matthew-5:7

Excerpts from 'Devotional Classics' edited by Richard Foster and James Bryan Smith Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) Introduction to the Author Jonathan Edwards was a Congregational pastor and a key figure in the 18th century's 'Great Awakening'. He is considered one of America's greatest theologians. Bo... Read More

For this cause I write these things while absent, that I may not when present deal sharply, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not for casting down. He was sensible he had spoken more vehemently than his wont, and especially towards the end of the Epistle. For he ... Read More

The former subject of the Sedition continued; also of fasting; and upon the Apostolic saying, Rejoice in the Lord always. 1. I have observed many persons rejoicing, and saying one to another, We have conquered; we have prevailed; the half of the fast is spent. But I exhort such persons not to rejoic... Read More

Acts XI. 19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that rose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. The persecution turned out to be no slight benefit as to them that love God all things work together ... Read More

And they cast him out. And Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said to him, Do you believe in the Son of God? He answered and said, Who is He, Lord, that I might believe in Him? And the rest. 1. They who for the sake of the truth and the confession of Christ suffer ... Read More

If you count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, put that to mine account; I Paul write it with my own hand, I will repay it: that I say not to you how you owe unto me even your own self besides. No procedure is so apt to gain a hearing,... Read More

The apostle, in the beginning of this chapter, tells us what a true Christian is. He calls him an epistle of Christ. He is a person upon whose heart God has written Christ, as Moses wrote the law on tables of stone. This the apostle opens out; but first he states what Christians are in contrast with... Read More

Here we have a most weighty thing spoken of - the sabbath. It is a question that often agitates the minds of men, and it was then specially important as closing Jewish relations. And this, it will be borne in mind, was just where the Lord had morally arrived at the close of the preceding chapter. Th... Read More

These chapters constitute the most distinct and definite portion of our Lord's service as a prophet. Strictly speaking, they only are the prophetic part of His ministry. The previous part of the Lord's history was the presentation of Himself as the object of previous prophecy, to those who were resp... Read More

He then gathers around Him those who were definitively to follow Him in His ministry and His temptations; and, at His call, to link their portion and their lot with His, forsaking all beside. The strong man was bound, so that Jesus could spoil his goods, and proclaim the kingdom with proofs of that ... Read More