A Goodly Heritage

Question: Are there more gods than one? Answer: There is but one only, the living and true God. That there is a God has been proved; and those that will not believe the verity of his essence, shall feel the severity of his wrath. 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord' (Deut. 6:4). He is 'the only God.' 'Know therefore this day, and consider it in thy heart, that the Lord he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath, there is none else' (Deut. 4:39). 'A just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me' (Is. 45:21). There are many titular gods. Kings represent God; their regal sceptre is an emblem of his power and authority. Judges are called gods. 'I have said, Ye are gods' (Ps. 82:6); viz., set in God's place to do justice; but dying gods. 'Ye shall die like men' (verse 7). 'There be that are called gods, but to us there is but one God' (1 Cor. 8:5, 6). I. There is but one First Cause that has its Being...

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. “  —  Revelation 3:20 There is no rowing to paradise except upon the stream of repenting tears. Till sin be bitter, Christ will not be sweet. Why are the wells of repentance stopped? Do not the sinners of the land know that they should repent? Have they no warning? Have not God’s faithful messengers lifted up their voice as a trumpet and cried to them to repent? But many of these tools in the ministry have been spent and worn out upon rocky hearts. Do we think that God will always put up with our affronts? Some bless themselves that they have a stock of knowledge, but what is knowledge good for without repentance? Learning and a bad heart is like a fair face with a cancer in the breast. Knowledge without repentance will be but a torch to light the way to hell. Repentant tears may be compared to myrrh, which though it is bitt...

The Scripture is a spiritual paradise, and the book of Psalms is placed as the tree of life, in the midst of this paradise. The Psalms are not only for delight—but usefulness. They are like the pomegranate tree which is not only good for fragrance—but fruit. The Psalms are like those trees of the sanctuary, Ezek. 47:12, good both for food and medicine. The Psalms are enriched with variety, and suited to every Christian's estate and condition. They are a spiritual treasury and storehouse. If a Christian finds his heart cold—here he may fetch fire! If he is weak in grace—here he may fetch armor! If he is ready to faint—here are cordials to refresh him! There is no condition you can name, but there is a Psalm suited to that condition. 1. In case of SICKNESS. Psalm 41:4, "You will make all his bed in his sickness." Surely, that bed must needs be soft which God will make. There is a parallel Psalm to this, Psalm 73:26, "My flesh fails," my health is declining, ...

"My beloved is mine, and I am his." (Song 2:16) In this Song of Songs we see the love of Christ and his church running towards each other in a full torrent. The text contains three general parts: 1. A symbol of affection: "My beloved." 2. A term of appropriation: "is mine." 3. A holy resignation: "I am his." Doctrine: That there is a conjugal union between Christ and believers.  The apostle, having treated at large of marriage, winds up the whole chapter thus: "This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church" (Eph. 5:32). What is closer than union? What sweeter? There is a twofold union with Christ: 1.  A natural union . This all men have, Christ having taken their nature on him and not that of the angels (Heb. 2:16). But if there is no more than this natural union, it will give little comfort. Thousands are damned though Christ is united to their nature. 2.  A sacred union . By this we are mystically ...