester into rebellion--let me whisper this precious truth into their ears: our Heavenly Father never afflicts one of His children--but for a wise purpose. He never strikes at random--or deals one blow in cruelty!
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A heathenish habit

(Theodore Cuyler, "God's Light on Dark Clouds")

"Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty,
 reigns!" Revelation 19:6

In nothing are we all apt to make more terrible blunders,
than in looking at God's providential dealings. Even
some Christians have a heathenish habit of talking
about "good luck" and "windfalls" and "bad fortune,"
and other expressions which convey the idea that this
life is a mere game of chance!

Blind unbelief may be expected to err, and to scan God's
work as either a riddle or a muddle. But a Christian ought
to know better! "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the
Almighty, reigns!" Revelation 19:6
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God's mowing-machine

(Theodore Cuyler, "God's Light on Dark Clouds")

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

    Some afflictions are sent by God--to purify character. God sits as a Refiner beside His furnace. He heats it until the metal melts--and the dross surfaces and is taken away. He keeps His silver in the furnace--until He can see His own face reflected in the clear metal of the heart. Then the affliction has done its work. There is such a wretched amount of self-will and pride and covetousness and unbelief even in the best of Christians--that they require the refining-furnace very often.

    It is a wholesome process--to be "mowed down" occasionally. The grass in every lawn requires to be cut down by a mower. The oftener it is mowed--the richer and the thicker is the growth. The lawn never looks so beautiful, as after the sharp-edged mower has gone over it. I have observed that some Christians have never appeared so attractive in their humility and heavenly-mindedness, as when God's mowing-machine has been passed over them!
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Such a brat of hell as I!

(John Warburton)

    Some will talk wonderfully about the Doctrines of Grace, but have never known what it is to water the Throne of grace with their tears--that God the Holy Spirit would cause His doctrines to drop as the rain, and His still small voice to distill in their souls as the dew. Poor things! They know nothing about these things by soul experience, for they are hidden from these wise and learned professors, and only revealed unto babes. The dear Savior thanked His Father that this was the case: "I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned--and revealed them to babes. Yes, Father, because this was Your good pleasure." Matthew 11:25-26

    And why, O my soul, are you not among them? Is it because you have merited His favor more than they? O no! It is because it pleased the God and Father of all mercies and all comfort, that it should be so! Blessings and honors be unto You, O holy Father--that ever Your love and choice was fixed upon such a brat of hell as I!
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Beware of the nail and the hammer!

(William Secker, "The Consistent Christian" 1660)

"Flee from youthful lusts--and pursue righteousness,
 faith, love, and peace." 2 Timothy 2:22

Flee from youthful lusts and worldly delights. These
bees carry honey in their mouths--but they have a
sting in their tails! When this Jael brings forth her
milk and her butter--then beware of the nail and
the hammer! Death is in the pot--while you are
tasting the soup!

The world always presents a deadly potion--in the
gilded cup of worldly pleasure. If the cup is sinful--
do not taste it; reason forbids you to taste known
poison! The fish is caught upon the hook--by leaping
at the bait! Sin is like a river, which begins in a quiet
spring--but ends in a tumultuous sea.

[nChrist]

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Those doltish children!

(William Secker, "The Consistent Christian" 1660)

    Sin is pleasant--but unprofitable.
    Affliction is unpleasant--but profitable.

    By affliction, the Lord separates the sin that He hates--from the soul that He loves. He sends affliction--to take the dirt of the world out of the hearts of His children! "Before I was afflicted I went astray--but now I keep Your word!" Psalm 119:67

    As waters are purest, when they are in motion--so saints are generally holiest, when in affliction. Some Christians resemble those doltish children, who will learn their lessons--no longer than while the rod is on their backs! In the greatest affliction--the Lord has sealed the sweetest instruction, "It was good for me to be afflicted--so that I could learn Your statutes!" Psalm 119:71

    Many Christians are not bettered by the judgments they see--when they have bettered by the judgments they have felt. The gold is refined--by being in the furnace! Likewise, with the Christian, "I have refined you in the furnace of suffering!" Isaiah 48:10

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It is better to be preserved in
brine--than to rot in honey!

(William Secker, "The Consistent Christian" 1660)

    Above every evil, we should consider sin as the greatest evil--as it is the fountain and origin of all evils. Sin is the only target--at which all the arrows of divine vengeance are shot! Sinners are those spiders which weave their own webs--and are afterwards entangled in them! Our own destruction--is but the fruit of our own transgression. There is more real evil in a particle of corruption--than in an ocean of tribulation!

    The evil of suffering is transient--but the evil of sin is permanent. The consistent Christian will always choose the worst of sorrows--before he will commit the least of sins!

    The wicked entirely reverse this--for they prefer the greatest sin--to the least sufferings! This is to leap out of the hot pan--into the consuming fire! By seeking to shun an external calamity--they rush into eternal misery! This is as if a man should lose his head--to preserve his hat!

    As the works of sin are dishonorable; so the wages of sin are deadly! "The wages of sin--is death." The corruption of nature is the cause of the dissolution of nature. The candle of our lives--is blown out by the wind of our lusts! Were it not for sin--death would never have had a beginning! Were it not for death--sin would never have an ending!

    What is so sweet a good as Christ? And what is so great an evil as lust? Sin has brought many a believer into suffering--and suffering has instrumentally kept many a believer out of sin! It is better to be preserved in brine--than to rot in honey! The bitterest medicine is to be preferred--before the sweetest poison! The consistent Christian will always choose the worst of sorrows--before he will commit the least of sins!

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Judas the preacher!

    (William Secker, "The Consistent Christian" 1660)

    "If you know these things--you are blessed if you do them." John 13:17

    To obey the truth, and not to know it--is impossible.
    To know the truth, and not obey it--is unprofitable.

    For, "Not everyone who says unto me, 'Lord, Lord' shall enter into the kingdom of heaven--but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven." Saving knowledge is not as the light of the moon--to sleep by; but as the light of the sun--to work by. It is not a loiterer in the market-place--but a laborer in the vineyard.

    A man may be a great scholar--and yet be a great sinner. Judas the traitor--was Judas the preacher! The snake which has a pearl in its head--has poison in its body! The tree of knowledge has often been planted, and flourished--where the tree of life never grew! All abilities and gifts--without grace and holiness--are but like Uriah's letters, which were the death warrants of those who carried them!

    Mere head knowledge will be as unhelpful to the soul, in the judgment day--as a painted fire is unhelpful to the frozen body, in a cold day. Theoretical knowledge may make the head giddy--but it will never make the heart holy. How many professors are there, who have light enough to know what should be done--but have not love enough to do what they know! Give me the Christian who perfectly sees the way he should go--and readily goes the way he sees!

    That is barren ground--which brings forth no fruit. "To him who knows to do good, and does it not--to him it is sin." The sins of ignorance are most numerous--but the sins of knowledge are most dangerous! That sinner's darkness will be the greatest in hell--whose light was the clearest on earth!

    There are many who set a crown of glory upon the head of Christ by a good profession, and yet put a crown of thorns upon his head by an evil conversation. By the words of our mouth--we may affect to adore religion; but it is by the works of our lives--that we adorn religion.

    As trees without fruits are unprofitable--so knowledge without good works is abominable! Leah and Rachel are fit emblems of knowledge and obedience. Knowledge, like Rachel--is beautiful. But obedience, like Leah--is fruitful.

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The sheep's clothing will soon be
 stripped from the wolf's back!

(William Secker, "The Consistent Christian" 1660)

"Having a form of godliness--but denying its power."
2 Timothy 3:5

    Formality frequently takes its dwelling near the chambers of integrity, and so assumes its name; the soul not suspecting that hell should make so near an approach to heaven. A rotten post, though covered with gold, is more fit to be burned in the fire, than for the building of a fabric. Where there is a pure conscience--there will be a pure conversation. The dial of our faces does not infallibly show--the time of day in our hearts. The humblest looks may enamel the face--while unbounded pride governs the heart!

    A hypocrite may be both the fairest creature--and the foulest creature in the world! He may be fairest outwardly in the eyes of man--and foulest inwardly in the sight of God. How commonly do such unclean swans cover their black flesh with their white feathers! Though such wear the mantle of Samuel--they should bear the name of Satan!

    Many appear righteous--who are only righteous in appearance. But while they are deceiving others with the false shows of holiness--they are also deceiving themselves with the false hopes of happiness. The hypocrite would not willingly appear evil--and yet would inwardly be evil. He would gladly be accounted godly--and yet would not be godly.

    Man, either appear what you are--or be what you appear. What will the form of godliness do for you--if you deny the power thereof? Those who have the power of godliness, cannot deny the form; while those who have the form of godliness, may deny the power.

    Hypocrites resemble looking-glasses--which present faces that are not in them. Oh, how desirous are men to put the fairest gloves--upon the foulest hands; and the finest paint--upon the rottenest posts!

    Hypocrites are better in show--than in substance. They are like painted tombs--which enclose decayed bones. That is a sad charge, which the God of truth brings against certain false professors, "I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews, and are not--but are the synagogue of Satan!" A false friend--is worse than an open enemy. A painted harlot is less dangerous--than a painted hypocrite. A treacherous Judas is more abhorred by God--than a bloody Pilate!

    Professors! Remember--the sheep's clothing will soon be stripped from the wolf's back! The velvet plaster of profession--shall not always conceal the offensive ulcer of corruption. Neither the ship of formality nor hypocrisy--will carry a person to the harbor of felicity. The blazing lamps of foolish virgins may light them to the bridegroom's gate--but not into His chamber. Either get the nature of Christ within you--or take name of Christ away from you.

    A bad man is certainly the worst--when he is seemingly the best. We must not account everyone a soldier--who swaggers with a sword. A rusty sword--may frequently be found in a highly decorated scabbard. What good is it to have our hands as white as snow--if our hearts are as black as the bottomless pit! Such professors resemble soap bubbles--smooth and pretty without--yet only filled with air!

    A man may wear the Savior's livery--and yet be busied in Satan's drudgery! The skin of an apple may be fair--when it is rotten at the core! Though all gold may glitter--yet all is not gold that glitters. The worst hypocrite may have the color of gold--but not the value of gold!

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The puddle of their own merit!

(William Secker, "The Consistent Christian" 1660)

    Many have passed the rocks of gross sins--who have suffered shipwreck upon the sands of self-righteousness.

    It was the saying of one, that he "would swim through a sea of brimstone--if he might but arrive safely at heaven." Ah, how would natural men soar to heaven--upon the pinions of their own merit! The sunbeams of Divine justice--will soon melt such weak and wax wings!

    He who has no better righteousness than what is of his own providing, shall meet with no higher happiness than what is of his own deserving. "They disregarded the righteousness from God--and attempted to establish their own righteousness." They are determined to sail in their own ship--though they sink in the ocean!

    We are so far from paying the utmost farthing, that at our utmost--we have not even a farthing to pay! That man will be a miserable spectacle of vanity--who stands upon the lame feet of his own ability!

    Duties are but dry pits, though ever so meticulously wrought--until Christ fills them. Reader, I would neither have you be idle in duties--nor make an idol of duties.

    What are duties without Christ--but like a fine cabinet without a jewel--or a golden cup without a cordial? The most diligent saint--has been the most self-distrusting saint, "that I may gain Christ and be found in him--not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith." If you are found in your own righteousness, you will be lost by your own righteousness. That garment which was worn to shreds on Adam's back--will never make a complete covering for you.

    Duties may be good crutches to go upon--but they are bad Christs to lean upon. It is the greatest disparagement that professors can offer to Christ--to put their services in the scale with His sufferings. The beggarly rags of the first Adam--must never be put on with the princely robe of the second Adam!

    Man is a creature too much inclined to warm himself by the sparks of his own fire--though he lies down in eternal flames for kindling them! Though Noah's dove made use of her wings--yet she found no rest, but in the ark. Duties can never have too much of our diligence--or too little of our confidence. A believer does not perform good works to live--but he lives to perform good works.

    He shall have hell as his debt--who will not take heaven as a gift. "We boast in Christ Jesus, and do not put confidence in the flesh." A true Christian stands at as great distance from trusting in the best of his services--as in the worst of his sins! He knows that the greatest part of his holiness--will not make the least part of his justifying righteousness. He has unreservedly subscribed to that sentiment, "that when we have done all--we are only unprofitable servants."

    When we have kept all the commandments, there is one commandment above all to be kept; that is, "all our righteous acts are like filthy rags!" In most of our works--we are abominable sinners; and in the best of our works--we are unprofitable servants. "O Sovereign Lord, I will proclaim Your righteousness, Yours alone!" You see, beloved, the righteousness of Christ is to be magnified--when the righteousness of a Christian is not to be mentioned.

    It is hard for us to be "nothing in ourselves" amidst all our works; and to be "all things in Christ," amidst all our weakness. To undertake every duty--and yet to overlook every duty--is a lesson which none can learn, but Christ's scholars.

    Our obedience, at best, is like good wine--which relishes of a bad cask. The 'Law of God' will not accept ninety-nine for a hundred. It will not accept the coin of our obedience, either short in quantity--or base in quality. The duty it exacts--is as impossible to be performed in this our fallen state; as the penalty it inflicts--is intolerable to be endured in our eternal state!

    We do not sail to glory in the salt sea of our own tears--but in the red sea of the Redeemer's blood! The Cross of Christ--is the only key of paradise! We owe the life of our souls--to the death of our Savior. It was His going into the fiery furnace--which keeps us from going into the devouring flames! Man lives--by death: his natural life is preserved by the death of the creature; and his spiritual life is gained by the death of the Redeemer.

    Those who carry their vessel of hope to the puddle of their own merit--will never draw the water of comfort, from the fountain of God's mercy!

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These streams of defilement!

(William Secker, "The Consistent Christian" 1660)

    Until we taste the bitterness of our own misery--we will never relish the sweetness of God's mercy. Until we see how foul our sins have made us--we will never pay our tribute of praise to Christ for washing us.

    Outward acts are most scandalous among men--but inward lusts are most atrocious before God!

    Reader! if you would know the heart of your sin--then you must know the sins of your heart! "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are the things that defile a man!" Matthew 15:19-20. These streams of defilement which appear in your life--do but show what a fountain of wickedness there is in your heart! Even the "thought of foolishness in sin!" There is no sin so little--as not to kindle an eternal fire!

    "When sin has conceived--it brings forth death!"
    Sin's first-born is death--and its last-born is hell.

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The peacock of pride

(William Secker, "The Consistent Christian" 1660)

        He is the most lovely Christian--who is the most lowly Christian. As incense smells the sweetest when it is beaten smallest--so saints look loveliest when they lie lowest. God will not allow such a weed as pride to grow in His garden, without taking some course to root it up.

        Pride is a sinner's torment--but humility is a saint's ornament. "Be clothed with humility." The garment of humility--should always be worn on the back of Christianity. Where humility is the corner-stone--there glory shall be the top-stone.

        God many times places a thorn in the flesh--to pierce the balloon of pride. He makes us feel a sense of our misery--that we may sue for His unmerited mercy. The first Adam was for self-advancement--but the second Adam is for self-abasement. The former was for having SELF deified--the latter is for having SELF crucified.

        We live--by dying to ourselves; and die--by living to ourselves. There is no proud man--who is not a foolish man; and scarcely is there any foolish man--who is not a proud man. It is the night-owl of ignorance, which broods and hatches the peacock of pride.

        "I hate pride and arrogance!" Proverbs 8:13. God abhors those people worst--who adore themselves most. Pride is not a Bethel--that is, a house where God dwells; but a Babel--that is, a stinking dungeon in which Satan abides. Pride is not only a most hateful evil--but it is a radical evil. As all other lusts are found lodging in it--so they are found springing from it. Pride is a foul leprosy, in the face of morality; and a hurtful worm, gnawing at the root of humility. Pride is a cancer within, and a spreading plague without!

        "Clothe yourselves with humility, because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." 1 Peter 5:5

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A flower which never grew in the world's garden!

(William Secker, "The Consistent Christian" 1660)

    "I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know both how to have a little--and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances, I have learned the secret of being content--whether well-fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:11-13

    Every man has received more good--than he has deserved. He should therefore be contented, though he sees but little good. And he should not be discontented, though he suffers much evil.

    "Keep your lives free from the love of money--and be content with what you have." When a wicked man's purse grows light--his heart grows heavy. When he has something without to afflict him--he has nothing within to support him.

    Repenting is the act of Christian men--but repining is the act of carnal men. Though their estates are like a fruitful paradise--yet their hearts are like a barren wilderness. Such people are like those spiders--which suck poison out of the sweetest flowers--and by an infernal chemistry, extract dross from the purest gold!

    Outward prosperity cannot create inward tranquility. 'Hearts-ease' is a flower which never grew in the world's garden! The ground of a wicked man's trouble, is not because he has not enough of the creature--but because he cannot find enough in the creature to satisfy him! His possession is great enough--but his disposition is not low enough.

    Our worldly comforts would be a sea to drown us--if our crosses were not a plank to save us!

    Contentment is the best food to preserve a sound man--and the best medicine to restore a sick man. It resembles the gilt on bitter pills, which makes a man take them--without tasting their bitterness. Contentment will make a lowly cottage--look as fair as a grand palace. He is not a poor man--who has but little; but he is a poor man--who desires much. In this sense, the poorest are often the richest--and the richest the poorest.

    "Godliness with contentment is great gain." Contentment is too precious a flower to grow in every soil. Though every godly man may not always be contented--yet every truly contented man is godly. "The Lord is my shepherd--I have everything I need!" Such a Scripture will bring us plenty in scarcity; and fullness out of emptiness.

    Never complain of your hard condition, Christian--so long as Jesus is your friend! Let your condition be ever so flourishing--it is a hell without Him. Let your condition be ever so fluctuating--it is a heaven with Him. Can that man truly lack anything--who enjoys Christ; or can he be said to truly enjoy anything--who is without Christ?

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It will be bitter in your belly!

(William Secker, "The Consistent Christian" 1660)

"The wages of sin--is death." Romans 6:23

    The 'ways of sin' may have popular approval--but they shall also have divine abhorrence marked upon them.

    This Delilah may please us for a time--but she will betray us at last!

    Though Satan's apples may have a fair skin--yet they certainly have a bitter core!

    Methinks the flaming sword in one hand, and the golden scepter in the other hand--should guard us from the forbidden tree; and make our hearts like wet tinder to all the sparks of Satan!

    Reader, if you behold nothing but pleasure in the commission of sin--you will experience nothing but the most dreadful pain in the conclusion of sin! "The wages of sin--is death." All workmen should have their wages; and it is only reasonable that those who employ you--should pay you. But, however you may delight in the works of sin--you will by no means relish the wages of sin! Ah, what wise man would toil so long in sin's drudgery--whose wages are no better than eternal misery!

    Though all sins are not equal in their nature--yet all sins are in their very nature, deadly. "The wages of sin--is death." The candle of man's life is blown out--by the wind of his lusts! The corruption of nature--tends to the dissolution of nature. Reader, you began to be sinful--when you began to be mortal. If you had never had anything to do with sin--death could never have had anything to do with you.

    It is at that vile enemy, SIN--which God shoots all His arrows!

    Sin is like a serpent in your bosom--which stings you! Sin is like a thief in your closet--who plunders you! Sin resembles poison in the stomach; or a sword to the heart--both of which tend to death! Like John's little book--sin may be sweet in your mouth--but it will be bitter in your belly!

    The foul dregs--lie at the bottom of the vessel. The golden cup of sin--is filled with the most poisonous ingredients! Sinner, that which is now like a rose flourishing in your bosom--will in a very little time be like a poisoned dagger at your heart!

    While such a 'Judas' kisses--he kills! While the ivy twines round the oak--it eats out its sap.

    If sin were not so delightful--it would not be so deceitful. Like a cunning angler--sin shows the bait, but conceals the hook! If you, O man, are found nibbling at the bait--you may justly expect the hook! O think, you who now boast in nothing so much as sin--that there is a time approaching, when you will be ashamed of nothing but sin! You will be eternally sinful--but you cannot be eternally joyful. In hell, all that sugar will be melted, in which this bitter pill of sin was wrapped! Hell is too hot a climate--for wanton delights to live in!

    The pleasures of sin are but for a season--but the torments of unpardoned sin are of an eternal duration! Death will turn all the waters of pleasure--into blood! The serpent of sensual delight--always carries a deadly sting in its tail! All the blaze of worldly pomp--will soon end in midnight darkness and horror!

    It is better to make your lodgings in a bed of snakes--than in the forbidden bed of sinful lusts!

    When the pale horse of death goes before--the red horse of wrath follows after! When the sinner's body goes to the worms to be consumed--then his soul goes to hell to be tormented! A wise man knows, that it is far better to forego the pleasures of sin here--than to undergo the pains of wrath hereafter!

    "There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed, feasting lavishly every day." What pleasure does Dives now reap in hell, from all the choice banquets he sat down to, on earth? "I am in agony in this fire!" The stench and torment of everlasting burnings--will take away the sweetest perfumes which ever covered sin!

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No way!

(William Secker, "The Consistent Christian")

There is one way to keep a man out of hell--
but there is no way to get a man out of hell.

"Then He will 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

"And they will go away into eternal punishment."
Matthew 25:46