The Scriptures Divinely True

“AND HE SAITH UNTO ME, THESE ARE THE TRUE SAYINGS OF

Goo.” — Rev. xix. 9.

THESE words relate to that which immediately precedes them.

The judgment of the harlot church. Verse 2. The glorious and universal reign of Christ.

Verse 6.

The sure reward and glory of Christ with his saved ones in the glorious period at the last. Verses 7, 8. The existence, beauty, purity, simplicity, and

glory of the church. The union of Christ and the church in love,

joy, glory. The blessedness of all who have to do with

this union.

The subjects thus referred to make up a summary of what the Lord has said upon future human history. The words before us we shall use as expressing —

I. A RIGHT ESTIMATE OF HoLY SCRIPTURE.

1. These words which we find in the Old and New Testaments are true. Free from error, certain, enduring, infallible.

(395)

396 MY SEKMOX-IfOTES.

2. These are divine words. Infallibly inspired, so

as to be, in very truth, “the sayings of
God.”

3. These words are thus true and divine in opposition to Words of man. These may or may not be

true. Pretended words of God. False prophets and

men with addled intellects profess to speak

in the name of God; but they lie.

4. These words are all of them truly divine.

“These are the true sayings of God.” Neither too severe to be true, nor too terrible

to be uttered by a God of love, as some dare

to say.

Nor too good to be true, as tremblers fear. Nor too old to be true, as novelty-hunters

affirm. Nor too simple to be truly divine, as the

worldly-wise insinuate.

5. These words are a blessing to us for that reason. What else can guide us if we have no sure

revelation from God? How can we understand the revelation if it is

not all true? Plow could we discriminate

between the truth and the error on subjects

so much beyond us?

II. TnE RESULT OP FORMING SUCH AN ESTIMATE.

If you believe that “these are the true sayings of God,”

1. You will listen to them with attention, and

judge what you hear from preachers by
this infallible standard.

2. You will receive these words with assurance.

This will produce confidence of understanding. This will produce rest of heart.

3. You will submit with reverence to these words,

obey their precepts, believe their teachings, and value their prophesies.

4 You will expect fulfillment of divine promises under difficulties.

5. You will cling to revealed truth with pertinacity.

6. 1 ou will proclaim it with boldness.

III. OUR JUSTIFICATION FOR FOROTNG SUCH AN ESTIMATE.

In these days we may be accused of bibliolatry, and other new crimes; but we shall hold to our belief in inspiration, for —

1. The Scriptures are what they profess to be — the

word of God.

2. There is a singular majesty and power in

them; and we see this when the truth of
God is preached.

3. There is a marvellous omniscience in Scripture,

which is perceived by us when it unveils
our inmost souls.

4. They have proven themselves true to us.

They warned us of the bitter fruit of sin, and we have tasted it.

They told us of the evil of the heart, and we have seen it.

They told us of the peace-giving power of the blood, and we have proved it by faith in Jesus.

They told us of the purifying energy of divine grace: we are already instances of it, and desire to be more so.

They assured us of the efficacy of prayer, and it is true.

They assured us of the upholding power of faith in God, and by faith we have been upheld in trial.

They assured us of the faithfulness of God to his people as shown in providence, and we have experienced it. All things have worked together for our good hitherto. 5. The witness of the Holy Spirit in our hearts confirms our faith in Holy Scripture. We believe, and are saved from sin by believing. Those words must be truly divine which have wrought in us such gracious results.

Wluit follows upon this? We believe all the Scripture.

We now accept as true sayings of God —

The proclamation that our Lord is coming. The doctrine that the dead will be raised at

his call. The fact that there will be a judgment of the

quick and dead.

The truth that saints will enjoy eternal life, and that

Sinners will go away into everlasting punishment.

WORTH QTTOTENG.

Whence but from heaven could men unskill’d in arts, In several ages born, iii several parts, Weave such agreeing truths? or how, or why Should all conspire to cheat us with a lie? Unasked their pains, ungrateful their advice, Starving their gain, and martyrdom their price.

Drydcn.

Of most things it may be said, “Vanity of vanity, all is vanity “; but of the Bible it may be truly said, “Verity of verity, all is verity.” — ArrowsmitJu

The Trua is the one asbestos which survives all fire, and comes out purified. — Thomas Carlyle,

A young man had fallen into loose habits, and was living a wild, fast life. Late hours were frequent with him, and he would pay no regard to the remonstrances of a Christian father. At lust it came to a point. The father told his eon that he must either leave his home or conform to rules. He followed his old ways, went into lodgings, and was rather pleased to be free from the restraint he felt at home. After a while he picked up with some young companions who professed infidel opinions, and soon, like thorn, he even scoffed at religion, and made light of all his rnrp»nts had taught him. But tho pravers of his fa-

400 MY SKKMO^-KOTES

ther and mother followed him, and in a remarkable way were abundantly answered. One night the young fellow lay awake and began to think. “I tell people,” said he to himself, “that there is no truth in the Bible, but there must be truth somewhere, and if not there, where is it? I wonder what the Bible says about truth?

In this way he was led to go to the Scriptures, and read every passage where truth is spoken of. The Bible became its own witness. It so took hold of him that he was persuaded that it was the very Word of the living God. He was convinced of the evil of his past life, and was led to see Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life. His whole future was the reverse of his former course. — G Everard.

INDEX

TO THE FOUR VOLUMES.

‘All Hail,” iii. 103.
Altar, Clinging to the, i. 105.
Apart, ii. 361.
Ark, The, of His Covenant, iv.

Arrest, Under, iv. 110.
AS and SO, iv. 199.
At His Feet, iii. 167.

Battle, The, is the Lord’s, i. 84.

“Behold your King,” iii. 303.

Better than at your Beginnings, ii. 173.

Bitter and the Sweet, The, ii.
60.

Bitterness, The, of the Cross,
ii. 357.

Blind Beggar of Jericho, The,
iii. 137.

Boldness at the Throne, iv. 262.

Bonds which could not hold,
iii. 331.

Bought with a Price, iv. 56.

Burden-bearing, iv. 127.

By-and-By, iv. 333.

Child, The, of Light, and the
Works of Darkness, iv. 171.
26

Christ is All, iv. 205.

Christ the Cause of Division,

iii. 263.

Christ the Creator, iv. 193.
Christopathy, ii. 96.
Church Increase, ii. 78.
Cleansing, The, which conies

from Godliness, iv. 94.
Clock, The stroke of the, ii. 233.
Cloud of Doves, The, ii. 121.
Comfort, What is your, i. 245.
Comforted and Comforting, iv.

7.
Coming, The, with Clouds, iv.

371.
Compassion on the Ignorant,

iv. 268.

Conceit Rebuked, i. 202.
Conference, A, to be avoided,

iv. 104.
Conference, Invitation to a, ii.

25.
Conquest of a Holy Eye, The,

ii. 19.
Constraining the Beloved, ii.

Cross-bearing, iii. 58.
Crucifixions, Three, iv. 139.
(401)

David’s Spoil, i. 95.
Dead, but Alive, iv. 27.
Defiled and Defiling, ii. 318.
Desire, Those who, i. 164.
Disobedience to the Gospel, iv.

Disowned, The, iii. 23.
Divine Visitation, A, iii. 216.
Door, The, iii. 281.
Doubt, The why and the

wherefore of, iii. 74.

Earnest, The, iv. 145.

Education, The, of Sons of
God, iv, 274.

Elijah Fainting, i. 118.

Enemies, The worst of, ii. 274.

Enough, I have, i. 23.

Enquirers Answered, ii. 42.

En trance and Exclusion, iii. 92.

Ethiopian, The, ii. 149.

Examination before Communion, iv. OS.

Excuse, A Frivolous, i. 125.

Extremity, Man’s, God’s Opportunity, i. 65.

Eyes opened, i. 135.

Faith, Life, ii. 303.
Faithful Saying, The, iv. 223.
Faith without Sight, iii. 325.
Fallen Asleep, iv. 73.
“Father forgive them,” iii. 210.
Fear of Man destroyed by

Trust, i. 295.
Feeble Faith appealing to a

Strong Saviour, iii. 131.
Fellowship in Joy, iv. 44.

First, The, and the Second, iv.
279.

Flight to God, i. 254.

Forbearance of God, Concerning, iv. 15.

Fountains of Repentant Tears,
iii. 153.

Fourfold Fault, ii. 314.

Free-agency, The, of Christ, iii.
125.

Friend, The Best, i. 287.

Gentleness, i. 26.

Gethsemane, iii. 148.

God’s Glory in Hiding Sin, i.

Golden Muzzle, The, iii. 341.
Good Cheer for the Needy, i.

Good News, i. 284.
Good Shepherd, The, in three

Positions, iii. 189.
Gospel Jewelry, iv. 250.
Gospel, Our, iv. 234.
Growing and Prevailing, iii.

365.
Guests for the Wedding Feast,

iii. 86.

Hairs, The, Numbered, iii. 52.
Half-breeds, i. 140.
Handkerchief, A, iii. 308.
Harvest, What will the, be?

ii. 221.

Hastening Lot, i. 9.
He Blessed him there, i. 19.
He ran and HE ran, iii. 116.
Head, The, and the Body, iv.

Hear! hear! iv. 291.
Hearing with Heed, iii. 109.
Heart-communing, i. 113.
Heart-disease, ii. 227.
Heavenly Merchantmen, i. 272.
Heavenly Shoes, iv. 181.
Heirs of God, iv. 33.
Hiding-place, Our, ii. 48.
Hindrances, various, iv. 116.
Hypocrite, The, Discovered, i.
198.

If so — What then? iv. 319.

Inability, Moral, i. 70.

Interrogation and Exclamation, ii. 133.

Inward more than Outward,
ii. 245.

Israelite, The, Indeed, iii. 234.

Jesus, A Portrait of, iii. 41.
Jesus Calling, iii. 70.
Jesus our Lord, iv. 21.
Jesus sitting on the well, iii.

Job’s Sure Knowledge, i. 188.
Joy a Duty, iv. 187.
Joy of the Lord, The, i. 168.
Judah, i. 36.
Jude’s Doxology, iv. 367.

Kindling a Fire, iii. 377.
King, The word of a, ii. 1.

Lamb, Too little for the, i. 41.
Lame Sheep, iv. 285.
Learning in Private what to

Teach in Public, iii. 47.
Learning, True, iv. 167.

Life-look, The, ii. 66.

Life Proved by Love, iv. 344.

Life-wounds, iii. 335.

Living Praise, i. 240.

Lord’s Appeal, The, to his own
People, ii. 279.

Lord’s, Our, Attitude in Ascension, iii. 222.

Lord’s Side? Who is on the, i.
50.

Lord, The, in our Assemblies,
iii. 286.

Lord’s, The, Knowledge our
Safeguard, iv. 329.

Love at Home, iii. 183.

Love plighting Troth, i. 89.

Love Questioned and Vindicated, ii. 367.

Love, Strange Ways of, ii. 209.

Love’s Foremost, iii. 173.

Love’s Importance, iii. 291.

Lower Courts, The, iv. 349.

Man, A, troubled by his

thoughts, ii. 191.
Maroth, or the Disappointed,

ii. 268.
Marriage Supper of the Lamb,

iv. 389.

Marshes, ii. 185.
Matthew, A Man named, iii. 35.
May be, ii. 308.
Measuring the Immeasurable,

iv. 156.
Memorial, The Ordained, iii.

Memories, Sacred, ii. 167.
Men-catchers, The Making of,

iii. 17.

Mercy in the Day of Judgment,

iv. 239.

Message, The Baptist’s, iii. 228.
Minister’s, A Happy, Meeting,

iv. 211.

Mocked of the Soldiers, iii. 98.
More and More, iv. 309.
Mourning at the Cross, ii. 353.
Murmuring, Against, i. 60.
Must he? iii. 195.

Never, No Never, No Never, iv.

297.
Ninevites ‘Repentance, The,

ii. 262.
Noli Me Tangere, iii. 314.

Offence of the Cross, The, iv.

Olive-tree, The Faithful, i. 75.
Ox, The, and the Goad, iii. 371.

Pardon, Abundant, ii. 115.

Patience, Comfort, and Hope in
the Scriptures, iv. 50.

Pattern, The, of Love, iv. 177.

Paul’s Conversion a Pattern,
iv. 228.

People, A, who were no People,
ii. 215.

Perfect Restoration, ii. 342.

Place for the Word, iii. 269.

Plumb-line, The, ii. 251.

Pondering Hearts, i. 268.

Power with God, i. 14.

Praise Open, and Public Confession, i. 249.

Prayer Encouraged, ii. 161.

Prayer for the Church, ii. 197.

Prayer, found in the heart, i.
100.

Prayer, Unseasonable, i. 45.

Pride Catechized, i. 207.

Pride the Destroyer, ii. 297.

Prisoners of Hope, ii. 336.

Promises, All the, iv. 88.

Protection, Angelic, in appointed Ways, i. 235.

Purification by Hope, iv. 339.

Rain and Grace, i. 210.

Rain, No, ii. 37.

Rebelling against the Light, i.

194.
Redeemer’s Face set like a

Flint, ii. 90.
Redeemer, The, Described by

Himself, ii. 84.
Rehoboam, The Unready, i.

Ptcmembrance, In, iv. 62.
Repentance, ii. 109.
Repentance, Individual, ii. 155.
Repentance, Mistaken Notions

about, ii. 179.

Repentance, The, which Glorifies God, iv. 383. Resistance to Salvation, iii. 120. Rest, as a Test of the Gospel,

ii. 143.

Rest for the Restless, iii. 64.
Return! Return! ii. 127.
Revelation and Conversion, i.

Rivers in the Desert, ii. 54.
Rose and the Lily, The, ii. 7.
Royal Family, The, iv. 150.
Ruins, i. 159.

Ruth deciding for God, i. 79.

Sabbath-work, iii. 252.
Sacrifice, Laying the Hand on

the, i. 55.
Sad Interior and a Cheery

Messenger, iii. 159.
Salus Jehovse, i. 225.
Salvation as it is now Received,

iv. 315.

Satan among the Saints, i. 221.
Scriptures, The, Divinely True,

iv. 395.

Second Time, The, iii. 347.
Self-deceived, ii. 257.
Self or God, ii. 330.
Sermon for the Aged, ii. 72.
Servant, The Honored, i. 291.
Servus Servorum, iii. 204.
Signs and Evidences, iii 320.
Sinner’s Surrender, The, i. 181.
Small Things not to be Despised, ii. 324.
So near, iii. 142.
Sonship Questioned, iii. 11.
Sorrow and Sorrow, iv. 99.
Sorrowful Man’s Question, The,

i. 177.

Soul-health, iv. 361.
Source, The, iii. 246.
Sowing and Reaping, iv. 133.
SpaiTows and Swallows, i. 230.
Spiritual Convalescence, ii. 347.
Stephen and Saul, iii. 353.
Storehouses, Joseph opening

the, i. 31.

Strange Things, iii. 163.
Stronghold, The, ii. 285.

Sunshine, ii. 373.
Sword of the Lord, The, iv.
256.

Tenses, The, iv. 82.

Theocracy, ii. 239.

Things are not what they seem,
i. 263.

Thorn Hedge, The, i. 259.

“To You,” iii. 359.

Tried Man, The, the Blessed
Man, iv. 303.

True and Not True, iii. 275.

Twenty-five, from, to Thirty-five, iii. 80.

Ungodliness Decided, ii. 139.
Uzza, The lesson of, i. 143.

Victorious Faith, iv. 355.

Walking in the Light, ii. 31.
Watching, Waiting, Writing,

ii. 291.

WTatchwrord, A, iii. 297.
Ways Hedged up, ii. 203.
Weariness in Well-doing, iv.

Welcome, A, for Jesus, iii. 1 79.
“Where is He?” iii. 257.
Witness, A, and a Partaker, iv.

325.
Word of God, The, Unbound,

iv. 245.

Word, Thy, Suffices me, iii. 29.
Wrath, The Little and the

Great, ii. 104.

INDEX OF TEXTS.

VOL. I.

GENESIS.
Chap. & Ver.
xix 15 ...

Page
9
14
19
23
26
31
36

41
45
50
2 SAMUEL.
Chap. & Ver. ]
vii. 27
105
109
113
118
125

130
134
140

143
143

148
151
157
159

164
168
168

172
177
181
185

xxxii. 28
xxxii. 29
xxxiii. 9, 11....
lxiii. 13..

1 KINGS.
ii. 28, 30

x. 1

x. 2

xii 56

xix. 4

xlix. 8
EXODUS.
xii. 3, 4

xx. 40

2 KINGS.
ii. 14
vi. 17

xiv 15
xvii. 25, 33, 34..
1 CHRONICLES.
xiii. 8, 12

LEVITICUS.
iv 29

NUMBERS.
xi 1
Y.

65
70

xv. 25

2 CHRONICLES
ii. 1 1

DEUTERONOM
xxxii. 36

xii. 14
xx. 4

JOSHUA.
xxiv 19

xxvii i. 23..

JUDGES.
ix 9 ...

NEHEMIAII.
i. 11

RUTH.
i 16
84
88
88
95
xii. 43

1 SAMUEL.
xvii 47

Jon.
i. 6
iii. 23

xviii 3

xx 17

vii. 20

xxx. 20..

xiv. 4..

JOB (contd.).
Chap. & Ver. Page

xix. 25 188

xxiv. 13 194
xxxviii. 25-27.. 210

PSALMS.

ix. 18 21.3

xix. 7 219

xxxvii. 39 225

lxxxiv. 3 230

xci. 11 235

cxv. 17, 18 240

cxix. 60 245

cxxxviii. 1, 3.. 249

cxliii. 9... 254

PROVERBS.

xv. 19 259

xvi. 2 263

xxi. 2 268
xxv. 2 280

xxv. 25 284
xxix. 25 ... 2’.»5

(406)

VOL, II.

ECCLESIASTE!
Chap. & Ver.
viii. 4

3.
Page
1
ON.
7
13
19

25
31
37
42
48
54
60
66
72
78
84
90
96
104
109
115
121

127
133
139
143
149
155
161

Page
11
17
23
29
35
41
47
52
58
64
70

JEREMIAH (contd.)

Chap. & Ver. Page
H. 50 167

HABAKKTTK.

Chap & Ver.
ii 1-4

Page

291
297
303

308
314
324
330
336
342
347
353
357
361

367
373
ilu

303
303

P.:sr-

131
137
142
118
153
159

163
29
167
173

SONG OF SOLON
ii. 1

EZEKIEL.

ii. 4

ii. 4

iii. 4

xxxvi. 30, 31 179
xlvii 11 185

ZEFIIANIAH.
ii. 3
iii. 2

vi. 5

ISAIAH.
i. 18
ii. 5

DANIEL.
v. 6 191

HAGGAI.

v. 6
xiv. 32

ix. 17 197
HOSEA.
ii. 6. 7 203

ii. 13, 14

ZECHARIAII
iv. 10. ...
ii. 14 209
ii. 23 215

vii. 5,6

ix. 11, 12

xiv 22
x. 6

xlvi 4

x. 2 227

x. 12

xlix 20 21

x. 12 233

xii. 10

1. 2-6.. ’
1. 7.
xii. 10

JOEL.
ii. 13 245

xii. 12-14

liii 5

MALACHI.
i. 2

liv. 7-9
Iv. 7.

AMOS.
vii. 7 251

iv 2

lv. 7..

OB ADI AH.

i. 3 257

MATTHEW.

vii 4.

Ix. 8.

JEHKJ:;AH.
iii. 12, 14, 22....
j;; i Q

JONAH.
iii. 4... 262

ROMANS.
i. 17

MlCAH.

i. 12.. 268

v. 3

ix. 25, 26

GALATIANS.
iii. 11

vi. 16

ii. 8 274

xiii.23
xviii. 11. ....

vi. 3 279
NAHUM.
1.7 285

HEBREWS.
x. 38.

xxxiii. 3

MATTHEW.

Chap. & Vcr.

iv. 3

VOL. III.

MATTHEW (contd.”)

Chap. & Ver. 1’age

xiv. 31 74

MARK (contd.

Chap. & Ver.

ix. 24.

iv. 19

xx. 3, 4 80

x. 49, 50

vii. 21-23

xxii. 8-10 86

xii. 34 ...
xxv. 10 92
xxv”. 29 98
xxvui. 9, 10 103
MARK.
iv. 24 109

xiv. 32
xiv. 72.

ix. 9

ix. 36

xvi. 10

x. 27

LUKE.

v. 26

x. 30

x. 38

v. 6 116

vii. 7

xi. 28-30 ....

j v. 7 120

vii. 38...

xi. 28. ..
vii. 42.

INDEX OF TEXTS.

LUKE (contd.)

Chap, & Ver. Pasre
viii 40 179

JOHN (contd.)

hn -•. & Ver. Page
iv. fi 24-0

JOHN (contd.)

Chap. & Ver. Page
xx. 17 314

x. 39 183 iv. 11 246

xx. 27 320

xv. 40.. 189 v. 9 252

xx. 29 325

xv. 20 115 vii. 11 257

ACTS.
ii. 24 331

xix. ?>.. 195

vii. 43 263

xxii IP, 0 199
xxii. 2i 204
ii 37 335

iv. SI. 975

iv. 14 341
vii. 13 347

xxiv. HS 216
xxiv. 50 222

x. 22. 23 286

vii. 58 353
xiii. 26 359

xiv. 28 .... 291

JOHN.
i 29 228

xiv. 31.. 297

xix. 18-20.... 365

xxvi. 14 371

i. 47.. 234 -xv- 15. 308

xxviii. 2 377

ROMANS.

Chap. & Ver. Page

i, 17 (vol. ii.)... 303
ii. 4 15

VOL. IV.

EPHESIANS (contd.)

Chap. & Ver. Pas?e

iii. 15 150

HEBREWS (contd.)

Chap. & Ver. Page
x. 9 279

iii. 16,17,18, 19. 156
iv. 15, 16.. 162

x. 38 (vol. ii.).. 303
xii. 13 285

iv 24 21

vi 11 12 27

iv. 20, 21... 167

xii. 25 291
v. 11 171
ix. 25 (vol. iij. 215
x. 16 39

v. 25 177

JAMES.
i 12 303

vi. 15 181

xii. 15 44

PHILIPPIANS.

iv. 4 187

COLOSSIANS.

i. 16 193

iv 6 309

xv. 4 50

1 PETER.
i. 9 315

vi. 19, 20 56

i-sr IS S1Q

xi. 24 62

ii. 6 199

TT 1 Wl

xi. 28 68

iii. 11 205

2 PETER.
ii. 9 329

xv. 6 ... 73

2 CORINTHIANS.
i. 3, 4 77

2 THESSALONIANS.
iii. 13 217

iii. 2 333

i 10 82

i 90 88

1 TIMOTHY.
i. 15 223

iii. 3 339

vii 1 94

iii. 14. 344

vii 10 99

i. 16 228

iii. 20,21 349

GALATIANS.
i. 16 104
iii. 11 (vol. ii.).. 303
iii. 23 110
v 7 116

2 TIMOTHY.
i. 12 234
i 18 239

v. 4 355

3 JOHN.
2 361

ii. 9 245

JUDE.

24, 25 367

TITUS.
ii. 10 250

v. 11 122

REVELATION.
i. 7.... 371

vi. 2 5 127

HEBREWS.
iv. 12 256

vi 7 133

xi. 19 377

vi. 14 139
EPHKSIANS.
i. 13. 14 ... 145

iv. 16 262
v. 2 268

xvi. 8, 9 383

xix. 9 389

v. 8... 274

xix. 9 39S