I Solemnly Warn You Against Indulging a Sensual Imagination

Henry Beecher

I solemnly warn you against indulging a sensual imagination. In that busy and mischievous faculty, begins the evil. Were it not for his evil imaginations, man might stand his own master — not overmatched by the worst part of himself. But ah! these summer-reveries, these venturesome dreams, these fairy-castles — built for no good purposes — they are haunted by impure spirits, who will fascinate, bewitch, and corrupt you! Blessed are the pure in heart. Blessed are you, most favored of God, whose thoughts are pure; whose imagination will not breathe or fly in tainted air; and whose path has been measured by the Golden Rod of Purity.

May I not paint PURITY, as a saintly virgin, in spotless white, walking with open face, in an air so clear that no vapor can stain it? Her steps are a queen's steps; God is her father, and you her brother — if you will make her yours! Let your heart be her dwelling. Wear her ring upon your hand — and her charm on your heart.

II. Next to evil imaginations, I warn the young of evil companions. Decaying fruit corrupts the neighboring fruit. You cannot make your head a metropolis of base stories, the earand tongue a highway of immodest words — and yet be pure. Another, as well as yourself — may throw a spark on the gun-powder of your passions — beware how your companions do it! No man is your friend who will corrupt you. An impure man is every godly man's enemy — your deadly foe; and all the worse, if he hides his poisoned dagger under the cloak of friendship. Therefore, select your associates, assort them, winnow them. Keep the grain — and let the wind sweep away the chaff.

III. But I warn you, with yet more solemn emphasis — against Evil Books and Evil Pictures! There is in every town an under-current which glides beneath our feet, unsuspected by the pure; out of which, notwithstanding, our sons scoop many a poisoned goblet. Books are hidden in trunks, concealed in dark holes; pictures are stored in sly portfolios, or trafficked from hand to hand; and the handiwork of depraved art is seen in forms which ought to make a harlot blush!

I would think a man would loathe himself, and wake up from owning such things, as from a horrible nightmare! Those who circulate them — are incendiaries of all morality! And those who make them — are the worst public criminals! A pure heart would shrink from these abominable things — as from death itself!

France, where true religion long ago was extinguished, smothered in immorality — has flooded the world with a species of literature redolent of the vilest depravity. Upon the plea of exhibiting human nature — novels are now scooped out of the very lava of corrupt passions. They are true to nature — but to nature as it exists in grossly vile and immoral hearts. Under a plea of reality — we have shown to us, troops of harlots — to prove that they are not so bad as purists think; and gangs of desperadoes — to show that there is nothing in crime inconsistent with the noblest feelings. We have in French and English, novels of the infernal school — humane murderers, lascivious saints, upright infidels, honest robbers. The devotion of these artists, is such as might be expected from vile thieves, in the vortex of thrice-deformed vice.

Obscene libertines are now our professors of morality. They scrape the very sediment and muck of society — to mold their creations; and their books are monster-galleries, in which the inhabitants of old Sodom would have felt at home as connoisseurs.

Over loathsome women, and unutterably vile men, huddled together in motley groups, and over all their monstrous deeds — their lies, their plots, their crimes, their horrendous pleasures, their appalling conversation — is thrown the impure light of a sensual imagination — until they glow with an infernal luster!

Such novels are the common-sewers of society, into which drain the concentrated filth of the worst passions, of the worst creatures, of the worst cities! Such novels come to us impudently pretending to be reformers of morals, and liberalizers of religion; they propose to instruct our laws, and teach justice to a discreet humanity!

The Ten Plagues have visited our literature: water is turned to blood; frogs and lice creep and hop over our most familiar things — the couch, the cradle, and the bread-box; locusts, plague, and fire — are smiting every green thing. I am ashamed and outraged, when I think that wretches could be found to open these foreign seals — and let out their plagues upon us — that any Satanic pilgrim should voyage to France to dip from the dead sea of her abomination — such immoral filth for our children.

It were a mercy compared to this, to import . . . 
venomous serpents from Africa — and pour them out in our homes; 
ferocious lions — and free them in our towns;
poisonous lizards and scorpions and black tarantulas — and put them in our gardens! 
Men could slay these — but those offspring-reptiles of the French mind — who can kill these? You might as well draw sword on a plague — or charge malaria with the bayonet!

This black smut-lettered literature circulates in our towns, floats in our stores, nestles in the shops, is fingered and read nightly, and hatches broods of obscene thoughts in the young mind! While the parent strives to infuse Christian purity into his child's heart — he is checked by most accursed messengers of evil; and the child's heart hisses already like a nest of young and nimble vipers!

IV. Once more, let me persuade you that no examples in high places — can justify imitation in low places. Your purity is too precious to be bartered, because an official rogue tempts by his example! I wish that every eminent place of state were a sphere of purity and light, from which should be flung down on your path a cheering glow to guide you on to virtue. But if these wandering stars, reserved I do believe for final blackness of darkness, wheel their malignant spheres in the orbits of corruption — do not follow after them! God is greater than wicked great men; Heaven is higher than the highest places of nations; and if God and Heaven are not brighter to your eyes than great men in high places — then you must take part in their doom, when, before long, God shall dash them to pieces!

V. Let me beseech you, lastly, to guard your heart-purity. Never lose it! If it is gone — you have lost from the casket the most precious gift of God. The first purity of imagination, of thought, and of feeling, if soiled — can be cleansed by no fuller's soap. If lost — it cannot be found, though sought carefully with tears! If a harp is broken — it may be repaired; if a light is quenched — the flame may enkindle it; but if a flower is crushed — what art can repair it? If an fragrance is wafted away — who can collect or bring it back?

The heart of youth is a wide prairie. Over it hang the clouds of Heaven, to water it; and the sun throws its broad sheets of light upon it, to awake its life. Out of its bosom spring, the long season through, flowers of a hundred names and hues, entwining together their lovely forms, wafting to each other a grateful fragrance, and nodding each to each in the summer-breeze. Oh! such would man be — did he sustain that purity of heart which God gave him!

But you now have a Depraved Heart. It is a vast continent; on it are mountain-ranges of evil powers, and dark deep streams, and pools, and morasses. If once the full and terrible clouds of temptation settle thick and fixedly upon you, and begin to cast down their dreadful stores — may God save whom man can never! Then the heart shall feel tides and streams of irresistible power, mocking its control, and hurrying fiercely down from steep to steep, with growing desolation. Your only resource is to avoid the uprising of your giant-passions.

We are drawing near to Christmas day, by the usage of ages, consecrated to celebrate the birth of Christ. At his advent, God hung out a prophet-star in the Heaven; guided by it, the wise men journeyed from the east and worshiped at his feet. Oh! let the star of Purity hang out to your eye, brighter than the orient orb to the Magi; let it lead you, not to the Babe — but to His feet who now stands in Heaven, a Prince and Savior! If you have sinned — one look, one touch, shall cleanse you while you are worshiping, and you shall rise up healed.

The Hiding Place

By James Smith 

"A MAN will be as a hiding place from the wind,And a refuge from the tempest, as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shade of a massive rock in an arid land!" Isaiah 32:2

The present world is like a bleak and cheerless desert; the climate is very changeable, and we are exposed to piercing, cutting winds.

Sometimes dangerous errors,
sometimes deep afflictions,
sometimes soul-distressing trials,
like violent winds, blow upon us and fill us with alarm and dread!
At such times—a hiding place is necessary.

Jesus is our hiding place!

He will hide us from . . .
the wrath of God,
the rage of Hell, and
the injurious effects of trials and troubles!

Beloved, are you in this hiding place? If so, abide in it, for nowhere else will you find such safety, or enjoy such repose!

Hail, sovereign love which first began,
The scheme to rescue fallen man!
Hail, matchless, free, eternal grace,
Which gave my soul a hiding place!

Against the God who rules the sky,
I fought with hand uplifted high!
Despised the notion of His grace,
Too proud to seek a hiding place!

Enwrapt in thick Egyptian night,
And fond of darkness more than light!
Madly I ran the sinful race,
Secure without a hiding place!

But thus the eternal counsel ran:
"Almighty love—arrest that man!"
I felt the arrows of distress,
And found I had no hiding place!

Indignant Justice stood in view;
To Sinai's fiery mount I flew!
But Justice cried, with frowning face,
"This mountain is no hiding place!"

E'er long, a heavenly voice I heard,
And Mercy's angel soon appeared;
He led me on with gentle pace,
To Jesus as my hiding place!

Should sevenfold storms of thunder roll,
And shake the earth from pole to pole;
No thunder bolt could daunt my face,
For Jesus is my hiding place!

On Him almighty vengeance fell,
That would have sunk a world to hell!
He bore it for the chosen race,
And thus became their hiding place!

A few more rolling suns at most,
Shall land me on fair Canaan's coast;
Where I shall sing the song of grace,
And see my glorious Hiding Place!

Treasures from James Smith – Collection of Quotes – Part 3

The OFFICES of Christ

If we look at the OFFICES of Christ — it endears Him to our hearts. 

He is a PROPHET, to . . .
  instruct the ignorant, 
  lead the blind, and 
  make the foolish, wise. 
He . . .
  unfolds the Father's mind, 
  opens the everlasting covenant,
  and teaches all His people to profit. 

He is a PRIEST, to . . .
  atone for the guilty, 
  reconcile those who are enemies, and 
  intercede on behalf of transgressors. 
He . . .
  satisfies justice, 
  magnifies mercy, and 
  brings a holy God and polluted sinners into an honorable union. 

He is a KING, and as such He . . .
  receives the discontented, 
  rules over innumerable penitent criminals, 
  and defends all His subjects from danger. 
His power is omnipotent, 
His resources are boundless, 
His government is peaceful, and 
all the statutes of His kingdom are wise, merciful, and just.

He is also our husband — who loves, cherishes, and honors His beloved blood-bought bride. He . . .
  loves her as He loves Himself, 
  treats her with unutterable kindness, and 
  will allow nothing to separate her from His love. 

This causes us to sing:
"Jesus my Shepherd, Husband, Friend,
  My Prophet, Priest, and King,
  My Lord, my life, my way, my end,
  Accept the praise I bring!"
~  ~  ~  ~

The garment which the Savior always wore

HUMILITY is a most precious grace — it is filled with beauty, loveliness, and glory. This is the garment which the Savior always wore. This is the grace which gave such a charm to all that He did and said. It is one of our best garments, and without it the soul is generally naked. "All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another." 1 Peter 5:5. 

For lack of humility — the Church is rent and torn with divisions. For lack of humility — believers bring many trials and crosses on themselves, and sow the bitter seeds of trouble and remorse. 

If I were truly humble, I must be happy, for it is with such Jehovah dwells: "For this is what the high and lofty One says — He who lives forever, whose name is holy: I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and humble in spirit." Isaiah 57:15. To such He looks with esteem, love, and delight: "This is the one I esteem: he who is humbleand contrite in spirit, and trembles at My Word." Isaiah 66:2. 

"I hate pride and arrogance!" Proverbs 8:13. Pride is . . .
  most loathsome to God, 
  injurious to men, and 
  a stronghold of Satan within us. 

"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble!" James 4:6. He keeps the proud at a distance, and will not allow them to approach him: "Though the Lord is great, He cares for the humble — but He keeps His distance from the proud!" Psalm 138:6. He threatens them with everlasting destruction. "The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished!" Proverbs 16:5

Lord, give me true humility, and let me be clothed with it from day to day!
~  ~  ~  ~

O sad spectacle of misery, grief, and woe! 

"Jesus came to take away our sins!" 1 John 3:5

Here notice the end of His coming: "To take away our sins!" 

Our sins were committed against Himself. 
They deserved His everlasting displeasure. 
They called aloud for His vengeance to awake and punish us. 
He foresaw the whole of them — in all their variety, enormity, and aggravation. He knew that they would be sins against His law, His love, and His tenderest mercy — sins against light, out of bitter enmity, and perpetrated over and over again. He knew the whole amount of our vileness — and yet (Oh, the greatness of His love!) "Jesus came to take away our sins!" 

Sin had . . .
  incensed Divine justice against us, 
  exposed us to Jehovah's wrath, and
  brought us under the dreadful curse of His violated law.

Therefore Jesus came and took away our sins, and at the same time . . .
  satisfied the claims of divine justice, 
  appeased the Father's wrath, 
  and bore our curse Himself! 

O wondrous love! 

O marvelous grace! 

O astonishing mercy!

But more wondrous, more marvelous, more astonishing — is Jesus Himself — who did this for us, and did it freely, without solicitation, or anything in us to induce Him to do it!

But how could Jesus take away our sins? "God made Him to be sin for us." 
He bore the weight of them,
He endured their merited punishment, 
and He suffered the shame they procured. 

He was . . .
  despised by men,
  tormented by devils, 
  smitten with the sword of divine justice, 
  forsaken by His Father, 
  mocked by His creatures, 
  overwhelmed with grief, 
  torn with anguish, and 
  His heart was broken with reproach and agony
 — all for a poor, sinning, sorrowing, Hell-deserving creature like me! 

Sin lay upon Him, 
the wrath of God was endured by Him, 
the most fearful terrors surrounded Him,
Heaven, earth, and Hell, appeared as though leagued against Him!
Men grossly insulted Him, 
devils tried all in their power to destroy Him, 
and God was pleased to bruise Him, and then leave Him to languish in heart-breaking sorrow. 

O sad spectacle of misery, grief, and woe! 

Was there ever sorrow, like unto Your sorrow? 

Was there ever love, like unto Your love? 

You might have sat upon Your throne, enjoying Your own glory, happiness, and felicity forever — and have justly left us to perish in our sins, and suffer for our own transgressions! But no, you would be Jesus — you would save Your people from their sins! You would come to take away our sins, though in so doing — justice took away Your honor, happiness, and life. You would not leave us to perish — but You would put away our sins by the sacrifice of Yourself. You have . . .
  turned away Jehovah's wrath, 
  cast all our sin into the depths of the sea, and 
  bore our punishment in Your own body on the tree!

Indeed Your love is astonishing, inconceivable, and almost too great for my weak faith to believe!

Dear Lord Jesus, You are exactly what I need — and You are all that I need. Your love will be . . .
  a sufficient portion in life,
  a divine cordial in death, and 
  an ocean of felicity in which to bathe forever!

To see Him, love Him, and extol Him — is the Heaven of every saint. 

He is . . .
  sweeter than honey, 
  more pleasant than the light, and 
  more precious than life itself!

To know Him — is to be truly wise. 
To live upon Him — is to be happy. 
To walk with Him — is to be holy. 
To look to Him, expect from Him, and cast all our cares upon Him — is to honor Him.
~  ~  ~  ~

What a delightful and astonishing thought it is!

"Since you were precious in My sight — you have been honorable, and I have loved you."  Isaiah 43:4

What marvelous grace is here! 

What a delightful and astonishing thought it is — that such poor, vile, rebellious creatures — should be precious to the infinite, holy, and eternal Jehovah!

That He should delight in us! (Isaiah 62:4) 

That He should shed His precious blood for us! (1 Peter 1:19) 

That He should work precious faith in us! (2 Peter 1:1) 

That He should make precious promises — to support, supply, and comfort us! (2 Peter 1:4) 

That He should render Christ precious unto us! (1 Peter 2:7) 

That He should indulge us with a knowledge of His thoughts, and make them precious to us! (Psalm 139:17) 

That He should call us His precious children!

Well may we exclaim with David, "What am I — that You should be mindful of me?"
~  ~  ~  ~

The great object of our lives!

To exalt the Lord Jesus,
to comfort His beloved people, 
and to benefit our fellow-men — 
should be the great object of our lives. 

For this purpose we were . . .
  chosen by the Father, 
  redeemed by the blood of the Son, 
  and are sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 

To accomplish this end . . .
  grace is given us, 
  gifts are conferred upon us, 
  and life is continued to us. 

We only live consistently — as we live for the benefit of others. No Christian should make SELF his main end; therefore the Apostle says, "No one should seek his own good, but the good of others."  
If we are influenced by the grace of God, 
if we study to commend ourselves to God, 
if we are ruled by the Word of God — 
our principal object will be, to "do good unto all men, especially unto the household of faith." 
Upon this, we shall keep the eye steadily fixed, 
toward this, we shall bend all our energies, and 
upon this, we shall habitually set our hearts.
~  ~  ~  ~

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus!

"I have set the Lord always before me!" Psalm 16:8

With the Lord always before us . . .
  our faith will be strong, 
  our hope will be vigorous, 
  our humility will be deep, 
  our penitence will be abiding, 
  our evidences will be satisfactory, 
  and our example will be bright! 

Let us, therefore, set the Lord always before us . . .
  to meditate upon His love, grace, and goodness; 
  to admire His holiness, condescension, and patience; and 
  to commune with Him, as our Friend and loving Father, from day to day. 

Then we shall not . . .
  fear men, 
  dread death, or 
  be alarmed at the convulsions that take place in our world!
Our confidence will be strong, 
our peace will flow like a river, and 
our righteousness like the waves of the sea. 

It is when we take the eye off the Lord, and look into SELF — that . . .
  our doubts, fears and unbelief, arise and work,
  Satan gains an advantage over us, and
  the world fascinates or frightens us! 

Let us, therefore, look . . .
  out of self, 
  away from the world, 
  above our trials — 
and look simply to Jesus! 
This is the way to . . .
  enjoy peace, 
  grow in grace, and 
  abound in every good work. 

Let us look away from sin — to Jesus making atonement for it!

Let us look away from guilt on the conscience — to Jesus as bearing the iniquity of our holy things before the Lord!

Let us look away from imperfect duties deserving punishment — to His magnificent righteousness!

Let us look away from our cold hearts and lifeless prayers — to His constant and all-prevalent intercession!

We shall never maintain . . .
  peace in our consciences, 
  evenness in our walk, or 
  consistency in our lives — 
but as we keep the Lord always before us!

Therefore . . . 
if we wish to be happy,
if we desire to be holy, 
if we would die in peace — 
let us look simply, only, always, and in everything — to Jesus! 

O Savior, may I set You before me as. . .
  my fountain of supply, 
  my source of comfort, 
  my rock of strength, 
  my way of salvation, 
  and my bright example!

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith!" Hebrews 12:2
~  ~  ~  ~

And then the Lord puts us into the furnace!

"Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows!" John 16:33 

Every Christian should expect a daily cross — 
  something to try his graces, 
  something to render the promises necessary,
  something to make the throne of grace desirable. 

We are promised trouble in God's Word, 
all the saints have found trouble in this life, 
trouble will be our portion to the end of our days. 

Here on earth, we have no abiding city. Here we are but travelers and pilgrims, and must, therefore, expect that every day will furnish something new to make us hasten home. 

This was David's experience. He would never have prayed as he did, written as he did, or been useful as he has been — but for his trials! He found . . .
  the Lord to be faithful, 
  grace to be sufficient, and 
  deliverance in the most suitable season. 
Hence he says, "In the day of my trouble, I will call upon You; for You will answer me!" Psalm 86:17

Here is a gloomy anticipation: A "day of trouble." The believer and trouble are seldom far apart, or long apart. We are born to trouble as the sparks fly upwards. Whichever way we look — we see a source of trouble! 

If we look into the heart — its depravity, deceitfulness, and wickedness is a fruitful source of trouble. If we look to the different faculties of the soul — all combine to trouble us! 

Our memories — how ready to receive, retain, and produce evil, even profanity — and how backward to receive, keep, or produce what is spiritual and good. Scripture is soon forgotten — while anything which we would gladly forget, seems to be imprinted on the mind, and is produced in order to distress us.

The will — how perverse and stubborn, how often does it run out after that which is carnal, forbidden by God, and injurious to us!

The affections — how easily are they impressed with earthly things, and set upon what is vain and worldly. 

The conscience — how weak, how hard, how often polluted. 

If we turn from ourselves, to our families — children dead in sin; and carnal, earthly-minded relations — such are causes of trouble.

If we look at the world, whether it smiles or frowns — it is an enemy to our God, and us, and a prolific source of trouble. 

If we look at the church — what a source of trouble is this! 
Instead of love — there is jealousy. 
Instead of peace — there is conflict. 
Instead of union — there is division. 
Instead of brotherly kindness — there is envy. 
Instead of charity — there is an unforgiving spirit.

Here is a good purpose: "I will call upon You." The Lord kindly invites us to call upon Him in trouble — and promises that He will deliver us. Every trouble, rightly understood, is an invitation from the Lord to call upon Him! We are apt to get cold and indifferent — and then the Lord puts us into the furnace — which warms and quickens our hearts. Our best prayers have generally been offered up in times of trouble. In trouble, we feel that we must pray — or sink! Oh, what a mercy to have a God to go to, in every trouble! A God who invites, promises, and will bless us! 

The day of our trouble — should be a day of special prayer. 
Trouble burdens the heart — prayer eases it. 
Trouble disturbs the heart — prayer quiets it. 
Trouble perplexes the heart — prayer guides it. 

Here is sweet encouragement: "You will answer me." It is sweetly encouraging to know that God will . . .
  listen to us,
  sympathize with us,
  and answer us, 
in our many trials and sorrows. 

We may argue the certainty of the Lord's answering us, from His great mercy towards His children. Divine mercy has . . .
  a quick ear, 
  a piercing eye, 
  a tender heart, 
  a full hand, and 
  a swift foot!
When mercy hears a poor sinner crying — she always attends, sympathizes with him, and answers. While God remains plenteous in mercy and delights in mercy — we need not fear a refusal to our prayers!

Even if the furnace should be heated seven times hotter — still we have His promise, "In the day of my trouble, I will call upon You; for You will answer me!" 

What sweet encouragement is here!

~  ~  ~  ~

Prone to wander!
"My people have wandered, and have forgotten their resting place." Jeremiah 50:6

Even true Christians are prone to wander from their resting place. Every sinner is a wanderer, and while sin dwells within us — we shall always feel a disposition to wander. This is against our better judgment, our solemn profession, and our new nature — yet still there is the disposition to wander, and it is called into exercise by a variety of things:

1. A love of novelty — a desire to see, possess, or enjoy something new — will sometimes set us wandering. 

2. The weakness of our graces, as faith, hope, and love — is at other times the occasion of it. 

3. The power of corruption within us, which at times works with peculiar force and power — makes us restless.

4. The temptations of Satan, which beguile, bewilder, and captivate us — lead us from our resting-place also. 

5. And so do the errors that abound and spread all around us. 

False views, Satanic temptations, powerful corruptions, and the weakness of grace — are the principal things which lie at the root of our backslidings.

Reader, are you a restless wanderer? 
If so, return, return unto Jesus. 
Go to Him, and confess your sins. 
Go to Him, and entreat His pardon. 
Go to Him, and prove the kindness of His heart. 
Go to Him, and be happy once more in His grace and love.

O Savior, bring me back from all my wanderings by Your invincible grace; let me enjoy rest in Your precious love, and keep me near Your loving heart and bleeding side forever!

~  ~  ~  ~

God's perfections and glorious attributes!

"The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress!" Psalm 46:7

"If God is for us — who can be against us?" Romans 8:31 

Who can prevail against us? Who can really injure us? Let us daily think of God's glorious perfections — and view them as engaged for us at all times. 

His power is engaged to support, defend, and strengthen us. 

His omniscient eye is constantly upon us — watching over us for good. 

His omnipresence is our safeguard from all our foes — for no one can come and find our God absent from us. 

His justice and righteousness shine in all His dealings with us — and are like lofty mountains round about us. 

His holiness shines in all His purposes and plans — and forbids the thought that He will act unsuitably towards us. 

His mercy is ever great towards us — and by it He sympathizes with us in all our sorrows, griefs, and woes. 

His goodness will constantly supply us — and is sufficient to fill us with admiration and astonishment. 

His truth renders certain — every promise He has given and recorded in His Word. 

His immutability bears us up and bears us on — confirming our faith and hope in His Word.

His wisdom frustrates the designs of our foes — and arranges and manages all for our welfare. 

His eternity is the date of our happiness — and the duration of our unspeakable blessedness! 

Here is enough to . . .
  engage our thoughts, 
  overflow our minds, and
  forever fill us with adoration and praise!

What a God is Jehovah! And Jehovah, in Jesus — is ours!

How cheering this fact, and what sweet support it yields to the mind — to meditate on God's perfections and glorious attributes — seeing them all in Jesus — and in Him, engaged for our present and everlasting welfare! 

What could shake our minds — if we did but firmly believe that God's omnipotence is engaged to defend us to the uttermost? 

What could tempt us to commit any known sin — if we were realizing that God's omniscient eye is ever upon us; yes, that God is present with us, and that He is our sin-hating Father? 

What could lead us into murmuring and rebellion — if we were fully persuaded that God's holiness and justice are for us, and will shine resplendent in all His dealings with us? 

What could lead us to think that our prayers would not be answered, nor our petitions be regarded — if our minds were influenced by the assurance, that God is truth? 

How could we believe that He would ever turn against us — if we rightly viewed His immutability? 

Or, how could we think that our affairs could be disordered — if we felt satisfied that His wisdom was working for us at all times! 

"The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress!" Psalm 46:7
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The Christian's hope!

"The hope which is laid up for you in Heaven" Colossians 1:5

Many Christians have but little in hand — but they have much in hope. 
They have little on earth — but they have unsearchable wealth in Heaven!
The present is the worst state they will ever be in. All beyond death — is bright, blissful and glorious!

The Christian's hope consists in both freedom and possession. 

The Christian's hope consists in freedom from . . .
  all the pains which we now experience, both in mind and body;
  all the hindrances which are so thickly strewed in our way in this evil world;
  all the fears which now beset, agitate, and harass us, day by day;
  all the forebodings which often make our lives bitter and gloomy;
  all the sins which are now our plague, disease, and torment;
  all our needs, and all possibility of needing — for God will fully supply all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 
Oh, what a mercy it will be to enjoy such freedom — and to possess the inward consciousness that it will be enjoyed forever!

The Christian will not only be free from all that is painful and distressing — but he will also possess . . .
  perfect, settled, and everlasting peace;
  sinless faculties and immortal powers with which to serve and enjoy God forever;
  permanent, perpetual, and uninterrupted joy;
  the presence and enjoyment of Jesus — we shall see Him, be with Him, and be like Him;
  ALL that we can consistently wish or desire! 

Our hope is laid up for us in Heaven. This betokens . . .
  its excellency — being kept in so excellent a place;
  its certainty and security — no thieves can break through to steal;
  its nature — it is spiritual, holy, Heavenly. 

O glorious hope! O blessed prospect! It leaves us nothing to long for — nothing to desire!

What a mercy it is . . .
  when comforts run short, 
  when trials press sorely, 
  when a dreary winter of affliction sets in — 
to remember that we have a priceless inheritance — an inheritance that is kept in heaven for us — pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay!

How this blessed hope should . . .
  quicken our zeal, 
  animate our spirits, and 
  raise us above fear and despondency. 

It is not what we have now — but what we shall have in Heaven — which should affect us. 

Our glorious inheritance is vast beyond calculation — it is safe beyond the possibility of failure!

The wilderness will soon be passed, the storms of life will soon subside — and eternal calm and unclouded sunshine, will soon be our happy, endless portion!

All glory to free grace!
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The gospel 

"For we know, brethren beloved by God, that He has chosen you — because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction." 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5

The gospel reveals . . . 
a Savior, in whom we must trust;
a Sovereign, whom we must obey; 
a Priest, on whose atonement we must rest;
a Prophet, from whom we must learn; 
a Friend, in whose love we must confide; 
a Brother, from whom we may expect; 
a Father, whose authority we must revere; 
an Apostle, whose mission we must copy; and 
an Advocate, to whom we must commit our cause.

The gospel . . .
flows from the free love, rich grace, and abundant mercy of our God;
is founded in the Savior's person, mediation, and death;
becomes effectual through the revelation, operation, and application of the Holy Spirit. By it, He begets faith, imparts love, and excites hope; and when accompanied by His blessing — the gospel is received in demonstration and power.

The gospel . . .
produces penitence — and godly sorrow for sin;
begets hatred to sin — and love to holiness;
weans from the world — and wafts the affections to heaven;
makes us zealous for God — and the good of immortal souls;
delivers us from the power of darkness — and translates us into the kingdom of Jesus;
crucifies the flesh — and liberates the spirit;
unites Christians in love — and raises us above the fear of death;
fortifies us against persecution — and makes us rejoice in suffering for Immanuel's name;
humbles the spirit — and dignifies the man;
destroys covetousness — and makes us benevolent;
roots out pride — and implants meekness;
transforms us from the world — and conforms us to God;
begets hatred to impurity — and makes us chaste;
throws down idolatry — and leads us to worship God;
conquers SELF — and exalts Christ;
softens the hard heart — and produces kindness;
delivers from sin, Satan, and the world — and devotes body, soul, and spirit to the Lord.
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