PURITANS on SermonAudio

The Christian's ability to endure everything comes from Christ Jesus. You Can Do All Things Through Christ's Strength.

A person may sometimes have a very oppressing sense of the prevalence of sin, and at the same time his interest in Christ is greatly clouded and called into question. Yet, at those very seasons, he may be under the saving and sanctifying influence of the Holy Spirit. It is possible, and perhaps too common, for true believers to be in so stupid a frame, that they are little affected by a sense of sin, or by the beauty of Christ and true holiness. These are sad seasons, and much to be dreaded. For where they are of long continuance, the state of that poor barren soul is much to be lamented.

Whatever God does is essential and right. And as he is declared to impute righteousness to the blessed, it must be essential and right; nor can a man be safe without it. Paul knew this right well, and therefore he "suffered the loss of all things, and counted them but dung, that he might win Christ, and be found in him, not having his own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith," Phi 3.8-9. Namely, it is Christ's righteousness imputed to us, which is wrought by God the Son, given by God the Father, revealed by God the Spirit, and received by faith as the soul's justifying dress.

There are but few of the Lord's family who are satisfactorily acquainted with it. This appears from their many great and bitter complaints, the frequent distresses they are in, the sinkings of soul that they labour under. With David, in another case, they are sometimes heard to say with uncommon regret, "O my God, my soul is cast down within me," Psa 42.6. That had been my case. Through divine goodness, having been delivered from that burden, I can therefore speak of it by experience. I found that it is one thing to be justified, pardoned, and accepted (which are the words of the query), and another thing to know that thismercy belongs to me. Justification makes certain the safety of the people of God — that they can never perish, nor miscarry of everlasting happiness. Knowing that this mercy belongs to them, is the foundation of their present comfort under all their trials in the wilderness.

One quality which is of great importance in an intimate friend, is an amiable temper. Everyone knows how much of the unhappiness of life results from the haughty, irritable, and unkind feelings of those with whom we are even remotely associated. Of course, the evil becomes greater in proportion to the nearness of the relation which we sustain to them. A person of an unamiable temper was never formed either to enjoy or impart the highest pleasure connected with friendship. For though one of this character may be sincerely attached to you, and may be, on the whole, quite desirous of promoting your happiness — it would be very strange if your interaction with her should not frequently be embittered by hasty or unkind expressions.

"May one partake of the Lord's Supper before he is indulged with undoubted assurance of a personal interest in Christ?" It is easy to answer in the affirmative. If assurance of salvation were absolutely necessary to qualify for the Lord's table, then worthy communicants would be much fewer than they are. And if that were the case, it would easily appear that our blessed Redeemer had appointed the sacred supper, not for the babes in his house, but for the strong men in his family. This would be very discouraging to the weak-minded. And I am persuaded it was far from the design of the tender-hearted Shepherd, who is so mindful of his lambs, and so compassionate, that he gathers them in his arms, and carries them in his bosom.

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Is my faith produced by a real union with Christ and do I obey him out of evangelical obedience, or legal self righteous motives?

The Holy Spirit - Prefatory Note - Collected Works Volume 3