The Characteristics Of A Godly Man, Part 5b

From the Godly Man’s Picture (Part 5a)
By Thomas Watson

D.    It is an APPLIED knowledge

“I know that my redeemer lives” (Job 19:25). A medicine is best when it is applied. This applicative knowledge is joyful. Christ is called a “surety” (Heb. 7:22). Oh what joy, when I am drowned in debt, to know that Christ is my surety! Christ is called an “advocate” (1 John 2:1). The Greek word for advocate, (parakletos) signifies a comforter. Oh, what comfort it is when I have a bad cause, to know Christ is my advocate, who never lost any cause he pleaded!

Question: But how shall I know that I am making a right application of Christ? A hypocrite may think he applies when he does not. Balaam, though a sorcerer, still said, “my God” (Numb. 22:18).

Answer 1: He who rightly applies Christ puts these two together, Jesus and Lord. “Christ Jesus my Lord” (Phil. 3:8). Many take Christ as Jesus - to save them; but refuse him as Lord - to rule them. Do you join “Prince and Savior” (Acts 5:31)? Would you as well be ruled by Christ's laws as saved by his blood? Christ is

“…a priest upon his throne” (Zech. 6:13).

He will never be a priest to intercede - unless your heart is the throne where he sways his scepter. A true applying of Christ is when we so take him as a husband, that we give up ourselves to him as Lord.

Answer 2: He who rightly applies Christ derives virtue from him. The woman in the Gospel, having touched Christ, felt virtue coming from him and her fountain of blood was dried up (Mark 5:29). This is to apply Christ - when we feel a sin-mortifying virtue flow from him. That knowledge which is applicatory, has an antipathy against sin, and will not allow the heart to be dominated by sin.

E.     It is a TRANSFORMING knowledge

“We all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image” (2 Cor. 3:18).

As a painter looking at a face draws a face like it in the picture; so looking at Christ in the mirror of the gospel, we are changed into his likeness. We may look at other objects that are beautiful - yet not be made beautiful by them. A deformed face may look at beauty, and yet not be made beautiful. A wounded man may look at a surgeon, and yet not be healed. But this is the excellence of divine knowledge, that it gives us such a sight of Christ as makes us partake of his nature! Like Moses when he had seen God's back parts, his face shone; some of the rays and beams of God's glory fell on him.

F.    It is a SELF-EMPTYING knowledge

Carnal knowledge makes the head giddy with pride (1 Cor. 8:1,2). True knowledge brings a man out of love with himself. The more he knows - the more he blushes at his own ignorance. David, a bright star in God's church, still thought himself rather a cloud than a star (Psalm 73:22).

G.    It is a GROWING knowledge

“Increasing in the knowledge of God” (Col. 1:10).

True knowledge is like the light of the morning, which increases on the horizon until it comes to the full meridian. So sweet is spiritual knowledge that the more a saint knows - the more thirsty he is for knowledge. It is called “the riches of knowledge” (1 Cor. 1:5). The more riches a man has, the more still he desires. Though Paul knew Christ - yet he wanted to know him more:

“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection” (Phil. 3:10).

H.     It is a PRACTICAL knowledge

“His sheep follow him because they know his voice.” (John 10:4).

God requires a knowledge accompanied by obedience. True knowledge not only improves a Christian's sight - but improves his pace. It is a reproach to a Christian to live in a contradiction to his knowledge, to know he should be strict and holy - yet to live loosely. Not to obey - is the same as not to know:

“…the sons of Eli knew not the Lord” (1 Sam. 2:12).

They could not but know, for they taught others the knowledge of the Lord; yet they are said not to know - because they did not obey. When knowledge and practice appear together, then they herald much happiness.

The Characteristics Of A Godly Man, Part 5a

From the Godly Man’s Picture (Part 5)
By Thomas Watson

It will be enquired in the next place, “Who is the godly man?” For the full answer to this I shall lay down several specific signs and characteristics of a godly man.

1. A Godly Man Is A Man Of KNOWLEDGE.

“The prudent are crowned with knowledge” (Proverbs 14:18).

The saints are called “wise virgins” (Matt. 25:4). A natural man may have some head knowledge of God - but he “knows nothing yet as he ought to know” (1 Cor. 8:2). He does not know God savingly. He may have the eye of natural reason open - but he does not discern the things of God in a spiritual manner. Waters cannot go beyond their spring-head. Vapors cannot rise higher than the sun draws them. A natural man cannot act above his sphere; he is no more able to judge sacred things aright than a blind man is to judge colors.

He does not see the evil of his heart. If a face is ever so black and deformed - yet it is not seen under a veil; the heart of a sinner is so black that nothing but hell can pattern it - yet the veil of ignorance hides it.

He does not see the beauties of a Savior. Christ is a pearl of great price - but a hidden pearl.

But a godly man is taught by God: “this anointing teaches you of all things” (1 John 2:27), that is, all things essential to salvation. A godly man has “the good knowledge of the Lord” (2 Chron. 30:22). He has “Sound wisdom” (Proverbs 3:21).

He knows God in Christ. To know God out of Christ is to know him as an enemy - but to know him in Christ is sweet and delicious. A gracious soul has

“…the Savor of his knowledge” (2 Cor. 2:14).

There is a great difference between one who has read of a country, or viewed it on the map - and another who has lived in the country, and tasted its fruits and spices. The knowledge with which a godly man is adorned has these eight rare ingredients in it:

A.    It is a GROUNDED knowledge

“If you continue in the faith grounded” (Col. 1:23).

It is not simply believing “as my church believes.” Saving knowledge rests upon a double basis: the Word and Spirit. The one is a guide, the other a witness. Saving knowledge is not changeable or doubtful - but has a certainty in it.

“We believe and are sure that you are that Christ” (John 6:69);

“being always confident” (2 Cor. 5:6).

A godly man holds no more than he will die for. The martyrs were so confirmed in the knowledge of the truth, that they would seal it with their blood.

B.     It is an APPRECIATIVE knowledge

The jeweler who has the skill to value a jewel is said to know it. He who esteems God above the comforts of the earth knows him (Psalm 73:25). To compare other things with God is to debase deity; as if you should compare a glow-worm with the sun.

C.    It is an ENLIVENING knowledge

“I will never forget your precepts, for with them you have quickened me” (Psalm 119:93).

Bible knowledge in a natural man's head is like a torch in a dead man's hand. True knowledge animates.

A godly man is like John the Baptist, “a burning and a shining lamp”. He not only shines by illumination - but he burns by affection.

The spouse's knowledge made her “love-sick” (Song 2:5). “I am wounded with love.” I am like a deer that is struck with an arrow; my soul lies bleeding, and nothing can cure me - but a sight of him whom my soul loves!

Continued Tomorrow…

Presumptuous Sins

From Gospel Chapel

“Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.  Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.  Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:12-14.

Let us consider David’s special concern over presumptuous sins because of their heinous nature. 

“Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.” 

He perceived how the inclinations in his heart were well and alive.  His heart was reconciled to the Lord, but he knew there was the danger of presumptuous sins leading to the great transgression and losing the Lord’s nearness.

Presumptuous sins are sins against knowledge and against the light of conscience.  When our consciences convict and warn us but we overrule them, it is a presumptuous sin.  This is “the great transgression.”  We can plead our inability and ignorance when we ask the Lord for forgiveness; the Apostle Paul says he was forgiven because he did not know what he was doing, but presumptuous sins are sins against light and knowledge, which are most provoking to the Lord.

Presumptuous sins are also sins of omission: knowing what is good but not doing it.  We read in James 4:17:

“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” 

We are to bring up our children in the fear and admonition of the Lord.  If we neglect our children, it is a presumptuous sin of omission and grievous in the eyes of the Lord.

There is a difference between the sins of infirmity and the sins of passion, as we see in Moses and Uzziah.  Moses, in his infirmity was the meekest of all men, yet in a fit of temper, he cried, “Must I fetch you water out of this rock?”  He did not sanctify the Lord, which was not a premeditated sin of presumption, but of passion, so the Lord forbade him from entering the Promised Land.  Uzziah stretched forth his hand to keep the ark of the Lord from falling off a cart and the Lord struck him dead on the spot.  If we are aware of the Lord’s displeasure upon those sins, then we tremble to think of falling into presumptuous sins: overruling our conscience, by design, knowing they are sins.

Presumptuous sinners do not sin unwittingly, because such sins are committed not only with knowledge, but also with forethought, as with Joseph’s brothers.  We read in Genesis 37:18:

“And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him.” 

They considered and conspired to sin, with knowledge and against their consciences.  David said,

“Let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression,”

Presumptuous sins greatly displeasing to the Lord.

Presumptuous sin is a desperate sin, because it is accompanied by pride.  The sinner, who knows the mind of God yet says with Pharaoh, “Who is the Lord that I should obey Him,” defies the Lord, because his conscience tells him he is doing wrong.  Joseph’s brothers knew they were doing wrong, because they were not in full agreement: one of the brothers wanted to deliver Joseph from under their hands.  They knew they were sinning out of jealousy, envy, and hatred.  Presumptuous sins are an affront to the authority of God.

Presumptuous sin is a sin against love and mercy, and the sinner who knows God’s will makes mercy kneel to his sin.  Jeremiah 3:12-14 says,

“Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the LORD, and I will not keep anger for ever.  [He pleads with rebellious people!]  Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD.  Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion.” 

The merciful God of heaven is beseeching the sinner!  Presumptuous sinners sin against mercy, the longsuffering of God, and the love of God, deliberately and willfully rebelling against His voice.

Presumptuous sinners are neither melted by love nor stirred by judgments.  The Lord will show mercy and not cause His anger to fall upon them, but a presumptuous sinner’s heart is hardened and his conscience is seared as with a hot iron.  David sinned presumptuously in the matter of Uriah and his wife, because he premeditated his sin. He saw the woman, he sent a messenger, he took her, and he sent a letter telling Joab to put Uriah in the front lines to be slain.  He sinned with knowledge and his conscience was seared.  Amen.

Jesus, Lord of life and glory,
Bend from heaven Thy gracious ear;
While our waiting souls adore Thee,
Friend of helpless sinners, hear;
By Thy mercy, O deliver us, good Lord.
From the depth of nature’s blindness,
From the hardning power of sin,
From all malice and unkindness,
From the pride that lurks within
By Thy mercy, O deliver us, good Lord.

James J. Cummins, 1839

A Gospel Without Propitiation at Its Heart

J.I. Packer, from “The Heart of the Gospel”
in Knowing God (also in In My Place Condemned He Stood, p. 32): 

·         Has the word propitiation any place in your Christianity?

·         In the faith of the New Testament it is central.

·         The love of God [1 John 4:8-10],

·         The taking of human form by the Son [Heb. 2:17],

·         The meaning of the cross [Rom. 3:21-26],

·         Christ’s heavenly intercession [1 John 2:1-2],

·         The way of salvation

…all these are to be explained in terms of it, as the passages quoted show, and any explanation from which the thought of propitiation is missing will be incomplete, and indeed actually misleading, by New Testament standards.

In saying this, we swim against the stream of much modern teaching and condemn at a stroke the views of a great number of distinguished church leaders today, but we cannot help that. Paul wrote,

“Even if we or an angel from heaven…”

…let alone a minister, a bishop, college lecturer, university professor, or noted author…

“should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!” (“accursed” KJV and RSV; “outcast” NEB; “damned” Phillips - Gal. 1:8).

And a gospel without propitiation at is heart is another gospel than that which Paul preached.  The implications of this must not be evaded.

Packer approvingly quotes John Murray’s explanation of propitiation:

The doctrine of propitiation is precisely this: that God loved the objects of His wrath (the unredeemed) so much that He gave His own Son to the end that He by His blood should make provision for the removal of His wrath. It was Christ’s so to deal with the wrath that the loved would no longer be the objects of wrath, and love would achieve its aim of making the children of wrath the children of God’s good pleasure. [ John Murray, The Atonement (Philadelphia: P&R, 1962)]

God at work!

(James Smith, 1864)

“There is nothing too hard for You!” (Jeremiah 32:17)

There is nothing too hard for God to EFFECT:

·         “Is anything too hard for Me, says the Lord?”

·         “I know that You can do everything.”

·         “He does according to His will among the armies of Heaven, and the inhabitants of the earth.”

·         “He works all things after the counsel of His own will.”

Nothing is too hard for God - no change in providence - however it may appear improbable, or impossible to us.

·         He could bring water out of the flinty rock.

·         He could supply quail to satisfy the needs, and gratify the lusts of His people in the desert.

·         He could feed Elijah for twelve months by ravens, and for two years and a half more, by a handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in the widow's cruse.

·         He could inundate Samaria with plenty - in the midst of famine and fearful desolation.

If He wills it

·         The fire shall not burn the three Hebrew youths,

·         Nor the lions injure Daniel,

·         Nor death hold Lazarus in the tomb.

What He has done - He can do; for He is the same. And if necessary for the glory of His name - He will do it, for He will not allow His name to be polluted.

“Providence” is simply God at work - at work for:

·         The accomplishment of His decrees

·         The fulfillment of His promises

·         The manifestation of His character, and

·         The present and eternal welfare of His people.

He can:

·         …give whatever we need

·         …do whatever we need, and

·         …glorify Himself in giving to us, and working for us!

All Things to All Men

From the GTY Web Site

The notion that the church must become like the world to win the world has taken evangelicalism by storm. Virtually every modern worldly attraction has a “Christian” counterpart.

• Christian motorcycle gangs,
• Christian bodybuilding teams,
• Christian dance clubs,
• Christian amusement parks, and
• I even read about a Christian nudist colony.

Where did Christians ever get the idea we could win the world by imitating it? Is there a shred of biblical justification for that kind of thinking? Many church marketing specialists affirm that there is, and they have convinced a myriad of pastors. Ironically, they usually cite the apostle Paul as someone who advocated adapting the gospel to the tastes of the audience. One has written,

“Paul provided what I feel is perhaps the single most insightful perspective on marketing communications, the principle we call contextualization (1 Corinthians 9:19–23). Paul … was willing to shape his communications according to their needs in order to receive the response he sought.” “The first marketeer was Paul,” another echoes.

After all, the apostle did write, “I have become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some. And I do all things for the sake of the gospel, that I may become a fellow partaker of it” (1 Cor. 9:22, 23). Is that a mandate for pragmatism in ministry? Was the apostle Paul suggesting that the gospel message can be made to appeal to people by accommodating their relish for certain amusements or by pampering their pet vices? How far do you suppose he would have been willing to go with the principle of “contextualization”?

The Great Non-Negotiable

This much is very clear: the apostle Paul was no people-pleaser. He wrote,

“Am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ” (Gal. 1:10).

Paul did not amend or abridge his message to make people happy. He was utterly unwilling to try to remove the offense from the gospel (Gal. 5:11). He did not use methodology that catered to the lusts of his listeners. He certainly did not follow the pragmatic philosophy of modern market-driven ministers.

What made Paul effective was not marketing savvy, but a stubborn devotion to the truth. He was Christ’s ambassador, not His press secretary. Truth was something to be declared, not negotiated.

• Paul was not ashamed of the gospel (Rom. 1:16).
• He willingly suffered for the truth’s sake (2 Cor. 11:23–28).
• He did not back down in the face of opposition or rejection.
• He did not compromise with unbelievers or make friends with the enemies of God.

Paul’s message was always non-negotiable. In the same chapter where he spoke of becoming all things to all men, Paul wrote,

“I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel” (1 Cor. 9:16).

His ministry was in response to a divine mandate. God had called him and commissioned him. Paul preached the gospel exactly as he had received it directly from the Lord, and he always delivered that message “as of first importance” (1 Cor. 15:3). He was not a salesman or marketer, but a divine emissary. He certainly was not “willing to shape his communications” to accommodate his listeners or produce a desirable response. The fact that he was stoned and left for dead (Acts 14:19), beaten, imprisoned, and finally killed for the truth’s sake ought to demonstrate that he didn’t adapt the message to make it pleasing to his hearers! And the personal suffering he bore because of his ministry did not indicate that something was wrong with his approach, but that everything had been right!

So what did Paul mean when he wrote,

“I have become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some. And I do all things for the sake of the gospel”?

As always, the context makes his meaning clear. We’ll be taking a look at what Paul really meant over the course of the next several days. (At the GTY Blog) Tune in there to hear what they have to say!.

A Reproof To Such As Are Only PRETENDERS To Godliness

The Godly Man's Picture - Part 3
By Thomas Watson
Continued

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.” Matthew 23:27-28

Here is a sharp rebuke to such as are “glittering dross” Christians, who only make a show of godliness, like Michal, [David’s wife] who put “an image in the bed”, and so deceived Saul's messengers (1 Sam. 19:16). These our Savior calls “whited sepulchers” (Matt. 23:27) - their beauty is all paint!

In ancient times a third part of the inhabitants of England were called Picts, which signifies “painted”. It is to be feared that they still retain their old name. How many [believers] are painted over with a religious profession, whose seeming luster dazzles the eyes of beholders - but within there is nothing but putrefaction! Hypocrites are like the swan, which has white feathers - but a black skin; or like that flower, which has a lovely appearance - but a bad scent.

“You have a name that you live, and are dead” (Rev. 3:1).

These the apostle Jude compares to “clouds without water” (Jude 12). They claim to be full of the Spirit - but they are empty clouds; their goodness is but a religious cheat.

Question: But why do people content themselves with a show of godliness?

Answer: This helps to keep up their fame. Men are ambitious of credit, and wish to gain repute in the world, therefore they will dress themselves in the garb and mode of religion, so that others may write them down for saints. But alas, what is one the better for having others commend him - and his conscience condemn him? What good will it do a man when he is in hell - that others think he has gone to heaven? Oh, beware of this! Counterfeit piety is double iniquity.

1. To have only a show of godliness is a God-enraging sin

The man who is a pretender to saintship - but whose heart tells him he has nothing but the name, carries Christ in his Bible but not in his heart. Some political design spurs him on in the ways of God; he makes religion a lackey to his carnal interest. What is this but to abuse God to his face, and to serve the devil in Christ's livery? Hypocrisy makes the fury rise up in God's face; therefore he calls such people “the generation of his wrath” (Isaiah 10:6). God will send them to hell, to do penance for their hypocrisy! [Not to be confused with the temporal RC idea of Hell!]

2. To make only a show of godliness is self-delusion

It is a horrible mistake to take a show of grace, for grace indeed. This is to cheat yourself: “deceiving your own souls” (Jas. 1:22). He who has counterfeit gold instead of true gold, wrongs himself most. The hypocrite deceives others while he lives - but deceives himself when he dies.

3. To have only a name, and make a show of godliness, is odious to God and man

The hypocrite is abhorred by all.

• Wicked men hate him because he makes a show, and
  • God hates him because he only makes a show.
• The wicked hate him because he has so much as a mask of godliness, and
  • God hates him because he has no more. “You have almost persuaded me to be a Christian” (Acts 26:28).
• The wicked hate the hypocrite because he is almost a Christian, and
  • God hates him because he is only almost one.

4. To make a show of piety is a vain thing

Hypocrites lose all they have done. Their sham tears drop beside God's bottle; their prayers and fasts prove abortive.

“When you fasted and mourned, did you at all fast unto me, even to me?” (Zech. 7:5).

As God will not recompense a slothful servant, neither will he recompense a treacherous one. The hypocrites' full reward is in this life: “They have their reward” (Matt. 6:5). [And, given thought, what a full horror that is!] A poor reward - the empty breath of men. The hypocrite may make his receipt and write, “Received in full payment”. Hypocrites may have the praise of men - but though these triumphs are granted them, they shall never have the privilege of sitting in heaven. What acceptance can he look for from God, whose heart tells him he is no better than a charlatan in divinity?

5. To have only a pretense of godliness will yield no comfort at death

Will painted gold enrich a man? Will painted wine refresh him who is thirsty? Will the paint of godliness stand you in any stead? How were the foolish virgins better for their “blazing lamps”, when they had no oil? What is the lamp of profession without the oil of grace? He who has only a painted holiness shall have only a painted happiness.

6. You who have nothing but a specious pretext and mask of piety expose yourself to Satan's scorn

You shall be brought forth at the last day, as was Samson, to make the devil sport (Judges 16:25). He will say,

“What has become of your vows, tears, confessions? Has all your religion come to this? Did you so often defy the devil, and have you now come to dwell with me? Could you meet with no weapon to kill you - but what was made of gospel metal? Could you not suck poison anywhere but out of ordinances? Could you find no way to hell - but by counterfeit godliness?”

What a vexation this will be, to have the devil thus reproach a man! What will it be to have the devil triumph over a man at the last day! [As he sought to do over poor Job…]

Let us therefore take heed of this pious pageantry or devout stage-play. That which may make us fear our hearts the more is when we see tall cedars in the church worm-eaten with hypocrisy. Balaam a prophet, Jehu a king, Judas an apostle - all of them stand to this day on record as hypocrites.

It is true that there are the seeds of this sin in the best Christian; but as it was with leprosy under the law, all who had swellings or spots in the skin of the flesh were not reputed unclean and put out of the camp (Lev. 13:6); so all who have the swellings of hypocrisy in them are not to be judged hypocrites, for these may be the spots of God's children (Deut. 32:5). But that which distinguishes a hypocrite is when hypocrisy is predominant and is like a spreading cancer in the body.

Question: When is a man under the dominion and power of hypocrisy?

Answer: There are two signs of its predominance:

1.   When one serves God for sinister ends.

2.   When there is some sin dear to a man, which he cannot part with.

These two are as clear signs of a hypocrite as any I know.

Oh, let us take David's candle and lantern, and search for this leaven, and burn it before the Lord!

Christian, if you mourn for hypocrisy - yet find this sin so potent that you cannot get the mastery of it, go to Christ. Beg of him that he would exercise his kingly office in your soul, that he would subdue this sin, and put it under the yoke. Beg of Christ to exercise his spiritual surgery upon you. Desire him to lance your heart and cut out the rotten flesh, and that he would apply the medicine of his blood to heal you of your hypocrisy. Say that prayer of David often:

“Let my heart be sound in your statutes” (Psalm 119:80).

“Lord, let me be anything rather than a hypocrite.” A double-heart will exclude from one heaven.

O suffering saint!

By John MacDuff, "The Promised Land" 1859
From Sermon Audio

"And the days of your mourning shall be ended!" Isaiah 60:20

The present world is a valley of tears - a wilderness of woe. While passing through it, we are exposed to sorrows and sufferings of various kinds. Pain and disease beset us on every side; and many, in the extremity of their anguish, wish for death rather than life.

Here we are subject to innumerable troubles; our fondest hopes may be blasted, and we may be called to survey the wreck of all that we once possessed.

Here the dearest friends are snatched from each other's embrace! The ruthless spoiler respects neither rank nor age - he tears asunder the very heart-strings of our nature, and seems to delight in trampling upon the tenderest sympathies of the soul.

·       The parent is called to weep over the remains of a much-loved child

·       The spouse has to mourn the loss of the partner of his life;

·       The lover and friend are cut off by a stroke - and

·       The desire of our eyes is taken away.

From a thousand sources, do our present distresses spring; and the streams of sorrow, in all their sad variety, follow us, more or less, through the whole course of our earthly pilgrimage.

But in Heaven, all our troubles will be over! No sorrow will be there. All temporal and all spiritual evils will be entirely banished. No disappointment, no anxiety, will be there. No wearisome nights, no dismal moanings, no tossings to and fro until the dawning of the day--will be there. There will be no sickness to blast--and no death to devour there.

There will be no Rachel weeping for her children, no broken-hearted father exclaiming, "O Absalom, my son, my son," there. There will be no separation from those we love there. There will be no faithless friends to wound our hearts and betray our confidence there. There will be no being vexed from day to day with the filthy lives of the wicked there. There will be . . .

·       No temptations there;

·       No fightings without--or fears within;

·       No hardness of heart--or stings of conscience;

·       No obscuring clouds, or contrary winds, or tossing waves, there.

No, nothing to grieve, nothing to cause a single sigh to rise from the bosom, or a single tear to fall from the eye--will be there.

But joy and peace will be there; and cheerful hearts and beaming countenances will be there; and the conqueror's song, and waving palms, and harps of gold, and robes of spotless white, will be there.

O suffering saint! Think much of what is there--it will help you to bear up and to press on under your load of sorrow here. It is only for a little while, that you will have to traverse this howling desert; and then, having passed the narrow stream of death--you shall know Heaven by happy experience!

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined--what God has prepared for those who love Him!"