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莱尔主教holiness-第84章

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   can despair of Thy goodness; when he; that in the morning was posting
   to hell; is in the evening with Thee in Paradise?〃Bishop Hall。

   '43' 〃He that puts off his repentance and seeking for pardon to the
   very last; in reliance upon this example; does but tempt God; and turn
   that to his own poison; which God intended for better ends。 〃The
   mercies of God are never recorded in Scripture for man's presumption;
   and the failings of men never for imitation。〃Lightfoot。 Sermon。 1684。
   〃Most ungrateful and foolish is the conduct of those who take
   encouragement from the penitent thief to put off repentance to a dying
   moment; most ungrateful in perverting the grace of their Redeemer into
   an occasion of renewing their provocations against Him; and most
   foolish to imagine that what our Lord did in so singular circumstances;
   is to be drawn into an ordinary precedent。〃Doddridge。

   '44' 〃I know not that since the creation of the world there ever was a
   more remarkable and striking example of faith。〃Calvin/s mentary on
   the Gospels。 〃A great faith that can see the sun under so thick a
   cloud; that can discover a Christ; a Saviour; under such a poor;
   scorned; despised; crucified Jesus; and call Him Lord。 〃A great faith
   that could see Christ's kingdom through His cross; and grave; and
   death; and when there was so little sign of a kingdom; and pray to be
   remembered In that kingdom。〃Lightfoot。 Sermon。 1684。 〃The penitent
   thief was the first confessor of Christ's heavenly kingdomthe first
   martyr who bore testimony to the holiness of His sufferingsand the
   first apologist for His oppressed innocence。〃Quesnel on the Gospel。
   〃Probably there are few saints in glory who ever honoured Christ more
   illustriously than this dying sinner。〃Doddridge。 〃Is this the voice
   of a thief or a disciple? Give me leave; O Saviour; to borrow Thine own
   words; Verily I have not found so great faith; no not in Israel。' He
   saw Thee hanging miserably by him; and yet styles Thee Lord。 He saw
   Thee dying; and yet talks of Thy kingdom。 He felt himself dying; yet
   talks of a future remembrance; O faith; stronger than death; which can
   look beyond the cross at a crown; beyond dissolution at a remembrance
   of life and glory! Which of Thine eleven were heard to speak so
   gracious a word to Thee in these Thy last pangs?〃Bishop Hall。

   '45' 〃We ought not to enter into curious and subtle arguments about the
   place of paradise。 Let us rest satisfied with knowing that those who
   are engrafted by faith into the body of Christ are partakers of life;
   and there enjoy after death a blessed and joyful rest; until the
   perfect glory of the heavenly life is fully manifested by the ing of
   Christ。〃Calvin's mentary on the Gospels。

   '46' 〃We give Thee hearty thanks; for that it hath pleased Thee to
   deliver this our brother out of the miseries of this sinful
   world。〃Church of England Burial Service。 〃I have some of the best
   news to impart。 One beloved by you has acplished her warfare; has
   received an answer to her prayers; and everlasting joy rests upon her
   head。 My dear wife; the source of my best earthly fort for twenty
   years; departed on Tuesday。〃Venn's Letter to Stillingfleet;
   announcing the death of his wife。
     __________________________________________________________________

XII。
THE RULER OF THE WAVES

   〃And there arose a great storm of wind; and the waves beat into the
   ship; so that it was now full。

   〃And He was in the hinder part of the ship; asleep on a pi How: and
   they awake Him; and say unto Him; Master; carest Thou not that we
   perish?

   〃And He arose; and rebuked the wind; and said unto the sea; Peace; be
   still。 And the wind ceased; and there was a great calm。

   〃And He said unto them; Why are ye so fearful。 How is it that ye have
   no faith?〃Mark iv。 37…40。

   IT would be well if professing Christians in modern days studied the
   four Gospels more than they do。 No doubt all Scripture is profitable。
   It is not wise to exalt one part of the Bible at the expense of
   another。 But I think it should be good for some who are very familiar
   with the Epistles; if they knew a little more about Matthew; Mark;
   Luke; and John。

   Now why do I say this? I say it because I want professing Christians to
   know more about Christ。 It is well to be acquainted with all the
   doctrines and principles of Christianity。 It is better to be acquainted
   with Christ Himself。 It is well to be familiar with faith; and grace;
   and justification; and sanctification。 They are all matters 〃pertaining
   to the King。〃 But it is far better to be familiar with Jesus Himself;
   to see the King's own face; and to behold His beauty。 This is one
   secret of eminent holiness。 He that would be conformed to Christ's
   image; and bee a Christ…like man; must be constantly studying Christ
   Himself。

   Now the Gospels were written to make us acquainted with Christ。 The
   Holy Ghost has told us the story of His life and deathHis sayings and
   His doings; four times over。 Four different; inspired hands have drawn
   the picture of the Saviour。 His ways; His manners; His feelings; His
   wisdom; His grace; His patience; His love; His power; are graciously
   unfolded to us by four different witnesses。 Ought not the sheep to be
   familiar with the Shepherd? Ought not the patient to be familiar with
   the Physician? Ought not the bride to be familiar with the Bridegroom?
   Ought not the sinner to be familiar with the Saviour? Beyond doubt it
   ought to be so。 The Gospels were written to make men familiar with
   Christ; and therefore I wish men to study the Gospels。

   On whom must we build our souls if we would be accepted with God? We
   must build on the rock; Christ。 From whom must we draw that grace of
   the Spirit which we daily need in order to be fruitful? We must draw
   from the vine; Christ。 To whom must we look for sympathy when earthly
   friends fail us or die? We must look to our elder brother; Christ。 By
   whom must our prayers be presented; if they are to be heard on high?
   They must be presented by our advocate; Christ。 With whom do we hope to
   spend the thousand years of glory; and the after eternity? With the
   King of kings; Christ。 Surely we cannot know this Christ too well!
   Surely there is not a word; nor a deed; nor a day; nor a step; nor a
   thought in the record of His life; which ought not to be precious to
   us。 We should labour to be familiar with every line that is written
   about Jesus。

   e now; and let us study a page in our Master's history。 Let us
   consider what we may learn from the verses of Scripture which stand at
   the head of this paper。 You there see Jesus crossing the lake of
   Galilee; in a boat with His disciples。 You see a sudden storm arise
   while He is asleep。 The waves beat into the boat and fill it。 Death
   seems to be close at hand。 The frightened disciples awake their Master
   and cry for help。 He arises and rebukes the wind and the waves; and at
   once there is a calm。 H
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