A Goodly Heritage

"Having the same spirit of faith." 2 Corinthians 4:13 Whether this passage refers primarily to the believing spirit of the Apostles, or to the Holy Spirit as the author of faith — is of small consequence to us now. Faith is the gift of God. It distinguishes God's elect. It is of the work of God. As a gift — we receive it gratuitously from God. As a work — it is wrought in us by the Spirit of God. As an act — we put it forth as the effect of the grace of God. Faith is divine in its origin, nature, and end. Without the Spirit — there is no faith. Without faith — there is no receiving Christ. Without receiving Christ — there is no salvation. We are therefore under the greatest obligation to the Holy Spirit, and ought to acknowledge our obligation, and speak well of His name. The Holy Spirit produces faith in us. He quickens us — and we feel our lost and miserable condition. He enlightens us — and we see the exact adaptation of the Lord Jesus Christ to us. He is jus...

The world needed, and Israel expected, a Deliverer. The  types  had foreshadowed him, the  prophets had predicted his advent, and the  poets  had prepared hymns to celebrate his coming. At length an extraordinary person appeared; he was reserved in his manner, stern in his appearance, rather unsociable in his habits, and uncompromising in denouncing sin, and demanding repentance. All who professed to repent, he baptized, and pointed them to the coming One, whose way he was preparing. At length, one day, he saw Jesus of Nazareth coming to him, and pointing with his finger to him, with a loud voice, he cried,  "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"  John 1:29. God's Lamb is come. The great sacrifice is about to be offered. The needed atonement will now be made. The way into the holiest will be made plain. Jesus Is God's Lamb.  In his nature and character, we may see all the excellent qualities of the Lamb. He is holy--...

The world needed, and Israel expected, a Deliverer. The  types  had foreshadowed him, the  prophets  had predicted his advent, and the  poets  had prepared hymns to celebrate his coming. At length an extraordinary person appeared; he was reserved in his manner, stern in his appearance, rather unsociable in his habits, and uncompromising in denouncing sin, and demanding repentance. All who professed to repent, he baptized, and pointed them to the coming One, whose way he was preparing. At length, one day, he saw Jesus of Nazareth coming to him, and pointing with his finger to him, with a loud voice, he cried, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"  John 1:29. God's Lamb is come. The great sacrifice is about to be offered. The needed atonement will now be made. The way into the holiest will be made plain. Jesus Is God's Lamb.  In his nature and character, we may see all the excellent qualities of the Lamb. He is holy--...

A poor Christian had been brought to the gates of death by disease of the heart—but, contrary to all expectation, he rallied, and was once more able to attend to his secular duties, and enjoy his Christian privileges. Just at this time his wife was seized with rheumatic fever, and laid helpless on her bed. During his own illness he had enjoyed the presence of his God, and all was peace. But now his mind became dark and confused, his soul was troubled; he could not rest on the promises, or enjoy the privilege of prayer. The sun was gone down, and gloom brooded over his soul. He cried—but there appeared to be none to help; yes, to the Lord—but he answered him not. This continued for a season, until one night, in the room where his afflicted wife lay, he felt that he must wrestle with God until he prevailed. He stood, he pleaded, he prayed. Time glided away—but there he was still pleading the name of Jesus. At length, as if some  angel of mercy  had come into the room, and stoo...

Abide with Me "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine — neither can you, unless you abide in Me." John 15:4 Union with Christ  is one of the greatest privileges of the believer; and to be one with Christ is the privilege of  every  believer. Nor ought anyone who professes religion to be satisfied without knowing, and daily realizing — that he is one with Christ. Our  comfort , our  stability , and our usefulness , very much depend on this. The union between Christ and His people is represented by Himself by the figure of a  vine and its branches ; teaching us that our union with Him is as  real , as  close , and as  necessary —  as the union of the branch with its parent stem. O what a glorious  privilege  to be one with Christ! Thus . . . receiving all our  supplies  from Christ, partaking of the  nature  of Christ, bearing  fruit...