Watson'S Words Of Wisdom

Watson's Words of Wisdom

(Gleanings from the writings of Thomas Watson)

PREFACE The servant of the Lord, from whose writings these extracts have been culled, prefaced one of his works by saying, "There are two things which I have always looked upon as difficult: the one is to make the wicked sad; the other is to make the godly joyful." Alas! This sad world still holds many a careless sinner, and not a few sorrowful saints, though two hundred and fifty years have passed since these words were uttered. May God so speed this little book, that, in His good hand, it may be the means of arousing some sleeping conscience, and dropping a word of cheer into some sorrowful heart. Hamilton Smith 1915.

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." Proverbs 25:11.

Only the believer is the rich man; here is his estate summed up, "All things are his."

The creation is but a theater to act the great work of redemption upon!

Christ was not only "a Lamb without spot" but "a Lamb slain." Every pardon a sinner has, is written in Christ's blood .

If we must be high-minded, let it be in setting our mind upon heavenly things.

If you would get Christ into your heart, let Heaven be in your eye: "Set your affections upon things above" (Colossians 3:2). There needs no exhortation to set our hearts on things below.

Though grace cannot be lost — yet it may be hidden. David so clouded his graces by sin, that others could hardly see the cloth of gold under the filthy garments.

Why is prayer so sweet — but because the soul has private conference with Christ? Why is the word precious, but because it is a means to convey Christ? An ordinance without Christ, is but feeding upon the dish instead of the food!

Here Christ puts His graces upon His spouse — in Heaven He will put His glory upon her.

Such was Adam's ambition to know more, that by tasting the tree of knowledge — he lost the tree of life.

Unity in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity, where one makes three, and three make but one. This is bad arithmetic — but good divinity!

Divisions are Satan's powder-plot to blow up religion.

The godly man has all his best things to come. The wicked man has all his worst things to come. As their way is different — so their end.

Eternity to the godly is a day which has no sun-setting; and to the wicked, a night which has no sun-rising.

Now is the time of God's long-suffering; after death will be the time of the sinner's long suffering.

Do not so look upon your troubles, as to forget your mercies.

He who is proud of his knowledge — the devil cares not how much he knows!

How many have pulled down their souls, to build up their houses.

Let whoever will rule, God over -rules.

God can with a word unpin the wheels, and break the axle of the creation. He can stop the lion's mouth, cause the sun to stand still, and make the fire not burn.

How slow is God to anger. He was longer in destroying Jericho, than in making the world.

Christ will not throw away His pearls, for every speck of dirt!

Christ shed tears, for those who shed His blood.

Our nature is defiled — how then can the actions be pure? If the water is foul in the well, it cannot be clean in the bucket. "We are all as an unclean thing" (Isaiah 64:6).

That which begins in hypocrisy, ends in apostasy.

Take heed lest by growing rich, you grow worth nothing at last.

"When I awake I am still with You" (Psalm 139:18). If you would still be with God, watch over your hearts every day; lock up your hearts with God every morning, and give Him the key!

Toleration is the grave of reformation. By toleration we adopt other men's sins, and make them our own.

God loves a broken heart — not a divided heart.

If a wicked man seems to have peace at death, it is not from the knowledge of his happiness — but from the ignorance of his danger.

It will be so much the worse to go to Hell, with hopes of Heaven.

An idle person is a fit subject for the devil to work upon.

God must light up the lamp of grace in the heart.

Weeds grow of themselves, flowers are planted.

Godliness is glory in the seed, and glory is godliness in the flower.

Look upon a humble Savior, and let your plumes of pride fall off.

A godly man is an heavenly man; Heaven is in him, before he is in Heaven.

Other friends, you cannot keep. God is a friend you cannot lose; He will be your guide in life, your hope in death, your reward after death.

Many parents are careful to lay up portions for their children — but they do not lay up prayers for them.

We are opt to forget three things — our faults, our friends, our instructions.

True faith will trust God's heart — where it cannot trace His hand!

Such sheep as have most wool, are soonest fleeced.

It is good to find out our sins, lest they find us out.

Our life is a wayfaring life, and a warfaring life.

Affliction is a bitter root — but it bears sweet fruit!

"Surely the wrath of man shall praise You" (Psalm 76:10). He can reap His glory out of men's fury.

True love is not only at the tongue's end — but at the finger's end; it is the labor of love.

Does Christ appear for us in Heaven, and are we afraid to appear for Him on earth?

It is Satan that makes us have good thoughts of ourselves, and hard thoughts of God.

As we must answer to God for idle words, so for sinful silence.

As the looking-glass shows what the face is, whether it be fair or foul — so the words show what the heart is.

Did our thoughts dwell above we should live sweeter lives.

The higher the lark flies, the sweeter the songs.

Heaven is a place where sorrow cannot live, and joy cannot die.

'Tis vain to speak of hopes of salvation, and yet have the marks of damnation!

The world is a flattering enemy, it kills by embracing. Whom the world kisses, it betrays!

The way to overcome, is upon our knees.

The world is enough to busy us, not to fill us. "In the fullness of his sufficiency, he shall be in straits" (Job 20:22).

Immorality begins at infidelity (Hebrews 3:12).

Do you love to see Christ's picture in a saint, though hung in never so poor a frame?

Be more afraid of sin , than of suffering .

Is Heaven in your eye, and Christ in your heart, and the world under your feet?

How many have perished, by being their own saviors.

To render evil for evil is brutish; to render evil for good is devilish; to render good for evil is Christian.

None so empty of grace, as he who thinks he is full.

Such as would be over-rich, will overreach.

It is a poor thing to have an applauding world, and an accusing conscience.

Saints have their infirmities; but the wicked do not hate them for these — but for their holiness.

Whatever you deny for Christ, you shall find again in Christ.

The sins you commit in haste, you will repent at leisure.

Prayer keeps the heart open to God, and shut to sin.

"Gideon took the elders of the town and taught them a lesson, punishing them with thorns and briers from the wilderness." (Judges 8:16). God by the thorns and briers of affliction, teaches us.

God gives gracious supports in affliction. If He strikes with one hand, He supports with the other. "Underneath are the everlasting arms" (Deuteronomy 33:27).

Prosperity exposes to much evil. It is hard to carry a full cup without spilling, and a full estate without sinning.

God lets us fall into sufferings to prevent falling into snares.

Why should we think to tread only upon roses and violets, when prophets and apostles have marched through briers to Heaven?

If a man begins his voyage to Heaven in the storm of death, it is a thousand to one if he does not suffer eternal shipwreck.

Pride stops the current of gratitude. A proud man will never be thankful; he looks upon all he has, either to be of his own procuring or deserving.

Many pray Agur's first prayer, "Give me not poverty," but few pray his last prayer, "Give me not riches" (Proverbs 30:8).

They that sleep in seedtime, will beg in harvest.

The prayer which lacks a good aim, lacks a good outcome.

God's afflicting rod is a pencil to draw Christ's image more distinctly upon us.

Affliction is God's flail to thresh off the husks, not to consume the precious grain.

Fiery trials make golden Christians (Proverbs 17:3).

God only threshes the precious wheat — but He burns the useless chaff. He chastens the righteous — but He condemns the wicked.

The jewel of assurance, is best kept in the cabinet of a humble heart.

Christ is never sweet, until sin is felt to be bitter.

At Christ's death "the rocks split." Not to be affected with Christ's dying love, is to have hearts harder than rocks!

Conscience is like a bee; use it well, and it will give honey. Use it ill, and it will put forth a sting.

A troubled conscience is the first-fruit of Hell.

Eternity is a sea without bottom or banks — what line or plummet can fathom its depths?

A heathen, exercising much cruelty to a Christian, asked him, in scorn, what great miracle his Master, Jesus Christ, ever did. The Christian replied, "This miracle, that although you use me thus, I can forgive you.

Grace is Christ's portrait drawn on the soul.

He who sins because of God's mercy, shall have judgment without mercy.

Where grace grows, sin cannot thrive.

God makes grace flourish most in the fall of the leaf. "They shall still bring forth in old age" (Psalm 92:14).

The sinner may live in a calm — but he will die in a storm. He who lives graceless, dies peaceless.

He who has no faith in his heart — will have no fear of God before his eyes.

He who believes not in the blood of the Lamb, must feel the wrath of the Lamb.

Sin unrepented of ends in a tragedy. It has . . . the devil for its father, shame for its companion, and damnation for its wages.

When people do not mind what God speaks to them in His word — God as little minds what they say to Him in prayer.

The godly have some good in them, therefore the devil afflicts them; and some evil in them, therefore God afflicts them.

He who is ashamed of Christ, is a shame to Christ.

Those who bear the cross patiently, shall wear the crown triumphantly.

A sinner's heart is the devil's mansion-house. "I will return unto my house" (Matthew 12:44).

A sinner grinds in the devil's mill. "The lusts of your father you will do" (John 8:44).

Sin is the source of our sorrows — and the grave of our comforts!

Sin is the sinner's bond (Acts 8:23), and the saint's burden (Psalm 38:3).

Little sins yet multiplied, become great. What is less than a grain of sand? Yet when multiplied, what is heavier than the sand of the sea? A little sum multiplied, is great.

A little sin, unrepented of, will damn — just as one leak in the ship, if it be not looked to, will sink it. You would think it is no great matter to forget God — yet it has a heavy doom (Psalm 1:22).

It is sad to have both old age and old sins. It is hard to pull up an old tree that is rooted, it is easier to cut it down for the fire.

Procrastination . When the lamp is almost out, the strength exhausted, and old age comes on — then mourning for sin will be in season.

Men do not argue thus in other cases; they do not say, it is too soon to be rich; they will not put off the getting of riches to old age; no, here they take the first opportunity.

When God calls for mourning and you are deaf — when you call for mercy God may be dumb (Proverbs 1:24, 28). God may take the latter time to judge you in, because you did not take the former time to repent in. Though true mourning for sin is never too late — yet late mourning is seldom true. That repentance is seldom true-hearted — which is grey-headed. The mariner in a storm throws his goods overboard, not but that he loves them — but he is afraid they will sink the ship. Just so, when men fall to weeping, work late, and would cast their sins overboard, it is for the most part only for fear lest they should sink the ship and drown in Hell!

Old age is no good age to repent in. A tender plant is easily removed — but it is hard to pluck up an old tree that is rooted. It were a very unwise course for a mariner, while the ship is sound, the tackling strong, the wind favorable, the sea calm, to lie idle at anchor; and when the ship begins to leak, and the tempest to rise — now to launch forth and hoist up sails for a voyage. Just so, is he who neglects the time of health and strength, and when old age comes, and his tackling is even broken, now begins his voyage towards Heaven.

How unworthy is this, for men to give the devil their strength and marrow, and then come and lay their old bones upon God's altar? A sinner in the time of his old age, sleeps between death and the devil. It is just, that he who forgets God in the time of health, God should forget him in the time of sickness.

False peace . "When a strong man armed keeps his palace, his goods are in peace" (Luke 11:21). This is the devil's peace; he rocks men in the cradle of security; he cries Peace, peace, when men are on the precipice of Hell! The apparent peace a lost sinner has, is not from the knowledge of his happiness — but from the ignorance of his danger!

True peace is after trouble. God convinces and humbles the soul; then He speaks peace. Many say they have peace — but is this peace before a storm, or after it? True peace is after trouble. First there was the earthquake, and then the fire, and then the still small voice (1 Kings 19:12). God pours the golden oil of peace, into broken hearts.

False repentance. Many think they repent when it is not the offence — but the penalty which troubles them; not the treason — but the blood-axe. Some think they repent when they shed a few tears, as Saul did for his unkindness to David, "And Saul lifted up his voice and wept. And he said to David . . . you have rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded you evil" (1 Sam. 24:16, 17). But for all this, he follows David again.

Just so, men can lift up their voice and weep for sins — yet follow their sins again. Others forsake their sin — but still retain their love for it in their hearts, like the snake that casts the coat, but keeps the sting!

"Blessed are those who mourn: for they shall be comforted" (Matthew 5:4). We must go through the valley of tears, to Paradise. Mourning would be a sad subject to treat on — were it not that it has blessedness going before, and comfort coming after.

There is a mourning that is far from making one blessed. Many can weep over a dead child, who cannot mourn over a crucified Savior. Worldly sorrows hasten our funerals. The sorrow of the world works death (2 Corinthians 7:10).

There is a despairing kind of mourning; such was Judas' mourning: he saw his sin, he was sorry, he justified Christ, he made restitution. Judas, who is in Hell, did more than many nowadays! Well, wherein was Judas' sorrow blameworthy? It was a mourning joined with despair; he thought his wound broader than the plaster; his was not "repentance unto life" (Acts 11:18) — but rather unto death.

There is a hypocritical mourning: the heart is very deceitful, it can betray as well as by a tear , as by a kiss! Saul looks like a mourner, and as he was sometimes among the prophets (1 Sam. 10:12), so he seemed to be among the penitents, "And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord" (1 Sam. 15:24). Saul did play the hypocrite in his mourning; for he did not take shame to himself — but he did rather take honor to himself. "Honor me before the elders of the people." How easy it is for a man to put a cheat upon his soul, and by hypocrisy to weep himself into Hell.

There is a forced mourning when tears are forced out by God's judgments. Such was Cain's mourning: "My punishment is greater than I can bear!" (Genesis 4:13). His punishment troubled him more than his sin. To mourn only for the fear of Hell, is like a thief who weeps for the penalty, rather than the offence. A sinner mourns because judgment follows at the heel of sin; but David cries out, "My sin is ever before me" (Psalm 51:3). The prodigal says, "I have sinned against Heaven, and before you." He does not say, "I am almost starved among the husks!" "but I have offended my Father!"

It is an excellent saying of Augustine, "He truly bewails the sins he has committed — who never again commits the sins he has bewailed."

A child of God will confess sin in particular; an unsound Christian will confess sin by wholesale. He will acknowledge that he is a sinner in general; whereas David does, as it were, point with his finger to the sore (Psalm 51:4): "I have done this evil"; he does not say, I have done evil — but this evil.

To die is to be but once done — and after death there is nothing to be done. If you die in your impenitency, there is no repenting in the grave. If you leave your work at death half done, there is no finishing it in the grave (Eccles. 9:10) "There is no work, nor device, nor wisdom in the grave where you go."

God has given you two eyes, if you lose one, you have another; but you have but one soul, and if you are robbed of that, you are undone forever!

The grave buries all a sinner's joy. They have a short feast — but a long reckoning. The time being short, the sinning time cannot be long.

Sinners, the time is shortly coming when the drawbridge of mercy will be quite pulled up. "Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil" (Ecc. 8:11). God forbears punishing, therefore men forbear repenting. God is not only gracious — but He waits to be gracious (Isaiah 30:18). But though men will not set bounds to their sin — yet God sets bounds to His patience. God says, "My Spirit shall not always strive with man." The angel cried, "the hour of His judgment has come!" (Rev. 14:7).

If Felix trembled when Paul preached of judgment (Acts 24:25), how will sinners tremble when they shall see Christ come to judgment!

If God lets men prosper awhile in their sin, His vial of wrath is all this while filling — His sword is all this time whetting. And though God may forbear men a while — yet long forbearance is no forgiveness . The longer God is in taking His blow, the heavier it will be at last. As long as there is eternity, God has time enough to reckon with His enemies!

Knowledge without affection. Men have mere notions of Christ — but are not warmed with love to Christ. Their knowledge is like the moon, it has light in it — but no heat . The knowledge that hypocrites have of Christ, has no saving influence upon them, it does not make them more holy. It is one thing to have a notion of Christ, another thing to fetch virtue from Christ. The knowledge of hypocrites is a dead, barren knowledge: it is informing — but not transforming; it does not make them a jot the better. "Your wisdom and your knowledge, it has perverted you" (Isaiah 47:10); the knowledge of most people makes them more cunning in sin; these have little cause to glory in their knowledge. Absalom might boast of the hair of his head — but that hanged him; so these may boast of the knowledge of their head — but it will destroy them. Many of the old world knew there was an ark — but were drowned, because they did not get into the ark; knowledge which is not applying — will but light a man to Hell.

The show of holiness . All our pompous show of holiness without sincerity, is but folly set forth in its embroidery; it is but going to Hell in a more devout way than others.

The upright man has no subterfuges, his tongue and his heart go together, he is downright upright.

Men are ambitious of credit, and would gain repute in the world, therefore they will dress themselves in the garb and mode of religion, that others may write them down for saints. But alas, what is one the better, to have others to commend him, and his conscience condemn him? What good will it do a man when he is in Hell, that others think he is gone to Heaven? Counterfeit piety, is double iniquity. The hypocrite deceives others while he lives — but deceives himself when he dies! The hypocrite is abhorred of all. Wicked men hate him because he makes a show, and God hates him because he does but make a show. The wicked hate him because he has so much a show of godliness, and God hates him because he has no more (Acts 26:28).

Empty profession. What is a man the better to have Christ's name upon him, if he still retains Satan's image? What is he advantaged to have the oracles of God, and lack the Spirit of God? Think not that an empty profession will save; millions will be sent to Hell in Christ's livery (Matthew 7:22; Matthew 8:12).

The cloak of religion. Sometimes covetousness pretends conscience; Judas fishes for money under a pretense of religion: "Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?" (John 12:5). How charitable Judas was! But his charity began at home, for he carried the money bag! Many make religion a cloak for their personal ambition: "Come and see my zeal for the Lord," says Jehu, "for the Lord" (2 Kings 10:16). No, Jehu, your zeal was for the kingdom. It was not zeal — but state-policy. Jehu made religion hold the stirrup, until he got possession of the crown.

Counterfeit piety is double iniquity. A little rusty gold, is far better than a great deal of bright brass. A little true grace, though rusted over with many infirmities, is better than all the glistening shows of hypocrites.

The hypocrite is fair to look on — he has a devout eye but a hollow heart; but he who is sincere, his inside is his best side.

Hypocrites will obey God in some things which are consistent either with their credit or profit — but in other things they desire to be excused: like Esau who obeyed his father in bringing him venison, because probably he liked the sport of hunting — but refused to obey him in a business of greater importance, namely, in the choice of his wife.

Hypocrites will not sail in a storm; true grace holds out in the winter season. That is a precious faith, which, like the star, shines brightest in the darkest night.

No escape in judgment. If once the sentence of judgment is passed, what will you do? Where will you go? Will you seek help from God? He is "a consuming fire." Will you seek help from the world? It will be all on fire about you. From the saints? These you derided upon earth! From your conscience? There is the worm that gnaws. From Mercy? The lease is run out.

Whatever God can require for satisfaction, or we can need for salvation, is to be found in Christ. His name is the sweetest music to a Christian's ear, and His blood the most precious balm to a Christian's heart.

It is not money in a rich man's hand, though offered to us, that will enrich us, unless we receive it. So Christ's virtues or benefits will do us no good, unless we receive them by the hand of faith .

Faith lives in a broken heart. "He cried out, and said with tears , Lord, I believe!" (Mark 9:24). True faith is always in a heart bruised for sin.

Justifying faith lies in recumbency; we rest on Christ alone for salvation. As a man that is ready to drown catches hold on the bough of a tree — so a poor trembling sinner, seeing himself ready to perish, catches hold by faith on Christ, the tree of life, and is saved.

Of all sins, beware of the rock of unbelief . "Take heed lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief" (Hebrews 3:12). Men think, as long as they are not drunkards or swearers, it is no great matter to be unbelievers. This is the gospel sin . It disparages Christ's infinite merit, as if it would not save; it makes the wound of sin to be broader than the plaster of Christ's blood. This is high contempt offered to Christ, and is a deeper spear than that which the Jews thrust into His side!

God has depth of mercy, it reaches as low as sinners; and height of mercy, it reaches above the clouds. Take heed of abusing the mercy of God. Suck not poison out of the sweet flower of God's mercy . Think not that because God is merciful, you may go on in sin; this is to make mercy your enemy. To sin because mercy abounds, is the devil's logic! He who sins because of mercy, is like one that wounds his head because he has a plaster. He who sins because of God's mercy — shall have judgment without mercy. Mercy abused turns to fury . If "he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of my heart, to add drunkenness to thirst; the Lord will not spare him — but then the anger of the Lord, and His jealousy, shall smoke against that man!" (Deuteronomy 29:19,20).

God has treasures of mercy — prayer is the key that opens these treasures; and in prayer be sure to carry Christ in your arms, for all the mercy comes through Christ. "Samuel took a suckling lamb and offered it up as a whole burnt offering to the LORD." (1 Sam. 7:9).

"He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds." Psalm 147:3

Christ is the most skillful physician, there is no disease too hard for Him. "Who heals all your diseases" (Psalm 103:3).

Christ shows more love to His patients than any physician besides. This appears in that long journey He took from Heaven to earth; and in that He comes to His patients without sending for, "I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, 'Here am I, here am I.'" (Isaiah 65:1).

Then, this physician lets Himself bleed to cure His patient, "He was wounded for our transgressions, and with His stripes we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5). Through His wounds, we may see His affections. Christ Himself drank that bitter cup which we should have drunk, and by His taking the potion — we are healed and saved.

Christ is the most cheap physician, He takes no fee. "And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped!" (Luke 8:43). He desires us to bring nothing to Him but broken hearts; and when He has cured us, He desires us to bestow nothing upon Him but our love.

Christ heals with more ease than any other. Christ makes the devil go out with a word (Mark 9:25). Nay, He can cure with a look! Christ's look melted Peter into repentance; it was a healing look. If Christ does but cast a look upon the soul, He can save it. Therefore David prays to have a look from God, "Look upon me, and be merciful unto me" (Psalm 119:132).

Christ is the most tender-hearted physician. He has ended His passion , but not His compassion . He is not more full of skill, than sympathy , "He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds" (Psalm 147:3). Every groan of the patient, goes to the heart of this physician!

Christ never fails of success . Christ never undertakes to heal any, but He makes a certain cure, "Those that You gave Me I have kept, and none of them is lost" (John 17:12).

Other physicians can only cure them that are sick — but Christ cures them that are dead! "And you has He quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1). Christ is a physician for the dead; of every one whom Christ cures, it may be said, "He was dead, and is alive again" (Luke 15:32).

Christ is the most bountiful physician. Other patients do enrich their physicians — but here the physician enriches the patient.

Christ advances all His patients: He not only cures them, but crowns them (Rev. 2:10). Christ does not only raise from the bed — but to the throne ; He gives the sick man not only health, but Heaven!

If Christ is a physician, then let us make use of this physician for our diseased souls . "When the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto Him, and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them" (Luke 4:40). You who have neglected this physician all this while, now when the sun of the gospel, and the sun of your life, is even now setting — bring your sick souls to Christ to be cured.

Christ complains that though men are sick unto death — yet they will not come or send to the physician, "You will not come to Me, that you might have life" (John 5:40). But, object poor souls, "I am discouraged to go to Christ to cure me, because of my unworthiness." Who did Christ shed His blood for, but such as are unworthy? "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners " (1 Timothy 1:15). Christ came into the world as into an hospital among a company of lame, bed-ridden souls. Who was ever yet saved because he was worthy? What man could ever plead this title, 'Lord Jesus, heal me, because I am worthy'?

What worthiness was in Paul before his conversion? What worthiness in Mary Magdalen, out of whom seven devils were cast? But free-grace pitied and healed them. God does not find us worthy — but makes us worthy. If we never come to Christ to be healed until we are worthy , we must never come. This talking of worthiness savors of pride, we would have something of our own; had we such preparations and self-excellencies — then we think Christ would accept us, and we might come and be healed; this is to fee our physician. Oh, let not the sense of unworthiness discourage you; go to Christ to be healed. "Arise, He is calling for you" (Mark 10:49).

Consider what a little time we have to stay here, and let that hasten the cure. Solomon says there is "a time to be born , and a time to die " (Ecc. 3:2) — but mentions no time of living , as if that were so short it were not worth the naming! Oh, hasten the soul's cure, for death is upon its swift march. If death surprises you suddenly, there is no cure to be wrought in the grave. "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, where you go" (Ecc. 9:10). Now is the time of healing, now is the day of grace, now Christ pours out His balsam, "Now is the accepted time" (2 Corinthians 6:2). If we neglect the day of grace , the next will be a day of wrath! (Romans 2:5).

If men will not receive the offers of grace, Christ grieves (Mark 3:5). He is like a judge that passes the sentence with tears in his eyes, "He beheld the city, and wept over it" (Luke 19:41). Ah, sinners, I come to save you — but you put away salvation from you! I come with healing under My wings — but you bolt out your physician! I would have you but open your hearts to receive Me, and I will open Heaven to receive you — but you will rather stay with your sins and die, than come to Me and live, "Israel would have none of Me" (Psalm 81:11). Well, lost sinners, I will weep at your funerals.

The men of the world see not the beauty of Christ. He does not lack worth — but they lack eyes. O unhappy man (says Augustine) who know all things, but not Christ! Your knowledge will but serve to light you to Hell.

But are you healed? Then break forth into thankfulness. "Let the high praises of God be in their mouth" (Psalm 149:6). God expects thankfulness. "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" (Luke 17:17, 18.)

GIVING

"He who gives unto the poor shall not lack." Proverbs 28:27.

"Give, and it shall be given unto you." Luke 6:38.

FAITH alone justifies — but justifying faith is not alone. Good works though they are not the causes of salvation — yet they are the evidences . Faith must not be built upon works — but works must be built upon faith. Faith justifies; but works testify to faith, "I will show you my faith, by my works" (James 2:18).

"Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?" (James 2:15, 16).

There are some who perhaps will give the poor good words , and that is all. Good words are but a cold kind of charity . Let your words be as smooth as oil — they will not heal the wounded; let them drop as the honeycomb — they will not feed the hungry. "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal" (1 Corinthians 13:1). 'Tis better to be charitable as a saint, than eloquent as an angel.

"He shall have judgment without mercy, that has showed no mercy" (James 2:13). Dives denied Lazarus a crumb of bread , and Dives was denied a drop of water!

"For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink" (Matthew 25:42). Christ does not say you took away My food — but you gave Me none.

Remember that excellent saying of Augustine, "Give those things to the poor which you cannot keep — that you may receive those things which you cannot lose."

The way to lay up , is to lay out . Other parts of your estate you leave behind — but that which is given to Christ's poor, is hoarded up in Heaven. That is a blessed kind of giving, which, though it makes the purse the lighter, makes the crown the heavier. You shall have good security; "He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, and He will pay back what he has given" (Proverbs 19:17). You shall be paid with interest. For a wedge of gold which you have parted with — you shall have an eternal weight of glory. For a cup of cold water, you shall have rivers of pleasure which run at God's right hand for evermore. The interest comes to infinitely more than the principal .

Your charity must be free . "You shall surely give — and your heart shall not be grieved" (Deuteronomy 15:10). That is, you shall not be troubled at parting with your money; he who gives grievingly , gives grudgingly . Charity must flow like spring water. The heart must be the spring , the hand the pipe , the poor the cistern . God loves a cheerful giver.

We must give that which is our own (Isaiah 58:7). "To give your bread to the hungry," it must be bread of your own, "For I the Lord love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering."

Do all in Christ . Out of Christ, all our alms-deeds are but the fruit of the wild olive tree. They are not good works, but dead works.

Do all for Christ. As Mary did out of love bring her ointments and sweet spices to anoint Christ's dead body: so out of love to Christ, bring your ointments and anoint His living body — His saints and members.

Works of mercy are to be done in humility . Pride will be creeping into our best things; beware of this dead fly in the box of ointment. As the silkworm when she weaves her curious works, hides herself within the silk — so we should hide ourselves from pride and vanity.

The saints are brought in at last as disowning their works of charity. "Then the righteous will answer Him, saying: Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?" (Matthew 25:37). A good Christian does not only empty his hand of alms — but empties his heart of pride . While he raises up the poor out of the dust — he lays himself in the dust.

Distribute your silver and gold to the poor before "the silver cord is loosed, or the golden bowl is broken" (Ecc. 12:6). Make your hands your executors , not as some do, who reserve all they give until their life is ready to expire. And truly what is then bestowed, is not given away — but taken away by death. 'Tis not charity, but necessity. Be not like the medlar tree, which is never good until it be rotten.

"He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness." Psalm 107:9.

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled" (Matthew 5:6).

Though you have not so much righteousness as you would desire — yet you are blessed, because you hunger after it. Desire is the best revealer of a Christian, actions may be counterfeit. A man may do a good action, for a bad end — as did Jehu. Actions may be compulsory: a man may be forced to do that which is good — but not to will that which is good. These hungerings after righteousness proceed from love; a man does not desire that which he does not love; if you did not love Christ — you could not hunger after Him.

The hypocrite does not so much desire the way of righteousness, as the crown of righteousness. His desire is not to be made like Christ — but to reign with Christ. This was Balaam's desire, "Let me die the death of the righteous" (Num. 23:10). This is the hypocrite's hunger. A child of God desires Christ for Himself. To a believer, not only Heaven is precious — but Christ is precious (1 Peter 2:7).

Hypocrites' desires are but desires, they are lazy and sluggish. "The desire of the slothful kills him; for his hands refuse to labor" (Proverbs 21:25). But true desire is quickened into endeavor , "With my soul I have desired You in the night; yes, with my spirit within me, I will seek You early" (Isaiah 26:9).

If we do not thirst here — we shall thirst when it is too late; if we do not thirst as David did, "My soul thirsts for God" (Psalm 42:2), then we shall thirst as Dives did for a drop of water!

"They shall be filled." God never bids us seek Him in vain. "He has filled the hungry with good things" (Luke 1:53). "He satisfies the longing soul" (Psalm 107:9). God will not let us lose our longing.

A man may hunger after the world — and not be filled; the world is fading, not filling. A man may be filled with the world — but not satisfied. A sinner may take his fill of sin — but it is far from satisfaction, "The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways" (Proverbs 14:14). This is such a filling as the damned in Hell have — they shall be full of the fury of the Lord! But he who hungers after righteousness, shall be satisfyingly filled. "My people shall be satisfied with My goodness" (Jeremiah 31:14).

God can fill the hungry soul. "With You is the fountain of life" (Psalm 36:9). The world's cistern may be empty and cannot fill us. But the fountain is filling. The fullness of God is an infinite fullness, it knows neither bounds nor bottom. It is a constant fullness, "You are the same" (Psalm 102:27). God can never be exhausted, His fullness is overflowing and ever-flowing .

God fills the hungry soul, out of His tender compassion. When the multitude had nothing to eat, Christ was moved with compassion. Let the hungry soul think this, though I am full of needs — yet my God is full of affections.

God will fill the hungry, that He may fulfill His word. "Blessed are you that hunger now: for you shall be filled" (Luke 6:21). Has the Lord spoken, and shall it not come to pass? As "His compassions fail not" (Lam. 3:22), so He will not allow his "faithfulness to fail" (Psalm 89:33). If the hungry soul should not be filled, the promise should not be fulfilled.

God will fill the hungry, because He Himself has stirred up the hunger! As in case of prayer, when God prepares the heart to pray — He prepares His ear to hear (Psalm 10:17). So in the case of spiritual hunger, when God prepares the heart to hunger — He will prepare His hand to fill.

God keeps open house for hungry sinners (Isaiah 55:1, 2).

There is no such thing as blind fate — but there is a Providence that guides and governs the world. "The lot is cast into the lap — but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord" (Proverbs 16:33).

Providence is God's ordering all issues and events of things, after the counsel of His will, to His own glory.

The wheels in a clock seem to move contrary one to the other — but they help forward the motion of the clock. Just so, the providences of God seem to be cross wheels; but for all that, they shall carry on the good of the elect.

God is not like a carpenter who builds a house, and then leaves it — but like a pilot He steers the ship of His whole creation.

"The eye of the Lord is upon those who fear Him, upon those who hope in His mercy; to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine" (Psalm 33:18, 19). God by His providential care, shields off dangers from His people, and sets a lifeguard of angels about them (Psalm 34:7). It bottles their tears (Psalm 56:8). It strengthens the saints in their weakness (Hebrews 11:34). It supplies all their needs out of its alms-basket (Psalm 23:5). "Truly you shall be fed" (Psalm 37:3). If God will give His people a kingdom when they die — He will not deny them daily bread while they live.

God, who bounds everything else, is Himself without bounds . He sets bounds to the sea ; "Hitherto shall you come, and no further"; He sets bounds to the angels ; they, like the cherubim, move and stand at His appointment (Ezekiel 10:16) — but He is infinite — without bounds. He who can span the heavens, and weigh the earth in scales, must needs be infinite (Isaiah 40:22). "Do not I fill Heaven and earth?" (Jeremiah 23:24). The humble heart is His throne, in regard to His gracious presence (Isaiah 57:15); and Heaven is His throne, in regard to His glorious presence (Isaiah 66:1); and yet neither of these thrones will hold Him, for the Heaven of heavens cannot contain Him!

"I have learned, in whatever state I am, therewith to be content." Philippians 4:11.

"I have learned ." The Apostle does not say, "I have heard, that in every estate I should be content," but, "I have learned." It is not enough for Christians to hear their duty — but they must learn their duty. It is one thing to hear , and another thing to learn ; as it is one thing to eat, and another thing to digest food. Christians hear much, but, it is to be feared, learn little.

If your estate is sm