Grace Gems

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Satan's herd of swine!

(William Secker, "The Consistent Christian")

"You shall not follow a multitude--to do evil."
     Exodus 23:2

The generality of people--are like dead fish,
which float down the stream, wherever it runs.

The 'voice of the people'--is often the voice
of the devil.

Satan's herd of swine--is larger than Christ's
flock of sheep! Let them be ever so mighty--we
are not to fear them. Let them be ever so many
--we are not to follow them.

If we will not have the people of the world to be
our leaders--we shall be sure to have them as our
troublers. If they cannot seduce us into their evil
ways--they will oppose us in our holy ways. If they
cannot scorch us with their fire--they will try to
blacken us with their smoke. They will speak evil
of us--because we do not run into the same excess
of evil with them. Because we refuse to play the
fool with them--they will say that we are mad.

"Though the people of Israel are as numerous
as the sand on the seashore--only the remnant
will be saved." Romans 9:27. The whole piece
belongs to the Devil--but God cuts off a remnant
for Himself!

The trees of righteousness are thinly
planted--in the world's orchard.

There are many wicked sinners
--to one godly man!

Pebbles lie abundant in the streets
--but pearls are rare to find.

Sinners are certainly the greatest company
--but they are also the worst company.

Remember, the multitude of people, are like the
droves of cattle--which go to the slaughter!

Those who follow after others in sinning--will
be sure to follow them in suffering! Alas, the
largeness of the multitude, will not extinguish
the fierceness of the flame! The great number
of those immortal faggots--will but  intensify
the fury of the eternal fire!

[nChrist]

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God will not throw away His jewels!

(William Secker, "The Consistent Christian" 1660)

"Lord, I believe--help my unbelief!" Mark 9:24

Lord, I see--but enlighten my darkness!
Lord, I hear--but cure my deafness!
Lord, I move--but quicken my dullness!
Lord, I desire--but help my unwillingness!

Wherever sin proves hateful--it shall not prove hurtful.

What an apology does a sorrowful Savior make for His
sleeping saints! "The spirit is willing--but the flesh is weak!"

Take a carnal man, and what he can do--that he will not do.
Take a Christian man, and what he would do--that he cannot do.

God will pity impotency--but He will punish obstinacy.

It would be folly, indeed, to think that our fields have
no grain in them--because there is some chaff about
the wheat; or that the ore had no gold in it--because
there is some dross mixed among it.

In heaven, there is service alone--without any sin.
In hell, there is sin alone--without service.
But on earth, there is sin and service in the same man
--as there is light and shade in the same picture.

Above us--there is light without any darkness.
Below us--there is darkness without any light.
But in this world--it is neither all day nor all night.

Though the lowest believer is above the power of sin--
yet the highest believer is not above the presence of sin!

It is in a living Christian that sin is to be mortified--but
it is only in a dying Christian that sin is to be destroyed.

When the body and the soul--are separated by mortality
--sin and the soul--will then be separated to eternity!

Sin never ruins--but where it reigns!

Sin is not damning--where it is disturbing!

The more trouble sin receives from us
--the less trouble sin does to us.

Sin is only a murderer--where it is a governor!

Our graces are our best jewels--but they do
not yield their brightest luster in this world.

The moon, when she shines brightest--has its spots;
and the fire, when it burns the hottest--has its smoke.

Sin is an enemy at the Christian's back
--but not a friend in his bosom.

Although believers should be mournful--because
they have infirmities; yet they should be thankful
--because they are but infirmities.

It is true, they have sin in them--and that should
make them sorrowful. But it is just as true, that
they have a Savior for them--and that should
make them joyful.

The conduct of a Christian may sometimes
be spotted with infirmity--when the heart is
sound in the love of sanctity.

Jacob halted--and yet was blessed. As his blessing
did not take away his halting--so his halting did
not keep away his blessing.

The heavenly Bridegroom will not put out a believer's
candle--because of the dimness of its burning; nor
will He overshadow a believer's sun--because of the
weakness of its shining.

Though that vice may be found in us--for which God
might justly damn us; yet that grace is to be found
in Him--by which He will justly save us. He does not
come with water to extinguish the fire--but with wind
to disperse the smoke!

As death leaves the body soulless
--so death leaves the soul sinless.

"You of little faith--why did you doubt?" Poor Peter
had faith enough to keep him from drowning--but
not enough faith to keep him from doubting.

As Alexander's painter could find a finger
to conceal the scar on his master's face--so
when Jesus Christ draws the picture of the
saint's excellency--He can find a covering
for all the scars of his infirmities!

God will not throw away His jewels--for
every speck of dirt which may be on them!

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No wonder if Satan get into the saddle!

(William Secker, "The Consistent Christian" 1660)

"Avoid every kind of evil." 1 Thessalonians 5:22

    He who now gives way to the least sin--may yet be given up to the greatest sins. We are never far enough from lust--while we are on earth; or near enough to Christ--while we are out of heaven. O, stand far off from the devil's mark--unless you would be hit by his arrows!

    The drawing near to the appearance of evil--is the first step to the accomplishment of the most enormous evil. A spark--will easily catch a box of tinder on fire. Little streams--will find a passage to the great sea. Christian reader! Why should you venture on slippery places--when you can scarcely stand upon the firmest ground? Who will pity that man whose house is blown up with gun-powder--if he stores it in the chimney corner?

    Such is the monstrous wickedness of men, that though the streams and currents of their own lusts carry them too swiftly already--yet they hoist up sails to catch the devil's winds!

    The fowler spreads his net--but the wings of the bird carry her into it! If you would not step into the harlot's house--you should not go by the harlot's door! If you would not gather the forbidden fruit--then beware how you look on the luscious tree!

    To pray against temptations, and yet to rush into occasions to sin--is to thrust your fingers into the fire--and then pray that they might not be burnt! If you hold the stirrup for him--no wonder if Satan get into the saddle!

    "Watch and pray--so that you will not fall into temptation." Matthew 26:41. That man who is the most watchful--is the least sinful. A soul without its watch--is like a city without its wall, exposed to the attack of all its enemies!

    Those who would not fall into the river--should beware how they approach too near to its banks. He who crushes the egg--need not fear the biting of the serpent. He who would not drink of the wine of divine wrath--let him not touch the cup of sinful pleasure.

    A person who carries gun-powder with him--can never stand too far from the fire. If we accompany sin one mile--it will compel us to go two. Sin swells like Elijah's cloud, from the size of a man's hand to such an expansion, as to cover the whole sky.

    "Let him who thinks he stands--take heed, lest he fall." 1 Corinthians 10:12. You will quickly lose your standing--if you are fearless of falling.

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A beautiful face--under a black mask!

(William Secker, "The Consistent Christian" 1660)

    "What! Shall we receive good at the hand of God--and shall we not receive evil?" Job 2:10

    The consistent Christian speak well of God--whatever evil he receives from God. To bless God for mercies--is the way to increase them; to bless God for miseries--is the way to remove them.

    Did not the possession of riches sometimes draw away our hearts--then the loss of them would not break our hearts!

    "The Lord gives--and the Lord takes away; blessed be the Name of the Lord." Job 1:21. God gives before He takes--and He takes only what He gives!

    The hour-glass of outward happiness soon runs out! Today Job is the richest man in all the east; tomorrow Job is the poorest man in all the world. Yet his heart was like a fruitful paradise--when his estate was like a barren wilderness! Though God burnt up his houses--yet his palace (his heart) was left standing.

    Outward mercies are like the tide--which ebbs as well as flows. They are like the sky--which sometimes is clear, and at another time clouded. They are like a budding flower--which opens on a warm day, and shuts on a cold day. If God bless us in taking--as well as in giving; let us bless Him for taking--as well as for giving.

    That is a choice artist--who can play well upon a broken instrument. To be impatient with our affliction--and patient with our corruption; is to be angry with the medicine which heals us--and in love with the poison which kills us! Beloved, it is sometimes a mercy to us--that God removes outward mercies from us! He never wounds a saint to kill him--but to heal him! God does but take that out of your hands--which would thrust Him out of your heart!

    Too many think that God is cutting down the whole tree--when He is but lopping off its wasteful branches. They imagine that He is demolishing the superstructure, when He is only laying a right foundation. Poor souls, He is not nipping the flowers--but plucking up the weeds! He is not laying your land fallow--but ploughing the field!

    God's Providence has a beautiful face--under a black mask! God has the fairest ends--in the foulest ways! The sheep may be dipped in water to wash it--when there is no design in the Good Shepherd to drown it!

    Christian reader, you may read the marks of a kind Father--in the severe stripes of His children. Every twig of His black rod of affliction--is but to draw His lovely image upon you!

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The prosperity of the wicked

(William Secker, "The Consistent Christian" 1660)

    "For I envied the arrogant--when I saw the prosperity of the wicked." Psalm 73:3

    We should never judge the inward conditions of men--by the outward dispensations of God. The greatness of our estates--is no argument of the goodness of our hearts. To prize ourselves by what we have--and not by what we are; is to estimate the value of the jewel--by the box which contains it. Grace and gold can live together; but the smallest degree of grace in the heart--is preferable to a thick chain of gold around the neck.

    Lest riches should be accounted evil in themselves--God sometimes gives them to the righteous; and lest they should be considered as the chief good--He frequently bestows them on the wicked. But they are more generally the portion of God's enemies--than His friends.

    Here on earth, it is sometimes evil with the righteous--and well with the wicked. Those who live most upon God, sometimes fare worst from the world. You cannot read the wrath of God--in the black lines of adversity; or the love of God--in the white lines of prosperity.

    God often gives a full cup of temporal blessings to wicked men--though there are dregs at the bottom! They may be fruitful vines--and yet only laden with sour grapes. It is seldom that the sparkling diamond of a great estate--is set in the golden ring of a pious heart. Riches have made many good men--worse; but they never made any bad man--better.

    Though a Christian is made happy in the world--yet he is not made happy by the world. There are many who are temporally happy, who will be eternally miserable; and many are now temporally miserable, who will be eternally happy.

    "God causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good--and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." Matthew 5:45. The sun of prosperity shines upon the dunghill--as well as upon beds of spices. The rain of adversity falls upon the fruitful garden--as well as the barren wilderness. The abundance of the infidel is a golden chain--to bind him to the earth; and the apparent miseries of the believer are as fiery chariots--to convey him to heaven!

    If we look for a saint, he is not always to be found upon a bed of down--but sometimes he has been seen on a heap of dust. Poor Lazarus rises up to heaven--and rich Dives sinks down to hell. We must not infer the absence of God's affections--from the presence of numerous afflictions. A saint is glorious in his misery--but a sinner is miserable amidst all his glory.

    "Judge nothing according to appearance--but judge righteous judgment." That apple which has the fairest skin--may have the rottenest core. The most choice pearls--are often enclosed in the most hideous shells.

    "Deliver my soul from the wicked--who have their portion in this life." Psalm 17:14. The things of the world--are the only happiness of the men of the world. A man's estate in this world may be great--and yet his state for the eternal world may be fearful. God may say to him as to Pharaoh, "For this purpose have I raised you up--that I might show My power upon you." The same hand which now pours abundance on ungodly men like oil--will soon pour down wrath upon them like fire! Under all their wealth--their hearts are sinful; and after all the riches have fled--their situation will be doleful!

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Defects and defilements

(Letters of John Newton)

    Dear friend,
    You say that you are conscious of defects and defilements. But your heart could not be right--if you did not feel these things. To be conscious of them, and humbled for them--is one of the surest marks of grace; and to be more deeply sensible of them than formerly--is the best evidence of growth in grace!

    Our righteousness is in Jesus alone; and our hope depends, not upon the exercise of grace in us--but upon the fullness of grace and love in Him, and upon His obedience unto death.

    It is a mighty manifestation of His grace indeed--when it can live, and act, and conquer in such hearts as ours; when, in defiance of an evil nature and an evil world, and all the force and subtlety of Satan--a weak worm is still upheld; when a small spark is preserved through storms and floods!

    In these circumstances, the work of grace is to be estimated, not merely from its imperfect appearance--but from the difficulties it has to struggle with and overcome. Therefore our holiness does not consist in great attainments--but in spiritual desires, in hungerings, thirstings, and mournings; in humiliation of heart, poverty of spirit, submission, and meekness; in hearty admiring thoughts of Jesus, and dependence upon Him alone for all we need. Indeed these may be said to be great attainments; but they who have most of them are most sensible that they, in and of themselves, are nothing, have nothing, can do nothing--and see daily cause for abhorring themselves and repenting in dust and ashes!

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In view of God's mercy

(William Secker, "The Consistent Christian")

"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!"
    2 Corinthians 9:15

What could Jesus do more--than to die for us!
What can we do less--than to live for Him!

You cannot fathom all the good which He has
bestowed upon you--nor all the evil which He
has forgiven you!

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of
 God's mercy--to offer your bodies as living
 sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God!"
     Romans 12:1

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The dark dungeon of ignorance!

(William Secker, "The Consistent Christian" 1660)

"God has called you out of darkness--into His marvelous
 light." 1 Peter 2:9

The papists cry up 'ignorance' as the mother of devotion.
But we cry down 'ignorance' as the father of superstition.

It is no wonder that Christ should be so much undesired
--when He is so much unknown.

Satan binds all his captives down in the dark dungeon
of ignorance! Like the cunning falconer, he blindfolds
his birds--that he may carry them to hell more securely!

Darkness is the devil's element--and the sinner's
punishment.

Utter darkness--is the recompense of inward darkness.
"My people perish--for lack of knowledge." Hosea 4:6

An ignorant man neither cares what he does--nor
knows where he is going. When such a one is taken
off the earth--he cannot be taken into heaven!
"Taking vengeance with flaming fire on those
who do not know God!" 2 Thessalonians 1:8

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The golden key, and the iron lock

(William Secker, "The Consistent Christian" 1660)

He who is Omniscient--to know your needs,
is also Omnipotent--to grant your requests.

"Ask, and receive--that your joy may be full."

Spiritual supplication is the channel to consolation.

Now none are more fruitful in divine labor--than
those who are most joyful under a sense of the
divine favor.

Death shortens our way to heaven--but
prayer sweetens our way to heaven.

There never was one new-born soul--who was still-born.

The prayerless soul--is a fruitless soul. The waters of life
are sweet--and it is blessed to bring the vessels of prayer
to these wells. It matters not, how often you carry your
empty pitcher--to so full a river!

Christians will never lack a praying time--if they possess
a praying frame. In the morning, prayer is a golden key
--to open the heart for God's service; and in the evening,
prayer is an iron lock--to guard the heart against sin.

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Those are not mothers--but monsters!

(William Secker, "The Wedding Ring" 1658 )

    "Train up a child in the way he should go--and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

    The goal of the godly mother, is that her children in the flesh--may be God's children in the spirit. A mother should be more careful of her children's pious breeding--than she should be fearful of her children's worldly bearing.

    Take heed, lest these flowers grow in the devil's garden! Take heed, that though you bring them out in corruption--yet do not bring them down to damnation! Those are not mothers--but monsters--who while they are teaching their children the way to heaven with their lips--are leading them to hell with their lives!

    You let out your efforts to make them great--lift up your prayers to make them godly; that before you die from them--you may see Christ live in them. While these twigs are green and tender--they should be bowed towards God.

    Children are in a family--as passengers are in a boat. The husband and wife are as a pair of oars to row them to their desired haven!

    Let these small pieces of timber be hewed and squared for the celestial building.

    By putting a scepter of grace into their hands--you will set a crown of glory upon their heads! "Train up a child in the way he should go--and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

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Slavery to a bad husband!

(William Secker, "The Wedding Ring")

"Husbands, love your wives and do not
 be harsh with them." Colossians 3:19

If the woman is a help to the man--then
let not the man cast dirt on the woman!

Secundus treated his wife like a servant! But
surely he was a monster--and not a man! He
was fitter for a tomb to bury him--than a
womb to bear him!

It is evil to play 'the butcher' with that gentle
gender, which has no arms but for embraces.
Because they are the 'weaker vessels'--shall
we break them all to pieces?

A wife must never be sharply driven--but
sweetly drawn. Compassion may bend her
--but compulsion will break her! Husband
and wife should act towards each other
with consent--not by constraint!

The husband must provide for the wife's
necessities. You must not be a drone--and
she a drudge! Many husbands waste that
money in luxury--which should supply their
wives necessity! They have neither the piety
of a true Christian--nor the love of a true
husband. It is a sad spectacle to see a wife
in slavery to a bad husband--who keeps
her under his fetters!

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If we were left to ourselves

(William Secker, "The Consistent Christian" 1660)

"What makes you better than anyone else?"
    1 Corinthians 4:7

Reader, are there not the same lusts lodging in your
heart--which are reigning in wicked men's lives? The
reason why there is so little self-condemnation, is
because there is so little self-examination.

If we were left to ourselves but for a moment--we
would destroy ourselves in that moment! We can defile
ourselves--but we cannot cleanse ourselves. The sheep
can go astray alone--but can never return to the fold,
without the assistance of the shepherd.

"Hold me up--and I shall be safe!" Psalm 119:117

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Right and wrong praying

(Theodore Cuyler, "Wayside Springs
 from the Fountain of Life" 1883)

        The richest blessing that prayer can bring--is to bring us into closer communion and agreement with the all-holy and the all-loving God. The very first essential to all right prayer--is unconditional submissiveness to God's will.

        "Find your happiness in God--and He will give you the askings of your heart." This is the exact rendering of Psalm 37:4, and it throws a flood of light upon the important question of--what is right prayer--and what is wrong prayer. A great deal of prayer is born of selfishness, and takes on the airs of dictating to our Heavenly Father. It is not humble supplication, born of a devout, submissive spirit; but it amounts to a demand. God's promises to His children are not unconditional; and we may presume to dictate to the God of wisdom and of love.

        What is laid down distinctly, as the indispensable quality of right asking in the above quoted verse? It is a right feeling towards God. When a soul comes into such an entire submissiveness towards God that it can honestly say, "Nevertheless, not as I will--but as You will;" when that soul delights in seeing God reign, and in seeing His glory advanced--then its desires will be so purified from the dregs of selfishness, that they may be fearlessly poured out before God. In this frame of unselfish submissiveness, the soul may indeed come boldly to the throne of grace, and ask for grace suited to its every need. The desires of God--and the desires of a sincere Christly soul, will then agree. God loves to give to those--who love to be submissive to Him. They are as willing to accept His "no" as His "yes," for they are seeking not their own desires and glory--but His!  As a kind father loves to grant the reasonable requests of a dutiful son, so does our Heavenly Father love to grant righteous and reasonable requests of His children!

        A man stands in a row-boat out on a lake, and pulls upon a line attached to the shore. His pull does not move the solid ground one hair's breadth--but it does move his boat towards the land. In like manner, when I attach the line of my desire, fast to the everlasting throne, my faith does not expect to move the throne--but to draw me closer to it. When I get more and more into harmony with God--I receive all that my heart most desires. Finding my happiness in Christ--I am satisfied. Money, health, promotion, ease, and all kindred worldly cravings, are only lawful--when they are subordinated to God's higher desires for me.

        The question now arises, What are right desires? As far as my ignorance has been enlightened by the Word, I would reply that every desire is a right one--which aims only to please God--and not SELF. Grace does not forbid desires--but it purifies and directs our desires.

        Nay, the Bible exhorts us to "eagerly desire the greater gifts." 1 Corinthians 12:28. Wisdom from above, strength for the hour of need, faith, grace, love and kindred blessings, are in harmony with God's promises. These are the very things which God has told us to covet!

        Our Heavenly Father does not hand the reins over to us--when our selfishness grasps after them. Nor does He allow our ignorance to be the judge of what is best for us. He often surprises us by sending something better than what we petitioned for. But infinitely the best thing which He can give us--is His favor and grace. If we find our supreme happiness in these--oh, how our souls are purified from all base, selfish, wayward, and wicked desires! And with what banqueting on His love, and with what foretastes of heaven--are our best askings answered!

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A Christian's ways and words

(Theodore Cuyler, "Wayside Springs
from the Fountain of Life" 1883)

"Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers
 and pilgrims--to abstain from fleshly lusts,
 which war against the soul." 1 Peter 2:11

Here on earth, I am but a pilgrim--a transient
lodger, for this world is not my rest. I am seeking
for and pressing towards, the magnificent city with
eternal foundations--a city designed and built by
Almighty God!

"Do not be conformed to this world; but
 be transformed by the renewing of your
 mind." Romans 12:2

The world around us has its unwritten code of
morals and of manners. It sets up its standards
and fixes its fashions to suit itself. But they are
no rule for the Christian. Jesus has "chosen us
out of the world," and given His own life to be
our standard and our pattern. "If you love Me,"
said our loving Redeemer, "keep My
commandments."

The first question of a Christian should be,
"What does my Master command? Would He
approve my style of living, my amusements,
my temper, my whole daily conduct? If so,
that is enough! I am not to copy the behavior
of this world--when sinful customs make their
claims, or worldly seductions offer their bribes.
I am Christ's servant!"

As high as the heavens are above the earth,
so much higher should a Christian's ways
and words and whole conduct--be above
the ways of the world!

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test
 me and know my thoughts. Point out anything
 in me that offends You, and lead me along the
 path of everlasting life." Psalm 139:23-24

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Let me no longer waste my time

(Hannah More, "The Book of Private Devotion")

    Almighty God, I adore Your infinite patience, which has  not cut me off in the midst of my follies; I magnify Your wonderful goodness, which has spared me thus long. Let me no longer abuse that precious treasure--time, which you have allotted me as a proper season to work out my own salvation, and secure that happiness which is great in itself, and infinite in its duration.

    Let me bid adieu to all those vain amusements, those trifling entertainments and sinful diversions, which have robbed me of many valuable hours, and endangered the loss of my immortal soul. Let me no longer waste my time in ease and pleasure, in unprofitable studies, and more unprofitable conversation; but grant, that, by diligence and honesty in my calling, by constancy and fervor in my devotions, by moderation and temperance in my enjoyments, by justice and charity in all my words and actions, and by keeping a conscience void of offence to God and man--I may be able to give a good account in the day of judgment, and be accepted in and through the merits of Jesus Christ, my only mediator and advocate.

 Amen.