William Mason
William Mason (1719-1791) was a High-Calvinist author. For many years he served as a Justice of the Peace, and in 1783 was appointed a Magistrate. He served as editor of the Gospel Magazine before and after the editorship of Augustus Toplady. He is best known for a morning and evening devotional entitled, “A Spiritual Treasury For The Children Of God.”
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Follow Peace With All Men
‘He that believeth shall be saved:’ this is the immutable decree of the God of truth. As no man shall see the Lord without holiness, so no man can be holy without faith in Jesus. But this is the peculiar blessedness of every believer; he is holy, he is ‘sanctified by faith which is in Christ Jesus.’ Acts 26:18. All such are ‘called to be saints.’ 1 Cor. 1:2, called to holiness of life and conversation. There are no holy unbelievers, nor unholy believers. Gospel exhortations are suited to the spiritual state of regenerate souls. They are subjects of the Prince of peace; are at peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. As agreeable to their character, to the will of God, and to…
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The Redeemed Of The Lord Shall Return
‘A good word maketh the heart glad.’ Prov. 12:25. This is true of the good word of gospel-grace. Unscriptural notions of conditional grace and salvation deject the spirits of sensible sinners. God’s free grace declarations and absolute promises revive the hearts of contrite ones. Man’s ifs, suppositions, and peradventures, tend to counteract God’s shalls and wills, his gracious purposes and loving determinations. Where the word of a king is, there is power: ‘and who may say unto him, what dost thou?’ Eccles. 8:4. In the word of Jehovah there is almighty power: ‘He doth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: none can stay his hand, or say unto him, what dost thou?’ Dan. 4:35.
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But Ye Have Not So Learned Christ
Jesus, the great prophet of his church, speaks to the hearts of his members. This is his superior excellence above all other prophets, for they can only speak to the ear. To attend a preached gospel is our constant duty; but all our profit and happiness arise from hearing the Saviour’s voice to our souls. Under the outward ministry, inwardly to listen to the teachings of his Lord, should be every Christian’s concern. Many cry, ‘Oh what an excellent preacher, what a charming sermon:’ but why? Didst thou hear Jesus speak; did he teach, and hast thou heard somewhat from him? Thou knowest, disciple, though a Paul plants, though an Apollos waters, yet it is the Saviour’s presence and power that give the increase of…
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In The Morning, Oh Lord
In the Lord we all live, move, and have our being; therefore it is the indispensable duty of all men to call upon the name of the Lord in prayer. But what is a duty from nature and reason, is esteemed a rich privilege, an inestimable blessing, by the children of grace. The pouring out of the Spirit of grace and supplication, is one of those spiritual blessings wherewith they are blessed in Christ Jesus. In the exercise of this, saints in all ages have experienced sweet fellowship and communion with God, and have been indulged with many mercies which they sought for from him. ‘And this is the confidence that we have in Jesus, that if we ask any thing according to his will,…
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Striving Against Sin
What poor, low, legal work is this, say some. We are happy in Christ without such a strife. We are perfect, fully born again, perfectly sanctified and freed from all sin; therefore our strife is at an end, say others. Alas, poor, honest, upright Christian, thou art ever in danger; on the right hand, of licentiousness; on the left hand, of pride and delusion, and also from a deceitful heart within. What with the white devil of pride, and the black devil of lust, thou art ever liable to be seduced from the truth. What a mercy to have a true touch stone to try men and doctrines by! The experience of Christians of old, as recorded by the Spirit of truth, affords us quite…
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A Holy Calling
Such as our notions of sin and danger are, such is our judgment of salvation and deliverance. In our natural state we see only the fruits of sin in outward actions, but consider not the corrupt cursed root from whence they spring. Hence poor souls think it no great and difficult matter to be saved, especially if they have some specious show of the external adornings of sobriety, morality, and religion. Happy souls, who have escaped this dangerous rock of pride and self deceit. For when the scales of ignorance fall from the eyes, and the veil of unbelief is taken off the heart; when the true light shineth in the mind, and the purity and spirituality of God’s holy law is made manifest in…
