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31 The Cloud Of Witnesses
“Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset ns, and let us run with patience the race set before us.”—Hebrews 12:1First, Who are these witnesses? They are those who have witnessed to God's truth, as Abraham, Isaac, and others, as mentioned in the preceding chapter; also apostles, ministers, and people who have borne testimony to the truth as it is in Jesus. Secondly, What did they witness to? Salvation being all of grace, through faith; not of works, lest proud men should boast. Thirdly, Why called a cloud? Because, when gathered together, they are a number which no man can number, any more than he…
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43 The Lord’s People Righteous
“Perfect and upright.”—Job 1:1 You have read the history of Job, how that Satan desired to sift him as wheat is sifted, affirming that he would make him curse God to his face, and that God granted his request, so far as to suffer his infernal majesty to do his utmost to make Job curse God. But was this to satisfy Satan, or torture Job? No; though no doubt it did both; but to show that wherever God has put his life, it is out of the power of the devil to remove it; and though Beelzebub, with all the soldiers under his command, blew into Job all their infernal venom, yet God held him up, and would not let him curse him; and though…
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60 The Poor And The Needy Seeking Water
A Sermon Preached By William Gadsby In Gower Street Chapel, London, On Lord's Day Morning, Aug. 3rd, 1823. “When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.”—Isaiah 41:17 A person who is a stranger to his own depravity and does not know his own heart, wonders, when he reads of Israel of old, to find that, after the Lord had done such great things for them, they should so revolt as to make a calf of gold, worship it, sacrifice thereunto, and say, “These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.” (Exod. 32:8.) But…
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69 The Nature And Ground Of Faith
“O Lord, my God, mine Holy One! We shall not die. O Lord, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and O, mighty God, thou hast established them for correction.”—Habakkuk 1:12 This is truly the language of faith. To say, in faith and feeling, “O Lord my God,” is a blessed thing, and also to feel assured that you will not die. Christ says, “Because I live, ye shall live also.” And it was on this ground that Habakkuk's faith was built: “Art thou not from everlasting?” Some speak about faith as though it were a mere trifle, a bauble, or a toy, and that they could use it as their fleshly nature felt disposed; as if they could take it up and lay it down…
