42 My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews, Which knew me from the beginning, (if they would testify) that after the most straitest sect of our religion, I lived a Pharisee. I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things. contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities. Acts 26. 4, 5, 9, 10, 11. || Phil. 3. 4-6. 1 Tim. 1. 12-16. Gal. 1. 13, 14. Did sincerity justify Paul when doing wrong? Will sincerity justify you in error, if you have means of knowing the truth? 70. What was Paul's manner of life after he became a Christian? But I keep under my body and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means when I have preached to others, I myself should be a cast-away.- For we are the circumcision, which worship Gon in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect. but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not my self to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. 1 Cor. 9. 27. Phil 3. 3, 7-14. and 4. 13. || Acts 24. 16. 2 Cor. 1. 12. Was not St. Paul a new man when he became a Christian? Like him do you keep your body under? 71. What was the Apostle's language in view of sufferings, especially for Christ's sake ? I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound; every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. And now behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost. witnesseth in every city, saying, that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. Phil. 4. 12. Acts 20. 22-24. || and 21. 11-14. Rom. 5.3-5.2 Cor. 4. 8-18. Could you remain unmoved by persecution for attachment to Christ? Is his cause dearer to you than life? 12. What was Paul's language in view of death? For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 2 Tim. 4.6-8. || and 4. 18. Phil. 1. 20-24. Were you dying could you look back and say, "I have kept the faith?" Could your hopes securely fasten on the crown of righteousness? If you wish to die like the apostle, must you not live like him? 73. What blessings are promised to "the poor in spirit?" For the needy shall not always be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever. He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.- For thus saith the high and lofty One, that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.But to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.- Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Ps. 9. 18. and 102. 17. Is. 57. 15. and 66. 2. Mat. 5. 3. || Ps. 72. 2, 12. Jer. 20. 13. Job 5. 15, 16. Are you poor in spirit? How happy must the contrite be! 74. What blessings are promised to mourners in Zion? Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted. The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek: he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our Gon; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called Trees of Righteousness, The Planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified. Mat. 5. 4. Is. 61. 1-3. || Is. 57. 18. and 35. 10. Do you mourn for sin? Is this your greatest grief? 75. What blessings are promised to the meek ? Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.- The meek will he guide in judgment, and the meek will he teach his way. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. Mat. 5. 5. Ps. 25. 9. and 37. 11. 1 Pet. 3. 4. Ps. 149. 4. || and 147.6. Zeph. 2. 3. 1 Pet. 3. 15. Are you patient under injuries? Do you desire to be more so? 76. What blessings are promised those who “ hunger and thirst after righteousness ?" For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me, shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me, shall never thirst.- In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. John 6.33-35. and 7. 37. Mat. 5. 6. || John 4. 13, 14. Rev. 21. 6. Which do you most desire, wealth, honours, earthly pleasures, or holiness? Do you pray and strive to be holy? 77. What blessings are promised to the merciful and charitable man? There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.- He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. The Lord will preserve him and keep him alive: and he shall be blessed upon the earth and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies. The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.- Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Prov. 11. 24, 25. and 14. 21. Ps, 41. 1-3. Mat. 5. 7. || Ps. 41. 2, 3. Acts 10. 2, 4. Is. 58. 6-11. Jam. 2. 13. Ps. 112. 4, 6, 9. Is it your study to be merciful? Are your heart and hands opened wide for religious charities? 78. What blessings are promised to the "pure in heart?" Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? and who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.- Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.- Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Ps. 24. 3-5. and 73. 1. Mat. 5. 8. || Ps. 7. 10. and 97. 11. Luke 8. 15. 1 Tim. 1. 5. Job 11.13-15. Is thine heart right in the sight of God? Do you cherish no impure thoughts and desires? 79. What blessings are promised to "peace-makers ?" If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.- Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.- Blessed are the peace-makers: for they shall be called the children of God. Rom. 12. 18.2 Cor. 13. 11. Mat. 5. 9. || Rom. 12. 17, 19. and 14. 16-19. Eph. 2. 14-18. Do you habitually study the things which make for peace? Can you make great sacrifices for the peace of others? 80. What blessings are promised to those who "suffer for righteousness' sake ?" Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Mat. 5. 10-12 || Luke 6. 22, 23. 1 Pet. 3, 13-18.2 Tim. 2. 12. 1 Pet. 4. 1214. Jam. 1. 2-4, 12. Could you calmly meet reproaches for Christ's sake? Have you any portion of the spirit of the martyrs? 81. Will God perform ALL his promises ? Know therefore that the Lord thy Gon, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him, and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations.- God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?- And ye know in all your hearts, and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof. Deut. 7. 9. Num. 23. 19. Josh. 23. 14. Ps. 18. 30. and 89. 34. and 105. 8. and 119.89, 90. Is. 25. 1. and 46. 11. Heb. 6. 18. and 10.23. How little confidence any one of us reposes in the promises of God! Have you never regarded them less, than the promises of some fellow worm? How base thus to treat INFINITE VERACITY! 82. Are Christians directed to maintain firm confidence in God? i Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth: Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with GOD, through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hopes of the glory of GOD.- My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and ind grace to help in time of need. Rom. 8.33, 34. and 5. 1, 2. 1 John 2. 1, 2. Heb. 4. 16. || Rom. 8. 14-18. Eph. 2. 18-22. Are the atonement and intercession of Christ the ground of your confidence? May not Christians be cheerful? 83. What is the language of the believer under the hidings of God's countenance? I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my soul failed when he spake; I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no anwser.- I remembered Gon, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah. I call to remem |