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Letter 6: To Zadok—On Justification
I know not a question of greater moment to a trembling sinner, than that which the Holy Spirit directed Job to propose, “how shall man be just with God?” And as I am persuaded of your solicitude to decide this question for yourself I write this epistle, with the hope of affording you a little assistance. In order to place the subject in a clear light it is necessary to premise, that the state of mankind is a state of condemnation— that human nature has sunk into total ruin and depravity— and that “sin has entered into the world, and death by sin, so that death hath passed upon all men:” these are facts which I trust you have not only admitted as important articles…
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Letter 5: To Zebah—On Atonement
The subject on which I am about to offer you a few remarks, has been dear to the heart of every Christian in all ages; it is the glory of the gospel scheme, and shall constitute our song in the realms of bliss; it is therefore desirable, that your mind should be well informed upon it, and deeply affected with it. Throughout the mosaic economy, the doctrine of atonement was set forth in lively colours by the bleeding victims on the Jewish altar. Prophets spake of it in the most unequivocal terms, and apostles asserted it as the fundamental article of Christianity; yea, the exclamation of John, “behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world,” was but the echo of…
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July 20—Morning Devotion
"Arise, and go down to the potter's house; and there I will cause thee to hear my words."—Jeremiah 18:2 Yes, Lord, with the first of the morning will I arise, and go down at thy command, where, by the secret and silent whispers of thy divine teaching, I may gather suitable instructions for interpreting all thy dispensations, both in providence and grace, towards me. Mark, my soul, the vessel marred in the hand of the potter. Alas, how hath our nature been marred since it came out of the hand of our Almighty Potter! Will the potter cast his vessel away? No, he will new make it. Oh thou glorious Lord! methinks I hear thy words in this, for thou hast not thrown us away,…
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“God Is For Me”
Is God for me? I fear not, though all against me rise; When I call on Christ, my Saviour, the host of evil flies. My Friend—the Lord Almighty, and He who loves me—God. What enemy shall harm me, though coming as a flood?” “When I cry unto Thee, then shall mine enemies be turned back: this I know; for God is for me.”—Ps 56:9 Happy, thrice happy is the man who has the eternal God for his Refuge; under whom "the everlasting arms" are eternally placed; and who with heaven-inspired confidence can say, "God is for me." There never was a period, in duration's endless round, in which this language did not stand true, concerning the Church collectively, and every individual member of Christ's mystical…
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Meribah All Over Again
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Sorrow And Salvation
This blessed chapter is particularly memorable to my soul, the good Lord having applied the 3rd verse with such power to my almost distracted mind thirty-eight years ago, that I can never read, think, or preach from any part of it, without remembering that deliverance I then so visibly received from my Lord;—indeed, I find every sentence a sermon throughout this important chapter, when the Holy Spirit is pleased to open and apply it to my heart with his moving and melting influence; and do count at your leisure the number of “Thus saith the Lord” in it, which you will find amount to twenty-one, if I mistake not; confirming the promises, precepts, injunctions, and instructions it contains; shewing the loving heart of our God…