Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Rom. xii. 19. Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me; I will render to the man according to his work. Prov. xxiv. 29. See also Lev. xix. 28. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Rom. xii. 17. JUDGE ye then, my brethren, would it be wise to Grace dwells with justice on the throne, The counsels of the Lord. When God, in his own sov'reign ways, If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. 2 Cor. v. 17. LET no man be discouraged from coming to CHRIST, because he finds not in himself that godly sorrow for sin, that ability to repent, that disposition of heart which he desires to have: we must first be in CHRIST before we are new creatures. This is a common fault among us; we would fain have something before we come. We think God's pardons are not free, but we must bring something in our hand; whereas the proclamation runs thus: "Buy without money;" that is, come without any excellency at all: because we are commanded to come, and take the water of life freely." Therefore do not say, I have a fretful disposition, and a hard heart, and cannot mourn for sin as I should, therefore I will 66 stay till that be done. It is all one as if you should say, I must go to the physician, but I will have my wounds well, and my disease healed first. The end of going to CHRIST is, that this very hardness of thy heart may be taken away; that this very deadness of thy spirit may be removed; that thou mayest be enlightened, quickened, healed; that thou mayest hate sin, for he is thy Physician; look not for sanctification, nor for genuine fruits of righteousness, till thy soul is united unto CHRIST by a living faith; for it is faith that purifies the heart and works (i. e. produces good works) by love. Thou must first be in CHRIST, grafted into CHRIST by faith, before thou canst be a new creature. Lord, graft me in thyself the vine, So shall I in thine image shine, All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient; all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. 1 Cor. vi. 12. See Chapters x. 23, and viii. 8. MANY that are well affected to religion, and receive instructions of piety with pleasure and satisfaction, often wonder how it comes to pass that they make no greater progress in that religion which they so much admire. Now, the reason of it is, because religion lives only in their head, while something else has possession of their heart, and therefore they continue from year to year mere admirers and praisers of piety, without ever coming up to the reality and perfection of its precepts. If it be asked why religion does not get possession of their hearts? the reason is, not because they live in gross sins or debaucheries, for their regard to religion preserves them from such disorders, but because their hearts are constantly employed, perverted, and kept in a bad state by the wrong use of such things as are lawful to be used; for our souls may receive very great hurt, merely by the abuse of innocent and lawful things. What is more innocent than rest and retirement? and yet what more dangerous than sloth and idleness? What is more lawful than eating and drinking? and yet what more destructive of virtue than sensuality and indulgence? How lawful and praise-worthy is the care of a family and yet what so prejudicial as an anxious worldly temper? Reader, follow the apostle, and beware of lawful things; keep thy heart free from the power of them. O Lord, direct me in the use Of things that lawful are; For lawful things may have abuse, N There are diversities of operations; but it is the 1 would believe thy promise, Lord; Every good gift, and every perfect gift, is from above. James i. 17. See also Job. i. 21. 66 READER, it is a point of the greatest importance for thee to know, that every evil thing is of thyself, and every good thing of God. Without faith we cannot be saved; but, saith St. Paul, Eph. ii. 8, By grace are ye saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God." We are called upon to repent; but in Acts v. 31, we read that CHRIST is exalted at the Father's right hand, to be a " Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel." We must be born again, but regeneration is wholly of God's will: "which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." John i. 13. Saving knowledge is likewise the gift of God: "To you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven." Matt. xiii. 11. Effectual calling is also of God's grace. 2 Tim. i. 9. Justification is of God's grace; we are justified freely. Adoption also is an act of grace; he vouchsafes that high privilege, not in common to all, but only to so many as he pleaseth. Perseverance in duty is also God's gift; for we are preserved by the power of God to salvation." Eternal life is also a gift; for "the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ." A right knowledge of these things, reader, will keep thee humble and dependent upon God; and not only dispose thee to give him the glory of his grace, but to seek to him diligently for it. Whate'er I have, or may possess, It flows from God above; Comes from his bounty and his grace, 66 |