A Goodly Heritage

Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Better is it to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.”—Proverbs 16:18-19 What more vivid exposition of these proverbs is needed, than our own ruined condition? Our father’s  pride , desiring to “be as God,” hurried his whole race to  destruction . “O Adam” was the exclamation of a man of God, “what hast thou done!”“I think,” said another holy man, “so far as any man is proud, he is kin to the devil, and a stranger to God and to himself.” The most awful strength of divine eloquence seems to be concentrated to delineate the character and ruin of pride. Examples abound throughout the Scripture; each sounding this solemn admonition—“Be not high-minded, but fear” (Rom 11:20; also 1Co 10:12, 1Ti 3:6). Fearful indeed is our danger, if the caution be not welcomed—if the need for it be not deeply felt! The  haughty spirit  carries the head high. The man looks ...

Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.”—Proverbs 18:12 Surely this repetition, like our Lord’s often-repeated parallel (Mar 10:31), was intended to deepen our sense of their importance. It is hard to persuade a man that he is proud. Every one protests against this sin. Yet who does not cherish the viper in his own bosom? Man so little understands that dependence upon his God constitutes the creature’s happiness, and that the principle of independence is madness, and its end is destruction (Gen 3:5-6). The  haughty  walk on the brink of a fearful precipice; only a miracle preserves them from instant ruin. The security of the child of God is when he lies prostrate in the dust. If he soar high, the danger is imminent, though he be on the verge of heaven (2Co 12:1-7). The danger to a young Christian lies in an over-forward profession. The glow of the first love, the awakened sensibility to the condition of his perishing fellow-sinner...

"I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me" (Psa 119:75). This is the Christian's acknowledgment-fully satisfied with the dispensation of God. This is his confidence; so invigorating to his own soul; so cheering to the church. The Lord's dealings are called his judgments, not as having judicial curses, but as the acts of his justice in the chastening of sin. "For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?" (1 Peter 4:17). Perhaps also; as the administration of his wise judgments in their measure and application. "O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing" (Jer 10:24). But here is not only the confession of the Lord's general judgment, but of his especial faithfulness to himself. And this he knew; not from the dictates of the flesh ...

“When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.” —Proverbs 11:2 Pride was the principle of the fall (Gen 3:5), and therefore the native principle of fallen man (Mar 7:22). When  pride  had stripped us of our honour,  then , not till then,  cometh   shame  (Gen 3:7, with 2:25). This is the wise discipline of our God to scourge the one by the other. The Babel-builders (Gen 11:4), Miriam (Num 12:2, 10), Uzziah (2Ch 26:16-21), Haman (Est 5:11; 7:10), Nebuchadnezzar (Dan 4:29-32), Herod (Act 12:22-23)—all are instances of shame treading upon the heels of pride. Even in common life, a man will never attempt to raise himself above his own level—but then cometh shame (Luk 14:11), the most revolting recompense. And thus our God puts to shame the man who knows not his bounds, and who refuses to stand on the low ground on which He has placed him. “Every one that exalteth himself shall be abased” (Luk 18:14; Isa 2:17). Such is the folly of ...

Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Better is it to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.”—Proverbs 16:18-19 What more vivid exposition of these proverbs is needed, than our own ruined condition? Our father’s  pride , desiring to “be as God,” hurried his whole race to  destruction . “O Adam” was the exclamation of a man of God, “what hast thou done!”“I think,” said another holy man, “so far as any man is proud, he is kin to the devil, and a stranger to God and to himself.” The most awful strength of divine eloquence seems to be concentrated to delineate the character and ruin of pride. Examples abound throughout the Scripture; each sounding this solemn admonition—“Be not high-minded, but fear” (Rom 11:20; also 1Co 10:12, 1Ti 3:6). Fearful indeed is our danger, if the caution be not welcomed—if the need for it be not deeply felt! The  haughty spirit  carries the head high. The man looks ...

THE Divine original of the Christian Ministry has already opened a view of its dignity far above any earthly honour or elevation, and such as the infidel scoff can never degrade. An institution—introduced into the world, and confirmed to the Church, with such solemn preparation—conversant with the interests, and entrusted with the charge, of immortal souls—ordained as the main instrument for the renovation of the world, and the building up of the Church—cannot be of inferior eminence. The office of ‘fellow-worker with God’ would have been no mean honour to have conferred upon the archangel nearest the everlasting throne. It formed the calling, the work, and the delight of the Lord of glory during his last years of abode upon earth; and was established by himself as the standing ordinance in his Church, and the medium of the revelation of his will to the end of time. He has not indeed (as the judicious Calvin observed)—’called his ministers into the function of teaching, that, after t...

“Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.”—Proverbs 18:12 Surely this repetition, like our Lord’s often-repeated parallel (Mar 10:31), was intended to deepen our sense of their importance. It is hard to persuade a man that he is proud. Every one protests against this sin. Yet who does not cherish the viper in his own bosom? Man so little understands that dependence upon his God constitutes the creature’s happiness, and that the principle of independence is madness, and its end is destruction (Gen 3:5-6). The  haughty  walk on the brink of a fearful precipice; only a miracle preserves them from instant ruin. The security of the child of God is when he lies prostrate in the dust. If he soar high, the danger is imminent, though he be on the verge of heaven (2Co 12:1-7). The danger to a young Christian lies in an over-forward profession. The glow of the first love, the awakened sensibility to the condition of his perishing fellow-sinne...

“Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.” —Proverbs 13:10 Most accurately is  contention  here traced to its proper source. “He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife” (Pro 28:25). All the crudeness of the day, all the novelties of doctrine producing contention (1Ti 1:4; 2Ti 2:23), originate in the proud swelling of “the fleshly mind” (Col 2:18; 1Ti 6:3-4). Men scorn the beaten track. They must strike out a new path. Singularity and extravagance are primary charms. They are ready to quarrel with everyone who does not value their notions as highly as they do. The desire of pre-eminence, “I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not” (3Jo 9); revolt from authority (Num 12:2) or sound doctrine (2Ti 4:3-4); party spirit, with the pride of knowledge and gifts (1Co 3:3-4 with 4:8)—all produce the same results. Is it too much to say that vain-glory hath lighted up all the sinful conte...

"I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me" (Psa 119:75). This is the Christian's acknowledgment-fully satisfied with the dispensation of God. This is his confidence; so invigorating to his own soul; so cheering to the church. The Lord's dealings are called his judgments, not as having judicial curses, but as the acts of his justice in the chastening of sin. "For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?" (1 Peter 4:17). Perhaps also; as the administration of his wise judgments in their measure and application. "O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing" (Jer 10:24). But here is not only the confession of the Lord's general judgment, but of his especial faithfulness to himself. And this he knew; not from the dictates of...

The minister's life must, to the end , be a life of meditation and study. No man who neglects the apostle's exhortation to "give attendance to reading"will long continue a profitable preacher to an intelligent congregation. The native resources even of the most powerful minds need to be replenished; and therefore the preacher "must not merely' have been ' a man of reading ; he must read still, or his sermons will be trite and barren of thought. He had better however bring his old stores into fresh service , than trust to the impulse of the moment of duty, or draw imprudently upon the resources of a mind too scantily stocked . At all events to suffer the week to draw to a close without ready furniture for our Sabbath work , is the mark of indolence and presumption , and promises a very inadequate and unfruitful performance of this weighty responsibility. 

Nothing but the truth of the Gospel can be instrumental to the conversion of souls . Any willful suppression - or any compromising statement of truth , dishonours the Holy Spirit in his own special office , and therefore restrains his quickening influence . Many earnest , affectionate , and diligent ministers , are mourning over the palpable unfruitfulness of their work ; without at all suspecting , that the root of the evil lies within themselves . Sincerity , earnestness, conscientiousness , and self denial , when connected with a wrong or defective standard or practice , are means utterly disproportioned to produce this moral miracle of a radical change . Bishop Horsley  remarked 'it too often happens that ministers lose sight of that which is their proper office , to publish the word of reconciliation .'And ,indeed without this ministry of reconciliation , it is of no avail to appear before our people . We might beseech them with tears - ' be ye reconciled unto God ...

Proverbs 3:33. The contrast between the sinner and the saint , affects us , not only personally but relatively. The curse or blessing of the Lord follows us to our homes . Shall we then envy the wicked , with his cup of earthly joy filled to the brim ?"The curse of the Lord is in his house ."Let him think - It is my Maker's curse  - how awful , that my being and my curse should come from the same sacred source !. It is not the impotent wishing of ill . Could we trace its deadly work ,we would see the man wasting , withering , consuming under it . Is this an idle dream ? Surely -  but for the blindness of the heart , the wicked would see the naked sword hanging by a hair over his head , or the awful "handwriting on the wall ," solemnly proclaiming - "There is no peace - saith my God -- unto the wicked ."Vainly will the proud worm resist . Ahab multiplied his house beyond all human average , as if to set at defiance the curse pronounced against it . Yet...

Observe the blessing breathed down upon the Lord's waiting ones . They find life (Isaiah 55 .3) For He on whom they wait is the author , the Dispenser , the Keeper of life ." He therefore that hath Him hath life "with all its present privileges of favour of the Lord . "The smiles of God make Heaven ; and they that obtain favour of the Lord ,have a heaven upon earth ."Set therefore this expectation before your eyes in waiting on thy God .  " I am seeking life for my soul ; I will wait at the post of His doors missing no opportunity of a means of grace ; I shall not wait in vain ".    Would that the sinner - the thoughtless sinner - not the daring and ungodly only -pondered how his heartless neglect of wisdom  wronged his own soul ! How cruel is he to himself ,while he is despising his Saviour . Every bait to sin is the temptation to suicide - soul murder . The snatching at it is as if men were in love with damnation . "They that hate me love death...

"The wicked desireth the net of evil men ; but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit :-" Man is always restlesss to press on to something not yet enjoyed . The Christian reaches forth to higher privileges and increasing holiness. (Phil;3 12-14) The wicked emulate each other in wickedness; and if they see evil men more successful than themselves , they desire their net (Psalm 10   8-10)to discover their plans , in order to imitate them . Not satisfied with the honest "gain of Godliness "they desire a net in which they may grasp richer treasures of the worlds vanities(1 Timothy 6 : 10)The history of the church strongly illustrates this energy of sin ; Infidelity and Popery ; one net following another with more crafty device . Such is the root of evil , fraught with destruction. But the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit  -  true ,solid , abundant fruit ; not always visible , but always acceptable . (Hebrew 13 . 15,16) Dependence on Christ is the source of this b...